NRL grand final player ratings: Who shone brightest on league’s biggest day

We rate the performances of every player who took the field in Sunday’s NRL grand final between the Roosters and Knights.

1. James Tedesco: Great captain’s knock by Tedesco, in which he ran for more than 380m. Outstanding under the high ball and set up the Roosters’ third try. Deserved Clive Churchill Medal winner. 9/10

2. Daniel Tupou: Outstanding kick returns and defusal of short dropouts in his record fourth grand final triumph with the club. 7.5

3. Billy Smith: Powerhouse try early in the second half and threatened the Knights’ defence several other times. 7

4. Robert Toia: Not as dangerous as he was in the prelim final against the Dolphins, but solid nonetheless. 7

5. Mark Nawaqanitawase: What a way to sign off from rugby league with two tries and a premiership ring. A genuine excitement machine. 8

6. Daly Cherry-Evans: Dream finish to his storied NRL career, kicking the field goal that proved the difference. 6.5

7. Sam Walker: Two crucial conversions as well as a penalty from out wide and superb hands for Smith try. 7.5

8. Naufahu Whyte: What a beast this Kiwi prop is. Easily the best forward on the ground, running for 190m. He’s in for a great future. 8.5

9. Reece Robson: Got through a mountain of work with and without the Steeden. 7.5

10. Lindsay Collins: Grand final glory has been a long time coming for the hard-working forward. 7

11. Salesi Foketi: Fitting finish to a breakout season by the hard-running young New Zealander. 7.5

12. Siua Wong: A tower of strength on the Roosters’ right edge and should be even better next season. 7.5

13. Victor Radley: Last season he was almost sacked by the Roosters; now he’s a premiership winner again. 6.5

15. Angus Crichton: Only a short stint as a middle forward but didn’t do much wrong in his last game in league. 5.5

16. Nat Butcher: Did all that was asked coming off the bench. Mr Consistency. 7

17. Spencer Leniu: Made a big impact in his 25-minute stint to win his fourth grand final ring. 6.5-Phil Mitchell

1. Kalyn Ponga: Newcastle’s skipper scored a spectacular length-of-the-field try, saved one with a desperate in-goal challenge, and did everything he could to inspire his team. 8/10

2. Dominic Young: Better known as a scoring machine, he saved a four-pointer early on, but his dropped ball in the second half led to a Billy Smith try. 6

3. Dane Gagai: Appearing in his last game for Newcastle, the veteran centre tried hard but was generally well contained. 6

4. Bradman Best: Few opportunities to show his class in attack, but at least kept opposite number Robert Toia quiet and threw the final pass for a Greg Marzhew try. 6

5. Greg Marzhew: Had his hands full marking the high-flying Mark Nawaqanitawase, who scored two tries. Copped a barrage of high balls but kept Newcastle on the front foot with a host of tough carries and scored a late try. 6

6. Fletcher Sharpe: Few signs of his dynamic running game, although he produced some long-range kicking to get his team out of strife before coming up with a costly knock-on. 6

7. Sandon Smith: Steady without having the same impact that he produced against Penrith in the preliminary final. Conceded a high-tackle penalty that allowed the Roosters to grab the lead. 6

8. Tyson Frizell: The old warhorse copped a heavy knock in the early exchanges but soldiered on for 22 minutes and returned for a similar second-half stint. 6

19. Thomas Cant: The stopgap hooker let nobody down as Phoenix Crossland’s replacement, racking up 26 tackles in a 28-minute first-up stint. 6

10. Cody Hopwood: The rookie prop averaged almost a tackle a minute in his opening 25-minute stint and carted the ball up five times for good measure. More strong work after the break. 5

11. Jermaine McEwen: A sloppy play-the-ball gifted the Roosters possession, but he got through a power of work in defence. 6

12. Francis Manuleleleua: Hard to believe this kid has played only a half a season in the NRL. His opening try was further evidence of his line-breaking ability. A bright future. 7

13. Mat Croker: Copped some heavy treatment early on but kept coming. At least, that is, until he was replaced five minutes into the second half. Never stopped while he was out there. 6

14. Harrison Graham: Added some spark out of dummy-half when he came on to replace Cant and defended above his weight. 6

15: Lachlan Crouch: Toiled hard when he came on to replace Frizell against the big-name Roosters pack. 5

16. Pasami Saulo: Threw himself into his work when he came on, but was never likely to have the impact of a Jacob Saifiti (suspended) or a Trey Mooney (injured). 5

17. Dylan Lucas: The Origin back-rower came on early in the second half, playing in the middle rather than his preferred left edge. 5- Robert Dillon

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