champs shake off penalty try Sydney Roosters 26 bt Sea Eagles 18 Roosters crow in NRL Grand Final The Sydney Roosters defeat the Manly Sea Eagles after some Sonny Bill Williams magic sparks their charge home. PT2M46S http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/action/externalEmbeddedPlayer?id=d-2v2km 620 349 October 6, 2013 - 11:02PM As it happened / Match stats The Roosters overcame a controversial penalty-try decision and produced one of the greatest touchdowns in grand-final history, thanks to Michael Jennings, to win one of the best deciders of the modern era. In the perfect start to the coaching career of Trent Robinson - and possibly the fairytale league farewell for Sonny Bill Williams - the Bondi Junction outfit prevailed against a courageous Manly. Miracle try: Michael Jennings of the Roosters seals the grand final win over the Sea Eagles. Photo: Anthony Johnson sadas Time Team Score Sydney Roosters versus Manly View Match Statistics Players Tupou, Guerra, Kenny-Dowall, Jennings Tries Taufua, Lyon, Matai Maloney 4/4 (100%) Conversions Lyon 2/3 (66%) Maloney 1/1 (100%) Penalty goals Lyon 1/1 (100%) Field goals Jennings' extraordinary try was the embodiment of a side that refused to give up as he chased a James Maloney kick, that had seemed far too heavy, before leaping to touch the ball down within centimetres of the dead-ball line, with scant regard for his safety. Roosters coach Trent Robinson revealed Jenkins hyperextended his neck during his acrobatic try. "I thought the ball was long and 'Jenko' just slid in there with his speed and got the ball down," Anthony Minichiello said. Floored: Manly winger David Williams is driven into touch. The miraculous try took what would have been an unwelcome spotlight off another controversial refereeing decision. Just weeks after the infamous seven-tackle blunder, match officials were again in the spotlight after Sea Eagles skipper Jamie Lyon was awarded a 43rd-minute try. Lyon was taken out without the football by Roosters forward Mitchell Aubusson as he attempted to ground a Daly Cherry-Evans kick. Lyon didn't get a hand on the ball, which was subsequently grounded by the Roosters. Referee Shayne Hayne indicated "try" before referring the decision upstairs, asking them to look at the option of a penalty try. The video referees had the option of doing so, simply awarding a penalty or also suggesting the offender be sent to the sin bin. Video referees Ashley Klein and Luke Patten, after watching numerous replays, concluded: "Jamie Lyon was tackled without the ball and in the opinion of the referee he would have scored." It was the first time a penalty try has been awarded since the 1999 grand final. Had the Roosters lost, they could have pointed to it as the turning point that cost them. Robinson had no issue with the penalty try and felt Manly's opening touchdown was "more controversial." "They'd been playing obstructions all year on the lead runners and Pearce gets taken out and they still go to review that," Robinson said. That's been in the rules all year. That was the one I was disappointed in. It wasn't the only controversial decision in an enthralling contest. A Shaun Kenny-Dowall try, on the hour mark, edged the tricolours back in front. However, it appeared a pass in the lead-up, from James Maloney to Anthony Minichiello, travelled forward. The Roosters were also the beneficiaries of another contentious call. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves appeared to headbutt Manly's Justin Horo in the 32nd minute, although there was little force. Incredibly, the Roosters received a penalty for a play-the-ball infringement. Rising to the challenge: Daniel Tupou scores a spectacular try for the Roosters. The decision enraged Sea Eagles players, and one of them, believed to be Brett Stewart, was heard screaming: "What about the headbutt by that grub!" Hargreaves has been one of the best props of the year, adding starch to the tricolours after putting on 18 kilograms in the off season. However, his ill discipline at times has been costly. Manly coach Geoff Toovey, in only his second year, paid due credit to the Roosters for their comeback but lamented "it was pretty tough on the 50-50 calls again." Asked if the grand final was officiated differently, Toovey said: "I'd have to review the game, there's no use now speaking emotionally. I get in trouble for that. Then, in a pointed remark that was directed towards Todd Greenberg, the NRL's head of football standing at the back of the news conference: "Oh, sorry, sorry - SOME of us get in trouble for that." SYDNEY ROOSTERS 26 (A Guerra M Jennings S Kenny-Dowall D Tupou tries J Maloney 5 goals) bt MANLY 18 (J Lyon S Matai J Taufua tries J Lyon 3 goals) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Shayne Hayne, Ben Cummins. Crowd: 81,491. Poll: Were the referees right to award a penalty try to Manly in the grand final? Total votes: 2474. Poll closes in 24 days. Vote now: Sonny Bill Williams' future