Round 26, 2011
Allianz Stadium
With Billy Slater and Cameron Smith rested and watching from the sidelines, the Roosters put a huge dent in the Storm’s semi-finals preparations with a rousing 40-8 upset victory at Allianz Stadium in Round 26 last year.
The home side ran in four first-half tries for a 22-4 halftime lead. BJ Leilua, playing on the wing, opened and closed the scoring in the first 40 before adding his third try of the evening in the 46th minute with one of the most skilful finishes of the season. The game also featured a wonderful try to Justin Carney after Braith Anasta batted back a Phil Graham chip kick that looked like it was soaring over the dead-ball line. Anthony Minichiello ended 2011 on a high with two try assists, a try and 182 metres while Anasta chimed in with two deft try assists.
The Storm missed 34 tackles – their most all season – and yielded six unanswered line-breaks as the tricolours ran amok.