Four Pointers: Sydney Roosters 25 Melbourne Storm 24
Roosters pull off miracle comeback
Down 20-6 with a quarter of the game to go, it looked like the Roosters were done for, as a young Storm side had ran over the top of them. As all good sides do though, the Roosters fought back and found a way to pull a victory out of certain defeat.
They came up with two tries in the last 10 minutes on the flanks to set up a game equalizing conversion for Michael Gordon. Despite being well below his best in 2017 from the boot, Gordon pulled off the clutch conversion and sent the game into Golden Point. It was there maligned NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce sank an amazing field goal to secure a momentous comeback win, echoing scenes of their legendary 2010 finals match against the Tigers.
Pearce’s game winner a sign of his improvement
Before 2017, Pearce had not kicked a successful field goal since 2011. He had kicked 3 in his whole career and his inability to kick one got the blame laid on him for an Origin loss in typical fashion.
This year though he can’t seem to stop kicking field goals. He’s kicked 3 for the year, matching his career tally in half a season and 2 of them were game winners. Whilst his rep career is certainly below par, nobody can deny what a great club player he is. The fact he identified field goals as a weakness in his game and worked hard to improve it, shows the hard work and determination of Pearce to work and improve his game no matter how experienced he is.
Storm future looking bright
It was a game they should have won but it’ll be a tough lesson learnt for the Storm’s young guns who have assured fans that life is looking fine after the holy trinity of Slater, Cronk and Smith retire.
Cameron Munster put in his best performance at 5/8 yet. He notched up two try assists with some smooth passing including a sublime cut-out pass from a standing start to Addo Carr to score a brilliant try. Curtis Scott and Jahrome Hughes were hard to handle and Brodie Croft, the hero of last week scored his maiden NRL try. Unfortunately his inexperience did show when he gave away a 7 tackle set late in the game that marched the Roosters up field.
Overall though the Storm showed that they have some amazing talent coming through the ranks and that they will still be a force to reckoned with for the years to come.
Adelaide loves their Saturday Night Footy
A crowd of 21, 492 people showed up to watch a thrilling match at Adelaide Oval. How many of them were actual League fans can’t be known but even if they were mostly Aussie Rules fans who showed up out of curiosity and something to do on a Saturday night, they got a great introduction to Rugby League and gave the Roosters strong incentive to continue to bring games there.
In The Sheds
Tohu Harris left the field with a knee injury just before half-time and didn’t return.
Scoreboard
Sydney Roosters- 25
Tries: Mitchell Aubusson (16m), Latrell Mitchell (61m), Daniel Tupou (73m), Blake Ferguson (79m)
Goals: Michael Gordon 4/4
Field Goal: Mitchell Pearce (84m)
Melbourne Storm- 24
Tries: Josh Addo-Carr (25m, 42m), Brodie Croft (28m), Suliasi Vunivalu (52m), Jahrome Hughes (69m)
Goals: Cameron Munster 2/5
