Five of the Best: Moments in Mackay
After four matches at BB Print Stadium, the Sydney Roosters have declared Mackay their 'home-away-from-home' after matches in 2021 and 2022.
From the side's three wins and 21 total tries, we've narrowed down Five of the Best Moments in Mackay.
Walker and Tedesco Send Sitili Straight Through
Taking on fellow finals contenders in the Parramatta Eels in Round 20, the Roosters' first venture to Mackay proved to be a fruitful one - and their second four-pointer was one to remember.
Following Josh Morris' opening try, the Roosters went straight back to work on the very next set thanks to some clever ball-playing from their rookie halfback and Captain.
Tedesco Busts Eels Open and Tupouniua Scores
Coming out of their own end, the Tricolours split the Parramatta defence open with ease as Sam Walker went inside to James Tedesco, who streaked through a gap as he found himself in the Eels' half.
The fullback then cleverly drew in fullback Clint Gutherson to send a charging Sitili Tupouniua streaming through to score his eleventh try of the season, with the BB Print Stadium crowd getting on their feet in full cheer.
Sam Stuns Eels With Solo Effort
After a back and forth tussle with the Eels after Tupouniua's four-pointer, the two sides entered an arm wrestle with the next try proving to be vital to the outcome of the match.
Having set up the previous try, Walker put it upon himself to engineer the Roosters' next points as he swung around on the left side, fooling the defence with a show and go to find himself into open pasture.
Walker Glides Through to Get on the Board
With support either side of him and with Gutherson out at sea, the mercurial teenager fooled the fullback with a deceptive fake pass to find himself on the scoreboard in a scintillating solo effort.
The try propelled the Roosters' lead to sixteen points midway through the second half and was ultimately the turning point, setting up the 28-nil victory.
Match: Roosters v Titans
Round 9 -
home Team
Roosters
6th Position
away Team
Titans
14th Position
Venue: BB Print Stadium, Mackay
Manu Catches Parramatta Napping
The ever-reliable Daniel Tupou touched down in the corner with just minutes to spare, sealing the result against the Eels in a dominant showing from Easts - but Trent Robinson's men weren't done with just yet.
Walker's deception early on was a highlight for many Roosters Members and supporters - but even the Channel 9 cameras failed to catch Joseph Manu soon after.
The Kiwi ace took advantage of a penalty to quickly tap the ball and dash 60 metres downfield as the defence lowered their guard, putting the icing on the cake for a memorable 28-nil victory.
Manu Catches Eels Defence Napping
Keighran Claims Quickfire Hat-Trick Against Raiders
The Roosters returned to Mackay in Round 25 to put in a dominant seven-try performance against the Canberra Raiders in the final regular-season round with centre Adam Keighran having a memorable night out.
In a back and forth contest in the first half-hour, the Roosters and Raiders were level on the scoreboard before Keighran announced himself with a try, pouncing on a deflected Drew Hutchison bomb to give his side the lead.
Keighran Bags his First Hat-Trick
After slotting a penalty goal, the dynamic centre added to the lead with his double just minutes from halftime, stepping on the inside of the defence on fifth tackle - but it was his next effort that got the Mackay crowd on their feet.
In a 60-metre effort, Keighran split the defence open with a deft show and go, linking with James Tedesco in support who dashed downfield before lobbing a pass back on the outside to complete the treble in emphatic fashion.
Marschke's Maiden Try Ices Memorable Night
Thrust into the NRL squad following an early-season injury toll, hooker Ben Marschke proved to be a valuable member of the squad, and in the final match of the regular season, his efforts were rewarded with a memorable four-pointer.
Heading into the final fifteen minutes of the match and looking to ice the result against the Raiders, the Roosters headed left close to the line as Drew Hutchison charged towards the line.
Hutchison Hands Marschke Maiden Try
The hard-running five-eighth lulled in the defence before offloading to Marschke in backup, with the nuggety hooker spinning round to touch down and bag his inaugural try in the NRL - much to the excitement of his teammates and Roosters fans alike.
