An old flame comes back to ruin the Roosters day, falling at the final hurdle to the Warriors in their 32-28 golden point defeat. In a see-sawing game Roosters coach Trent Robinson remained upbeat in the aftermath while the Warriors hierarchy question foul play.
Tuivasa-Sheck comes back to haunt ex-teammates
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will never forget his first game against the Roosters.
His 82nd minute try in golden point was his first as a Warrior, hurting his ex-Roosters teammates where it counts – the Tricolours forced to continue their search for a maiden 2016 victory.
"Fortunately we're the ones with the smile on our faces. It wasn't pretty but we're happy we managed the win," Warriors coach Andrew McFadden said post-game.
"I'm sure it was a pretty good moment for [Tuivasa-Sheck]. He'll be feeling for his ex-teammates knowing Roger though.
"It was a bit of a challenge for him this game. He spent a lot of time with the Roosters but it was a good moment, he played well."
Robinson happy for 'Rodge'
Even Tuivasa-Sheck's former coach Robinson failed to hold a grudge when it came to the 23-year-old's match-winning efforts on Sunday.
"I love Rodge, if anyone is going to score against us, I'm happy for Rodge [to do so]," Robinson said post-game.
"He's a good man. He's probably been a bit slow to start the season the first couple of rounds, so it was good to see him come into form.
"You want former players to play well and he did."
Potential Warriors penalty try goes to the wayside
Midway through the first half Ryan Hoffman was denied a try – not by the referee or the bunker – rather by Rooster Aidan Guerra holding back his jersey.
The bunker adjudicated it as a 'no try' with the Warriors handed a penalty for Guerra's misdemeanour.
When queried about it post-game, Hoffman's roundabout response was quickly shut down in hilarious fashion by coach McFadden.
"It was definitely a penalty. It's a bit hard to call penalty tries these days so we'll certainly take the penalty for that," Hoffman said.
McFadden budded in: "It was a professional foul, if there's a time to use the [sin] bin to me that's the time.
"When you purposely hold someone off the ball, and if it's not a penalty try then to me it's something which has to be looked at. Otherwise it is open slather isn't it?"
Hoffman quickly responded "I was going to say that but I wasn't sure if I was allowed to", only for his coach to quickly hand down some quick press conference advice.
"You're allowed to an opinion, mate," McFadden said.
Roosters show there is life in them yet
In a game that was levelled four times, with the lead changing a further four times, the Roosters proved that even though they are yet to win a game in 2016 they are certainly not easy beats – considering they were down 20-8 at one stage.
"It's hurt every week for different reasons. This week I thought we grew in some areas during the game. I thought to be down the way we were at half-time, and the way we started in the second half, there was some really good footy," Robinson said.
"We found some stuff we haven't in the first month in that second half. Then like we have, we have had lapses which let them back in the game. Disappointment comes in lots of different flavours; it's just a different one for us with that one."
Lillyman's reminder to Queensland selectors
In a game where he entered the Warriors' top 10 for all-time appearances Jacob Lillyman sent a timely reminder to Queensland selectors that he isn't over the hill.
Lillyman produced 159 metres and 31 tackles for the Warriors in easily his best performance of the season.
The veteran Maroon even forced his hand with a magical pass to put halfback Shaun Johnson over in the 32nd minute to help the Warriors extend their then first half lead.
