The Sydney Roosters have sent an ominous warning to their premiership rivals with a dominant victory over the Eels in wet and wild conditions on Friday night.
The Roosters threw the ball around in the wet to run in seven tries to one in the 38-14 victory at Allianz Stadium.
Winger Dominic Young crossed for a hat-trick while fullback James Tedesco produced a vintage display with two line breaks, eight tackle breaks and a try assist. The Eels couldn't keep up with their opponents, missing 57 tackles in the defeat.
The win solidifies the Rosters' place in the top four with three games remaining and sees them pull within one win of second-placed Penrith as they chase a home final in the opening week of the post-season.
Crichton puts a shot on Russell
For the Eels, it continues a disappointing season and leaves them at risk of collecting the wooden spoon.
An intense thunderstorm hit Allianz Stadium in the hour before kick off, with puddles forming throughout the ground as heavy rain fell.
Spencer Leniu Try
While grounds staff attempted to soak up as much water as possible, considerable surface water remained on the ground in the first half.
This led to some spectacular moments as water sprayed in the air when players dove on the ground.
A bit of slip and slide at Allianz
The Roosters made an early error but they were flawless for the next 30 as they ran in four tries to jump out to a 24-0 lead after 27 minutes.
The second and third tries came while Eels prop Wiremu Greig was in the sin bin for a high shot on Connor Watson. The utility did not return after failing his head injury assessment.
Dominic Young 1st Try
Momentum swung towards Parramatta in the final 10 minutes of the first half and they finally made an impact on the scoreboard when Kelma Tuilagi crossed to make it 24-4 at the break.
The second half started in the worst possible fashion for the Eels, with Brendan Hands sent to the sin bin for a professional foul in the 44th minute.
The Roosters made them pay, adding two tries while the hooker was off the field.
Dominic Young 2nd Try
Young completed his hat-trick in the 58th minute, before the Roosters were reduced to 12 men when Naufahu Whyte was sent to the sin bin for preventing a quick tap.
The Eels capitalised when Sean Russell dove over in the corner before Joey Lussick crossed in the final minute to close out the scoring.
Match: Roosters v Eels
Round 24 -
home Team
Roosters
3rd Position
away Team
Eels
16th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Match Snapshot
- Roosters forward Victor Radley was placed on report for a hip-drop tackle.
- Eels fullback Clint Gutherson was put on report for kicking James Tedesco. Wiremu Greig was placed on report and put in the sin bin for a high tackle on Connor Watson.
- Watson was sent for an HIA after the hit and did not return, with 18th man Sandon Smith activated.
- Roosters forward Sitili Tupouniua crossed for a try in his 100th NRL match.
- Dominic Young scored for the third hat-trick of his career in just his 68th game.
- The Roosters have now won six of their past seven games against the Eels.
- With 38 points, the Roosters have now scored 154 points in their past four games at Allianz Stadium
- Parramatta have won just one from ten away from home in 2024.
Play of the Game
James Tedesco Try
What They Said
Roosters: Round 24
Eels: Round 24
