Claiming the Crown at Last: A Look Back on the 2018 Premiers

Author: Sydney Roosters
Timestamp: Fri 10 Jun 2022, 08:53 AM

After reaching the preliminary final in three of the last four seasons, the Sydney Roosters called upon premiership-winning veteran Cooper Cronk and livewire fullback James Tedesco as Trent Robinson's men looked to go one better after bitter disappointment.

Despite a scrappy start to the season with six wins from the opening eleven matches, the Tricolours combinations continued to grow throughout the year, with a late-season charge culminating in the Minor Premiership in the final round with a 44-10 victory over Parramatta.

2018 Grand Final Match Highlights

A masterclass from Cronk in the first week of the finals against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks bore a 21-12 triumph, before the Red, White and Blue farewelled the Sydney Football Stadium with a grinding 14-6 win over arch-rivals South Sydney in front of a record crowd to qualify for their first Grand Final since 2013.

Coming up against the reigning Premiers in the Melbourne Storm in the decider, the Roosters pulled off what was described by co-captain Jake Friend as 'close to the perfect performance'.

2018 Season Highlights

Easts dominated the first half to cruise to an 18-nil lead at half-time, with Clive Churchill Medallist Luke Keary kicking a late field goal to seal the Club's 14th Premiership, while Cronk made one of the most courageous appearances in a decider, playing the entirety of the match with a broken scapula.

Sydney Roosters 21 (Joseph Manu, Latrell Mitchell, Daniel Tupou; Latrell Mitchell 4 goals; Luke Keary field goal) defeat Melbourne Storm 6

Grand Final - Grand Final - Sunday 30 Sep

Full Time

Roosters

Storm

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco

Fullback for Storm is number 1 Billy Slater
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou

Winger for Storm is number 2 Suliasi Vunivalu
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Latrell Mitchell

Centre for Storm is number 3 Will Chambers
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu

Centre for Storm is number 4 Curtis Scott
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Blake Ferguson

Winger for Storm is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary

Five-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
Halfback for Roosters is number 23 Cooper Cronk

Halfback for Storm is number 7 Brodie Croft

Forwards

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

Prop for Storm is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Jake Friend

Hooker for Storm is number 9 Cameron Smith
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho

Prop for Storm is number 10 Tim Glasby
2nd Row for Roosters is number 7 Mitchell Aubusson

2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Felise Kaufusi
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Boyd Cordner

2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Joe Stimson
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley

Lock for Storm is number 13 Dale Finucane

Interchange

Interchange for Roosters is number 12 Isaac Liu

Interchange for Storm is number 14 Kenneath Bromwich
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Dylan Napa

Interchange for Storm is number 15 Christian Welch
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Zane Tetevano

Interchange for Storm is number 16 Brandon Smith
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Ryan Matterson

Interchange for Storm is number 17 Nelson Asofa-Solomona