WHEN a do-or-die final is up for grabs, you want your leaders to step up at the critical moments.
Altona Roosters player-coach Jason Warr did just that in his side’s thrilling 34-22 win over Waverley Oakleigh Panthers in the Victorian Rugby League first grade elimination final on
Saturday.
Warr set the home fans alight at Loft Reserve when he recovered the ball with a daring one-on-one strip and finished off the play with a try.
It was not only his bold move that won him and co-coach Mike Hurinui plaudits from Roosters president Brandon Taonoa.
“They are great leaders,” he told the Weekly.
“They direct the players around the park all game and keep the boys’ intensity up.”
If Warr provided the turning point in the game, it was Johnathon Toetu who put the exclamation point on a memorable win.
With scores locked at 22 apiece, Toetu found his way over the line with two late tries, one of which was the product of some tasty build-up play from Henry Sang-Yum.
A speedy and strong Melbourne Storm under-18 listed player, Sang-Yum made an eye-opening 60-metre breakaway and passed inside to the
supporting Toetu.
“He’s good at breaking the lines because he’s really quick strong in the upper body,” Taonoa said.
“The game changed in the space of five minutes.
“That try was the icing on the cake.”
The victory was all the more sweet considering star players Aiden Hema and Caine Sinclair missed large chunks of the game through injury.
The Roosters will head back to the preliminary final where they will meet the North West Wolves in a rematch from 12 months ago.
They will be eager to atone for their loss at this stage last year, particularly with a number of their former players moving to the Wolves in the off-season.
The Roosters achieved the double over the Northern Thunder to reach the grand finals of the under-16 and under-18 competitions.
Follow Lance Jenkinson on Twitter @westsport for Victorian rugby league updates.
VRL finals: First grade: Altona Roosters 34 d Waverley Oakleigh Panthers 22
