 In the 2003 NRL grand final against the Penrith Panthers , the Roosters lost 18 – 6 in what was their heaviest defeat for the year . A decisive moment occurred midway through the second half : with the scores tied at 6 @-@ all , Roosters winger Todd Byrne made a clear break down the sideline and looked set to score a try before being chased down and tackled into touch by Penrith lock forward , Scott Sattler . From then on , the momentum of the game was with Penrith . The Roosters ' made the Grand Final in 2004 , when they ceded a 13 – 6 half @-@ time lead to be defeated by the Bulldogs 16 – 13 . The match was captain Fittler 's last for the team . 
