Penrith punish rusty Roosters
32 mins ago | Aidan Edgecomb
Resurgent Roosters take on energised Eels
Matching strides with the ladder leading Sharks last Saturday night, the Eels return to Pirtek Stadium on Friday with several key players returning. With Tim Mannah and Brad Takairangi making their comebacks from injury, the Eels also welcome back Jeff Robson at halfback, who plays his first game for the club since 2011. The match also shapes as a milestone night for reformed forwards Manu Ma'u and Danny Wicks, who celebrate 50 and 100 first grade games respectively. Fielding their strongest side since the salary cap scandal broke, the Eels will fancy their chances on Friday night as they fight to overturn a poor record against the Roosters, managing just one win from the past five meetings.
While the scoreline may have gone against them last Thursday night, the Roosters can take great confidence out of their performance against the Bulldogs. With halfback Mitchell Pearce producing one of the best performances of his career, coach Trent Robinson will head into the Parramatta contest with cause for optimism. With Blake Ferguson and Aidan Guerra out through Origin duty, rookie Joseph Manu and former Panther Chris Smith play their second games of the season. Having picked up an injury during the second half against Canterbury fullback Latrell Mitchell has been named, but expect former Eel Ryan Matterson to come into the final squad should the exciting youngster fail to recover in time.
Last meeting: Round 23 2015 - Roosters 28 Eels 18
Who to watch: Playing his first game for Parramatta since 2011, Jeff Robson will line up alongside Corey Norman in the halves after securing a release from the New Zealand Warriors. As the last halfback to lead the Eels to the finals, Robson will be out to use the experience he has gained during his time away from the club to help produce a remarkable comeback from adversity. Approaching 34 years of age, Robson is well and truly in the twilight of his career, but as he has shown throughout his time in the NRL he is capable of proving doubters wrong.
In a season of many lows, the emergence of Connor Watson has been a shining light for the Roosters. Still eligible for the Holden Cup, the 20-year-old utility has provided the struggling club with an injection of youthful enthusiasm that has been sorely missed at times throughout the year. Making his debut in Round 7 after impressing in the Auckland 9's, the versatile half has provided the Roosters with an attacking spark not seen since the arrival of Craig Wing at the start of the millennium. With Latrell Mitchell in doubt after suffering a knee injury last week, Watson may be in line for his first start in the NRL, but even off the bench look for the dynamic rookie to make his presence felt.
The favourite: After pushing the Sharks to the brink last week, the Eels are favoured to topple the lowly Roosters.
My tip: Producing one of their best performances of the season in defeat, look for the Roosters to break through for a much-needed win. Roosters by 7.
1. Michael Gordon 2. Semi Radradra 3. Clinton Gutherson 11. Manu Ma'u 5. Bevan French 6. Corey Norman 7. Jeff Robson 15. Peni Terepo 9. Isaac De Gois 10. Tim Mannah 14. Ken Edwards 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Beau Scott
Interchange: 8. Danny Wicks 16. David Gower 17. Daniel Alvaro 18. Rory O'Brien
1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Dale Copley 4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 5. Joseph Manu 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Dylan Napa 11. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Isaac Liu
Interchange: 14. Sam Moa 15. Kane Evans 16. Connor Watson 19. Boyd Cordner
Referees: Matt Cecchin, Gavin Badger; Sideline Officials: Nick Beashel, Chris Sutton; Video Referees: Luke Patten, Jared Maxwell, Ben Galea