NRL finals 2023: Sydney Roosters win 13-12 over Cronulla Sharks in elimination thriller

Joey Manu, Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i gone. James Tedesco sin-binned. Against all odds, a decimated Roosters side have survived a death sentence, as the Sharks blew their season in an elimination final thriller.

Siua Wong scored a freakish late try to save the Roosters finals hopes. Picture: Getty Images.

Amid the mayhem and madness in the second half at Pointsbet Stadium on Saturday night, Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker found a moment of clarity.

Walker, out of favour and sidelined with injury for much of the season, emerged the hero for the Roosters with a match-winning field goal inside the final eight minutes of their sudden-death final against the Sharks.

It was a game for the ages. The Roosters have had few better wins in their history. They were stripped of Joseph Suaalii (concussion) at halftime, Joey Manu in the second half (hamstring) and captain James Tedesco for 10 minutes in the sin-bin.

They finished the game with Angus Crichton and Siua Wong playing in the centres. With their backs against the wall, they came up with a handful of clutch players as the game edged towards its conclusion.

The moment Sam Walker nailed yet another field goal for the Roosters in the finals. Picture: Getty Images.

Tedesco and Luke Keary defied fatigue to produce scarcely believable charge downs, protecting a one-point lead that had been given to them when Walker - with ice running through his veins - took aim from 20 meters.

The field goal - and the win - made up for the disappointment of watching the horse he owns run second earlier in the day.

“It was mayhem,” Walker said,

“It was awesome. It is easy in those situations. Your adrenaline is going and everyone is going. I was clear what I needed to do - I needed to put the ball between those two posts.

“I was spewing my horse got second today. Absolutely spewing. It would have been an even better day but capping it off the win (makes up for it).

“I just wanted to step up. It was just awesome to nail that last field goal and finish the game off.”

Siua Wong scored a freakish late try to save the Roosters finals hopes. Picture: Getty Images.

As good as his game-winning field goal was, he still needed his teammates to protect the lead. First Tedesco, having returned from the sin-bin, hurtled himself to charge down a field goal attempt. Then Keary did the same.

“I knew it was coming,” Keary said.

“I could see him setting up. I made sure I was on side because the touchie was on me, I just had a go”

Walker added: “I think Kezza’s charge down was one of the better ones. They are our two leaders. Teddy and Kez in those big moments stepped up once again.”

It all looked over for the Roosters when James Tedesco was sin-binned in the 52nd minute. But the Roosters produced their gutsiest performance of the season. Picture: Getty Images.

So did Walker. His year has been a rollercoaster, having started the season in the No.7 jersey, spent time in NSW Cup, injured a knee and then won a recall.

“As soon as we got that ball off that (Toby) Rudolf dropped ball, I looked at Sammy and gave him the nod,” Keary said.

“I am so happy for him.”

Walker has now guided the Roosters into a match-up against a familiar enemy. The Roosters and Melbourne Storm have spent years duelling in finals games.

Another one awaits.

Originally published as NRL finals 2023: Sydney Roosters win 13-12 over Cronulla Sharks in elimination thriller