It wasn’t pretty, but Trent Robinson’s Roosters notched up their third win of the season with a 34-22 comeback victory against Cronulla at Optus Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
On the hard turf of Perth with two of their hardest men returning – Spencer Leniu and Victor Radley – the Roosters were able to shake off an error-riddled first half and overcome a 16-point deficit to get one over a quick Cronulla attack playing on a fast surface.
While it wasn’t a perfect performance – the Tricolours completed at just 67 per cent in the first half – it was the definition of winning ugly, as the Roosters scrounged and scrapped their way to a much-needed victory following a mixed start to the season and coming off the bye.
With the game in the balance, it was Radley who went across to score with three minutes remaining to put the match to bed in his first match this season, after he was banned for 10 games without pay after he allegedly attempted to purchase a dangerous drug with the help of former teammate Brandon Smith last year.
That game-winning moment came from the boot of Daly Cherry-Evans, after a kick from the veteran half was put down by Cronulla fullback Will Kennedy.
Cherry-Evans’ performance on Saturday was the story of the Roosters’ season – flashes of brilliance mixed with moments of frustration.
And it was clear his combination with young halfback Sam Walker still has a long way to go.
Cherry-Evans scored the first try after half-time to keep the Tricolours in the contest, after a one-on-one strip from Connor Watson on Nicho Hynes switched momentum. That try reduced the gap between the teams to four points.
But a poorly weighted kick from Cherry-Evans in the first half also led to a seven-tackle set for the Sharks, with the Roosters lucky to escape from that without any extra points being added after Mawene Hiroti coughed up the ball.
And, after scoring a second to put the Tricolours ahead for the first time on Saturday afternoon, Cherry-Evans took his eyes of the ball and dropped it clean to give Cronulla an attacking set inside their half.
Walker had his moments – including scoring the Tricolours’ opening try after setting up a short play on the left edge with former halves partner Hugo Savala.
Savala was handy at left centre, even though he was playing and defending in a position he’d never played in the NRL, nor reserve grade, with usual centre Billy Smith out injured.
His no-look catch and pass to Daniel Tupou led to the equaliser with 13 minutes to go.
And Walker’s brilliant foresight also led to a beautiful cross-field kick for a flying Tupou that gave the Tricolours their second try of the afternoon.
Neither team was show-stopping at the end of the day, and the Roosters’ victory was just as much about the Sharks falling away and errors entering their game in the second half as it was about the Tricolours finding some form.
Billie Eder is a sports reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.