Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Knights coach Justin Holbrook and captain Kalyn Ponga are speaking to the media, with Holbrook proud of his side’s performance despite the defeat.
“The players, we never cared who wasn’t playing, we just focused on who was. Thomas Cant was terrific tonight [replacing Phoenix Crossland at hooker],” Holbrook says.
“It doesn’t matter to our group, we’re confident we can go out and get the win.
“We needed a bit of luck in that second half, but unfortunately they got it. We needed the footy gods on our side.
“Couldn’t be prouder. Just so disappointed for my players. Nearly got there.
It’s a fitting end to an era for the Tricolours. Angus Crichton and Mark Nawaqanitawase are off to rugby union. Daly Cherry-Evans is bound for Hull FC in the English Super League, having done the job the Roosters asked of him when they signed him for one last season in the NRL. Connor Watson, a key utility man for them in recent years who missed this game through concussion, will join the Dragons.
But they’ll still have the quality to be a title contender again. James Tedesco is 33 years young but still playing as well as ever. Sam Walker is probably the most creative playmaker in the league. Naufahu Whyte is the game’s premier prop and is signed on for another three seasons, as is their other member of the Dally M team of the year, centre Robert Toia.
With the Panthers facing the possibility of a player exodus in the next couple of seasons, are the Roosters ready to build their own dynasty?
It wasn’t the fairytale finish Newcastle fans and most neutrals were hoping for, but there’s still a lot to like about the Knights’ future under Justin Holbrook. Dane Gagai aside, most of this squad will remain intact next season, and they’ll be bolstered by the returns of Dylan Brown, Trey Mooney, Jacob Saifiti and Phoenix Crossland. The young players who took to the game’s biggest stage tonight will only be better for the experience.
And the wave of support the team has enjoyed from Newcastle throughout this finals series isn’t going away any time soon. Expect to see packed crowds at McDonald Jones Stadium on a regular basis next year. The team’s premiership window is wide open.
All the smarties, and all the rest of us besides, knew that however much popular sentiment was behind the Knights in this NRL grand final, last year’s wooden-spooner workers beating the uppity glory boys of the eastern suburbs would be wonderful – but elite sport just doesn’t work like that.
The Knights, we knew, had left their best on the field by beating Penrith last week, and would have nothing left to give. The Roosters, obviously, had too much firepower, too much big-match experience, too much sheer talent, to lose against – what’s that smell? – the sweaty proletariat from the north. No-one would be surprised by a 20-point victory, if not 30 points.
And yet?
And yet all through the first half it was obvious we had a real contest on our hands. Despite the Roosters dominating possession and territory, the Knights were still in this game.
Grand final hero. That’s the latest label that can be attached to Mark Nawaqanitawase. Apparently, being a dual-code international, State of Origin star and Olympic representative wasn’t quite enough.
As speculation surrounds whether the Roosters winger will return to the NRL after switching back to rugby union, let us take a moment to appreciate his ability to deliver the biggest plays on the biggest days.
“Marky Mark” was at it again in Sunday’s NRL decider. The Roosters had enough possession to win not only this game, but half a dozen others. Yet it took a couple of moments of brilliance from Nawaqanitawase to sink the valiant Knights 19-18 in a thriller.
Check out how we ranked every player who took to the field from the Roosters and Knights.
Here are some highlights from the premiership-winning Roosters:
1. James Tedesco: Great captain’s knock in which he ran for more than 380m. Outstanding under the high ball and set up the Roosters’ third try. Deserved Clive Churchill Medal winner. 9/10
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase: What a way to sign off from rugby league with two tries and a premiership ring. A genuine excitement machine. 8
8. Naufahu Whyte: What a beast this Kiwi prop is. Easily the best forward on the ground, running for 190m. He’s in for a great future. 8.5
