Little Sam Perrett Delivers for the Roosters

The Sydney Roosters stormed into next weekend's National Rugby League grand final with a bruising 32-6 victory over Gold Coast Titans at Suncorp Stadium. The NRL, Australia's equivalent of the NFL, will celebrate it's version of the Superbowl next weekend. The Roosters now have a chance to become the first team since Western Suburbs in 1934 to go from last place to premiers the very next season. Veteran coach Brian Smith's may now be able to end that embarrassing losing record in championship matches.

The Roosters led the Titans 12-6 in front of a big 44,787 crowd after a tense opening 40 minutes courtesy of two tries to right winger Sam Perrett. Young Sam was one of my next door neighbour's kid in New Zealand and although a small at the time he was a really nice boy. Sam obviously learned quickly to play to his strengths by showing his older and much larger brother, Lionel, a clean pair of heels when playing backyard football. The kid is a speed merchant and thankfully is no longer little.

Gold Coast discard Daniel Conn, released by the Titans last season, turned on his former club with a crucial try in the 49th minute which had more than an element of luck to give the visitors an 18-6 break. However, Braith Anasta booked the Roosters' grand final ticket, crashing over for his eighth try of the season in the 62nd minute to provide the Roosters with an unassailable lead at 24-6. Well done Sam, and the Roosters, good luck for next week in the Grand Final.

Redemption Rules

Sydney Roosters five-eight Todd Carney must be looking into heaven right now and thanking his lucky stars, or maybe trying to locate his personal guardian angel. For a player who was booted out of the Australian National Rugby League in 2008 to stand at the pinnacle of his prowess as a player by winning the Dally M Medal is nothing short of a miracle.

The Dally M Medal is the major individual award in the NRL, and given to the player voted the best and fairest in the competition for any given year. It is awarded to those that have performed at the top of their game and have limited their suspensions during the year. The award caps off a stunning return to the NRL for Carney, who spent the 2009 season rebuilding his life and his career playing district football in the North Queensland town of Atherton after several off the field indiscretions that cost him his place.

The resurrection of Todd Carney has paralleled the rise of the Roosters who have burst into contention for a grand final spot with some stunning play in the latter half of the season. It seems that Carney and the Roosters are a match made in heaven if their combination this year is anything to go by. It just goes to show that anyone, who does everything to put their past behind them, can succeed in their chosen arena. Thank goodness for opportunities that come along that allow us to change our spots. Apparently normal leopards suck.