The Sydney Roosters travelled south this week, seeking their first away win of the season when they faced the Melbourne Storm under heavy rainfall at AAMI Park on Thursday evening.
Roosters Weather Early Storm
Turning over possession on the second tackle of the game, Trent Robinson’s men were placed under early defensive pressure as Melbourne stormed towards their try-line.
The Roosters managed to defend a whole set deep in their own half, turning away Melbourne’s attack before enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves tracked back into the in-goal to defuse a Harry Grant grubber, beating returning halfback Jahrome Hughes in the chase to secure the loose ball.
A crafty short drop-out on the restart by Sam Walker found touch after making 10 metres, handing the possession back to the Roosters.
Easts Draw First Blood
An early swing in momentum saw the Roosters apply pressure to the Storm defensive line when a brilliant and unexpected grubber by Brendon Smith from dummy half forced a scramble in the in-goal.
Showtime for Brandon Smith
The men from Bondi survived a scare from the goal-line dropout with the ball bouncing its way to winger Will Warbrick, who lost it into the path of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
The ball found its way to Walker on the third tackle, who delivered his signature arching long-ball to Jaxson Paulo, who crossed for his sixth try in five games wearing for the Roosters. Walker then converted with a pin-point kick from the sideline, giving Easts a six point advantage.
Paulo Opens the Scoring
Manu Shines as Fill-In Fullback
With superstar skipper James Tedesco sidelined for the contest, it was up to New Zealand International Joseph Manu to step into the no.1 jersey for the evening.
Taking the opportunity to show his defensive prowess in the first 15 minutes, Manu dived on a loose Cameron Munster grubber on the edge of the in-goal to save a certain try. He concluded the play by fighting his way out of the in-goal maintaining possession for the Red, White and Blue.
Manu Saves the Day
He stepped up once again as the last line of defence with a heroic one-on-one try-saving effort on Storm back-rower Eliesa Katoa, who exploded through the line and straight towards the fullback, before being dragged to the ground and having the ball wrapped up.
Manu finished the match with a sensational 200 run metres from 22 runs, as well as 62 post-contact metres and seven tackle breaks.
Butcher Brothers Bolster Back Row
Partnering up in the second row were brothers Nat and Egan Butcher, who both put in full 80-minute performances.
After stepping up in defence recently, both Nat and Egan continued to dominate the tackle count this week, with both brothers making an astonishing 49 tackles each as the rain fell at AAMI Park.
Egan was especially strong in attack, running for 63 metres with over half of those coming after contact. He also made a tackle break, offloaded the ball twice, and committed zero errors.
Brandon Smith Returns to AAMI Park
Roosters hooker Brandon Smith made his return to AAMI Park on Thursday, playing at the venue for the first time in the Red, White and Blue, while facing off against his former dummy half counterpart Harry Grant in a highly anticipated battle.
Smith made an early impact, stabbing a grubber kick into the in-goal to force a goal line dropout. He helped get the scoreboard moving on the next set, running deep into the defensive line and delivering a pass that gave Sam Walker just enough time to set up the first try of the game.
He put in plenty of hard work on the defensive end, making an impressive 40 tackles from his two stints on the field.
Robinson & Keary: Round 6 Press Conference
The Sydney Roosters travel to the Shire on Friday to face the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at PointsBet Stadium.
