It’s do or die when the Parramatta Eels take on the Sydney Roosters at Pirtek Stadium. Can Parramatta keep their season alive for another week, or will Easts end their premiership hopes? Join The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST) for live coverage.
Parramatta’s season is hanging by a thread, with the docking of 12 competition points looming.
They welcome back skipper Tim Mannah at just the right time however, with the veteran to add experience to their pack, while Jeff Robson returns to the club he left in 2011 to fill the gap in the halves left by the injured Kieran Foran.
Brad Arthur will be without Michael Jennings due to State of Origin, with Brad Takairangi returning.
The battle in the middle of the park will likely determine this game, as Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Dylan Napa, Kane Evans and Sio Siua Taukeiaho going head-to-head with the blue and gold forwards. It shapes as a ferocious match-up.
Mitchell Pearce had a stellar performance in last week’s 20-24 loss to the Bulldogs, almost helping his side to a win, and is expected to play a huge role once again.
In 30 meetings since 1998, the Roosters have won 18 matches to Parra’s 11, with one match drawn.
Last time they met was in Round 23 last year, the Bondi Boys defeating the Eels 28-18.
Prediction
The Tricolours haven’t missed the top eight under Trent Robinson’s leadership. They’ve finally found form and will earn a win to keep their top-eight hopes – and Robinson’s record – alive.
Roosters by 6.
Join The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST) for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
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Alex L
Roar Rookie
Do we actually know what the linesman was saying to the on field referee? He could've been saying to check that contact rather than he was absolutely certain of it.
joister
Guest
what's their manpower versus brisbane? melbourne? north qld? - always pathetic? they were in 3 grand finals 2002 to 2004 and nudge it a few more times - but in being a chook hater you'll always be blinded by your navel
joister
Guest
such a clever reply (not)
JVGO
Guest
Compared to their manpower they are always pathetic. Need six salary caps to win a premiership.
bear54
Look up headless and you'll find the Roosters.
celtic bandaid
Guest
Look up spineless and you'll find Easts
celtic bandaid
Guest
You've always got each other and your local juniors,. Lets see that makes 73 of you plus the players and coaching staff.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Touch was hardly obvious... and given where Gutherson's hand was, the ball would've had to be forward for him to touch it anyway.
V.O.R.
Guest
Inspirational stuff by the Eels. Amazing. No Radradra, no hooker. That game has got to be deflating for the Roosters who on paper look top 4. Wooden spoon? Interesting tonight in the last play the linesman was over-ruled by the Bunker. I think Eels deserved the win but that decision is just another example of the lack of professionalism of certain video refs. Shocker.
Bob
Guest
That's a judgment call. Bit different to an obvious touch of the ball
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
That concludes The Roar's coverage of Parramatta Eels vs Sydney Roosters. Be sure to join us over the remainder of the round, with AJ Mithen taking you through Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Wests Tigers tomorrow night from 7:30pm (AEST). Later tonight at 10pm (AEST) Ryan Day will bring you stage 7 of the Tour de France from while Scott Pryde has a Wimbledon double-header with the mens semifinals. Then at midnight Isaac Nowroozi will provide round-by-round updates in the UFC women's strawweight title fight between champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk and the no. 1 ranked Claudia Gadelha. I'll be back tomorrow night for live coverage of the Wimbledon ladies singles final between world no. 1 Serena Williams and Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber. Thanks for following along.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
The ladder as it stands: 1. Cronulla Sharks - 30 2. Melbourne Storm - 28 3. North Queensland Cowboys - 24 4. Parramatta Eels - 24 5. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs - 22 6. Canberra Raiders - 21 7. Brisbane Broncos - 20 8. New Zealand Warriors - 18 9. Penrith Panthers - 18 10. St George Illawarra Dragons - 18 11. Gold Coast Titans - 16 12. Wests Tigers - 16 13. South Sydney Rabbitohs - 12 14. Manly Sea Eagles - 12 15. Sydney Roosters - 10 16. Newcastle Knights - 5
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
The week ahead Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs versus Wests Tigers - Saturday, July 9, 7:30pm (AEST) at ANZ Stadium Penrith Panthers versus Cronulla Sharks - Sunday, July 10, 4pm (AEST) at Pepper Stadium Canberra Raiders versus North Queensland Cowboys - Monday, July 11, 7pm (AEST) at GIO Stadium
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
MVP Nominations 3 - Corey Norman 2 - Daniel Alvaro 1 - Dylan Napa Parramatta Eels 22 Sydney Roosters 18
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME Possession: 45% - 55% Completions: 27/36 (75%) - 29/39 (74%) All Runs: 154 - 185 All Run Metres: 1373 - 1793 Line Breaks: 2 - 3 Offloads: 5 - 11 Tackles: 363 - 311 Missed Tackles: 25 - 19 Penalties: 5 - 6 Errors: 9 - 10 Parramatta Eels 22 Sydney Roosters 18
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME The Eels have come away with a dramatic win in a gruelling encounter with the Roosters. The game started on a sour note for the blue and gold with Australian international Semi Radradra picking up a leg injury which ruled him out of the game following an incident with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves in the seventh minute. The Roosters scored not long after the Fijian flyer came from the field with Latrell Mitchell going over after Shaun Kenny-Dowall broke the line. The Roosters held the lead until the 21st minute when the Eels struck. Corey Norman took advantage of an out-of-position Mitchell by grubbering for Michael Gordon. Gordon converted his own try to become the 33rd player in history to kick 500 goals. It came just moments after Parramatta's troops were further depleted with Isaac De Gois and Tim Mannah heading into the sheds for head injury assessment. Mannah returned to the field with the Eels and Roosters wrestling for the remaining twenty minutes with promising glimpses in attack by both teams. At the break, the two teams could not be separated with a thrilling second half ensuing. Daniel Tupou was the star of the show early in the second term after he pulled off an outstanding offload from the ground off a Jackson Hastings kick to send Boyd Cordner over. The Tongan then came up with another try assist only a couple of minutes later this time off a Mitchell Pearce kick with Tupou batting it inside for Latrell Mitchell's second. Bevan French came close to scoring after he intercepted a Jackson Hastings pass only to be stopped mere inches short of the line by Joseph Manu. The Eels broke the duck in the 60th minute with Manu Ma'u scoring off a Corey Norman grubber. Norman set up another try for the New Zealand international seven minutes later with a pass giving Ma'u his second try of the night to level proceedings. Parramatta took the lead for the first time of the game in the 75th minute with Norman setting up another try, this time helping Clinton Gutherson to score on the wing. With only four points separating the two teams, Joseph Manu looked like scoring with a minute remaining only to be denied after Corey Norman swooped in to save the try and give the Eels a grinding win. Parramatta Eels 22 Sydney Roosters 18
E-Meter
Guest
Not sure how they missed Norman getting dragged in goal near the end.
E-Meter
Guest
Gutsiest win by any team this year. The mighty blue and gold. Fought off 17 roosters and 2 refs.
Bob
Guest
Not sure how they missed the touch from Gutherson. Eels owe the bunker a cold one
joister
Guest
all the roosters haters must be loving this run from the chooks - they didn't deserve to win tonight but once again it was so close ... a game of inches - norman for parra stole the show - we (as in the chooks) are so boring attack and slow in defense close to the line (as per last try) - it sure is a frustrating season to be a chooks supporter - feels like te run we had when we were being coached by Anderson and then Fittler and then Smith (apart from our grand final loss to the dragons) ... they were woeful tonight and for the amount of possession that parra had (i think 43% to parra) chooks should have won