The Sydney Roosters have won their first premiership in five years after outclassing Melbourne Storm 21‑6 in the NRL grand final.
Melbourne Storm who were seeking to become the first team since the Brisbane Broncos in 1992‑93 to win back‑to‑back premierships, had no answer for the dominant Roosters.
They were kept scoreless in the first half as the Sydney side put away three tries to be up 18‑0, led by man‑of‑the‑match Luke Keary who had an impeccable kicking game.
Cooper Cronk, who was only cleared to play early yesterday after a shoulder injury, was key to the Roosters' success.
The 34‑year‑old Cronk orchestrated the play before going off in the 78th minute.
He became the first player to claim back‑to‑back premierships for different clubs since Johnny Mayes when he joined the Roosters from Manly in 1973‑74.
It was a disappointing end for star Storm fullback Billy Slater, a 16‑year veteran who played more than 300 games in his NRL career.
The Roosters had won 13 premierships before this final, last lifting the trophy in 2013.
[Source: Sport24]
