The Sydney Roosters have survived one of the most extraordinary NRL grand finals in recent memory, holding out the Newcastle Knights 19-18 in a heart-stopping finish at Accor Stadium.
In a contest that swung wildly in the final 20 minutes, the Roosters appeared to have the premiership under control before a remarkable Newcastle fightback left the result hanging by a thread.
The Knights, ravaged by injuries and already missing several key forwards and star recruit Dylan Brown, refused to surrender and twice came within striking distance of stealing the game.
But Daly Cherry-Evans – who had only ever played at Manly before moving to the Roosters for a single season – proved decisive with his experience.
With the Roosters leading 14-12, Cherry-Evans calmly slotted a field goal with 10 minutes remaining to extend the margin to seven points and put Newcastle under enormous pressure.
It was the reason the club brought in the 37-year-old and it was that experience that ultimately sealed the result on Sunday night at Accor Stadium.
Daly Cherry-Evans was the difference on Sunday, winning a premiership in his final season in the NRL
It comes after DCR won the NRL premiership with the Manly Sea Eagles in his debut season in 2011
‘And now he departs off to the English Super League, having won one with the Roosters in the one season he came,’ Channel Nine’s James Bracey said.
‘He was there and signed to conquer. And that he did, and he’s had an incredible career.’
Phil Gould agreed, saying it was DCE’s experience that 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’s 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 minutes, producing a chaotic passage of hot-potato football before eventually being rewarded when winger Greg Marzhew crossed in the corner.
Sandon Smith converted from the sideline to make it 19-18 with only three minutes remaining. Suddenly, the Roosters were having to hang on to their lead.
The Roosters survived a thrilling one-point grand final against Newcastle at Accor Stadium
Newcastle Knights fansare devastated after their extraordinary grand final effort ended in a heartbreaking 19-18 defeat
Kalyn Ponga was huge for the Knights, but was unable to haul his side over the line in the end
Newcastle had spent much of the second half defending their own line and somehow continued to repel attack after attack, with Lindsay Collins denied a try after the Knights got a hand underneath the ball.
The Roosters then appeared to have another try through Toia, only for that effort to also be ruled no try. Yet Newcastle could not find the final opening they needed.
In the closing minutes, Roosters captain James Tedesco produced two enormous plays under pressure to help his side retain possession and deny the Knights another genuine chance.
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 gone 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 a team 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 in his charges for standing up 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 to be Roosters coach.’
