Round 24: Roosters v Eels preview
Roosters in top four fight as Parramatta loom as a dangerous hurdle
The prime time slot on Friday night will see the Sydney Roosters host the Parramatta Eels at Moore Park in what the home fans will be hoping to be a one-sided affair. With the Roosters up and about in 4th, a good run of form heading into the finals is exactly what they need to push the likes of Melbourne and Penrith all the way. Parramatta's season is long gone, and they'll be feeling especially heartbroken coming off their narrow loss to the Panthers last week.
The Roosters will head into this one well-rested, having the weekend off and two points added to their total with their third and final bye of the season last week. Having won six of their past seven matches, the atmosphere in and around Roosters camp would be very positive, something that should lift their confidence heading into round 24. New recruit Mark Nawaqanitawase joined the Roosters squad in the past few days following his Olympic campaign, with the aim to get the 7s convert ready for top grade footy in 2025.
The week off was also handy in that it gave a few stars a chance to recover from their bumps and bruises attained against The Dolphins two weeks ago. Lindsay Collins, Dom Young, and Nat Butcher were all sitting under injury clouds, however as it stands they have all been named to take the field this Friday night. Trent Robinson has in fact named the exact same 17 as round 22.
The Eels will be shattered after blowing a massive chance for an upset against their western Sydney rivals and NRL's reigning premiers Penrith Panthers last week. Leading from the get-go through a Talagi try, the game see-sawed its way to half-time. A 62nd minute sin bin for Penrith's Liam Martin saw Parramatta go out to a 14 point lead - the same points gap they held when Martin returned with less than 10 minutes remaining in the game. But three quick tries from Panthers' outside backs stole the game at the death, adding to Parramatta's woeful season. The Eels loss also kills any sort of momentum generated by the team's win against the NZ Warriors the week prior.
Winger Maika Sivo has been on the sidelines since round 17 nursing a hamstring injury, but he has been named on the reserves and could be a potential late inclusion for the Eels this week. Only one change has been made to the 17 from last week, with the return of Kelma Tuilagi from a thumb injury pushing Matt Doorey back to the reserves.
Kelma Tuilagi was binned in only the third minute the last time these two sides met, just nine rounds ago. The Roosters came out on top so the Eels will be keen to get them back.
Last meeting: Round 15 2024 - Eels 18 Roosters 28
Who to watch: Widely regarded as one of the best backs in the game, Joey Manu will line up in the centres this Friday for the Roosters for one of the final times. A one club man to this point, the New Zealand international has been with the Roosters since his debut in 2016. But Manu's time not only at the club, but in the NRL altogether, is nearly up, with the 28 year old inking a one year deal with Japanese Rugby club Toyota Verblitz. It remains to be seen whether Manu may return to the NRL in the future, but it's nevertheless exciting to see Rugby League talent receive opportunities at a larger scale. He will be sure to leave everything on the pitch for the Roosters for the rest of the season.
Blaize Talagi will line up for Parramatta in the centres this weekend, but it will also be one of his last times. The 19 year old has recently finalised a deal to join Western Sydney rivals the Penrith Panthers on a three year deal starting from the 2025 season. With the Eels set to miss finals footy, the number of times he has left to pull on the jersey of the club he debuted for earlier in the year is limited. He will definitely be playing like a weight has been taken off his shoulders now that his future has been finalised, and hopefully he can enjoy his last few matches for Parra.
FAVOURITE: Roosters are strong favourites to get the job done at home.
MY TIP: Despite the Eels coming ever so close last week, the Roosters should be able to get the job done. Roosters by 14.
