Mitch Aubusson and Shaun Johnson received wonderful receptions at the SCG – but for two very different reasons.
Aubusson became the most capped Roosters player in the club’s history when he ran out for game No.303.
The Roosters favourite captained the premiers, was given a guard of honour before the game and even bagged two tries as the home team triumphed 34-18.
Even the bunker must have been swept up by the feel-good celebrations when they wasted no time awarding Aubusson his second try, even though there was a hint of a knock on.
Johnson was also given plenty of applause, but sadly as he was being carted from the field on the back of a medicab after suffering a suspected ruptured Achilles.
The Kiwi superstar playmaker went down with nobody around him as Cronulla enjoyed all the possession and field position early in the second half.
He clutched at his right leg and laid on the ground in pain before he gave the supporters the thumbs up and a big smile.
« I’ve just left the medical room with the doc, he’s inspected Shaun, but it’s an expected ruptured achilles tendon, » Sharks coach John Morris said.
« It’s horrible news for us and Shaun. He’ll need scans, but they normally don’t get those ones wrong. »
The Shire club is officially in crisis when it comes to their halves depth and as they try to stay relevant in the premiership race.
When they host Canberra next Saturday, Cronulla might have to rely on Connor Tracey and Brandon Trindall, who have played just a combined 20 NRL games between them.
Chad Townsend will not return until week one of the finals due to suspension, while out-of-favour Matt Moylan remains frustrated by his ongoing hamstring issues and is not expected to feature again.
It must have been cruel for the Sharks fans watching at home when they spotted the Roosters bench and nearly 600 games worth of experience alone with James Tedesco (rested), Jake Friend (rested) and Boyd Cordner (concussion), who will all return for next Friday’s grudge match with South Sydney.
The same Cronulla faithful would have also been asking why play was not stopped when Josh Dugan stayed down in back play, only for the Roosters to go on and score a vital try through Luke Keary.
Referee Ben Cummins later told acting captain Andrew Fifita he never saw Dugan, nor received the trainer’s call to blow the whistle.
Dugan succumbed to a knee injury late in the game while they also lost prop Royce Hunt to a suspected left kneecap dislocation.
The Roosters deserved praise considering Cronulla had nearly twice as much ball in the second half. They were entitled to cave in defensively. The Sharks had seven set restarts and two penalties.
Sonny Bill Williams got some more vital game time. So did Freddy Lussick. Angus Crichton was in cracking form, as was little Keary.
The post-match scenes for Aubusson were truly deserving. The 32-year-old lost his father Brian in May, and only now revealed how much of an emotional toll the sudden death had had on him and his family.
« That standing ovation as I came out is something I’ll never forget and it was a really special moment in my career, » Aubusson said.
« It’s been a really tough year for my family and myself. The club have rallied around me and given me the time I’ve needed and welcomed me back with open arms.
« A lot of my best mates are here tonight, my two kids, my wife, my mum and my brothers. I’m proud they can all be together.
Aubusson got the scoring started in the fifth minute and immediately punched at his chest while looking to his family members seated somewhere in the Brewongle Stand. He ran a good line back infield and cruised past Tracey for a gift try, the 68th of his career.
Aubusson could not believe his luck when he stuck his left hand out to score his second off a wobbly Crichton kick.
Crichton and Dugan were involved in a fantastic individual battle, but the backrower squeezed a kick away before the man of the moment had more points.
Ronaldo Mulitalo dived over in the corner for a try bang on half-time, and when Johnson slotted the conversion from the sideline, the Sharks only trailed by 12 points, a remarkable feat considering their completion rate was appalling in the opening 40 minutes.
