Dream decider a step closer The NRL's dream grand final between Sydney Roosters and South Sydney is a step closer to reality after the tricolours stamped themselves as one of the greatest defensive teams in history with a 4-0 shut-out of Manly. In an epic encounter between the two best defensive and attacking teams in the NRL this season, a 10th-minute try by rookie Roosters winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck proved to be the difference. Despite bringing the lowest score in a final since St George beat Illawarra 4-0 in 1992, the game was an end-to-end clash between two teams whose attack was bettered only by their defence. No way through: Kieran Foran is stopped in his tracks. By keeping Manly scoreless the Roosters have now prevented their try line from being breached on six occasions this season - the most by any team in 106 seasons of premiership history. The previous record was held by the club's 1977 outfit and this year's team had already equalled that feat seven weeks ago when it won 40-0 against the Sea Eagles' next opponents, Cronulla. "Setting a record like that, it's not about how good your team is but how hard they work for each other and that is really pleasing," coach Trent Robinson said. It's a credit to them. They've worked so hard. We knew we had a team of talented players but talent doesn't help in 'D'. It helps a bit in making decisions but after that you have to work hard for each other. With Souths beating Melbourne on Friday night, the Rabbitohs and the Roosters are just one win away from what would be a dream grand final for the NRL. The neighbouring foundation clubs attracted the biggest crowd for a premiership match in league history when almost 60,000 fans watched them play off for the minor premiership at ANZ Stadium, and the hype leading into a Roosters-Rabbitohs grand final would be unrivalled. With a week off, Robinson said he would give his players some time off to freshen up from such a torrid battle before they face the winner of Saturday night's semi-final in Melbourne between the Storm and the victors in Sunday's Canterbury-Newcastle clash. Souths will have to overcome the winners of next Friday night's semi-final between Manly and Cronulla, and Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey said his team had not lost any confidence from its third loss to the Roosters this season. "They are two quality sides and it was a great defensive effort by both teams," Toovey said. They scored off a kick but we missed our opportunities. It was intense and physical and on a knife edge. Anyone could have won it. They are a well-drilled, well-executed team and defended their butts off and did a great job. While the Roosters' 640 points this season included 110 tries, Manly had crossed for 108 tries - 49 of which were scored down their right edge and 42 on their left side. As a result, Robinson said the Roosters had to scramble to shut them down. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (L) of the Roosters celebrates with Sonny Bill Williams (R). "It was really stressful," he said . I knew we were on our game on 'D'. It was getting scary and you think eventually they [the players] might crack. They didn't stop, they kept moving and didn't stop. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will return from suspension for the Roosters' next game and Robinson said he would give NSW Origin forward Boyd Cordner every chance to prove he had recovered from a broken ankle. Toovey was unsure if star fullback Brett Stewart would be fit to play the Sharks after missing Saturday night's match with a hamstring injury. Twitter - @BradWalterSMH