Captain, halfback and player of the year Luke Walsh missed 74 minutes of Sunday's Newcastle Rugby League grand final but Western Suburbs still dominated proceedings to record a 36-0 victory over Cessnock at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Walsh went off with an ankle injury and never returned but his Rosellas' teammates stood up, featuring a hat-trick to second-rower Ryan Walker, to secure a 2019 minor-major premiership double.
Wests led 18-0 at the main break after crossing for three tries in the space of 11 minutes midway through the first half.
Rosellas lock Ben Stone opened the account, crashing over to the right of the posts in the 16th minute.
Second-rower Walker then nabbed back-to-back four pointers - first with two left-foot steps inside the 20-metre zone followed by an excellent pick up on the run.
Wests continued where they left off after the interval.
Walker scored his third in the 42nd minute before wingers Mao Uta and Malu Fiu followed suit before the hour mark.
Wests five-eighth Ryan Walsh was successful with all six conversion attempts.
Cessnock's Dan Metcalf (14th minute) and Paul Carter (46th minute) left the field injured during the decider and didn't return for the Goannas.
Rosellas starting props Tama Koopu and Warren Schillings were put on report for a tackle on Cessnock winger Joe Woodbury in the 25th minute.
WESTERN SUBURBS 36 (Ryan Walker 3, Ben Stone, Mao Uta, Malu Fiu tires; Ryan Walsh 6 conversions) defeated CESSNOCK 0