Roosters crow into Grand Final as Titans tumble

The Sydney Roosters are the first team into the 2010 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final, after a comfortable 32-6 victory over the Gold Coast Titans in front of 44787 fans at Suncorp Stadium.

The Roosters took advantage of the early arm wrestle and the early field position in the 11th minute when winger Sam Perrett scored the first of his first-half double. Pearce's pin-point kick was gleefully accepted by Perrett as he climbed over the top of Titans opposite Kevin Gordon. The Titans, however, did not panic and hit back almost straight away in the 19th minute, when winger William Zillman, after having a nightmare start to the game with his hands, swooped on a perfectly placed Scott Prince chip-kick into the corner. He won the race to the ball, despite Thomas Leilua's best efforts to hold him up. Prince's sideline conversion levelled the scores, but unfortunately for the Titans, their hit-back was shortlived when Perrett again put the Roosters back in front in the 24th minute. Some classic lead-up work from halves Pearce and Carney saw them be heavily involved, before centre Kenny-Dowall's catch and pass sent Perrett on a seemingly uninterrupted passage to the tryline. The 12-6 scoreline would remain that way until halftime, despite Todd Carney being placed on report for a swinging arm to the head of Titans halfback Scott Prince. The Roosters five-eighth will now have a nervous wait as he sees whether the Match Review Committee feel he has a case to answer. With the halftime siren sounding in the background, Carney attempted to put the Roosters a further point in front, but his 30-metre attempted field-goal drifted to the right of the posts.

The Roosters started the second half in style in the 49th minute, when interchange forward Daniel Conn perfectly half-volleyed a pass which bounced fractionally in front of him. He then exploded through a hole in the defence, bustling his way over the top of Preston Campbell, to extend the Roosters lead to 12. In the 63rd minute, the Roosters just about put the result beyond doubt when Braith Anasta charged onto a perfectly-timed pass from five-eighth Todd Carney. The final three minutes were all the Roosters, as Todd Carney landed a penalty goal in the shadows of fulltime, after Scott Prince kicked the 20m restart out on the full. The icing was put on the cake for the Roosters as the full-time siren sounded when Frank Paul Nuuausala was the beneficiary of the Titans chip-kick on their own 20m line. The forward gleefully scooped up the rebound and raced untouched 20m to score under the posts.

The Roosters will now await the victor of tomorrow night's blockbuster between the Tigers and Dragons, while the curtain falls on the Titans season, as well as five-eighth Mat Rogers' career.

Match Details
Gold Coast Titans 6 were defeated by Sydney Roosters 32
National Rugby League - Finals Week 3 - Friday September 24, 2010 7:45pm
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Tony Archer and Jared Maxwell
Video Referee: Bill Harrigan
Touch Judges: Paul Holland and Jeff Younis
Crowd: 44787
Halftime: Gold Coast Titans 6 Sydney Roosters 12

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Mitchell Pearce
2 Points - Sam Perrett (2 Tries)
1 Point - Todd Carney (5 Conversions, 1 Penalty Goal)

GOLD COAST TITANS (6)
Tries: William Zillman
Conversions: Scott Prince (1/1)

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (32)
Tries: Daniel Conn, Sam Perrett (2), Braith Anasta, Frank-Paul Nuuausala
Field Goals: Todd Carney (0/2), Braith Anasta (0/1)
Conversions: Todd Carney (5/5)
Penalty Goals: Todd Carney (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary And a very good evening and welcome to Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane for tonight's first preliminary final between the Gold Coast Titans and the Sydney Roosters. The Titans progressed after a 28-16 disposal of the Warriors in week one, a victory which earnt them a week off. The Roosters, however, have done it a little tougher, coming from nowhere in sixth spot, defeating the Tigers 19-15 in a week one epic. They had it a little easier last week, comfortably defeating the Panthers 34-12. This game promises to be an absolute cracker to see who will progress first to next week's decider at ANZ Stadium.
In the Toyota Cup curtain raiser, the Warriors are the first team through to the Grand Final, after a 23-16 victory over Canterbury, ending the Bankstown boys season. The Warriors will play the winner of tomorrow's South Sydney/Canberra encounter at ANZ Stadium.
In team news, just a slight reshuffle for the Roosters. Ben Jones has been overlooked for selection, meaning Jake Friend will drop back to the bench and James Aubusson will start. The Titans are as per program.
And we're underway, Anasta gets us started and the Titans will have first use of the ball.
2 min: The Titans successfully get through their opening set of the match and the Roosters make good ground towards halfway.
2 min: PENALTY Roosters. Ashley Harrison penalised for stripping the ball although replays indicate he was nowhere near the player.
3 min: The Titans defence races up on the fifth tackle, but get a hand to the ball and the Roosters will have a repeat set.
4 min: Minichiello is unable to hang onto a flick pass and the Titans defence holds firm for now. They now get a penalty to get them out of trouble, after Anasta held on for too long.
5 min: Scott Prince's fifth tackle is perfectly placed and Linnett is unable to hang onto the ball, punching it over the deadball line. Goal line dropout Roosters.
6 min: VIDEO REFEREE: Possible Titans try.
6 min: No Try. Gordon is unable to hang onto Rogers' banana kick, despite his very best efforts!
9 min: Pearce's bomb on the fifth tackle is perfectly placed, despite Nathan Friend putting a lot of pressure on the kick. Unfortunately for the Titans, Zillman couldn't hang onto the ball.
11 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Sam Perrett. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Perrett opens the scoring with a beautiful take after Pearce's kick was again pin-point and the Roosters winger climbed over the top of the Titans winger Kevin Gordon to score the try out near the eastern touchline.
Sydney Roosters 6-0
16 min: The Titans knock the ball on again through Zillman as they went across-field in search of a hole in the Roosters defence. Scrum Roosters.
18 min: Forward pass Roosters. The Titans defence slid across very well and the pass from Nuaausala goes forward to Aubusson.
19 min: VIDEO REFEREE: Possible Titans try.
19 min: TRY
TRY Gold Coast Titans
Scored by William Zillman. Conversion attempt by Scott Prince successful.
Zillman opens the Titans account for tonight, after chasing through on a perfectly weighted Scott Prince chip-kick. The Roosters defence was up, and the Titans outside backs new the kick was coming and Zillman had no problems scoring the try, second time around.
6 all
21 min: Penalty Titans. Roosters laying in the play-the-ball, leaving Archer with no option but to award the penalty
22 min: Prince's kick on the fifth tackle is ruled to have come off Kevin Gordon and then into the touch in-goal line.
23 min: PENALTY Roosters. Bird taking too long in the play-the-ball.
24 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Sam Perrett. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
The Roosters hit back with Perrett's second try! Some superlative ball movement sees Carney, Pearce, Aubusson and Kenny Dowall all handle, before Perrett is the beneficiary.
Sydney Roosters 12-6
28 min: PENALTY Titans. Friend loitering too long in the play-the-ball.
29 min: Rogers trickles a grubber into the in-goal and despite Perrett's best efforts, the Titans force him back into the in-goal.
30 min: Zillman is ruled to have gotten his fingertips to the ball and knocked it on and the Roosters work the ball upfield.
35 min: Some enterprising play from the Roosters sees them knock the ball on. Titans with the ball as they go over halfway.
36 min: PENALTY Titans. Roosters working Prince over in the tackle.
37 min: Carney has hit Prince with a swinging arm and will be penalised and placed on report.
37 min: Toopi knocks the ball on trying to lunge towards the line.
40 min: PENALTY Roosters. Meyers penalised for taking too long getting off the tackled player.
40 min: FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT
ATTEMPTED FIELD GOAL Sydney Roosters
Field goal attempt by Todd Carney unsuccessful.
Carney attempts to give the Roosters a further one-point buffer, but his attempt drifts to the right of the posts.
Sydney Roosters 12-6
40 min: Rogers gets the second half underway.
42 min: Zillman knocks on the Pearce clearing kick, without any pressure on him, gifting the Roosters a perfect chance to extend their lead.
43 min: VIDEO REFEREE: Possible Roosters try.
43 min: The Titans breathe a little easier after Aubusson cannot force the ball ahead of Nathan Friend. Titans 20m restart.
45 min: Kenny Dowall darts out of dummy half and is hit in a solid tackle, freeing the ball. Titans with a chance here.
46 min: Bodene Thompson dribbles an unnecessary grubber in behind the Roosters defence, but Minichiello is there on the spot to prevent a goal-line dropout.
46 min: The Roosters throw a forward pass 20m out from their own line, from Friend to Leilua, and the Titans get another chance to draw level.
47 min: PENALTY Titans. Roosters making no effort to roll away in the play-the-ball.
47 min: VIDEO REFEREE: Possible Titans try.
47 min: Zillman is bundled into touch, with Anasta playing a major role.
49 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Daniel Conn. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
The Roosters extend their lead and are perhaps on their way to the grand final! Some messy lead-up saw the ball bounce just in front of Conn, who picked up the ball beautifully and bustled his way over the top of Preston Campbell.
Sydney Roosters 18-6
51 min: Carney's attempted 40/20 does not quite come off and dribbles into touch 30m out from the Titans line.
56 min: The Roosters run the ball on the last, but Linnett's attempted grubber kick is knocked on instead, after he failed to get a boot to the ball.
62 min: PENALTY Roosters. A diabolical decision from the referees penalises Prince for an "alleged" late tackle on Carney.
63 min: VIDEO REFEREE: Possible Roosters try.
63 min: TRY Dewsbury Rams (NL1)
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Braith Anasta. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Anasta extends the Roosters lead, charging onto another Carney pass, and unfortunately just about puts an end to the Titans season.
Sydney Roosters 24-6
66 min: The Titans play some razzle dazzle, but Michaels knocks the ball on.
67 min: FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT
ATTEMPTED FIELD GOAL Sydney Roosters
Field goal attempt by Todd Carney unsuccessful.
Carney's attempted field goal from directly in front drifts to the right of the posts again.
Sydney Roosters 24-6
69 min: The Titans knock Scott Prince's crossfield kick on as they throw everything at the Roosters to try and get themselves back in the game.
70 min: The Titans kick the ball on the first tackle for Zillman on the right flank, but the Roosters get back to cover and now have possession.
72 min: Prince's banana kick back towards the posts for Campbell is far too long and bounces over the deadball line.
73 min: The Titans now know their season is over as they throw the ball around looking for a consolation try, but the ball bounces into touch.
76 min: FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT Dewsbury Rams (NL1)
ATTEMPTED FIELD GOAL Sydney Roosters
Field goal attempt by Braith Anasta unsuccessful.
Anasta looks to extend the Roosters lead with a field goal which goes across the face.
Sydney Roosters 24-6
77 min: Prince tries to find touch from the tap restart, but the ball sails out on the full. PENALTY Roosters.
77 min: PENALTY GOAL
PENALTY GOAL Sydney Roosters
Penalty goal attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Carney puts the icing on the cake when he caresses the ball between the posts at the southern end of Suncorp Stadium.
Sydney Roosters 26-6
79 min: One final trick shot by the Roosters sees Anasta chip-kick for Leilua, but the winger can't get a handle on the ball and the Titans will feed a scrum.
79 min: VIDEO REFEREE: Possible Roosters try.
80 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Frank-Paul Nuuausala. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
The Roosters score another game which blows this game wide open! The Titans looked to chip-kick on the first tackle, but it landed into the arms of Nuuausala who raced 20m untouched.
Sydney Roosters 32-6