The Sydney Roosters have survived one of the most remarkable NRL grand finals in recent memory, edging the Newcastle Knights 19-18 in a dramatic finish at Accor Stadium.
The contest swung wildly during the final 20 minutes. Just when the Roosters appeared to have the premiership under control, a stunning Newcastle fightback left the outcome in doubt until the final siren.
Despite being weakened by injuries, missing several key forwards and star recruit Dylan Brown, the Knights refused to give in and twice came within touching distance of snatching victory.
Daly Cherry-Evans, who had spent his entire career at Manly before joining the Roosters for a single season, ultimately proved decisive with his composure and experience.
With the Roosters leading 14-12, Cherry-Evans calmly kicked a field goal with 10 minutes remaining, extending the margin to seven points and piling the pressure onto Newcastle.
That was precisely why the Roosters signed the 37-year-old, and his big-game experience ultimately helped secure the result on Sunday night at Accor Stadium.
Daly Cherry-Evans made the difference on Sunday, winning a premiership in his final NRL season
The victory comes after DCE won the NRL premiership with the Manly Sea Eagles during his debut season in 2011
‘And now he departs for the English Super League having won one with the Roosters in the one season he came,’ Channel Nine’s James Bracey said.
‘He arrived with a mission to conquer, and that is exactly what he did. He has had an incredible career.’
Phil Gould agreed, saying Cherry-Evans’ experience was exactly what the Roosters needed to get them over the line this season.
‘He came here for this specific purpose. They signed him for that purpose and he delivered on the big day. In the end, his field goal was the difference between the two teams,’ Gould said.
The Knights threw everything at the Roosters in the dying stages, producing a chaotic passage of hot-potato football before finally being rewarded when Greg Marzhew crossed in the corner.
Sandon Smith added the conversion from the sideline to make it 19-18 with only three minutes left, leaving the Roosters desperately clinging to their lead.
The Roosters survived a thrilling one-point grand final against Newcastle at Accor Stadium
Newcastle Knights fans are devastated after their extraordinary grand final effort ended in a heartbreaking 19-18 defeat
Kalyn Ponga was outstanding for the Knights but could not carry his side over the line
Newcastle had spent much of the second half defending near their own line, somehow repelling wave after wave of Roosters pressure. Lindsay Collins was denied a try after the Knights managed to get a hand underneath the ball.
The Roosters then appeared to score through Toia, only for that effort to also be ruled no try. Newcastle, however, could not create the final opening required to complete the comeback.
In the closing minutes, Roosters captain James Tedesco produced two huge plays under pressure, helping his side retain possession and denying the Knights another genuine chance to steal the premiership.
It was courage under fire that ultimately saw the Chooks skipper named Clive Churchill Medal winner.
‘So proud of this team. Oh, what a game. I’m speechless. Speechless. Honestly, I felt like we had them on the ropes, but they just kept coming back. There were so many great attacking players and all, that game could have went either way,’ he said.
It was a heartbreaking way for the Knights to bow out, after showing incredible tenacity to oust South Sydney, the New Zealand Warriors and the Penrith Panthers to reach the decider.
And they came into the match without their starting front row, hooker and halfback as injuries and suspensions decimated the team.
Newcastle great Andrew Johns was still full of pride, saying that they should have been beaten by 50 but showed pure courage to somehow stay in the fight until the final siren.
James Tedesco is presented the Clive Churchill Medal by NRL great Peter Sterling
Newcastle players react after their premiership dream ended in such dramatic fashiom
Sydney Roosters star Mark Nawaqanitawase celebrates with teammate Siua Wong
‘I still can’t believe it. You look at the stats once again and against ateam that was pretty much full strength,; he said.
‘Stacked full of origin players in the international, the Knights missing all their front row and their big marquee signing Dylan Brown, their halfback, somehow found a way to get in the grand final and then hung on, and that was disappointing.
‘But this is one of the most courageous efforts I’ve seen.’
Ponga was left heartbroken after the final siren but vowed Newcastle would return.
‘It hurts. It hurts so much,’ Ponga said.
‘I know we did them proud, but the ultimate goal is to win a comp. Can’t thank them enough for their support. We’ll be back.’
Roosters coach Trent Robinson said he was full of pride for his charges for standing to the incredible Newcastle fightback.
‘it’s a privilege to get back on this stage and you know to what Newcastle have sort of been through the last month,’ he said.
‘And to play a game like that and finish it off, it’s just yeah, really, really proud of really proud to be Roosters coach.’