Roosters roll Eels in Jack Gibson Cup

The Sydney Roosters have stamped their premiership credentials in style tonight with a 48-12 victory over the Parramatta Eels, and in the process claimed the Jack Gibson Cup in front of a sellout crowd of 19,824 at Parramatta Stadium.

It took the men from Bondi only seven minutes to score, with perennial last try-scorer Mitch Aubusson switching to be first try-scorer tonight, Shaun Kenny-Dowall doubling the advantage after just 12 minutes. The Roosters continued their strong start when 200-match celebrant Anthony Minichiello scored a try of his own and suddenly the Eels were down by 18.

The Eels were able to strike back not long after, the irrepressable Jarryd Hayne clamouring his way through multiple defenders to get the home side on the board, but the Roosters shot back just as quickly with Phil Graham profiting from a Kane Linnett 80-metre kick return to score. Just before halftime a messy piece of play eventually led to Nathan Hindmarsh scoring the Eels' second, which would be their last points of the night.

The second half was simply a Roosters landslide, the visitors doubling their score with Graham and Minchiello doubling their tallies while Kane Linnett and Frank-Paul Nuuasuala also bagged important four pointers. While he didn't cross the stripe, Todd Carney was an important factor for the Roosters both in attack and with the boot, converting all eight of their tries.

The victory puts the Roosters in an interesting position, with results falling in their favour they could challenge the Dragons for the minor premiership. At the least, it puts them in a strong position to finish in the top four this season, and they certainly deserve it with some quality football. At the other end, the Eels now face an uphill battle to stay in touch with the top eight, one made even harder by the fact they face the Titans in Robina on Friday night. The Roosters' next opponents are indeed the Dragons, a home game at the SCG next Sunday afternoon.

Match Details
Parramatta Eels 12 were defeated by Sydney Roosters 48
National Rugby League - NRL - Round 21 - Saturday July 31, 2010 5:30pm
Venue: Parramatta Stadium
Referee: Shayne Hayne and Gerard Sutton
Video Referee: Sean Hampstead
Touch Judges: Paul Holland and Gavin Morris
Crowd: 19,824
Halftime: Parramatta Eels 12 Sydney Roosters 24

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Anthony Minichiello (2 Tries)
2 Points - Todd Carney (8 Conversions)
1 Point - Kane Linnett (1 Try)

PARRAMATTA EELS (12)
Tries: Nathan Hindmarsh, Jarryd Hayne
Conversions: Luke Burt (2/2)

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (48)
Tries: Phil Graham (2), Anthony Minichiello (2), Mitchell Aubusson, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Kane Linnett
Conversions: Todd Carney (8/8)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Parramatta Stadium is officially SOLD OUT for tonights blockbuster - both teams in superb form, and two of the NRL's most in-form players go toe-to-toe tonight, all eyes on Jarryd Hayne for the hosts and Todd Carney for the visitors. In a few minutes time, the Eels in their blue strip will face off against the Roosters in their white alternate strip. No changes to either starting 13, just the one bench change for the Roosters with Daniel Conn dropping out in favour of Mose Masoe in jersey 20.
A full house here and many of them witnessed a tight Toyota Cup contest earlier today, the Roosters victorious by just two points as they ran out 28-26 winners over the Eels. Team on the park - special mention today for Anthony Minichiello playing game 200 tonight. Phenomenal effort after his injury-plagued recent seasons. Shayne Hayne blows time on in the Jack Gibson Cup.
3 min: First penalty of the match in favour of the Roosters, Minichiello taking a huge bomb is tackled in the air by the good chase from Ben Smith. Roosters get up to halfway with the kick for touch.
4 min: Shaun Kenny-Dowall having a small nap on Mateo and it's a penalty to the Eels this time, coming out of their own end. They'll push up into the Roosters' half now.
5 min: The referees are whistle-happy tonight, another penalty for laying on the tackled player, this time in the Roosters favour as Mortimer doesn't get up quickly enough.
7 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Mitchell Aubusson. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
The Roosters open the scoring, Mitchell Aubusson bursting through and he'll be able to get away from Jarryd Hayne here and score in the corner. Carney from out wide has struck it beautifully as it fades back towards the posts.
Sydney Roosters 6-0
12 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Shaun Kenny-Dowall. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
The Roosters have done an Eels on the Eels, coming out in the opening ten minutes and blowing them off the park! Carney a brilliant kick out toward the sideline catching Luke Burt out of position, it finds Sam Perrett who quickly turns it inside for Kenny-Dowall to score. Carney from a similar position to the last one has no trouble at all.
Sydney Roosters 12-0
15 min: Exciting stuff from the Roosters with quick hands getting Linnett in space down the left wing before he's wrapped up on five. A poor fifth tackle kick across the field from Anasta is fielded in-goal by Burt and we'll go out to the 20m.
16 min: Jason Ryles is penalised (no surprise there) for playing silly-buggers in a tackle. Parramatta with possession well inside the red zone now.
17 min: Bad luck for the Eels, Mortimer throwing a marginally forward pass to Timana Tahu just as the hosts looked to have the numbers on the left.
20 min: More exciting left side play with Kane Linnett hitting the right spot at the right time. The Eels aren't back onside on tackle five and it's a penalty to the Roosters. The Eels looking shaky...
22 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Anthony Minichiello. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
A special moment for Minichiello scoring in his 200th appearance, coming from a beautiful Todd Carney offload close to the line. Carney adds the conversion following from his try assist and we have the Roosters out in front by eighteen points with just over a quarter of the game gone.
Sydney Roosters 18-0
25 min: Kenny-Dowall profits with a huge break from some great passing by the Roosters - Mitchell Pearce is in support but puts down the pass. Eels come back and get a penalty to boot.
29 min: The Eels with a penalty near the Roosters line, they'll want to get on the board now. Sloppy attack has cost them any chance so far.
31 min: TRY Media Mantarays
TRY Parramatta Eels
Scored by Jarryd Hayne. Conversion attempt by Luke Burt successful.
Sheer weight of penalties combined with the skill of Jarryd Hayne sees the home side score their first - the Eels' number 1 dummies from first receiver, gets past a couple and goes over to score. Burt converts to shrink the deficit to 12.
Sydney Roosters 18-6
33 min: More exciting stuff from the Roosters as they get repeat sets close to the Eels' line. They're a bit too excited though, and a drop ball gives Jarryd Hayne the ball.
36 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Phil Graham. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
A bomb from Parramatta on the last, it bounces! Kane Linnett gains possession, through one, cuts back, through another... he's away! Hayne's running him down... no! He's thrown it inside for Phil Graham and it's a try for the Roosters! Carney converts.
Sydney Roosters 24-6
37 min: The Eels getting frustrated concede a penalty in the Roosters' return set. The Roosters will go from halfway to see if they can dent the Eels a little more before the break.
40 min: TRY
TRY Parramatta Eels
Scored by Nathan Hindmarsh. Conversion attempt by Luke Burt successful.
Well, that's about the worst try in history. Tahu makes the break, they drag him down as he passes to Robson but the Roosters intercept that and work upfield, as then they drop it, Hindmarsh picks it up - and then big Hindy makes his run to the tryline and the Eels strike back just before the siren.
Sydney Roosters 24-12
HALFTIME and the match has so far lived up to the hype with both sides playing some entertaining, if not unusual football. The Roosters are the stronger of the two at the moment however defensive lapses and poor discipline have cost them a bigger lead. Hayne and Sutton have been heavily involved with the whistle, 11 penalties blown already tonight. It's the Roosters' game to lose, but the Eels have the firepower to deal with it if they can find their groove.
41 min: Play resuming at Parramatta, the Eels will get first use of the ball.
43 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Kane Linnett. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Kane Linnett off the back of Phil Graham this time scores in the corner, after the Roosters managed to earn a repeat set on the Eels line. Linnett looked a bit crook after the try but he's up and walking now. Carney... another howler with the boot and he's 5/5.
Sydney Roosters 30-12
46 min: A penalty against Anasta for taking Ben Smith out of a chase for the ball and the Eels will be on the attack right on the Roosters line shortly.
48 min: The Eels get close to the line and earn repeat sets...
50 min: VIDEO REFEREE decision pending... possible Eels try to Joel Reddy. He looks held up.
50 min: ...REFS CALL. No try, held up according to Sutton.
51 min: Oh dear, Jarryd Hayne caught out of position again by Mitchell Pearce's kicking game, it comes down Krisnan Inu dropping onto the ball as the Roosters chasers almost manage a try through Phil Graham. The video referee denies the Roosters and it will be Parramatta's ball.
52 min: Minichiello drops a bomb and the Eels get another chance on the Roosters' line.
53 min: Now a penalty against Shaun Kenny-Dowall for not being square at marker. The Roosters' defence has held out so far...
54 min: Now a kick through behind the line and the Roosters force it dead, line drop-out. Another set for the Eels.
56 min: Just looking like the pressure has lifted... and the Roosters drop it inside their own 20. Now a penalty against the Roosters for niggle in a tackle against Jarryd Hayne.
57 min: Another penalty, now Hayne issues Anasta a caution that a player will sit down. Yeah, right.
58 min: Still no result for Parramatta as the Roosters finally come up with possession and hammer the ball up the park. They finish the set with Pearce putting it into touch inside the Eels' 10. Great set after ten minutes of defence.
60 min: Luke Burt is blowing up here, the ball's been stripped from him but it's ruled a knock on and the Roosters will have the ball 30m out from the Eels line.
62 min: A charged down kick by the Eels results in six again for the Roosters.
63 min: VIDEO REFEREE - possible Roosters try to Anthony Minichiello, has he got it down or is it a double movement?
64 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Anthony Minichiello. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Minichiello is awarded the try and a fantastic result now confirmed for the Bondi club. Carney converts and the deficit is 24, the biggest lead today.
Sydney Roosters 36-12
66 min: 19,824 the crowd for today's sellout match.
70 min: A couple of inspiring line breaks over the last few minutes from first Hayne then Burt for the Eels but neither produce the desired result - they just down have the finishing touch today Parramatta.
72 min: The Roosters, Anasta looks pretty lucky there after a pass that looked forward, no it is forward and an Eels scrum feed.
73 min: Upstairs we go, VIDEO REFEREE for a possible try to Frank-Paul Nuuasuala.
74 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Frank-Paul Nuuausala. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
The scoreline hitting the embarrassing side of things as the Roosters crash through 40, Nuuasuala has picked up a handy Eels offload to run half the field to score the Roosters' seventh. Carney grabs another conversion.
Sydney Roosters 42-12
77 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Phil Graham. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
The stands at Parramatta Stadium are almost bare now as the rout continues late in the game here, Phil Graham picks up a double off a Braith Anasta grubber. Carney pushes it to 48-18.
Sydney Roosters 48-12
80 min: A little bit of fancy footwork from Carney provides a break... now a chip from Pearce... but it beats Aubusson into touch and that will be all she wrote.
FULLTIME and a wonderful victory for the Roosters, they're on fire and easily the form team of the comp now, while the loss for Parramatta will put a huge dent in their finals hopes.