Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Mitchell was also part of the New South Wales side this season

NRL Grand Final Sydney Roosters (18) 21 Tries: Tupou, Mitchell, Manu Goals: Mitchell 4 Drop-goal: Keary Melbourne Storm (0) 6 Try: Addo-Carr Goal: C Smith

The Sydney Roosters spoiled Melbourne Storm legend Billy Slater's rugby league farewell with a comprehensive victory in the NRL Grand Final.

Slater was cleared to play in the showpiece after avoiding suspension for a shoulder charge in the semi-finals.

The 35-year-old has won two NRL Premierships and two World Cups, plus eight State of Origin championships.

But he could do little to stop a rampant Rooters side, coached by former Catalans Dragons coach Trent Robinson.

"We tried our best but that's the way it goes sometimes and I'm really grateful for the career I've had, the friends I've made and what rugby league has done for me," said Slater.

The Roosters themselves named former Storm star Cooper Cronk in their team after the 34-year-old passed a late fitness test on a shoulder injury, later revealed to be a broken shoulder blade.

Although Cronk, who spent 16 years at Melbourne before joining their rivals, was far from his best physically, his on-field experience played a massive part in helping his new side to their first title since 2013.

"We had to make up a game plan where we protected him (Cronk) as much as possible," said Roosters' co-captain Boyd Cordner.

"It's a big performance by Cooper that will go down in history."

The Roosters made a great start with Daniel Tupou and Latrell Mitchell both crossing for tries within the first 15 minutes while Mitchell converted one and added a penalty.

Cameron Munster's sin-binning on 30 minutes allowed Mitchell to extend the lead by a further two points .

Sydney piled on the pressure and a pass from full-back James Tedesco sent Joseph Manu over in the corner. Mitchell was unable to convert but Roosters still went into the break in a dominant position.

Melbourne tried to challenge the Sydney line after the break but were unable to get the final pass away as the Roosters held firm.

The Storm finally got on the scoreboard on 62 minutes when an errant pass from the otherwise outstanding Luke Keary was intercepted by Josh Addo-Carr and he raced 85 metres for a try, converted by Cameron Smith.

A Keary drop goal eased the Roosters nerves and when Munster was sin-binned for a second time with two minutes to play, Mitchell had the final say with another penalty.

"Everyone at this football club has sacrificed something for me to be here and it was my duty to do whatever I could do to repay that faith," said Cronk, who undertook the victory parade with his left arm in a sling.

"I don't take that responsibility lightly, that was the motivation to get out there and get my job done tonight."</s>SYDNEY (AP) - Inspired by the injured Cooper Cronk, the Sydney Roosters led 18-0 at halftime and went on to beat the Melbourne Storm 21-6 in the National Rugby League grand final on Sunday.

Luke Keary and James Tedesco set up all three Roosters' tries. Up 18-6 with 11 minutes to go, Keary sealed the win with a 20-meter field goal, while Latrell Mitchell added a late penalty.

Keary was named man of the match.

Cronk played for the Roosters, against the odds. Cronk admitted that he was a "longshot" to play after scans confirmed the 34-year-old halfback had sustained severe damage to his left rotator cuff in an earlier match, and several players said Sunday that Cronk had a broken scapula.

Cronk was clearly in pain while on the field and mostly attempted to direct the play around him.

"It's one of the best on-field coaching performances I've ever seen," former Roosters coach and television commentator Phil Gould said.

In this Sept. 22, 2018, photo, Sydney Roosters rugby league player Cooper Cronk lays on the ground after injurying himself during their National Rugby League preliminary final match between the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Sydney. The Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm started grand final week wondering if two of their best players would be available for Sunday's National Rugby League championship match. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP Image via AP)

Roosters captain Boyd Cordner said Cronk was well below par to start the match before 82,688 fans at the Olympic stadium in western Sydney.

"We knew Coops was touch-and-go there," Cordner said. "He pulled through. We had to make up a game plan where we protect him as much as possible, we executed that."

It was disappointing career end for Melbourne fullback Billy Slater, who was only cleared to play on Tuesday after being cleared on a shoulder charge in the semifinals. Slater plans to retire after having played 30 test matches for Australia.

The Roosters or Storm have featured in 15 of the last 21 NRL grand finals, and Melbourne was attempting to become the first team in 25 years to repeat as league champions. The last team to win two titles in a row was the Brisbane Broncos in 1992-93.</s>SYDNEY, Australia — Inspired by the injured Cooper Cronk, the Sydney Roosters led 18-0 at halftime and went on to beat the Melbourne Storm 21-6 in the National Rugby League grand final on Sunday.

Luke Keary and James Tedesco set up all three Roosters' tries. Up 18-6 with 11 minutes to go, Keary sealed the win with a 20-meter field goal, while Latrell Mitchell added a late penalty.

Keary was named man of the match.

Cronk played for the Roosters, against the odds. Cronk admitted that he was a "longshot" to play after scans confirmed the 34-year-old halfback had sustained severe damage to his left rotator cuff in an earlier match, and several players said Sunday that Cronk had a broken scapula.

Cronk was clearly in pain while on the field and mostly attempted to direct the play around him.

"It's one of the best on-field coaching performances I've ever seen," former Roosters coach and television commentator Phil Gould said.

Roosters captain Boyd Cordner said Cronk was well below par to start the match before 82,688 fans at the Olympic stadium in western Sydney.

"We knew Coops was touch-and-go there," Cordner said. "He pulled through. We had to make up a game plan where we protect him as much as possible, we executed that."

It was disappointing career end for Melbourne fullback Billy Slater, who was only cleared to play on Tuesday after being cleared on a shoulder charge in the semifinals. Slater plans to retire after having played 30 test matches for Australia.

The Roosters or Storm have featured in 15 of the last 21 NRL grand finals, and Melbourne was attempting to become the first team in 25 years to repeat as league champions. The last team to win two titles in a row was the Brisbane Broncos in 1992-93.</s>A fired-up Sydney Roosters team thrashed Melbourne Storm 21-6 in a one-sided National Rugby League Grand Final on Sunday to secure their 14th championship in the Australian top flight.

Daniel Tupou, Latrell Mitchell and Joseph Manu scored tries for the Roosters, who charged out of the blocks to lead 18-0 at half-time before closing out the victory with a dogged defensive effort at Sydney's Olympic Stadium.

The Trent Robinson-coached Roosters claimed their first title since 2013, while crushing the Storm's bid to become the first team to win back-to-back titles since the Brisbane Broncos in 1992/93.

Melbourne's loss was a bitter ending to the career of one of the game's finest full-backs, with retiring international Billy Slater bowing out in disappointing fashion.

It was a richly deserved win for the Roosters, however, who dominated the regular season and barely put a foot wrong against the Storm, the competition's most dominant side over the past decade.

"I can't talk, it's so good. We started so good that first half, I don't think we've played a better half of footy," said jubilant Roosters captain Boyd Cordner.

After a week dominated by speculation over the state of Cooper Cronk's injured shoulder, the Roosters' star half-back started on the field against the team he helped to win the 2017 title.

Cronk had little influence but was barely needed as his team-mates covered brilliantly for him. Half-back Luke Keary was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal as best on field, and set up Tupou's first try in the seventh minute with a sumptuous long pass to the wing.

Mitchell, the great-nephew of tennis champion Evonne Goolagong, crossed seven minutes later and finished the match with a conversion and three penalties.

After a terrible, error-strewn start, the Storm's night got bleaker when Cameron Munster was sin-binned on the half hour for a professional foul.

The Roosters exploited their advantage in the 37th minute, whipping the ball wide to set up Manu's try in the right corner.

Slater and captain Cameron Smith tried to rally their team-mates after the break but they could find no way to breach Sydney's stonewall defence.

It took a Roosters error deep in attack for Melbourne to secure their first points, with Josh Addo-Carr charging the length of the field to touch down in the 62nd minute after intercepting a Keary pass.

Competing in their third successive Grand Final, Storm pushed hard for a second try but their raids were cut short by swarms of Roosters defenders.

Their campaign ended on a sour note, with Munster sent off for a second time in the dying minutes after kicking Manu in the head.

"We didn't help ourselves, we dropped a bit of the ball but I think the Roosters were just too good," a rueful Slater said.

"We tried our best but that's the way it goes sometimes and I'm really grateful for the career I've had, the friends I've made and what rugby league has done for me."</s>MELBOURNE, Sept 30 (Reuters) - The Sydney Roosters thrashed Melbourne Storm 21-6 in a one-sided National Rugby League Grand Final on Sunday to secure their 14th championship in the Australian top flight.

Daniel Tupou, Latrell Mitchell and Joseph Manu scored tries for the Roosters who charged out of the blocks to lead 18-0 at halftime before closing out the victory with a dogged defensive effort at Sydney Olympic stadium.

The Trent Robinson-coached Roosters claimed their first NRL title since 2013, while crushing the Storm's bid to become the first team to win back-to-back titles since the Brisbane Broncos in 1992-93.

Melbourne's loss was a bitter ending to the career of one of the game's finest fullbacks, with retiring international Billy Slater bowing out in disappointment. (Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by Toby Davis)</s>The NRL Grand Final gets underway this Sunday with Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm in Australia’s showpiece event.

Aussie rugby league is the envy of the sport and this promises to be an epic Down Under today.

In a shock twist ahead of kick off, the Roosters medical staff have cleared star man Cooper Cronk of a shoulder injury.

It means he will likely start the 2018 NRL Grand Final. Here’s how you can watch it live.</s>The Sydney Roosters spoiled Melbourne Storm legend Billy Slater's rugby league farewell with a comprehensive victory in the NRL Grand Final.

Slater was cleared to play in the showpiece after avoiding suspension for a shoulder charge in the semi-finals.

The 35-year-old has won two NRL Premierships and two World Cups, plus eight State of Origin championships.

But he could do little to stop a rampant Rooters side, coached by former Catalans Dragons coach Trent Robinson.

The Roosters themselves named former Storm star Cooper Cronk in their team after the 34-year-old passed a late fitness test on a shoulder injury, later revealed to be a broken shoulder blade.

Although Cronk, who spent 16 years at Melbourne before joining their rivals, was far from his best physically, his on-field experience played a massive part in helping his new side to their first title since 2013.

They made a great start with Daniel Tupou and Latrell Mitchell both crossing for tries within the first 15 minutes while Mitchell converted one and added a penalty.

Cameron Munster's sin-binning on 30 minutes allowed Mitchell to extend the lead by a further two points.

Sydney piled on the pressure and a pass from full-back James Tedesco sent Joseph Manu over in the corner and although Mitchell was unable to convert, it left Roosters in a dominant position at the break.

Melbourne tried to challenge the Sydney line after the break but were unable to get the final pass away as the Roosters held firm.

The Storm finally got on the scoreboard on 62 minutes when an errant pass from the otherwise outstanding Luke Keary was intercepted by Josh Addo-Carr and he raced 85 metres for a try, converted by Cameron Smith.

A Keary drop goal eased the Roosters nerves and when Munster was sin-binned for a second time with two minutes to play, Mitchell had the final say with another penalty.</s>Since the turn of the millennium, the Melbourne Storm and the Sydney Roosters have, between them, played in 13 grand finals (the Storm in seven, the Roosters six—quick mafs).

Surprisingly, however, in all those years they’ve never met in the decider. That ends tonight. At approximately 7.20pm (when it comes to meeting scheduled kickoff times the NRL seems to go by gut feel rather than use Fancy Dan clocks and the like) the two teams will meet at the Sydney Olympic Stadium to determine the winner of one of the closest NRL seasons in memory.

Remember, at the close of the regular season, just two competition points—one solitary game—separated teams one (Roosters) through to eight (Warriors). For all that, the Roosters and the Storm finished 1 & 2 with respective points differentials of 181 to 173. With both their rosters bristling with stand-out talent and genuine match-winners it’s no shock to see both have prevailed through the finals series to face off in tonight’s royal rumble.

The lead-up to the game has, you’ll recall, been dominated by a tale of two shoulders. One belonged to Storm fullback Billy Slater, the other to his former teammate, now Roosters half, Cooper Cronk.

Slater faced the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night to contest a grade-one shoulder charge leveled against him after the Storm’s preliminary final against the Sharks last weekend. Though it wasn’t at all the type of front-on, head-threatening shoulder charge that concerned the NRL when it outlawed the move a few years back (and, for that reason, it would have been tough for Slater to miss a grand final for such an innocuous tackle) it sure looked like a shoulder charge under the letter of the law. But in the best legal performance since Tom Cruise in A Few Good Men, Slater’s legal team earned their money and then some by getting the custodian off, freeing him to play tonight. To say it was a divisive decision is say Lionel Messi is a good footballer.

In the Roosters’ preliminary final win over Souths, Cooper Cronk suffered a severe rotator cuff injury to his left shoulder, one that put his place in tonight’s match under extreme doubt.

Some have suggested it’s not quite as bad as the Roosters have made out, that Cronk was always going to play even if it took a dozen painkilling injections and a whole roll of sticky tape to get him out there, but there’s no doubt Cronk will not be 100%. One big hit could end his night and severely dent the Roosters’ chances of winning.

Due to the cloud over Cronk, due to Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cameron Munster (and despite the talent of James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell and Luke Keary), I’m tipping the Storm in a close one.

Let’s just hope it’s another pearler of a match in this wonderful NRL season.</s>SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Cooper Cronk leaves speaks to the media with his arm in a sling during a Sydney Roosters NRL media opportunity at the Sydney Cricket Ground on September 24, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Cooper Cronk leaves speaks to the media with his arm in a sling during a Sydney Roosters NRL media opportunity at the Sydney Cricket Ground on September 24, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images) Matt King

OPINION: A hugely successful #FreeBilly campaign, a seemingly serious shoulder injury to Sydney Roosters halfback Cooper Cronk and a slew of experienced finals campaigners almost makes the Melbourne Storm unbackable favourites to be the first back-to-back NRL premiers since the Broncos of 1992-93.

Both the Storm and Roosters will take exceptionally strong squads into the grand final. Even if they're forced to play without Cronk, the Roosters have enough class, points, and defence to find a way past the defending premiers.

The teams boast incredibly similar attacking and defensive stats. After 24 games, the Roosters scored six more points than their southern counterparts, and conceded two fewer points.

In the one clash between the two powerhouses this season, the Storm won a thrilling Adelaide Oval clash by just one point, when captain Cameron Smith slotted a field goal in the 78th minute.

A grand final is a completely game to any played during the regular season - any person who has played any sport at any level would tell you that.

It is not about an overall picture, there is no other game to make up for mistakes, and there is no forgiveness. All fans will remember is what happens in that 80 minute period (plus extra time if its required), and that's where the loss of Cronk will be most felt.

The Storm have a side dotted with former Origin winners and NRL premiers in key positions. Think Smith, Billy Slater and Will Chambers.

The Roosters have similar in James Tedesco, Luke Keary and Boyd Cordner, but Cronk - an incredible halfback who has done it all before - is the key that makes every part of the Roosters machine work.

TIP: Storm by four, Slater for the Clive Churchill Medal.</s>Sydney Roosters win NRL grand final against Melbourne Storm, as it happened

The Roosters win their first NRL premiership in five years, as they defeat the Storm 21-6 in the grand final.

Relive all the action as it happened in our grand final blog.
The Sydney Roosters defeat Melbourne Storm 21-6 in the National Rugby League premiership at ANZ Stadium, Sydney Australia.