How the Storm and Roosters forged a rivalry for the ages

From the courage of Cronk to the magic of Mitchell and Munster and the composure of Captain Cam, the modern-day rivalry between the Storm and Roosters has given us an array of memorable moments during the past 25 years.

The Storm entered the competition in 1998 and announced themselves by taking down a string of heavyweights in their debut season, including the Roosters in their first ever meeting at the SFS.

With Brett Kimmorley and Scott Hill calling the shots and skipper Tawera Nikau leading the way in the forwards, the Storm got home 32-20 to ensure they would finish in the top four in their first season.

Two decades later they clashed in a grand final for the first and only time, with Storm legend Cronk defying the pain of fractured scapula to lead his new team the Roosters to the club’s 14th premiership.

On the eve of their preliminary final showdown at AAMI Park, pan66.com takes a look back of some of the epic contests between the Storm and the Roosters.

 

When Superpowers Collide

Cooper's courage... 2018 grand final 

When the Roosters' gun playmaker Cooper Cronk suffered a serious shoulder injury during the preliminary final win over the Rabbitohs, there seemed little hope of him lining up in the decider against his former club.

Recruited to the Roosters to deliver the same success he had in Melbourne, Cronk was long odds to make it to the big dance, but after a week of intense physio and speculation, he made it onto the field.

His halves partner Luke Keary stepped up and took most of the kicking duties and ran the show magnificently on his way to collecting the Clive Churchill Medal, the Roosters exploding out of the blocks to lead 12-0 after 15 minutes and never relinquishing control as they went on to win 21-6.

James Tedesco ran for 214 metres and Daniel Tupou clocked up 184 while Melbourne's Cameron Munster had the ignominy of becoming the only player to be sin binned twice in a grand final.

Latrell lands killer blow... Round 6, 2019

In a pulsating Good Friday clash at AAMI Park it was the defending premiers getting home 21-20 thanks to a Latrell Mitchell field goal in golden point.

The Roosters had raced to a 20-0 lead before half-time but the mercurial Cameron Smith took over and pulled his side back to 20-20 before Mitchell had the last word.

Mitchell caused havoc down the left edge all night, scoring one try and setting up James Tedesco for another.

Cooper Cronk received plenty of attention from the crowd in his first game back at AAMI Park since moving to the Roosters but the classy No.7 had the last laugh as he guided his new side to victory. 

Cool, calm, Cam... Round 16, 2018

Another classic contest decided by a single point, this time a 40-metre field goal from Cameron Smith sealing a 9-8 Storm victory.

The best defensive sides in the NRL kept each other tryless for the first 60 minutes before big Nelson Asofa-Solomona crossed for Melbourne and Matt Ikavalu answered for the Chooks three minutes later.

After Smith's shot in the 78th minute, Cooper Cronk attempted to send the game into golden point with a field goal of his own with 20 seconds to go but Storm second-rower Ryan Hoffman pulled off a sensational charge down to seal the deal for Melbourne. 

Force of Will... 2023 semi-final

Trailing 13-12 with two minutes to go at AAMI Park, the Storm's season looked to be over before giant winger Will Warbrick came up with a try for the ages to get his team home.

From a Cameron Munster cross field kick, Warbrick soared catch over the top of Roosters winger Junior Pauga to drag the ball down and reach out and score his 17th try of the season.

“Me and Munster have worked on that during the season a few times,” Warbrick said post-match. “Nothing was said, there was no call for it, it’s just the eyes and with Munster you’re expecting anything.

“I just knew if he was kicking it my way I had to get to the chase. To be honest, I saw a blur and I’m still processing it all and letting it sink in. I’m just glad I was able to get the catch and I was able to get across.

“It was a crazy moment with the way my teammates reacted and the crowd, I’ve never had that experience before so I’m just soaking it in.”

Amazing Adelaide... Round 16, 2017

The Roosters prevailed in one of the matches of the year at Adelaide Oval as a Mitchell Pearce field goal in golden point capped a miraculous Roosters comeback.

Without their Origin stars Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater, the inexperienced Storm were on their way to a huge victory when they led 24-12 with 10 minutes remaining.

But tries to wingers Daniel Tupou and Blake Ferguson sent the game to golden point where the iceman Pearce nailed his match-winner from 35 metres out.

Seven heaven... Round 24, 2022

The rampaging Roosters made it seven wins on the trot in a high-quality encounter at AAMI Park.

An early penalty goal and tries to Daniel Tupou and Joseph Manu gave the Roosters a 14-0 lead after just 20 minutes but as is tradition when these sides clash, the Storm charged back.

A converted try to Xavier Coates and a penalty goal to Nick Meaney pulled the home side back to 14-8 at the break before Meaney crossed in the 66th minute to tie things up.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii scored to put the Roosters back in front with 20 minutes to go, setting up a frantic finish which saw James Tedesco and Lindsay Collins hold up Kenny Bromwich to deny him a match-winner.

Green sinks purple army.... Round 10, 2001

Under the roof at Colonial Stadium, the Storm led 16-6 at the break and looked to be on track for victory before the Roosters hit back.

Champion fullback Anthony Minichiello grabbed a double and Paul Green and skipper Luke Ricketson also crossed as the Chooks took the lead 22-16.

A try to Kiwi lock Matt Rua levelled the scores at 22-22 before Green stepped up to nail a 35-metre field goal with three minutes remaining.

The loss of centre Ryan Cross to a broken leg took some of the gloss off the Roosters' win but they would go on to make the finals before bowing out to eventual premiers Newcastle week one of the play-offs.