Maybe the Sydney Roosters need a touch of Sonny Bill Williams magic after all.
The rugby league fraternity was left in shock when news broke in July that the two-time defending premiers, in their quest to chase a historic threepeat, were going to sign the dual-international.
At the time, Williams was joining a juggernaut of a side that was on track for another top-four finish and brimming with the kind of depth that made them the envy of the rest of the competition.
Three months on and coach Trent Robinson twice could’ve used the kind of game-changing moments Williams built a decorated rugby league career on in their preliminary final against Penrith.
Most would have forgotten the 35-year-old was missing through injury when the Roosters, also without co-captain Jake Friend, ambushed the Panthers and shot out to an early two-try lead on Friday evening.
All of a sudden any fears of last week’s 60-point hiding at the hands of South Sydney were put to bed.
But Penrith responded by scoring three tries in the space of 10 minutes to reclaim the lead in stunning fashion, raising questions as to who the Roosters could turn to for a response.
“I’ve never seen Trent Robinson so animated in the press box,” champion halfback Andrew Johns said during commentary.
Initially, they didn’t have to look far.
Down 16 points 10 minutes into the second half, they flexed what former Roosters captain and Channel Nine commentator Brad Fittler described as “championship qualities” with James Tedesco starting the comeback.
The Kangaroos and NSW State of Origin star was easily the Roosters’ best, carrying the ball for a game-high 238 metres and breaking seven tackles to go with his try.
Veteran Josh Morris followed Tedesco in soon after, and even after Cleary thought he sealed the win with a 78th-minute field goal, Angus Crichton willed over at the death.
“They were in all sorts, the Panthers were bubbling,” former premiership-winner Peter Sterling said on Channel Nine commentary.
The only piece missing was a moment of magic, one that could’ve been supplied by the walking headline that is Williams, who was forced to withdraw from the side on Thursday night with a neck injury.
The Roosters described the injury as a flare-up of a previous issue.
However, with their campaign on the line in an elimination final against either Canberra or Cronulla, likely to be at the SCG next Friday, Williams may be relied upon to be an x-factor.
