The Mole’s player ratings: ‘Struggling’ pack exposed in bitter end for Dolphins
They had to go the long way round, but the Roosters are through to their first NRL grand final appearance since 2019 after a big win over the Dolphins.
Sam Walker’s return from injury paid off for the Tricolours in a dominant victory at Suncorp Stadium, as the finals newcomers failed to deliver.
The Roosters celebrate Lindsay Collins’ try. Getty Images
The Mole rates every player’s performance from the first preliminary final.
Sydney Roosters
1. James Tedesco: Gifted the Dolphins a try when he dropped a bomb, but that was the only flaw in a solid performance by the Roosters skipper. Rating: 7
2. Daniel Tupou: Scored one of his trademark tries from a Walker chip kick and was once again a complete professional in everything he did. Rating: 7
3. Billy Smith: Kept relatively quiet by the defence but did his job out wide quietly and efficiently. Rating: 6.5
4. Robert Toia: Stamped himself as a real danger man in next week’s grand final with a blockbusting performance running the ball. Can now claim to be the best centre in the league world after out-pointing Farnworth. Rating: 8.5
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase: His second-last game for the Roosters was another Marky Mark special, two solo tries and over 330 run metres – a finals record. Boy, we’ll miss him in rugby league. Rating: 9
6. Daly Cherry-Evans: His experience and class proved crucial. Kept the Roosters calm and composed whereas the Phins had no one doing that job. Rating: 7
7. Sam Walker: Just 27 days after a serious syndesmosis injury, made a superb comeback, scoring a solo try and setting a couple up to spearhead the Roosters’ grand final charge. Rating: 8
8. Naufahu Whyte: What a season this bloke has had - another 200 metre game as well as some huge hits in defence, born to win a premiership. Rating: 8
9. Reece Robson: Big-game player really got his middle men going forward and came up with three try assists with his smart ball distribution from dummy half. Topped the tackle count as well. Rating: 8
10. Lindsay Collins: Arguably the form front-rower of the finals, scored for the second week in a row to move into his first grand final. Rating: 8
11. Salesi Foketi: Had trouble getting into the game after a wonderful display last week, making just four runs for 40 metres. Rating: 4
12. Siua Wong: Hard-working back-rower ran for over 120 metres and got away a couple of good offloads at critical times. Rating: 7.5
13. Victor Radley: Gave one of his best displays of the year, scoring a try through brute strength and setting up another. All power and precision. Rating: 8
Victor Radley crashes over for a try. Getty Images
14. Connor Watson: The luckless utility lasted a mere two minutes when the independent doctor over-ruled a category 2 HIA to a category 1. Rating: N/A
15. Angus Crichton: Still finding his way after a long layoff, making just six runs in his 35 minutes off the bench. Rating: 5
16. Nat Butcher: The pick of the Roosters’ bench men, adding enthusiasm and running for over 130 metres. Rating: 7.5
18. Hugo Savala: Got a brief cameo when Walker was rested for the final 13 minutes but the game was won and lost by then. Rating: 3
Dolphins
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow: Did his best to keep his team in the game, setting up two tries and making several dangerous runs. Rating: 8
2. Jamayne Isaako: Had his hands full containing the dangerous Tupou in aerial duels but he got a bonus when Klein gifted him a try from the bunker. Bagged a second half try as well. Rating: 7.5
Jamayne Isaako. Getty Images
3. Jack Bostock: The Roosters pegged him as a danger man before the game and he barely got any room to move with the ball. Rating: 6
4. Herbie Farnworth: Not his night after a superb season but had some moments and scored a late try to cap a wonderful year. Rating: 6.5
5. Selwyn Cobbo: Struggled to contain Nawaqanitawase - as wingers throughout the NRL for the last couple of years have - and got few chances with the ball in attack. Rating: 5
6. Kodi Nikorima: Yet another player who had a brilliant season for the Phins but couldn’t come up with his magic on the night when it most mattered. Rating: 6
7. Isaiya Katoa: Did his best to lift a flat Dolphins team, kicking well and coming up with a couple of try assists. Rating: 8
8. Thomas Flegler: Well down on his best - a mere five runs for 40 metres as the Roosters dominated up front. Rating: 4
Tom Flegler. NRL Images
9. Jeremy Marshall-King: Superb out of dummy-half all year, he ran the ball just twice all night against the red, white and blue wall. Rating: 5.5
10. Tom Gilbert: Worked hard up the middle but received little support from his fellow forwards. Rating: 6
11. Max Plath: Has been great off the bench for much of the year but struggled in the starting side in the back row. Rating: 5
12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki: Was well-marked by the Roosters for much of the game but did bag himself a late consolation try. Rating: 6
13. Morgan Knowles: One of the few Dolphins with big match experience in finals, the Englishman tried hard with some determined runs. Rating: 6
14. Kurt Donoghoe: Has been so good off the bench but struggled against the relentless Roosters pressure, making a couple of big mistakes. Rating: 4
Kurt Donoghoe. NRL Images
15. Ray Stone: Finished his career on a solid note, adding some starch to the defence when he came off the bench. Rating: 6
16. Francis Molo: Didn’t find anything to lift his teammates when thrown into the game with the Roosters well on top. Rating: 5
17. Connelly Lemuelu: Just like Molo, just seemed to make up the numbers when he got his chance… disappointing. Rating: 4.5
