Wholehearted Performance Not Enough for Brave Roosters

Hooker Sam Verrills made a triumphant return from a fractured collarbone sustained over a month prior, while Billy Smith's transition into the centres was seamless as he produced a strong showing. 

Front rower Lindsay Collins led from the front in an almighty 58-minute stint, running for 97 metres while topping the tackle count with 47 tackles and no misses, while youngster Joseph Suaalii scored two tries and clocked up 134 metres with the ball.

The Roosters were greeted to an electric atmosphere at Commbank Stadium, with both sets of fans exchanging spirited chants as their sides went head-to-head into combat. 

Drew Hutchison's boot sent Easts downfield following a penalty, and soon enough the Joseph Manu and Joseph Suaalii combo produced the opening points with the latter touching down in the corner courtesy of a well-timed flick pass. 

Following the slick movement, Sam Walker extended the lead to six points after five minutes with an impressive sideline conversion.

Ill-discipline of their own handed Parramatta a chance to reply, however, and just a few minutes later the scores were tied after a number of offloads allowed Dylan Brown to cross at the end of a frantic first ten minutes.

Both sides traded penalties as dangerous tackles landed the big men in the middle in hot water, but the home side took a sudden ten-point lead after scoring in quick succession through Isaiah Papali'i and Clint Gutherson. 

Needing a reversal in fortunes with just two players on the interchange following Head Injury Assessments, the Roosters continued to battle through the adversity with determined charges. 

Billy Smith and Suaalii looked to inspire their teammates with physicality on either side of the ball, and before long a rampaging Sitili Tupouniua streaked through to score untouched, with Walker bringing the difference to four. 

Just as they had looked to gain composure, though, lack of ball security in defence allowed Parramatta's second-phase play to flourish, with Maika Sivo and Reed Mahoney finishing off long-range plays to score in consecutive sets - extending the margin to fourteen.

The bounce of the ball continued to favour the Eels following more defensive pressure, but Captain James Tedesco rose to the occasion to take winger Bailey Simonsson into touch with a textbook tackle.

With a job to do but still within striking distance, the Tricolours headed into the sheds with the halftime score at 26-12.

It was a win for the Roosters to start the second half as Smith charged down a fifth tackle kick to give his side possession inside Eels territory, however, a clumsy error a few tackles later saw an early chance of reply squandered. 

Soon enough though quick hands sent Suaalii down the sideline, and the teenager produced a magic touch with the boot to kick ahead and regather a perfect bounce to finish off a thrilling individual effort, putting his side back in the contest with half an hour remaining.

Charging downfield, Trent Robinson's men continued to stake their claim for more points, and while they held the ascendency, their momentum continued to stall with forced passes leading to errors. 

The Tricolours failed to go down wondering in the final quarter, keeping the ball alive as they looked to mount a comeback, however, their efforts were unable to produce points as the Eels claimed victory following a low-scoring second stanza. 

Following the representative weekend, Sydney Roosters will travel to Penrith Stadium to face the Penrith Panthers in their Round 16 clash on Friday, July 1. 

Sydney Roosters 16 (Joseph Suaalii 2, Sitili Tupouniua tries; Sam Walker 2 goals) def by Parramatta Eels 26 (Dylan Brown, Isaiah Papali'i, Clint Gutherson, Maika Sivo, Reed Mahoney tries; Mitchell Moses 3 goals)