Grand final players ratings for the Sydney Roosters.
1. James Tedesco: Provided the last pass for Latrell Mitchell and Joseph Manu tries in the first half. Has added ball-playing skills to his superb running game (finished with 214m). With Slater now retired, he and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck can battle it out for the best No.1 in the game. 8.5
2. Daniel Tupou: The Storm singled him out to return kicks rather than Blake Ferguson. That failed to bring any real benefit for the team from Melbourne. Finished with a try and 184 running metres. Well played. 7.5
3. Latrell Mitchell: Another battle with Will Chambers, another decisive victory for Mitchell. Until this year Chambers was regarded the best centre in the game. You can't say that anymore. Mitchell is as good as they come right now. 8
4. Joseph Manu: Doesn't get the respect he deserves due to Mitchell's presence on the other side of the field, but his progress this year was on show in the season decider. The Roosters have a bright future so long as this guy is marshalling one side of the field. 7.5
Mitchell extends Roosters lead
5. Blake Ferguson: The Roosters are really going to miss Ferguson next year. Especially his forwards. Ferguson provides a big body to cart the ball up at the start of every set. He deserves to leaves Bondi with a premiership. 7
6. Luke Keary: He did his own work. And that of Cronk. What an outstanding match from the ex-Rabbitoh. Had 71 touches of the ball. Cronk had just 18. He was the best player on the field from the opening minute, setting up the first try and playing a role in the second. Only blemish was the pass that led to a Josh Addo-Carr intercept try. 9
23. Cooper Cronk: Just 18 touches of the ball and zero runs from the man who overcame a shoulder injury to play. Surprisingly was asked to make just nine tackles (he made them all). Offered a lot in terms of organisation and chat. Played with a broken scapula. 6
8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves: As is always the case when the Roosters are physically dominant, Waerea-Hargreaves leads the way. This guys loves a challenge, and he rarely loses them. Fellow Kiwi Jesse Bromwich was overpowered in the early stages. 7.5
9. Jake Friend: The man that holds the middle of the field together for the Roosters did his job again. Often the Tricolours' unsung hero, Friend epitomises the toughness coach Robinson expects each and every week. 7
10. Siosiua Taukeiaho: A barnstorming first stint (10 runs for 87m) helped the Roosters establish a level of dominance that they never surrendered. By the time he came back on the match was over as a contest. 8
11. Boyd Cordner: A great year for the Blues captain. You know what you are getting from him every week - strong ball-running (16 runs for 143m) and the ability to marshall the defence on the left edge. 7.5
7. Mitchell Aubusson: Cut from the same cloth as Jake Friend. A tireless worker who doesn't get much in the way of plaudits, but his teammates wouldn't swap him for anyone. Another strong showing. 6
13. Victor Radley: Strong without being dominant. Was part of the group that dominated the middle third of the ground. 6
Tupou scores the first try of the Grand Final
Interchange
12. Isaac Liu: Was moved back to the interchange bench, but turned in a performance (11 runs for 115m) worthy of a starter. The Roosters have a great group of power-runners in the middle third. 7
14. Dylan Napa: Wasn't sighted in the first half. After having missed the previous three weeks through suspension looked a little off his best. Just five runs in 21 minutes. 4
15. Zane Tetevano: Is probably the Roosters' least important middle forward. That doesn't mean he isn't an extremely useful player. Another strong performance. 6
17. Ryan Matterson: The Wests Tigers would have liked what they saw. This guy is good enough to be starting at most NRL sides. He's tough, skilful and determined. Ivan Cleary has room on the bus for those talents. 6.5
