The stage is set, it will be the Sydney Roosters v Melbourne Storm to battle for ultimate glory in the 2018 NRL Grand Final.
Melbourne proved to be too slick, too crisp and too disciplined for the Cronulla Sharks. The Storm dismantled them 22-6 in front of a sold-out Melbourne arena.
They sizzled in attack as Slater scored two tries in his farewell to the Melbourne faithful combining with his partner in crime Cameron Smith. Poor ball security and ill-discipline was the downfall for the Sharks as it gave the Storm the field position and the opportunities to produce points. It was a big team effort from the Storm as they are nearing to a back to back premiership. The last team to achieve that feat was the Brisbane Broncos in 1992/1993.
The biggest stories to come out of that match were Billy Slater’s alleged shoulder charge on Sharks winger Sosaia Feki and Luke Lewis’ final match ending with a try and heartbreak. Slater was charged and it is highly expected that he will miss the Grand Final. He fronts the judiciary on Tuesday night and will have to do a lot of explaining to avoid suspension. He saved a certain try but in the current game of Rugby League, you cannot tackle with a shoulder charge. If he is found guilty, he has played his last ever game of Rugby League. NSW Blues coach and Roosters Legend Brad Fittler told media this week that if the NRL let Slater play, it will set a ‘dangerous precedent.’
In the second encounter, the Roosters shocked the South Sydney Rabbitohs winning 12-4. It was the last game at the Sydney Football Stadium with 40,000 people in attendance. The match featured a lot of errors between the two sides but the Roosters managed to capitalize on their opportunities while Souths couldn’t.
The first try of the game went to Roosters winger Daniel Tupou after some quick hands from James Tedesco allowing Tupou to score untouched in the corner. The biggest story of this game, however, was Cooper Cronk sustaining a shoulder injury. Roosters medical staff worked thoroughly on Cronk during the half-time break rubbing and massaging the damaged shoulder. Remarkably and bravely, Cronk stayed on the field playing with one arm as the other limped by his side. Rather him playing, he talked his team to victory. Luke Keary stepped up to the plate showing his old club, the Rabbitohs, they should have never let him go.
All in all, the Roosters defence won them the game. They restricted Souths from scoring a try but allowed them to score two penalty goals. To put the icing on the cake and for the Roosters to earn the Grand final appearance, Blake Ferguson used his strength to score the match winner with very minimal room to move.
