ROOSTERS HOLD OFF SEAHAWKS IN FINALS THRILLER
THEY had to work for it, but Atherton are through to the preliminary final after a brave 32-26 victory over Yarrabah Seahawks.
The Roosters had to fend off two Seahawks comebacks yesterday afternoon at Barlow Park, first after taking an 18-0 lead to start the match, and, later, getting out to a 32-16 lead with 15 minutes remaining.
The Roosters skipped out to a three-try lead early on with four-pointers to middle men James Coyle, Tyson Burchell and Anthony Curcio.
However, the Seahawks refused to roll over and hit back with a couple of tries through some clever father-son interplay between Steven Singleton and son Steven Stafford.
Stafford scored the first of Yarrabah’s first-half double, after receiving a pearler of a ball out wide.
The second four-pointer was even more impressive. Stafford found a hole on the right edge and made a break, before a centring grubber kick set up perfectly for his old man.
The Roosters took an 18-10 lead into the sheds before the second half’s back and forth contest.
Atherton only took three minutes to extend their lead, before another try on the ensuing set saw them take a 28-10 lead.
Tries to both sides over the next 20 minutes had scores at 32-16 with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Yarrabah’s Andrew Garrett was sent to the sin bin in the 63rd minute, making a Seahawks comeback all the more difficult.
But Yarrabah dug in and scored in the 73rd minute and again in the 76th to get back within one try.
With seasons on the line, tempers boiled over with 40 seconds left, but Atherton would hold on to the 32-26 lead.
Roosters coach Graham Clark Sr said it was the only minor blemish on what was a great afternoon of footy.
“It’s disappointing for me because personally I know a lot of the Yarrie boys,” he said.
“It’s just emotions boiling over a little bit, but I’m disappointed for them because it’s likely to have a few ramifications.
“Honestly, when you’re in a game like that, it’s emotional and they had a big week last week, where it sort of did get a little bit out of control.
“For them to come out and play good, hard, tough footy for 99 per cent of the game. I’m not going to bag them out. I love seeing them in the comp and the style of footy they play.”