Altona Roosters’ back-to-back dream was scuppered by the
talent-laden Sunbury United Tigers in the Victorian Rugby League
first-grade grand final at Langama Park on Saturday.
Trailing 16-4 at half-time, as they did on the same stage last year, the Roosters were hoping for another miracle comeback.
PICTURE GALLERY: Altona Roosters v Sunbury United Tigers grand final
But there was to be no such outcome this year as the Tigers charged to a convincing 36-16 win.
Roosters captain Ben James conceded that the better side won.
“We got them last year, they were too strong this year,” James said.
“They’re a quality outfit and deserved their win, so we’ll cop it on the chin.
“There is a fair bit of respect between our two teams based on the success of both of our clubs.
“We’re hoping that our young kids learn from the experience they got this year and will go one better next year.”
Sunbury is the VRL feeder club to the Melbourne Storm.
The Tigers are full of young players with their sights set on representing the Storm at under-age level.
The professionalism of these rising stars is unmatched and the Roosters were given the runaround after half-time.
“Too fast, too strong and too skilful, based on all the training they do,” James said of the Tigers.
“They’re a good bunch of young, talented Storm kids.”
The Roosters went on the attack for the first 10 minutes, with
in-form winger Ryan Lambert posting the first try of the match to have
the Roosters up 4-0.
But the Tigers piled on 16 unanswered points before half-time and
put the game out of reach with the first try of the second half.
Phillip Pese and Josh Hurinui tries for the Roosters were nothing more than consolations.
Pese, the speedy full-back, was best on a difficult afternoon for the Roosters.
“He’s always hard to contain – he’s a bit of a pinball who bounces around,” James said.
“He made a couple of breaks in the second half which gave us a bit
of a spark, but we couldn’t finish it off, which was the story of our
day.”
The Roosters lost to North West Wolves 14-12 in the reserves decider.
But it was a superb effort for the Roosters to play a part on grand-final day after a tumultuous season.
“It’s been a bit of a tough year off the field with our clubrooms
burning down and losing all our memorabilia,” James said. “To have both
the reserve grade and first grade in the grand final was a great result.
Our under 18s team made the grand final as well, so the kids are coming
though and that will ensure our success in the future.”
Meanwhile, the season is not over for James or teammate Aiden
Hema, with the pair selected for the Australian Affiliated States side
that will tour Samoa later this month.
