Mini Magic: Top Five Anthony Minichiello Moments

Our celebration throughout the off-season of some of our most beloved clubmen continues - this time with the unbelievable Anthony Minichiello.

Upon retirement in 2014, 'Mini' held the Club record for both most appearances (302) and tries (139) - so with plenty of incredible moments to look over, we've come up with his five best in chronological order.

Mini's Marathon - Round 25, 2002 vs St George Illawarra Dragons 

One of his personal favourite career moments came just weeks out from being crowned a 2002 Premiership winner.

Heading into the second-to-last round before the finals, the Roosters still needed to claim two victories to ensure a top-four finish, with their first hurdle against St George Illawarra at the Sydney Football Stadium on a wet and dreary afternoon.

Despite the conditions being more suited to a slow and grinding game, the damp pitch failed to bother a young Minichiello as he swooped on a grubber just centimetres from the try line - and off he went. 

With the halftime siren sounding and the men from Bondi with a handy 14-nil lead, that wasn't enough for the blistering winger as he charged through to find space in the backfield.

After putting on a move against fellow speedster Mark Gasnier, Minichiello screamed through with the crowd in raptures, outgunning his opponent and diving through under the sticks to complete a remarkable 100-metre effort. 

The One-Pointer - Round 11, 2007 vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 

Anthony Minichiello is renowned for his dynamic running style, tackle-breaking abilities and leadership qualities but on this occasion, it was his golden boot that iced a famous victory. 

Heading to Shark Park in Round 11, the Roosters were looking to reverse their fortunes after a demoralising 26-2 defeat the week prior, with their fullback a late including in jersey no.21. 

In a dour affair that saw the home side lead by just six at the break, the Sharks struck again to take a 12-nil lead before backrower Ashley Harrison dived on a grubber to get his side on the board 67 minutes in. 

Time was of the essence for the Red, White and Blue, but another kick provided the points, with winger John Williams beating out his opponents to touch down and even the scores soon after, forcing the match into Golden Point. 

Two attempts to ice the match by Cronulla were thwarted, with Captain Craig Fitzgibbon charging down a field goal attempt, before Minichiello stepped up to the plate. 

In front of the posts and 20 metres out, Minichiello took a cannonball pass to compose himself and slot his first and only career field goal, winning the match for his side and capping off a heroic comeback. 

Buzzer Beater - Round 1, 2012 vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

Arguably one of his most famous moments and yet another match-winning play, this one has been replayed countless times. 

Heading west to take on rivals Souths in the opening match of the 2012 season, the Roosters powered through early with Lama Tasi scoring the opener before Aiden Guerra soared for a 12-all score at the break. 

A scrappy opening to the second half saw their opponents hit back, and with an eight-point deficit with less than two minutes remaining, the Roosters needed a miracle to claim an unlikely victory.

Young tyro Jared Waerea-Hargreaves gave his side a glimmer of hope as he charged through to carry four defenders with him over the line, and it was game-on with just two points the difference. 

With time winding down and their ball security out the window, the Roosters swung it out wide in their own half, with Mitchell Pearce and Mitchell Aubusson linking up to break through.

Aubusson sent the ball back inside to Boyd Cordner, with the 19-year-old backrower calmly kicking through the line with Minichiello streaming through on his inside - and the custodian swooped to take possession, leaping through to score one of the great buzzer beaters in Club history. 

The Tackle - Round 26, 2013 vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

It was another game-defining play one year on from the Captain - one that not only ensured victory, but the Minor Premiership as well. 

A bumper crowd of nearly 60,000 packed into ANZ Stadium to watch the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs fight it out in the final round of the 2013 regular season. 

While tries to James Maloney and Aidan Guerra gave the side the lead, a late four-pointer to the hosts saw the Tricolours take a slender two-point deficit at the break.

A penalty levelled things up before the Bondi Wall got to work to deny their opponents any lead, before Maloney and Mitchell Pearce touched down in quick succession to take a handy 24-12 lead with a quarter of the match left.

Souths broke through in the 73rd minute with winger Nathan Merritt destined for the try line to close the gap - but cometh the hour and cometh the Captain, Anthony Minichiello made his presence known.

Converging with just 10 metres between Merritt and the try line, Mini executed a perfect textbook legs tackle to put his opponent into touch in a play that epitomised the defensive fortitude that eventually propelled his side to the Premiership title. 

Lifting the Trophy - Grand Final, 2013 vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

Only a handful of players have had the honour of lifting the Premiership trophy in the Red, White and Blue, and for Anthony Minichiello it not only marks one of his greatest achievements but is a testament to his tenacity and commitment to the Club.

It's hard to forget that Minichiello battled through serious back and spinal injuries that threatened to derail his career, limiting him to just 33 appearances across four seasons from 2006 to 2009. 

But in typical fashion, Minichiello bounced back in 2010 to help guide the Roosters to a Grand Final appearance, before lifting the trophy three years later as the side's skipper. 

Named Captain earlier that year under new Head Coach Trent Robinson, Minichiello's professionalism and leadership were evidenced in the side's defensive resolve, with the Bondi Wall shutting out a record six sides.

It's the best year of my life. I'm about to have a baby in December, my first one, and a Grand Final win. What more could you ask for?

Anthony Minichiello Following the 2013 Premiership win

In the Grand Final, he guided the Roosters from 10 points down to claim an emphatic 26-18 victory, much thanks to his looping pass for Shaun Kenny-Dowall's try which gave the side the lead for the first time. 

Holding the Provan-Summons trophy aloft at fulltime, Minichiello capped off a whirlwind year to become the Club's 10th Premiership Captain. 

Bonus Entry: The Houdini Steal - Round 15, 2012 vs Wests Tigers

As we've seen already on this list, the MinCat's talents not only lay in attack, but in defence as well, and it was this remarkable effort that proved he was a man of many talents. 

With a handy 12-4 lead against the Wests Tigers on a sunkissed afternoon at Leichhardt Oval, the Red, White and Blue faced a stern test to shut their opponents out close to the line.

Charging onto an inside pass was Ben Murdoch-Masila, and after breaching the line, the behemoth was in full celebration, as were the Tigers fans - the only problem though, was that he didn't have the ball.

In a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, Minichiello courageously took on the hulking forward, stripping the ball upon contact and saving a certain try at a crucial point of the match.

Even the commentary team was bewildered by his unorthodox manoeuvre. 

From there, the Tricolours went on to record a dominant 42-28 victory in enemy territory in a seven-tries-to-five performance, with the clever steal remaining a highlight.