The field, sloppy from the earlier Toyota Cup final, meant the game was fought and won by the big men up front.
Despite the Dragons' big men controlling the game early, the Roosters were able to hit the sheds at half time with a slender 4 point lead. The lead came from the Roosters 'all or nothing' attitude they have played with in the second half of the season.
However, there is nothing scarier for an NRL team than to be just a few points up heading into the sheds against a team coached by Wayne Bennett. Bennett's ability to turn around his team's performances at half time is legend. And so it was in the 2010 Grand Final...
The Roosters lost the lead early in the second half, but it was when the heavens opened that the Dragons really took charge. Their big men were able to control the ball in the wet and the backs, with their second man plays, were able to capitalise on the wet conditions and run in try after try.
The Rooster's fairytale turnaround from cellar-dwellers in 2009 to grand finalists in 2010 fell short in the final 45 minutes of football when the Roosters' forward could match it with the Dragons forwards to give Carney any chance at sparking a comeback.
Roosters' coach Brian Smith now has the unfortunate statistic of coaching teams to 4 grand final appearances, losing all 4 – with 3 of the loses against Wayne Bennett's Broncos and Smith's previous team, the Dragons.
Bennett on the other hand has sealed his title as the greatest ever coach in Rugby League. Bennett has now clinched 7 titles from 7 grand final appearances at 2 different clubs.
Ken Stephen Medal
For regular CTA sports readers, you will remember I previously wrote an article about the NRL's Ken Stephen Medal, given to the player who demonstrates the strongest commitment to the community.
The 2010 Ken Stephen Medal winner is Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldog Andrew Ryan.
The Official NRL website (www.nrl.com.au) said the following about Ryan.
"Away from his football commitments Ryan has worked for charities including Camp Quality, beyondblue, Ronald McDonald House, the Children's Hospital at Westmead, the Australian Disability Foundation and the Andrew Ryan Captain's Cup.
And what makes Ryan an even more deserving winner is the fact he has been a real quiet achiever, going about his efforts without any fanfare."
