A last minute try from rookie Storm winger Will Warbrick has seen the Melbourne Storm scrape home against a fast-finishing Roosters side by 18-13 at AAMI Park tonight.
A brave Roosters side looked to have pulled off a shock win, following a cool and calm Sam Walker field goal late in the match. However, the Storm turned to their marquee man Cameron Munster, who produced a pin point kick for his rangy winger who collected the ball cleanly in the air and then sensationally slammed the ball over the try line to give the Storm a win for the ages in front of their delirious fans.
The win sets up a Preliminary Final against Penrith at Accor Stadium next weekend for a place in this year's NRL Grand Final.
It was a heartbreaking loss for Trent Robinson's men who charged home after being down 10-6 at halftime before a superb try to prop Lindsay Collins and late field goal from Walker had the visitors on the brink of an upset win, however it was cruelly snatched away at the death.
Both sides came into the match missing some notable stars, however it was second-string halfback Tyran Wishart got Melbourne off to a brilliant start, when he stepped off the right foot close to the line and raced through the retreating Roosters defensive line to score the first try of the night.
Nick Meaney missed the conversion, however was able to redeem himself when the Storm fullback was gifted a penalty goal following a Victor Radley high tackle on Wishart and Melbourne extended their lead to a converted try early.
Wishart was involved again in the Storm's second try, when he combined with surprise interchange hooker Harry Grant close to the line. The Australian hooker then found Marion Seve who crashed over and give the home side a 10-0 lead with fifteen minutes remaining in the first half.
The Roosters desperately needed to get in the match and they did so when hooker Brandon Smith produced a trademark charge over from dummy half against his former club to score a vital try before the break to narrow the score to 10-6.
With 40 minutes left in the season for the loser, the game became an arm wrestle early in the second half and finally after several raids, Melbourne managed to jag a penalty from in front. Nick Meaney then kicked his second penalty goal to give his side a 12-6 lead.
The Tricolours needed a hero and an unlikely one emerges in utility Sandon Smith, who made a break and found Victor Radley who was brought down just short of the try line by Cameron Munster. Smith then jumped into dummy half and threw an excellent cut out pass to hit Lindsay Collins on the chest and the Queensland front rower scored untouched under the posts. Sam Walker converted the try to tie up the scores.
The Roosters continued their late charge, marching towards the posts to allow Sam Walker to kick a field goal to give the Roosters the lead for the first time in the match to stun the home fans.
Melbourne however wasn't finished, and with the clock counting down it was their marquee man Cameron Munster who produced a last-ditch kick across field high for his wingman in Will Warbrick. And the rookie winger didn't let him down collecting the ball cleanly and then managing to reach out to score the match winner. Meaney then converted from out wide to give the Storm an 18-13 lead, which they turned into a win thirty seconds later.
Melbourne now travel to Sydney were they face off against Penrith for a place in the 2023 Grand Final, while the Roosters 2023 season ends in heartbreak.