Well it took 26 rounds to come round, but it was well worth the wait wasn’t it? The first week of the NRL finals had everything – drama, tension, controversy, heart-in-your-mouth moments and some simply remarkable rugby league. Here’s what happened:
Roosters 24 Broncos 22
This game was edge of your seat stuff, going down to the last play. The Roosters started on fire, running out to 14-0 lead with some electric attack. But the Broncos, missing some key players, came back into it.
A brain explosion from Blake Ferguson, when he tried to stop a 40-20 kick going into touch, gifting Corey Oates what looked like a match-winning try in the 71st minute. It was an error reminiscent of Billy Slater’s in the 2008 World Cup final. That score made it 22-18 to Brisbane, but it wasn’t all over. The Roosters didn’t lose their cool and young Latrell Mitchell saved their bacon when he scored an outstanding individual try with five minutes left.
That was enough to get the boys from Bondi Junction home in a thriller at Allianz Stadium. The Roosters go through to the grand final qualifier and get a week off, while the Broncos get a second bite ay the cherry and will face Penrith.
Storm 18 Eels 16
Melbourne’s magical season continued after a close two-point win over Parramatta. The Eels pushed them all the way and led at half-time. But the Storm fought back with tries from Kenny Bromwich and Billy Slater, along with two cool conversions from Cameron Smith and a 63rd minute penalty goal, was just enough to see them through.
Centre Curtis Scott continues to impress but the afternoon belonged to Smith, who broke Darren Lockyer’s record for the most appearances in the NRL. Melbourne are just 80 minutes from another grand final appearance while Parramatta will take on Cowboys. The Eels can take plenty of heart from a great performance that only just fell short.
Panthers 22 Sea Eagles 10
Who would be a referee eh? Penrith ended Manly’s season with the most controversial of victories on Saturday night. In a nail-biter the two teams were locked up at 10-10 until the 74th minute. The Sea Eagles controversially had a try to Dylan Walker disallowed by the Bunker before that, while Akuila Uate bombed a certain try when he knocked on as he tried to ground the ball. But the decision with six minutes left by the Bunker took the cake, when Tyrone Peachey’s try was given the green light. Peachey’s arm seemed to touch the ball in the lead-up but it was still given. Bryce Cartwright dived over in the dieing stages to wrap up the Panthers’ victory. Heart-break for Manly but elation for the mountain men, who were smashed by the Sea Eagles last weekend but bounced back a week later in fantastic fashion.
Cowboys 15 Sharks 14
Cronulla’s tilt at going back-to-back in the NRL is dead and buried after an extra-time one-point loss to the Cowboys. North Queensland, missing their two best players in Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott, showed real grit to eke out a slim victory. In another encounter filled with talking points and conjecture, twice the Cowboys had to come from behind to snatch the win.
Jason Taumalolo was immense for the Cows, finishing with 256 metres and a vital 63rd minute try, while it was Michael Morgan’s field goal in extra-time that settled the contest. Tough on the Sharks, but North Queensland live to fight another day.
