Round 19
Roosters 38 d. Sharks 32

2006 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Roosters Overcome 9-3 Penalty Count To Win
Mon July 17, 2006
Sydney Roosters Chairman Nick Politis put his full support to Ricky Stuart last week and his faith was justified with the Roosters over coming a dreadful 9-3 penalty count against them to beat the Sharks 38-32 at Aussie Stadium.

Stuart and the Roosters have been under the pump for the last month due to a drop in from by the side and Stuart has remained strong with the Roosters still in contention for a Finals berth.

It wasn't an easy day for Stuart as he decided to move Brett Finch to the bench and allow Craig Wing to start at hooker and Ryan Cross at centre. Stuart tried Wing in the centres and Cross on the wing where it wasn't as successful. Finch being the great team man that he is took the backseat for the good of team balance and Wing's excellent performance along with the development of Josh Lewis saw Finch be the odd man out this week. Lewis is already learning the tricks of the trade from Stuart and is a future representative player.

The Roosters came out firing with Chris Flannery scoring when he grounded the ball inside the dead ball line in what was a great decision from video referee Steve Clark. Sam Perrett scored soon after for the Roosters to lead 12-0.

Cronulla crossed twice to level up the scores and controversy in the 33rd minute when Darren Albert scored from a blatant forward pass from Adam Dykes missed by referee Jason Robinson and all the match officials.

Iosia Soliola scored nearing half-time following a cross field kick from Amos Roberts.

Half Time: Cronulla 18 Sydney 16

Cronulla skipped out to a 26-16 and again it appeared that bad luck and poor decisions would cost the Roosters.

However, the Roosters refused to lie down and fought back with three inspirational tries in the space of 13 minutes with Cross scoring two of them and Setaimata Sa also crossing over to push Sydney ahead 34-26 in a great turnaround.

As the Sharks got back into the match with a converted try - Perrett's second try sealed a famous victory with the passionate crowd at Aussie Stadium supporting the Roosters all the way to victory in spite of the lop sided penalty count.

Full Time: Sydney 38 Cronulla 32

Ricky Stuart has his critics and his changes prior to kick-off worked a treat. Stuart is now going to name the same side every Tuesday and make the changes that he sees fit closer to kick-off. It's a smart move by Stuart and one that will keep the opposition guessing and allow them to lose focus.

Stuart has received plenty of support from outside of Politis and Braith Anasta said that Stuart is a great coach and doesn't deserve this criticism. The ARL saw fit to invite Stuart into the top job and acknowledge he is the No.1 coach in the game today.

Wing played his best game of the season and his passion for the Roosters that was on display will now end all rumours of him departing. Now with the Wing rumours gone the Finch rumours will start with rumours already he is being released to other clubs. Both Finch and Wing are loyal and commited Roosters who have been outstanding contributors to the 99-year-old Club.

This week the Roosters take on the Bulldogs and it's a game they have to win to keep up the momentum in their charge for the Finals. It will also be a big game as Nate Myles makes his decision on whether to accept the opportunity to play under Ricky Stuart or accept the offers from elsewhere.

It was a great weekend for the Roosters with the Premier League team Newtown showing the same Roosters spirit to come from 12-0 down and win 16-12 with a try right on full-time.

The Roosters were down and never at one stage out. As Politis said last month:

"I have been heavily involved with the Roosters from the 1970's through to today, during that time we have had good and bad times.

"The Sydney Roosters have a 99 year history and we are now going through a disappointing period following three great years which saw three consecutive grand final appearances, culminating with the premiership in 2002, a minor premiership in 2004, along with the Club Championship, Jersey Flegg and Premier League titles.

"The Sydney Roosters thrive on loyalty and support of each other during difficult periods. Contrary to some ill-informed comments, I re-confirm Ricky Stuart and his coaching team have our full support.

"These are not just words, these are facts and we owe Ricky and the players, so much for our success during 2002, 2003 and 2004. He is the best man for the job and with his passion he will turn things around on the field.

"We are going through a tough time and the players need to improve, but we are a unified club and we will all pull through this together.

"In this club's 99 year history we have had many good times and bad times, currently we are all disappointed with the team's performance. The reason you survive so long as a club is that we stick together through thick and thin. I say to all our fans. Stick solid because next year is going to be one of the most exciting years that any club has experienced as we move into our 100th season celebrations.

"To our critics, good luck, you can criticise us as much as you want but you will not divide the Roosters. We have been around too long, we know each other too well and we stick solid on and off the field."

The Roosters have stuck solid, kept faith in Ricky Stuart and the results will start to come.

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