Both the Melbourne Storm and the Sydney Roosters have had some stellar battles in the past and the Storm’s 26-18 win last night was no different.
In a game where some stars were quiet and others shone, it was the debut of winger Grant Anderson that had everyone talking both pre and post-game.
Anderson, who most would admit, was a player they were not aware of, was able to get himself involved and help the Storm to the win.
His call-up came after the injury suffered by Xavier Coates during Queensland’s Origin win.
The Storm went close to opening the scoring, only for a foot into touch preventing them from doing so.
The Roosters seized that chance and momentum when they scored via youngster Joseph Suaalii.
Sam Walker held a pass back, found Joey Manu and his flick pass found Suaalii who did the rest to score in the corner.
Anderson would then have his try on debut, the recipient of a well-weighted pass from Felise Kaufusi.
As the Storm took control of the game, they had several chances to go further ahead but at first, they were unable to capitalise.
They would be able to score before the break, however, when Nick Meaney and Marion Seve combined.
Down at the break, the Storm would hit the lead early in the second when Harry Grant put Seve over for his second.
The lead went back and forth as the Roosters took the lead after Sitili Tupouniua pounced on Joey Manu’s grubber.
The Storm would grab the final two tries of the game with Anderson scoring his second on debut and Kaufusi nabbing one of his own.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson can see how close his side is to winning the big games, they just lack ruthlessness.
You can see the makings of a team there that is going to dance at the top but we have got to be better than we are in those periods,” Robinson said.
Craig Bellamy admits that either side was good enough to win but praised the Roosters back three, in particular, for their efforts.
points. I just give our back three a real wrap. Obviously we see their back three as a real danger – Tedesco, Tupou and Suaalii,” Bellamy said.
“There is not many better back threes in the competition but I thought our back three held their own good tonight and with all due respect they were probably three of our better players.”
NRL News Player of the Game
3. Felise Kaufusi (MEL)
2. Joey Manu (SYD)
1. Nick Meaney (MEL)