2007 Round 19 vs Sydney Roosters:

Sydney 20 defeated Newcastle 17.

It was another heartbreaker for Newcastle in round 19 - going down to a resurgent Roosters outfit (coached for the first time by mid-season replacement Brad Fittler) thanks to a 77th minute Mitchell Aubusson try.

The two sides fought out an absorbing contest, with Newcastle appearing to have on won the match when Luke Walsh slotted a field goal in the 67th minute - but exactly as had happened against South Sydney in round 16, a late try to the opposition overtook the one point lead.

Newcastle got off to a good start for once when Adam MacDougall pushed over from close range to score the opening try in the 4th minute, but Sydney hit back in the 16th minute when David Shillington scored from a hit-up right underneath the posts.

The teams again traded tries to end the first half. First Cooper Vuna scored a spectacular try, running onto a Kurt Gidley grubber from 30 metres out, avoiding the sideline with some fancy footwork. Sydney struck back in the 31st minute when first Iosia Soliola made a long run, then a sideline spread found Joel Monaghan over in the corner.

Lopini Paea put Sydney 16-12 up when he crashed over from close range in the 48th minute, but Cooper Vuna leveled scores with his double in the 55th, thanks to some beautiful passing by Luke Walsh and Cory Paterson.

Then came Luke Walsh’s field goal, and Mitchell Aubusson’s matchwinner.

Newcastle slipped further out of the eight, making the round 20 clash against the Warriors a real must-win.

What they said:

Brian Smith:
"Coaching is a lot of fun - most of the time. I just saw Freddy smile. I was hoping that he wouldn't go home with a smile tonight but if someone's got to, I'm pleased it's him. The main thing you can say is they're out there playing for each other at the moment. When you're doing that, you're always a chance of winning."

Brad Fittler:
"To come away with it in the last couple of minutes - it's good fun as a coach. It's good. It's great that they kept believing. There were signs there of doubt at stages. There's not much you can do up there. You can pass on little messages but no-one listens. It's one thing I promised: not to look at the ladder, just keep plugging along."