Roosters power past Dolphins to end seven-year grand final wait
Mark Nawaqanitawase scored twice and Sam Walker returned from injury to inspire a 36-20 preliminary final win over the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.
Sydney Roosters have booked their place in the NRL grand final for the first time in seven years after a 36-20 win over the Dolphins in Friday night's preliminary final, according to Guardian Rugby League, reporting via Australian Associated Press.
The match was played in front of a sold-out crowd of 52,286 at Suncorp Stadium, one of the biggest audiences of the finals series.
Sydney set the tone early, racing to a 16-0 lead inside the first 27 minutes and never allowing the Dolphins back into control of the contest.
Mark Nawaqanitawase was central to that dominant start and to the result overall, scoring two tries in a performance the report described as genius.
The winger is set to depart for rugby union, adding an extra layer of significance to his contribution as the Roosters closed in on a grand final berth.
Sam Walker's involvement added to the drama of the night. His return from injury was framed as a miracle comeback, and he was credited with orchestrating the Roosters' attacking game throughout.
Walker's presence at halfback gave Sydney the direction they needed to build on their early lead and see off a Dolphins side that could not find a way back into the contest despite the considerable gap they were chasing.
The win ends a seven-year absence from the grand final for the Roosters, a gap that underlines how significant Friday's performance was for a club with a strong finals pedigree in the recent history of the competition.
Attention now turns to the grand final itself, where the Roosters will look to build on the momentum generated by Nawaqanitawase's try-scoring exploits and Walker's return to form as they chase the premiership.