Bellissimo! Roosters Celebrate Tedesco’s 200th in Style at SCG

The Roosters took to the field on the hallowed SCG for the second last time for season 2022 with the sun beaming down on a dry track in what was an exciting day to celebrate their Captain's milestone. 

Both clubs paid tribute with a moment's silence following the passing of legendary player and coach Paul Green, who contributed heavily to the triumphs of both the Roosters in 2002 and 2013 as well as the Cowboys in 2015.

With the sun causing havoc for both sides, a Luke Keary bomb close to the line saw the Tricolours strike first courtesy of a looping pass from Victor Radley that put Joseph Suaalii over in the corner.

Suaalii showed his process without the ball with a number of crunching hits as both sides stoutly defended their line, while Keary's kicking continued to put pressure on the visitors. 

The momentum continued for the men from Bondi as they forced multiple drop outs, and it was Matt Lodge who strolled in for the second try of the match - and his first for the Club - with Radley's ball-playing a highlight once again. 

It was nearly a case of another kick and another try as Joseph Manu leapt to find himself on the board, only for a Bunker intervention to deny the flying Kiwi, who had lost possession upon grounding. 

A barnstorming run from Suaalii got his side downfield and had the SCG crowd on their feet, but poor execution and ill-discipline invited North Queensland downfield,  resulting in their first try through Murray Taulagi.

Not to be deterred, the Roosters hit back almost immediately as the left side shifted to put Daniel Tupou over for his 129th career try in the corner, taking a handy 14-6 lead at the break as they held off a late raid from the Cowboys. 

The trademark defence from the Bondi Wall held out an early raid from the visitors to start the second half, and their efforts were rewarded as Sam Verrills strolled through to score from a scrum untouched.

But just as Easts had gained a fourteen-point buffer, the Cowboys returned serve with a try of their own as Reece Robson reached out next to the posts to set up an intriguing final 20 minutes. 

Defensive fortitude continued to shine as their opponents threatened, and on the back Jared Waerea-Hargreaves' return to the field, the hulking front rower barged over to score in emphatic fashion. 

With the wind behind their backs, the home side continued to rally as Verrills burrowed over for his second to ice his first career double, and while North Queensland bagged a late try, it was all in vain as the Roosters recorded a dominant 32-12 win. 

Easts meet Wests next week as the Sydney Roosters take on the Wests Tigers in their final match at the Sydney Cricket Ground in a Saturday night blockbuster. 

Sydney Roosters 32 (Sam Verrills 2, Joseph Suaalii, Matt Lodge, Daniel Tupou, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves tries; Sam Walker 3 goals) def North Queensland Cowboys 18 (Murray Taulagi, Reece Robson, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow tries; Valentine Holmes 3 goals)