Round 21
Roosters 40 d. Cowboys 20

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

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

Finch Inspires Roosters
Mon July 31, 2006
It took an inspirational performance from Brett Finch for the Roosters to come from 16-0 down to beat North Queensland 40-20 in their second victory impressive against the Cowboys this year.

Finch was the shining light in the previous victory against the Cowboys where he took aim at group called 'FOFF' who are a group of idiots parading around as Roosters supporters. The 'FOFF' group were successful in campaigning Roosters management to release Finch from his contract a year earlier and his loss next year will be huge.

With Braith Anasta out injured Finch was moved into five-eighth by Coach Ricky Stuart and he showed why he's in the top five for try assists being the corner stone for the Roosters excellent second half display.

North Queensland took a 16-0 lead when the Roosters pride and passion in the jersey came out and they showed in the second half that there will be several teams hoping they can't sneak into the Finals. The Roosters are four points behind 8th position with five rounds remaining and if they win all five matches they can make the Finals. Stuart is the Coach who can get the best out of his players and Finch leading the way - anything can happen. The motivation to give Adrian Morley one last match in Roosters colours will be there as well and they are capable of still giving it a shake.

The Roosters did score just before half-time through exciting young fullback Shaun Foley.

Finch added another try assist to his tally when he produced the perfect bomb for Iosia Soliola. David Shillington crashing over saw the Roosters hit the lead and it was out to 22-16 when Craig Fitzgibbon landed two penalty goals.

Josh Lewis showed why he should be in the side ahead of Jamie Soward when he scored a brilliant individual try and Finch backed it up with an even better effort running 50m to push the home side well clear. Foley got his double as the Roosters surged further ahead.

The performance was sweet for Finch who has been messed around due to the injuries in in the side and also the absolute rubbish he has copped from the 'FOFF' group where his position at the Club became unbearable due to that group's antics.

Stuart was extremely happy with Finch and his post match comments were, "I thought he played really well, and I was happy for him to get a good win under the belt, we did a lot of work on attack all week."

Finch hasn't allowed the situation of his contract to shatter his enthusiasm. "I don't think it held me back, but it was hard to take to see your name in the paper being criticised, getting released and sacked, it was tough," he said. "I tried to turn up to training with a positive attitude, but I must say it was good to get everything out of the way and my future settled and I can really enjoy the next six weeks."

"I got a lot of quality ball, and Braith must be sitting on the sidelines not quite believing what was happening," Finch said. "For the first time this season we really started playing great footy and the forwards were going forward so strongly, when it is like that it really takes the pressure off.

"It was great to combine with Ryan, he is the best centre in the world and he can sniff a hole, we worked well together today."

Finch's confidence despite what has been done to him hasn't deterred his efforts. "I believe in myself and I believe I can play there [five-eighth] and do a good job," he said. "It was great to play alongside Josh Lewis because he is a good young kid and his kicks are getting spot on. But I am looking forward to playing alongside Tim Smith next year, he is strong and robust."

Parramatta are very lucky to have a fine player next year and Finch will be sorely missed by the Roosters. His performance in the No.6 has given incoming Eels Coach Michael Hagan plenty of options in where to use his prized recruit. The Roosters loss will be the Eels gain and without Finch the Roosters will struggle further for points as he's been the Roosters leader for try assists and in the top five across all the NRL teams.

Rleague.com thanks Stuart Hall for submitting an article and Rleague.com welcomes Match Reports and News Items from readers who want to express their support for the game. They can be sent via the Submissions link or emailed to website@rleague.com

Advanced Search