The first week of the finals provided the best performances of the year and it looks like the Storm and the Roosters are in the box seat to make the Grand Final.
Game 1 – Storm V Rabbitohs
The Storm took the punt in the last round of the season, resting six of their big guns in an attempt to keep them fresh for this encounter with the Rabbitohs and it may have cost them the minor premiership but it played a big part in their victory over the Rabbitohs here.
The Rabbitohs came out flying with Gagai scoring in the corner from a perfectly placed Reynolds kick.
Curtis Scott leveled the scores in the 22nd minute when the Storm moved the ball right, making the most of an overlap and affording Scott an easy 4-pointer.
Inglis, Vunivalu and Blair bagged doubles to keep the team’s neck and neck but it was Munster who came up with the points to win the game when slotting a field goal in the 76th minute.
Souths have not won in Melbourne in 15 matches but they will feel this is the one that got away with 5 tries apiece and now they will have to back up and play the Dragons next week which is sure to be another physical game.
Game 2 – Panthers V Warriors
It was the first time the Warriors had played finals football since 2011 and they certainly started the game determined to make it count with two tries in the first 15 mins.
It was short lived as the Panthers found form from earlier in the season, scoring four unanswered tries, taking the score to 24-12.
Maloney and Cleary then put the game beyond doubt with a field goal in the 59th minute and a penalty goal in the 68th.
Game 3 – Roosters V Sharks
The Roosters had not beaten the Sharks at home in four consecutive match-ups and it seemed as if the streak was going to continue with the Sharks scoring after just five minutes.
Cooper Cronk then put his stamp on the game scoring in the 12th min, giving the Roosters a 6-4 lead.
Wade Graham left the field complaining of a knee injury shortly afterward.
Shane Flanagan was left scratching his head as the Sharks repeatably missed opportunities to take the ascendancy, dropping the ball with the line in sight on two occasions and, with the game in the balance, Luke Lewis couldn’t make the most of an opportunity to level the scores with little time remaining.
It was the big game player, Cooper Cronk who put the game beyond doubt with a field goal in the 72nd minute, giving the Roosters a 21-12 victory.
Game 4 – Broncos V Dragons
The Dragons had not beaten the Broncos at Suncorp in 10 appearances and on recent form it didn’t look likely to change in this game.
The Dragons took the early lead with a Gareth Widdop penalty goal but it was short lived when David Fifita put the home side up 4-2 after 16 minutes.
Tariq Sims played like a man possessed charging over for three tries giving the dragons a 10-28 lead going into the break.
The Broncos were given an opportunity when Gareth Widdop was taken from the field with a dislocated shoulder after 56 minutes but it was short lived with the Dragons crossing the line again through Leilua and Dufty late in the game to win 18-48.
The Dragons will now face the Rabbitohs next week but will be without Widdop after it took 30 mins to put his dislocated shoulder back into place.
Results
Storm 28 V Rabbitohs 28
Panthers 27 V Warriors 12
Roosters 21 V Sharks 12
Broncos 18 V Dragons 48
