NRL finals RECAP: Walker gamble pays off as Roosters cruise into grand final
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Huge win for the Roosters, who advance to the big dance.
Penrith and Newcastle meet on Sunday to determine the other grand finalists.
‘Special’ swansong looms for DCE
Cherry-Evans is overcome with pride and emotion after helping steer the Roosters back towards a grand final, but he knows the job isn’t done yet.
“It’s special, absolutely no doubt about it,” he told Nine post-game.
“I’ll be honest, I’m so proud to be a part of this great club and this great team – but you ask anyone, there’s still more work to be done.
“Sometimes you can get caught up in how the game’s played, wins or losses, but when it’s all said and done, when the moments come – you have to deliver.
“We took a hell of a lot from that first week of finals and from there, we’ve really unlocked a few things. We’re going in with our heads held high and chests out.”
Cherry-Evans then bid farewell to Suncorp Stadium, a place he led Queensland out onto the field countless times in the Origin arena.
“I don’t wanna miss a quick opportunity to say a quick thank you to everyone in this stadium – Queensland is a very special part of my footy career and my life, so thanks very much to everyone for your support over the years,” he said.
Daly Cherry-Evans has the chance to go out a winner. Getty Images
Roosters fans, stand up!
That’s full time at Suncorp Stadium and the Roosters are into the grand final.
Fanastic performance from the Tricolours, who will now meet either the Panthers or Knights in next weekend’s decider.
Late consolation tries for Dolphins
A couple of late consolation tries for the Dolphins as both Finefeuiaki and Farnworth dive over, but it’s too little too late.
The last-ditch effort to continue a late flurry is shut down by, you guessed it, Nawaqanitawase taking an intercept from a Katoa pass.
Walker seals the deal!
Roosters fans, it’s time to get excited!
Walker forces a dropout with a grubber kick and from the next set, he darts over himself and scores a match-sealing try for the Chooks.
The halfback leaves the field after the try, giving his ankle a rest before next weekend’s decider against either Penrith or Newcastle.
The visitors lead 36-10 with just 12 minutes left on the clock.
Sam Walker celebrates a try. Nine
Nawaqanitawase does it again
OH MY GOODNESS! What an unbelievable try from the Roosters!
Some second-phase play coming out of their own end leads to Walker throwing an offload to Radley, who races into the clear.
Radley throws a long-range spiral pass to Nawaqanitawase, who does the rest and beats three Dolphins defenders to dive over and score.
It’s one-way traffic now and Roosters fans might want to start booking those grand final tickets soon!
Mark Nawaqanitawase celebrates a try. Nine
Collins crashes over from close range
Tedesco throws a cut-out pass but Isaako sticks a hand out and stops it, giving the Roosters another six tackles in good territory.
Toia makes a brilliant clean break, showing off his sheer power.
Roosters make the most of it as Robson jumps out of hooker and Collins crashes onto a pass, barging over to score.
The visitors are up 28-12 and have one foot in the grand final.
Another freakish play from Marky Mark!
Bit of chaos here!
Cherry-Evans gets rushed in last tackle and changes the trajectory of his kick, going cross-field for Nawaqanitawase.
The freakish winger gets the bounce, races down the sideline, throws a rather questionable pass back inside to Toia who muscles over to score.
Replays show that Nawaqanitawase’s foot might have touched the sideline before he passed it, but Bunker official Ashley Klein clears it.
“It’s a game of millimetres,” Peter Psaltis said on Nine.
The crowd is chanting “bullshit” very loudly after that decision.
Mark Nawaqanitawase’s offload to Robert Toia. Nine
Isaako makes it a double
Tedesco drops a bomb and the Dolphins scramble to scoop it up and Isaako cleans it up to score in the corner, making it a double for the night.
Replays show a bobble from Bostock and there’s conjecture over whether the ball touched a Roosters player before he regathered it.
“There’s a lot going on ... I don’t think it hits Smith,” Billy Slater said on Nine.
Bunker official Ashley Klein confirms it and the Dolphins are back in it now.
Jack Bostock bobbles the ball. Nine
Second half underway
Players running back out now for the second half at Suncorp Stadium.
Huge 40 minutes coming up for both teams. Can the Dolphins come back, or will the Roosters show their class a book a grand final spot?
