Matty Johns column: How Roosters produced NRL masterpiece in 2018 grand final
Ahead of Friday night’s blockbuster, Matty Johns puts the 2018 grand final under the microscope, as well as looking at what’s changed for their rematch.
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In last year’s grand final, the unthinkable happened, the Melbourne Storm, a club who set the standards for preparation and intensity, were outmuscled, out enthused and out thought by the Sydney Roosters.
The Storm turned up to play football but the Roosters, with their halfback severely restricted and basically playing with twelve, knew they needed more…..and they turned up to fight.
One of the Storm’s greatest weapons, is that regardless of the talent in the team, they assume the underdog mentality and attack their opponents with fierce determination.
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The Roosters managed to turn that on its head.
But there was more to it than muscle, they played to a plan.
Luke Keary was given the job of chief playmaker, Cronk’s role was to sit on shortsides as a decoy and allow Keary and Tedesco to roam the open field.
The Roosters managed to turn that on its head.
But there was more to it than muscle, they played to a plan.
Luke Keary was given the job of chief playmaker, Cronk’s role was to sit on shortsides as a decoy and allow Keary and Tedesco to roam the open field.
The Storm believed that Cronk wouldn’t be able to help himself and would assume the lead role through habit and instinct. So when Cooper rolled to the narrow side, Melbourne followed in numbers, Keary had a field day.
But the Roosters also executed a plan to take out Melbourne’s lethal back three of Slater, Vunivalu and Addo-Carr.
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On the last tackle the Roosters kicked high enough to allow their defenders to arrive just as the Melbourne player received the ball, and then they hit and drove him back.
As a result the Melbourne forwards were forced to work overtime with no momentum created on early tackles, it sapped their energy and is a tactic which now all teams are attempting week to week.
The Roosters’ dominance that night forced Melbourne to long introspection. In the off-season they went back to the drawing board, they saw the direction their football had evolved to and addressed it.
The Storm have returned in 2019 with their trademark precision and fire.
Already this season, these two teams are looking the most likely.
This game couldn’t come at a better time, the Storm undefeated with five from five, but the Roosters the in-form, dominant team.
Melbourne’s first three wins were superb, totally overwhelming the Broncos, Raiders and Panthers, however the intensity has dipped in less than convincing wins over the Dogs and Cowboys.
Nothing to be alarmed by, you can’t be sky high every week and the key to having a top four finals position is being able to win on those days when your football is average.
The Storm will need to be back toward their best on Friday night and they will be.
The Roosters’ attack is humming along beautifully at the moment.
The Keary/Cronk combination is reaching its potential and James Tedesco’s football has gone to the next level after learning how to best combine with his No.7 and No.6.
Former Storm assistant, and now Roosters’ attacking coach, Adam O’Brien deserves credit for the improvement in how the Tricolours are using the football.
Before the season his signing was seen as a crucial one for Trent Robinson in their quest to go back-to-back, and the proof is in the pigskin.
There are some really great storylines around these two clubs in 2019.
Cameron Smith continues to break records and set new standards. Last week he broke the all-time points scoring record and later this year will be the first player to play 400 NRL games, but it’s another grand final win which will draw the most admiration.
A grand final win, as the last man standing from those great Storm teams when the dynasty began in the mid 2000s.
But what about Cooper Cronk? Consider this, if the Roosters manage to go back-to-back, it will mean Cronk has won three grand finals in a row, after playing in four grand finals in four years.
Where would that put him in terms of the greatest ever 7s?
And then there’s the two deputies …. but are they still only the second in charge?
Cameron Munster and Luke Keary.
Along with Cody Walker, these two 6’s have been 2019’s best players and will have a huge influence on Friday night’s outcome.
The Roosters’ right edge are having problems with their defensive decision making, Cameron Munster will go at them all night …. this little battle will be crucial.
Luke Keary will pop up everywhere. That’s what I love about his game this season, he’s not nailed down to the left side and this allows him to form combinations with Cronk.
Melbourne will have done a lot of video work on Keary, but given he’s a reactive player who strikes on visual opportunity, the Storm will have to be on guard all night.
It’s hard to work out what the style of this contest will be.
Both teams can open up and play a bit of sideline to sideline attack, but they also love a middle field grind.
Either way it will only be a few points separating them come full-time.
Originally published as Matty Johns column: How Roosters produced NRL masterpiece in 2018 grand final
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