A last-gasp field goal from wonder kid Sam Walker broke Gold Coast Titans hearts, earning Sydney Roosters a 35-34 victory at Cbus Super Stadium.
Playing in his first season of NRL football, 18-year-old Walker showed composure that belied his youth to slot the winning kick, living up to the hype that followed him after switching from Brisbane Broncos.
Walker's heroics were made all the more impressive after the youngster was forced to leave the field early in the second half with a shoulder injury, returning to the fray in the 75th minute to seal his side's victory.
"It was awesome, you dream about that as a young fella kicking a field goal in an NRL game," Walker says.
"To come back to Queensland and play in my home state and do it back here in front of family and friends was huge.
"As a halfback, you have to take those shots. As soon as I missed the goal kick I thought I've got to make up for it for the boys.
"That was the first one I've kicked. It's pretty crazy.
"It was an awesome feeling once it went through I couldn't believe it, so stoked."
Despite having trailed 30-4 at one point, the Titans came within minutes of pulling off one of the NRL's great comebacks, leading 34-30 after a stunning solo performance from halfback and captain Jamal Fogarty.
The Roosters ran in three first-half tries through Matt Ikuvalu, Angus Crichton and Daniel Tupou, before Walker and Joseph Manu crossed over in the second for the 30-4 lead.
But through a Fogarty double, and tries from Tyrone Peachey, Brain Kelly, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Kevin Proctor, the Titans clawed their way in front in the dying stages.
Ikuvalu's second levelled the scores and set the stage for Walker to play the hero, to which the teenager duly obliged.
The win keeps the Roosters in fifth place on the NRL ladder, two points shy of South Sydney Rabbitohs in fifth, and Parramatta Eels in fourth.
The Titans meanwhile stay 12th, missing the chance to move to 12 points and a shot at the NRL's top eight.
