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Sydney Roosters crowned themselves the new kings of controversy by thumping Parramatta 24-6 on Friday night to cast aside a week of off field drama.
With representative stars Willie Mason and Nate Myles watching from the grandstands under a club imposed suspension for breaching an alcohol policy, the Roosters defied their lack of size to belt the Eels three tries to one in front of 11,231 fans at the SFS.
It was the club’s second NRL win of the season and again it came on the back of troubles off the field.
The Roosters’ other win in 2009 was a 28-4 victory over Canberra in round two after young hooker Jake Friend was banned two weeks by the NRL for a high range drink-driving charge.
As they did two weeks ago, the Roosters heavy-hitting defence set the standard as they stunned a full-strength Parramatta side that again failed to offer much in attack.
The Eels had more than 54 per cent of the possession and more than 50 tackles inside the attacking 20m zone, but came away empty handed.
Parramatta’s only try came from a Jarryd Hayne intercept in the 79th minute when the match was over.
Winger Shaun-Kenny Dowall scored two brilliant tries for the Roosters while fullback Sam Perrett set the tone early with the first try after eight minutes.
Kenny-Dowall struck a major psychological blow by scoring his first try three minutes before half-time with a full-stretch diving effort to grasp a Braith Anasta kick and give his side a 16-0 lead.
The Kiwi international then sealed the result in the 57th minute with Anasta and centre Mitchell Aubusson using quick hands to put the winger into the corner.
Former skipper Craig Fitzgibbon booted the sideline conversion to take his tally to 12 points, including three penalty goals, and along with Frank-Paul Nuuausala and Mark O’Meley was magnificent up front.
The only sour point for the Roosters was a suspected fractured eye socket to centre Sia Soliola.
Roosters skipper Anasta said he could tell from the kick off that his side was switched on to play and hopes the victory ends the persistent rumours around the club and the future of some players.
“I could tell from the first set of six the belief was there and we were ready to play. We were on,” said Anasta.
“To get a win stops the rumours so that is good.
“We won’t have any weird rumours going on around the club this week.
“Hopefully we will be in the paper for all the right reasons this week.”
Parramatta coach Daniel Anderson was filthy with the execution of his side in attack and even swapped halfback Brett Finch with hooker Kris Keating late in the game to try and spark something.
“We did not take the opportunities given to us,” said Anderson.
“We just did not execute well enough, our fundamentals were not up to a first grade level and where you need to take those opportunities.
“When you don’t score points you start to lose confidence in your own ability … you need to get a bit of reward for what you’re doing. If you don’t get any reward you lose faith.”
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