NRL grand final: Sydney Roosters player ratings

Player ratings for the Roosters team for the NRL grand final against the Raiders.

1. James Tedesco: Surrounded by lime green like it was Paddy's Day at Scruffy Murphy's whenever the ball came near him. Somehow snuffed out a Wighton grubber after the break, again seeing nothing but green. Then with scores tied up, nothing but clean air for the match-winner. 8/10

2. Daniel Tupou: Laid a fantastic platform coming out of his own end. Finished with a whopping 185 metres, most every single one of them into the teeth of the defence. Great game. 8.5

3. Latrell Mitchell: Very little action in the first 40, Jarrod Croker knocked the stuffing out of him when he did threaten late in the half. Strong in defence on his edge. Shanked a penalty attempt with 10 to go, instead threw the flick pass for the match-winner. Cometh the moment. 7

4. Joey Manu: Copped a shoulder knock early but shook it off by belting Nicoll-Klokstad. Coughed up one attacking chance but snuffed out more than enough to wipe his ledger. 7

5. Brett Morris: Started with a superb tackle to deny Canberra's first attacking raid. Kept matching it with brilliant stops and takes under the high ball. Couldn't have done anything more. 8.5

6. Luke Keary: Forced drop-outs at either end of the first half and was at first receiver more often than not, whether Cronk was on the field or not. Took the contest by the scruff when he darted out of dummy-half, sending Tedesco and co on their way. 7.5

7. Cooper Cronk: Binned in his last game. Rough. Kicked long and high otherwise but not much else. Already a champion. Bows out in suitable fashion. 6

8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves: Two runs in the first set and 75 metres in the first 10 minutes. Best player on the paddock in the first half. 185 metres and 41 tackles – simply immense. 8.5

9. Sam Verrills: If you had him as first try-scorer, your shout. Opportunistic scurry to convert pressure into points and topped the Roosters tackle count while he was out there by some margin. Fine effort from the rookie. 7

10. Isaac Liu: Solid opening stint and went after Canberra's playmakers with good kick pressure. Dropped ball when he got back out there but didn't cost them. 6.5

11. Boyd Cordner: Very physical. Beaten by Jack Wighton though for the Raiders' first try when he found himself on the right edge. Otherwise led with his usual distinction, with back-to-back titles. 8

12. Mitchell Aubusson: Shot down with a knee injury after just 13 minutes. As big a blow as any given his utility value and bankable 80 minutes. 2

13. Victor Radley: Couple of silly early penalties, a knock on and wore a high shot. In absolutely everything, and made it all quality after half-time – that ball for Taukeiaho's break was the game-changer.  8

14. Angus Crichton: Replaced Aubusson but found himself beaten by Wighton too. Pinged for lying in the ruck after half-time but otherwise pulled his weight with 39 tackles. 6.5

16. Nat Butcher: Into the action after half an hour and quickly forced a Raiders error in the play-the-ball. Came up with some very necessary tackles. Exactly why he was kept in the side. 7.5

17. Siosiua Taukeiaho: Made a fair dent as always with and without the ball. None more than a life-giving 67th minute line break when they were dead in the water. 184 running metres from the bench – what 15 rival clubs would give for that. 8

20. Jake Friend: Watched the first 40 from the sideline, came on with Cronk's binning. Came on strong too, offering a real point of difference late around the ruck and defending like a mad man. 7

• NRL grand final: Raiders player ratings