LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
'Marky Mark' and the Sydney Roosters have spoiled the Alex Johnston celebrations, booking themselves a place in the 2025 NRL Finals series.
While much of the attention was on Johnston as he aimed to break the long-standing try-scoring record of Ken Irvine, it was Nawaqanitawase, the opposing winger, who captivated the strong crowd of over 30,000 with his performance.
Displaying an array of skills, Nawaqanitawase had the fans on their feet almost immediately, scoring within the first five minutes of the match.
After a remarkable week in which he scored four tries against the Melbourne Storm, he made history once more by becoming the first Roosters player to achieve seven doubles in a single season since 1936, solidifying the club's position in the finals during the Trent Robinson era.
Nawaqanitawase managed to outshine Johnston, who was on the opposite wing, first scoring early in the game and then quickly adding to his tally.
In a bid for selection in the Australian Kangaroos, he scored his third try by leaping over Johnston mid-air in just his 22nd NRL match. He finished the night with impressive stats including 140 running metres, eight tackle breaks, two line breaks, and a line-break assist.
The Roosters are set to face the Cronulla Sharks in the opening round of the finals, with teammates Daniel Tupou, Connor Watson, and Angus Crichton also contributing to the score sheet.