Roosters
24
Match Complete
Eels
10
| K. Flanagan |  | 76 | ||
| D. Tupou |  | 74 | ||
| K. Flanagan |  | 69 | ||
| K. Flanagan | | 65 | ||
| K. Flanagan | | 63 | ||
| B. Cordner | | 61 | ||
| 59 | | M. Moses | ||
| 58 | | M. Sivo | ||
| 43 | | M. Jennings | ||
| K. Flanagan | | 39 | ||
| K. Flanagan | | 25 | ||
| B. Morris | | 19 |
| 3 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 4 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The NRL continues tonight with the heavyweight clash between the Sydney Roosters and Parramatta Eels from Campbelltown Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match starting at 7:35pm (AEST).
It doesn’t get much better than this, the reigning premiers taking on the undefeated Eels. It’s more than a little odd that the Roosters are the home team and playing at Bankwest but, other than that, we’ve got ourselves a classic.
The Roosters were clunky before the coronavirus break and many, including myself, were quick to say they had problems this year. However, since then, they have been close to unstoppable. A comfortable win over the Rabbits was followed by flogging both the Broncos and Bulldogs.
Sydney like to probe around the edges looking for a weakness, so Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown will have plenty of traffic heading their way. Once that gap is found, Luke Keary and James Tedesco go to work, while Kyle Flanagan improves every week.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is expected to return from injury this week, with Lindsay Collins back to the bench. Sam Verrills replaces Mitchell Aubusson on the interchange, but it’s worth noting that Aubusson was a late inclusion against the Bulldogs.
The Parramatta Eels showed a lot of resilience last week, trailing the Panthers 10-0 at the 60-minute mark but storming back for a 16-10 win.
The Eels are heavily reliant on their strong and mobile pack, led by Junior Paulo, a resurgent Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Nathan Brown. Both Moses and Clint Gutherson have had terrific seasons so far, causing plenty of problems for opposition defences.
Kane Evans is out after being suspended for one match, with Oregon Kaufusi coming onto the bench.
Prediction
A lot depends on how the Roosters back up from a five-day turnaround. Trent Robinson rested some of his key forwards late against the Bulldogs and Waerea-Hargreaves took no part. I think they will be okay.
The way the Roosters are playing, it’s difficult to find a weakness. The Eels have enjoyed a great start to the season but they are perhaps due for a loss.
Sydney Roosters by eight.
Game information
Kick-off: 7:35pm (AEST)
Venue: Bankwest Stadium
TV: Fox Sports
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, NRL Live
Betting: Roosters $1.42, Eels $2.90
Teams
Roosters
1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Josh Morris, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Brett Morris, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Jake Friend (c), 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11. Boyd Cordner, 12. Angus Crichton, 13. Victor Radley
Bench/Reserves: 14. Sam Verrills, 15. Isaac Liu, 16. Nat Butcher, 17. Lindsay Collins, 18. Sitili Tupouniua, 19. Mitchell Aubusson, 20. Ryan Hall, 21. Lachlan Lam
Eels
1. Clint Gutherson (c), 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Waqa Blake, 5. Blake Ferguson, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Ryan Matterson, 13. Nathan Brown
Bench/Reserves: 14. Ray Stone, 15. Marata Niukore, 16. Oregon Kaufusi, 17. Peni Terepo, 18. Brad Takairangi, 19. David Gower, 20. George Jennings, 21. Jai Field
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
It doesn't feel right because the Chooks look unbeatable when they play well but I've seen it happen so often where the hot teams come back to the field towards the end of the season and it's on for young and old. They have no pressure on them and that can be dangerous but maybe they aren't as desperate either. As for this arvo , I think Manly have been favorites once this season and it's not without reason. The Raiders have to be favorites. Lets hope the players decide the contest Geoff.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Well the Eels were the real deal for 60 minutes and then became spectators watching the Roosters show. The Raiders competed with them for 70 minutes in last year's GF and a minor lapse of concentration after the infamous Jack Wighton 6 a again fiasco was all it took for them to take advantage. You need to concentrate and perform for the full 80 with this mob.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Hope you are right 40/20 - its hard to keep up the intensity for a full season and the Chooks needed to make up for a 0-2 start - still plenty of water to go under the bridge. But jeez they look impressive right across the park - just no weaknesses - except perhaps for a JWH brain snap. They lost Teddy and didn't miss a beat. In fact they found another gear. Bit scary for other teams in the premiership window like the Eels, Raiders and Manly and perennial contenders the Storm. Looking forward to this afternoon's game - could go either way.
soapit
Roar Guru
i can see plenty of teams going with them for 60 minutes but they never let up.
soapit
Roar Guru
happens to me too often when i post on my phone. no matter how many enters it wont leave a space
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Terrific game. I’m not a RL fan but am enjoying live sport here in UK. Skills and ebbs and flows in this match were special. Bloody hell those Morris boys are good
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Just hit the enter key more often. I will be interested to see if the Chickens can keep it up. I've noticed in previous seasons a couple of teams including the previous years premiers often look close to unbeatable during the first half or so of the regular season but often miss the GF. The Chooks were an obvious exception last season but the Storm had one of the best seasons ever yet missed the big day out at the end of the season.
Watda
Guest
Bold statements for someone in their birthday suit?...Onwards and upwards for the Roosters??
Birthday Suit
Roar Rookie
A 24-10 score line definitely doesn’t reflect the closeness of the game. The Eels are real deal. Their defence in the first 20 minutes and attack in the middle 30 was as good as I’ve seen all season. Having said that, the Roosters look as good as any team I’ve seen in the last 20 years. Their attack seems so natural and dangerous (although the Eels shut them down amazingly for the first 20) but their defence is really what stands out. They are beatable. There are a few teams that can match them on defence or offence, but probably only a handful that comes close on both (Eels, Canberra and Manly. Would have included Storm before this weekend). Overall, top quality game and it’s the Roosters season to lose, but if they make it to the GF it will take a full 80 minute performance from a top tier team and an off-day from the Roosters to knock them off. Edit: One of my first comments and I can’t work out how to leave spaces between the lines, so it’s just one big paragraph.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Roosters proved just how good they are tonight. Eels threw everything at them and when they went up 10-8 after Sevo's bulldozing try and Mitchell Moses conversion we were thinking that the Eels could cause a boilover. But the Roosters immediately stepped up a gear and ended up running away with it. The Eels would have learned a lot from that loss. But it demonstrates again the gap between the Roosters and the next tier of good teams. The Morris boys have been a wonderful pick up for the Roosters plus they have Jake Friend back fit and playing well. Very impressed with the Eels - particularly Matterson, Paulo, Jennings etc. Some are saying a number of teams can win the GF this year but until someone really threatens the Roosters I can't see it.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks mate. Bit too fast for me in stages
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Not if they keep playing like they did last night.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Thanks David . Great call.
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
They'll be in the top 8; but I see them getting knocked out in the first 2 weeks; either in the Elimination Final or the Semi-Final. I think they're in trouble.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Hope everyone enjoyed the call tonight. We've been watching 2 very good teams. Enjoy the rest of your weekend
David Holden
Roar Guru
The Roosters will be hot favourites to extend their winning streak next Friday night when they take on the Dragons. The Eels have got a tough one against the Raiders back at Bankwest
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
True but surely you don't want them to win.
Soda
Roar Rookie
Storm are surely still in the mix
David Holden
Roar Guru
It wouldn't surprise to see these 2 sides play in the big one this year. The Eels winning streak has been broken but they have shown enough to confirm they can mix it with the best.
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
One more note; I don't think the Roosters are unbeatable, all it takes is a full 80-minute performance. If we maintain our defence after getting the 10-8 lead and don't let Cordner score, we don't drop off in the last 10 and give up 10 more points. I think the top 4 will be Roosters, Eels, Raiders, Sea Eagles (with Knights as a dark horse), and I could easily see any of them taking out the title this year.