Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson insists his side have achieved nothing yet after clinching the NRL minor premiership with Friday’s 24-12 win over South Sydney.
The Roosters claimed the JJ Giltinan Shield for the first time in nine years in front of a record non-finals crowd of 59,780 – eclipsing the 58,943 attendance for the Brisbane v St George clash in 1993.
But the victors opted against a lap of honour after the game, the coach claiming he wouldn’t be happy this season unless his side won the grand final in October.
“In 2002 who was the coach who won the minor premiership? Or in 1998 – I could list 20 or 30 years’ worth of players who have won a comp but I can’t list minor premierships,” Robinson said.
“I’ve said it all along, I am happy to finish first, but we have decided on a competition that is decided in October.
“It’s not (EPL) premiership football. Tonight was about getting back to our footy. It was about preparation for next week, that’s what it was.”
Robinson was delighted by the performances of three of his big guns with James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce and Sonny Bill Williams all producing big displays when it mattered.
Maloney scored twice and Pearce went over in the second half after a surging run from Williams teed him up to put the ball under the posts.
“We got back to what we do well tonight and it was good,” Robinson said.
“I thought they (Maloney and Pearce) played really well. They were much more in control of the game than they have been for the last month.
“That was class tonight from Sonny. He got back to some really good, strong running and really controlled his game well.”
Roosters skipper Anthony Minichiello made one of the biggest plays of the game when he produced a brilliant cover tackle late in the game to deny Nathan Merritt a certain try.
Given the two sides’ propensity for leaving things late in recent encounters, the former NSW star’s intervention was vital six minutes from the end.
Robinson earmarked the play and a last-gasp tackle by Dylan Napa to thwart Sam Burgess when the scores were tied in the second half as the key moments for his side’s win.
“They were two massive plays,” he said.
“It’s not about spectacular stuff … Mini worked hard to get there. Dylan worked hard to get there. All they did was make a tackle and that looked spectacular but it was down to hard work that’s what good footy players do.”
Souths coach Michael Maguire was philosophical about the loss and said his men would benefit from the experience of a game played in finals-like atmosphere.
“We just didn’t build any pressure and let ourselves down in certain areas,” Maguire said.
“It was a great crowd … it was high intensity and a good feel for what’s to come over the next month.
“But without a doubt the boys can turn it around.”
