Sydney Roosters rookie Sam Verrills has revealed the team had known since Monday that co-captain Jake Friend was going to play in the NRL grand final.
For the second year in a row, Roosters coach Trent Robinson kept everyone guessing over the final make-up over his line-up until an hour before kickoff.
It wasn’t until 6.30pm on Sunday night that Friend, who hadn’t played since mid-July, was officially included in the final 17 to take on Canberra at ANZ Stadium.
However, Verrills admitted that the squad were aware of Robinson’s plans throughout the entire build-up to the decider.
“We had our meetings on Monday and we knew the rotations, we knew what was going to happen and we set a game plan up,” Verrills told AAP.
“It was hard (to keep it to myself), especially with all the media attention you get in grand final week. I told my parents but that’s about it.
“And I made sure they didn’t tell anyone.
“It was tough but it’s all worth it in the end.”
As he had done since Friend went down with a fractured arm in round 18, Verrills started the game in the No.9 jumper against the Raiders.
And the 20-year-old justified Robinson’s decision by posting the opening try of the match by darting over from close range in the sixth minute.
“I don’t know what happened, it went so fast and all of a sudden all the boys were around me – it’s a special feeling,” Verrills recalled of his fine moment.
“The third man got back late and it was instinct that took over and I just tried my best and it paid off.”
Friend eventually came on for Verrills in the 50th minute, and showed all his experience to manage the game while halfback Cooper Cronk was sin-binned.
The 29-year-old played out the final half hour of the match, finishing with 23 tackles before lifting the trophy with co-skipper Boyd Cordner.
“He’s been a massive mentor as a person and a player. I said to him before the game, ‘Mate, I’ve always wanted to play with you’,” Verrills said.
“And to do it in a grand final is something so special.
“I was blowing in the second half out there and he carried the team. He does what he does and got us the win and I love him.”
