Ok so here's my belated run down...
3. Keary. The way he took charge of this team was amazing. The pass for the first try was awesome.
His kicking game, aided wonderfully by our monster backs and forwards who saw Keary kicking inside the Storm's 40m constantly, was still pinpoint accurate. I had a good vantage point behind the posts of Slater trying in vein to get his foot back in goal when receiving high kicks but they were so accurate that he was a metre short every time. 1m deeper and it's a 7 tackle set and maybe a different game. The margins can be that small. So full credit to Keary for his precision.
His defence was also outstanding; including forcing an error from Kaufusi.
And finally we must mention his ability to regain his composure and kick the winning field goal after the disappointment of the intercept.
It really was a complete performance. As Robbo said he won the CCM on Monday a week before the game. And it was this kind of attitude that drove the team forward from kick off.
2. Friend. He outplayed Cameron Smith and was in everything.
Even his kicking game was ****ing unreal - finding grass and getting a repeat set.
His service was great. He also went blindside for Manu's try. He ran from DH well.
There was the 50m run which led to the Munster sin binning that broke the Storm's back.
And then in the 2nd half he bundled Addo Carr into touch with a huge hit to halt a comeback. And not long after that he sat one of their forwards on his ass on our line. Brilliant D.
Another IMMENSE complete performance. His best ever in a Roosters jersey.
1. Aubo. What a warrior. And a Roosters legend. His defensive performance in covering not only his own turf but also Cronk's left shoulder was amazing. Smith, Slater and Munster force you to make so many defensive decisions and Aubo just nailed every one; even with the added defensive responsibility.
He also ran hard in attack and got a lovely quick play the ball after a second effort tackle break past Stimson which led to Manu's try. That sort of play signifies the "one per centers" that this team is all about.
Fight harder to break a tackle for an extra metre. Fight hard again for a quick play the ball. Boom, try. All because of those two extra efforts.
Of course the whole team deserve points. I always felt that our back 5 would be too big, too strong for Melbourne. One of those Gus like "big backs win Origins" type scenarios . Latrell and Manu just manhandled their opposites - with Latrell brushing off Chamberpot for an easy try and then rag dolling him into touch. And then Manu hammered Scott which forced an error too.
These guys are the two best centres in the game and must be priority long term retentions as they give us such an edge. They both ooze confidence. Latrell has literally destroyed Chamberpot's world this season.
Toops and Fergo ran hard all night also and were error free! Amazing. They could scarcely have played better and again just looked bigger and stronger than their opposites.
And then there's Teddy who had the complete game again - missing only a trademark break up the middle. He's set up a try with quick hands to his 3/4s in each finals game. Also did he make a single error in the finals? Faultless. His defence was also outsanding as usual - the media really do underappreciate this vital aspect of a great FBs game. I especially loved how he came in to assist Aubo and Cronk in hammering big NAS over the top on our line.
And now for the forwards; I find it funny how the media's flat out myth of our supposed weakness goes on to KO the Sharks, Souffs and Storm packs back to back to back in the finals. And how about talk of our weak bench? Napa, Tets, Liu, Matto - that's easily the best bench in the comp you muppets.
Their performance didn't surprise me in the least. JWH did what he always does, which is sumo squash Jesse Bromwich. SST was his usual metre eating self; always punching through the line for a quick PTB. Cordner was arguably best forward on ground. He was a rock in D and constantly breaking tackles and "finding his front" as they say these days. Radley was his usual dual self - smashing blokes in D whilst also being a brilliant link man in attack with his slick passing game.
I'll say it again the forward pack was IMMENSE. They are strong, skillful, have tremendous leg speed, are aggressive, outstanding in D, and very versatile as most can play edge or in the centre. The best set of pigs in the comp and the media deserve a slap for their lazy tagline of "weakness" which has foolishly stuck since last years Prelim.
Have I missed anyone? 'twas a bit of a ramble but I wanted to give everyone their dues in what was the best performance by a Roosters side - and frankly any club side - I've seen in a huge finals game.
Oh wait, Robbo! And Fitzy. We talk about players improving but how about the coach? Last year's Prelim was a debacle but he learned. No more backrowers in the centres or wingers on the bench for big games. He had the balls to go with Momirovski which ensured our structure remained in tact and it paid off big time.
Our attack was balls early season so he threw out the playbook and started again. That takes such an open mind and an ability to self reflect and admit error. Another ballsy move that paid off. And in the big dance he absolutely schooled Bellamy. To hide and shift Cronk on the fly like that shows how incredibly entrenched our structures and team identity is. Just a coaching masterclass from a club legend.
So congrats to all involved on their achievements and for providing us fans with memories that will last a lifetime.
