2013 NRL Grand Final
The 2013 NRL Grand Final served as the championship-deciding encounter for the 2013 NRL season, taking place on Sunday, 6 October at Sydney's ANZ Stadium. This decisive match pitted the minor premiers, the Sydney Roosters, against the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. The Roosters emerged victorious with a 26–18 scoreline, claiming their 13th premiership and becoming the first team since the St George Illawarra Dragons in 2010 to secure both the minor premiership and the grand final title within the same year.
Background
The 2013 NRL premiership final featured two Sydney-based teams: the minor premiers Sydney Roosters and the fourth-placed Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. This encounter marked their first grand final meeting in 41 years, recalling Manly’s 19–14 triumph in the 1972 NSWRL competition. Both clubs had maintained a strong presence in grand finals since 2000; the Roosters contested finals in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2010, while Manly appeared in deciders during 2007, 2008, and 2011. Despite frequent appearances, the Roosters had only secured one premiership during this era—defeating newcomers New Zealand Warriors 30–8 in 2002. Manly’s most recent title before this was a 24–10 victory over the Warriors in 2011.
Significantly, this grand final was the first since 2005 without the involvement of renowned coaches Wayne Bennett, Craig Bellamy, or Des Hasler, who had been dominant figures across seven seasons of finals. Instead, new coaches Trent Robinson and Geoff Toovey led their squads in their respective first and second years coaching at NRL level.
Team lists
| Sydney Roosters |
Position | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony Minichiello (c) | Fullback | Brett Stewart |
| Daniel Tupou | Wing | Jorge Taufua |
| Michael Jennings | Centre | Jamie Lyon (c) |
| Shaun Kenny-Dowall | Centre | Steve Matai |
| Roger Tuivasa-Sheck | Wing | David Williams |
| James Maloney | Five-eighth | Kieran Foran |
| Mitchell Pearce | Halfback | Daly Cherry-Evans |
| Jared Waerea-Hargreaves | Prop | Brenton Lawrence |
| Jake Friend | Hooker | Matt Ballin |
| Sam Moa | Prop | Brent Kite |
| Aidan Guerra | Second Row | Anthony Watmough |
| Sonny Bill Williams | Second Row | Justin Horo |
| Boyd Cordner | Lock | Glenn Stewart |
| Frank-Paul Nuuausala | Interchange | David Gower |
| Daniel Mortimer | Interchange | Jamie Buhrer |
| Mitchell Aubusson | Interchange | Tom Symonds |
| Luke O'Donnell | Interchange | George Rose |
| Trent Robinson | Coach | Geoff Toovey |
Note: Late changes to the Roosters lineup saw both Boyd Cordner and Luke O'Donnell added shortly before kickoff. Cordner took over from Frank-Paul Nuuausala at lock forward, while Nuuausala and O'Donnell replaced interchange players Isaac Liu and Dylan Napa.
Milestones
- Veteran Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello participated in his sixth grand final, having featured in every premiership decider the club reached since 2000. His only triumph came in the 2002 grand final. Had he lost, he would have been the first Australian rugby league player to suffer defeat in five grand finals.
- Players Jamie Lyon, Brett Stewart, Glenn Stewart, Steve Matai, Brent Kite, and Anthony Watmough each marked their fourth grand final appearance together, having previously competed in the 2007, 2008, and 2011 NRL Grand Finals representing Manly.
1st half
Manly began the match assertively, taking advantage of early mistakes by Roosters five-eighth James Maloney. The opening try was scored by winger Jorge Taufua, although captain Jamie Lyon missed the conversion, resulting in a 4–0 lead for Manly. A subsequent penalty increased their advantage to 6–0 by the 17th minute. The Roosters fought back with a try from winger Daniel Tupou and a successful sideline conversion from Maloney, leveling the score at 6–6. Before halftime, a penalty awarded to the Roosters put them ahead 8–6.
2nd half
At the 43-minute mark, Manly reclaimed the lead at 12–8 after halfback Daly Cherry-Evans’ grubber kick led to a penalty try, successfully converted by Lyon. A forced drop-out by the Roosters created swift attacking opportunities for Manly, culminating in a try by Steve Matai and another conversion by Lyon, pushing their lead to 18–8 with half an hour remaining. Roosters back-rower Aiden Guerra then scored, closing the margin to 18–14. A line break and offload from David Williams to Maloney breached Manly’s defense, allowing Maloney to set up Minichiello who assisted Shaun Kenny-Dowall’s try; Maloney’s conversion put the Roosters ahead 20–18 with 18 minutes left on the clock. Despite a Roosters error shortly after, Manly was unable to capitalize due to a knock-on by winger David Williams. Another line break by Williams led to a grubber kick from Maloney and a try near the dead ball line by Michael Jennings. Maloney’s final conversion extended the lead to 26–18, and Manly was unable to penetrate the Roosters’ defense during the closing six minutes.
Post-match
Sydney Roosters captain Anthony Minichiello became the first fullback since Frank 'Skinny' McMillan in 1934 to captain his team to a Grand Final victory. Manly’s halfback Daly Cherry-Evans was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal for best on ground, marking just the third occasion it was presented to a player from the losing side. Roosters coach Trent Robinson achieved a premiership title in his debut NRL coaching season, becoming the first coach since Ricky Stuart in 2002 to do so.
The championship rings presented to each member of the victorious team were valued at AU$6,000 apiece.
Aftermath
By securing the premiership, the Roosters earned the right to compete in the 2014 World Club Challenge. They were set to face the 2013 Super League Grand Final victors, the Wigan Warriors, during the 2014 pre-season period.