The Sydney Roosters Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) side has claimed the 2022 Premiership after an emphatic Grand Final victory.
After qualifying for their first-ever decider in the PDRL, the Roosters faced a tough task by taking on the undefeated South Sydney Rabbitohs on Sunday afternoon, but were far from deterred ahead of kick-off.
Despite being down 6-4 at the break, the Tricolours pushed through to claim a famous 14-6 victory, with defence a highlight throughout the match, particularly in the second half.
Fellow Australian World Cup squad member Bryce Crane was named man of the match for his stellar two-try performance, while rookie Hayden Coulton also put in a strong contribution.
For Lowe, who scored the side's first four-pointer, the feeling of guiding his underdog side to Premiership glory is resonating strongly amongst the group.
We had close to 500 people on the sidelines watching, filled with friends and family. When you see what they achieve and you turn around and see the crowd cheering with a smile, it’s marvellous.
Aldo Spennati Sydney Roosters PDRL Head Coach
“It feels great, it’s finally sunk in now,” said Lowe.
“We were quietly confident and I said to the boys before we ran out that it’s a different story for them because they had beaten us twice this year and we hadn’t beaten them at all.
"That’s the way we could get a bit of an advantage and be in front of them before we ran out onto the field for kick-off. It was a bit surreal when everyone was running around and cheering for each other. It’s an unreal feeling.
“The majority of the crowd probably expected us to lose so to be able to do what we did was a great feeling.”
Wearing the same Red, White and Blue jersey that the NRL squad does on a week-to-week basis, Lowe says that his side took plenty of inspiration from his first-grade counterparts, and in particular, Captain James Tedesco.
“A lot of the players follow what the Roosters are doing pretty closely, and they try and imitate that on the field,” he said.
“It was a very defensively oriented game, it was a really tight first half, very back and forth and it was very warm too so the weather played a factor.
“We just needed to hang in there and be patient and the points would come if we kept doing what we were doing because our plan was working.
“As Captain, I look up to James Tedesco, and look to what he does for the NRL side and see if I can do that for my team as well.
“It’s a great feeling knowing that I’m representing the Roosters just like he does and to be able to do them proud is another great achievement.”
Head Coach Aldo Spennati, who has been involved with the PDRL for over a decade, was brimming with pride following the courageous win - and cited the elation from both participants and crowd members on the day.
“I could go right across the board but the boys just stood up,” Spennati said.
“They went up another level to what they normally play. They stuck to their game plan and made a game of it against an opposition that hadn’t lost a game all year.
“They got stuck into it and let the ball do the work. Just to see the smiles on their faces is amazing.
As Captain, I look up to James Tedesco, and look to what he does for the NRL side and see if I can do that for my team as well. It’s a great feeling knowing that I’m representing the Roosters just like he does and to be able to do them proud is another great achievement.
Rylee Lowe Sydney Roosters PDRL Captain
“We had close to 500 people on the sidelines watching, filled with friends and family. When you see what they achieve and you turn around and see the crowd cheering with a smile, it’s marvellous.
“It just brings them together, and it gives them all confidence. It’s wonderful to watch.”
The Sydney Roosters would like to congratulate all involved in the 2022 PDRL side on their wonderful achievement.
Sydney Roosters 14 (Bryce Crane 2, Rylee Lowe tries; Bryce Crane 2 goals) def South Sydney Rabbitohs 6
