Nathan Smith reviews the Round 14 clash between the Roosters and the Storm.
MATCHDAY RESULTS
SCOREBOARD
Sydney Roosters 18
Tries: Joseph Suaalii (5), Sam Walker (18), Sitili Tupouniua (47)
Goals: Sam Walker (6, 19), Paul Momirovski (47)
Melbourne Storm 26
Tries: Grant Anderson (14, 61), Marion Seve (30, 43), Felise Kaufusi (73)
Goals: Nick Meaney (15, 43, 73)
MATCH REPORT
Embed from Getty Images1st Half
Melbourne made themselves known early with an 80-metre break in the second minute of the game by winger Dean Ieremia. However, the Storm was unable to capitalise on this and the Roosters responded with a brilliant set that saw them surge up the field and score through Joseph Suaalii.
The opening quarter featured poor defence from both sides, which led to some exciting attacking play. Forwards and backs alike were able to march the ball up the field and find space. The Storm would eventually reply to the Roosters’ try with one of their own after a slick back-line movement that sent Grant Anderson through to score.
Some Sam Walker brilliance saw the Roosters back on top after he grubbered through the line and picked the ball up to score. Following this, a period of error-riddled footy ensued, with both sides failing to complete their sets on multiple occasions.
Luke Keary would go off the field in the final ten minutes of the first half for a HIA after a huge fend from Nick Meaney. Shortly after, Marion Seve crashed over for a try. In the dying minutes of the first half, Joseph Manu’s silky hands nearly sent Suaalii in again, only for some desperate Storm defence to manage to hold him up. Manu crossed in the final 40 seconds, which would have capped a brilliant half of footy from the centre, only for the try to be denied.
At halftime, the game was well and truly in the balance.
HALF-TIME: Sydney Roosters 12 Melbourne Storm 10
Embed from Getty Images2nd Half
The second half couldn’t have started worse for the Roosters, with the ball sent out on the full from the kick-off. This gifted the Storm some valuable field position that they quickly converted into a repeat set. Following this, Harry Grant sent a short ball to Marion Seve to assist him in scoring his second.
The game continued to see-saw after Manu chalked up another try assist, this time to Sitili Tupouniua. Paul Momirovski would take the kick after Walker had to leave the field due to a head knock. Shortly after, the Roosters marched up the field and Suaalii nearly scored through a spectacular take, only to lose the ball. However, the Roosters were able to force a repeat set and begin to build some consistent momentum.
Unable to capitalise, both sides entered another back-and-forth tussle. The game remained a two-point affair leading into the final quarter. The Storm gained ascendency with a second try to Grant Anderson, putting them back in front on the board. However, Meaney missed the conversion, ensuring it remained a two-point game.
Some brave Roosters defence prevented a resurged Storm from scoring a possible match-winner with nearly ten to go. However, a knock-on at dummy half put them back under pressure. The Roosters managed to hold on and treat the fans to a blockbuster finale.
With seven minutes to go, a brilliant Roosters kick over the top all but gifted Tuponiua a try, only for the big forward to spill the ball over the line. The Storm punished the error by scoring in the very next set, with Felise Kaufusi storming over with an old school forwards’ try. This would prove to be the decisive blow, with the Storm holding on to win a tightly contested match.
FULL-TIME: Sydney Roosters 18 Melbourne Storm 26
PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS
Embed from Getty Images3 pts – Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm), 2 pts – Jahrome Hughes (Melbourne Storm), 1 pt – Joseph Manu (Sydney Roosters)
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