Source :- THE AGE NEWS
We rate the performances of every player who took the field in Sunday’s NRL grand final between the Roosters and Knights.
Roosters
1. James Tedesco: Great captain’s knock by Tedesco, 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
2. Daniel Tupou: Outstanding kick returns and defusal of short dropouts in his record fourth grand final triumph with the club. 7.5
3. Billy Smith: Powerhouse try early in the second half and threatened the Knights’ defence several other times. 7
4. Robert Toia: Not as dangerous as he was in the prelim final against the Dolphins, but solid nonetheless. 7
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase: What a way to sign off from rugby league with two tries and a premiership ring. A genuine excitement machine. 8
6. Daly Cherry-Evans: Dream finish to his storied NRL career, kicking the field goal that proved the difference. 6.5
7. Sam Walker: Two crucial conversions as well as a penalty from out wide and superb hands for Smith try. 7.5
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
9. Reece Robson: Got through a mountain of work with and without the Steeden. 7.5
10. Lindsay Collins: Grand final glory has been a long time coming for the hard-working forward. 7
11. Salesi Foketi: Fitting finish to a breakout season by the hard-running young New Zealander. 7.5
12. Siua Wong: A tower of strength on the Roosters’ right edge and should be even better next season. 7.5
13. Victor Radley: Last season he was almost sacked by the Roosters; now he’s a premiership winner again. 6.5
15. Angus Crichton: Only a short stint as a middle forward but didn’t do much wrong in his last game in league. 5.5
16. Nat Butcher: Did all that was asked coming off the bench. Mr Consistency. 7
17. Spencer Leniu: Made a big impact in his 25-minute stint to win his fourth grand final ring. 6.5
-Phil Mitchell
Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga: Newcastle’s skipper scored a spectacular length-of-the-field try, saved one with a desperate in-goal challenge, and did everything he could to inspire his team. 8/10
2. Dominic Young: Better known as a scoring machine, he saved a four-pointer early on, but his dropped ball in the second half led to a Billy Smith try. 6
3. Dane Gagai: Appearing in his last game for Newcastle, the veteran centre tried hard but was generally well contained. 6
4. Bradman Best: Few opportunities to show his class in attack, but at least kept opposite number Robert Toia quiet and threw the final pass for a Greg Marzhew try. 6
5. Greg Marzhew: Had his hands full marking the high-flying Mark Nawaqanitawase, who scored two tries. Copped a barrage of high balls but kept Newcastle on the front foot with a host of tough carries and scored a late try. 6
6. Fletcher Sharpe: Few signs of his dynamic running game, although he produced some long-range kicking to get his team out of strife before coming up with a costly knock-on. 6
7. Sandon Smith: Steady without having the same impact that he produced against Penrith in the preliminary final. Conceded a high-tackle penalty that allowed the Roosters to grab the lead. 6
8. Tyson Frizell: The old warhorse copped a heavy knock in the early exchanges but soldiered on for 22 minutes and returned for a similar second-half stint. 6
19. Thomas Cant: The stopgap hooker let nobody down as Phoenix Crossland’s replacement, racking up 26 tackles in a 28-minute first-up stint. 6
10. Cody Hopwood: The rookie prop averaged almost a tackle a minute in his opening 25-minute stint and carted the ball up five times for good measure. More strong work after the break. 5
11. Jermaine McEwen: A sloppy play-the-ball gifted the Roosters possession, but he got through a power of work in defence. 6
12. Francis Manuleleleua: Hard to believe this kid has played only a half a season in the NRL. His opening try was further evidence of his line-breaking ability. A bright future. 7
13. Mat Croker: Copped some heavy treatment early on but kept coming. At least, that is, until he was replaced five minutes into the second half. Never stopped while he was out there. 6
14. Harrison Graham: Added some spark out of dummy-half when he came on to replace Cant and defended above his weight. 6
15: Lachlan Crouch: Toiled hard when he came on to replace Frizell against the big-name Roosters pack. 5
16. Pasami Saulo: Threw himself into his work when he came on, but was never likely to have the impact of a Jacob Saifiti (suspended) or a Trey Mooney (injured). 5
17. Dylan Lucas: The Origin back-rower came on early in the second half, playing in the middle rather than his preferred left edge. 5
– Robert Dillon
More grand final coverage
Robert Dillon is a producer, and has covered sport for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via X or email.
