Match Centre

Corey Norman takes the tackle and the Eels have produced one of the finest displays you will ever see.

Parramatta Eels 22-18

For Parramatta to come back and win this game is a remarkable feat.

Parramatta Eels 22-18

Eels with a 20 metre restart.

Parramatta Eels 22-18

No Try. Parramatta ruled to have not touched the ball.

Parramatta Eels 22-18

We're checking to see whether Gutherson has touched the ball which would give the Roosters another set.

Parramatta Eels 22-18

Manu hasn't scored. Parramatta will win.

Parramatta Eels 22-18

I don't think it's a try, but the Roosters may have stolen it!

Parramatta Eels 22-18

Joey Manu is over!

Parramatta Eels 22-18

Latrell takes a carry.

Parramatta Eels 22-18

Cordner just short of the line.

Parramatta Eels 22-18

This is the chance the Roosters didn't think they'd get.

Parramatta Eels 22-18

Pearce bombs and Norman is tackled in-goal. Line drop out.

Parramatta Eels 22-18

Copley cut down a metre from the line.

Parramatta Eels 22-18

Connor Watson on for the Rosters.

Parramatta Eels 22-18

The short kick off ends up with Pearce and the Roosters get a penalty.

Parramatta Eels 22-18

Corey Norman produces another brilliant grubber that will win the game.

Parramatta Eels 22-18

GUTHERSON!

18 all

Norman finds space and Parramatta are in position.

18 all

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves loses the ball! This is the chance the Eels were hoping for.

18 all

Norman kicks, Manu catches and the game is on a knifes edge.

18 all

Pearce bombs, but Gordon does well to gather the ball in.

18 all

Hastings has kicked a field-goal this season. Pearce is the man most likely however.

18 all

Norman drives the ball towards Joey Manu and the Roosters will work for a one-pointer.

18 all

Parramatta survive and need a big set to get out of their own end.

18 all

Friend goes from dummy half and ends up losing the ball over the line.

18 all

Roosters with a chance to hit back immediately.

18 all

Terepo loses the ball off the kick-off. Big hit from Dylan Napa.

18 all

Regardless of how this game finishes, you have to admire the spirit both these sides have played with. They've had miserable seasons, but in spite of adversity they've stood tall tonight.

Sydney Roosters 18-16

Penalty to Parramatta.

Sydney Roosters 18-12

Mitchell tries to go up the middle, but ends up losing possession. Big chance for Parramatta now.

Sydney Roosters 18-12

Napa pulls off a bone crunching hit on David Gower.

Sydney Roosters 18-12

Pearce goes high, but French is up to the task.

Sydney Roosters 18-12

Norman drives the ball downfield.

Sydney Roosters 18-12

Peni Terepo back on for Parramatta.

Sydney Roosters 18-12

We've got a ball game now!

Sydney Roosters 18-10

Eels looking likely here.

Sydney Roosters 18-6

Eels receive a penalty after Cordner passes off the ground.

Sydney Roosters 18-6

Norman kicks long for Joseph Manu.

Sydney Roosters 18-6

Parramatta muscling up in defence.

Sydney Roosters 18-6

Two massive plays from two rookies. Isn't rugby league great!

Sydney Roosters 18-6

Bevan French was a certainty to score, but Joey Manu has saved a certain try!

Sydney Roosters 18-6

Joey Manu! Welcome to the NRL!

Sydney Roosters 18-6

INTERCEPT!!!!

Sydney Roosters 18-6

Kenny Edwards comes up with an mistake. The Roosters will be out to capitalise once more.

Sydney Roosters 18-6

The Eels did well to work their way back into the contest, but the Roosters look to have lifted another gear.

Sydney Roosters 18-6

Roosters with a big lead now.

Sydney Roosters 16-6

Pearce hoists a high ball.

Sydney Roosters 12-6

Cordner into space. The Roosters looking ominous at the moment.

Sydney Roosters 12-6

Can the Eels respond or will the Roosters go on with the job.

Sydney Roosters 12-6

Cordner scores his first try of the season.

Sydney Roosters 10-6

Norman shapes for a 40/20, but Tupou is on the spot to clean up.

6 all

Pearce bombs, but Gutherson comes up with a sensational catch for Parramatta.

6 all

Roosters looking threatening.

6 all

Penalty to the Roosters.

6 all

Kenny Edwards puts a forward pass down. Wasted opportunity for the home side.

6 all

Eels will start a set 25 metres out.

6 all

Tim Mannah draws a penalty on the last.

6 all

Both sides exchanging sets at the moment.

6 all

Isaac De Gois will not be back after failing his concussion test.

6 all

Both sides back out. Roosters to get play back underway.

6 all

After weathering an early onslaught, the Eels are well situated at halftime. Both sides locked at 6-all.

6 all

Daniel Alvaro comes up with a marvellous slips catch on a Hastings grubber.

6 all

Roosters in position to take a field goal.

6 all

Parramatta loses the ball after finding space down the left.

6 all

Jake Friend delivers a forward pass intended for Sam Moa. Big opportunity goes begging for the Roosters.

6 all

Gordon picks up a Pearce grubber, but the Roosters end up with possession regardless!

6 all

Friend goes down the blindside and is rewarded with a penalty for his efforts.

6 all

Kenny Edwards loses the ball on halfway. Big chance for the Roosters to strike just before halftime.

6 all

Pearce saves a potential try by diving on a Norman grubber.

6 all

Danny Wicks held up over the line.

6 all

Norman gets a repeat set. Eels with all the running.

6 all

Tim Mannah back on for the home side.

6 all

Latrell Mitchell comes up with a rushed kick that travels dead. Eels off the hook and earn a penalty to boot.

6 all

Connor Watson the only player from either side yet to see any football tonight.

6 all

Kane Evans takes his first charge of the night.

6 all

Manu Ma'u does well to gather in Mitchell Pearce's grubber. Line drop out.

6 all

Boyd Cordner on for the Roosters.

6 all

Sam Moa receives a penalty after copping a shoulder charge from Danny Wicks.

6 all

Corey Norman finds touch and both sides are well placed heading into the final 10 minutes of the half.

6 all

Tim Mannah set to return, but Isaac De Gois still to receive clearance.

6 all

Napa delivers a risky offloads that results in an error. Parramatta can breathe easier after big pressure from the Roosters.

6 all

The speedster earns a penalty for his efforts and proves once again why he is rated as the best young player in the NRL.

6 all

Latrell Mitchell into space.

6 all

Pearce launches another high ball, but once again Gordon is up to the task.

6 all

Parramatta are working their way back into the contest, but the Roosters aren't shying away from the fight.

6 all

Great work from Norman to identify space and set up his fullback.

Sydney Roosters 6-4

Robson has shifted to hooker, Norman to carry the bulk of playmaking for the rest of the night.

Sydney Roosters 6-0

Parramatta get a much-needed penalty to the delight of their supporters.

Sydney Roosters 6-0

The Roosters try a spread down the right, but Kenny-Dowall comes up with a misguided pass that rolls into touch,

Sydney Roosters 6-0

Copley tries to put some footwork on Manu Ma'u.

Sydney Roosters 6-0

Eels come up with a forward pass - it just isn't happening for them tonight.

Sydney Roosters 6-0

Daniel Alvaro on for De Gois.

Sydney Roosters 6-0

No malice, but the Eels hooker is unlikely to return after getting in the wrong position.

Sydney Roosters 6-0

Isaac De Gois cops a knee from Dylan Napa.

Sydney Roosters 6-0

Danny Wicks on for Tim Mannah.

Sydney Roosters 6-0

Medial Ligament injury for Semi Radradra. Will not return, heading for scans tomorrow.

Sydney Roosters 6-0

Michael Gordon makes his way out of the in-goal after big pressure from the Roosters.

Sydney Roosters 6-0

Robson puts in a long kick to try and relieve the pressure on the Eels.

Sydney Roosters 6-0

Hastings bombs for Tupou, but the Eels have the tall winger covered.

Sydney Roosters 6-0

Roosters throwing the ball around and making plenty of ground up the middle.

Sydney Roosters 6-0

The new look Eels centre pairing is Manu Ma'u and Kenny Edwards.

Sydney Roosters 6-0

Good set after points finished off with a towering bomb from Pearce.

Sydney Roosters 6-0

Radradra being assisted off by two trainers. Highly unlikely to return.

0 all

Tupou loses the ball, but deemed to have knocked the ball backwards.

0 all

Radradra off. David Gower on.

0 all

Semi Radradra struggling with a leg issue sustained in the tackle with JWH.

0 all

Peni Terepo with another strong carry. The Tongan prop is relishing the opportunity to start.

0 all

It was a crunching tackle from the Roosters prop, but play resumes without a penalty.

0 all

Semi Radradra is down after being hit by Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

0 all

Pearce bombs for Tupou, but French has the kick covered with ease.

0 all

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves struggling after taking a carry over halfway.

0 all

First penalty of the night goes to the Roosters.

0 all

Eels fans let their frustrations known, but the Roosters take possession and get the game back underway.

0 all

Bevan French is over in the corner, but the referee deems a forward pass.

0 all

Daniel Tupou up early to prevent Ma'u from getting a pass away.

0 all

Robson delivered a towering bomb for the Roosters rookie, but Gutherson had his measure.

0 all

Joseph Manu is taken into touch by Clinton Gutherson.

0 all

Strong charge from Peni Terepo sees the Eels work their way over halfway.

0 all

Michael Gordon makes a safe catch at the back.

Roosters looking to spread the ball early and target Manu Ma'u in the centres.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves takes the first carry of the night.

Both sides are onto Pirtek Stadium. Eels to get play underway.

Parramatta will wear their customary Blue home jersey, while the Roosters will be in their Red away strip.

Kick-off only minutes away, the Roosters look primed for a big effort, but in the wake of more adversity the Eels may produce another stellar effort in their season of discontent.

Look for another strong performance from Mitchell Pearce tonight; after impressing in his comeback last week, the much-publicised halfback looks set to repay the faith shown by the club with a strong finish to 2016.

Two big returns for Parramatta tonight; captain Tim Mannah will play only his sixth game of the season, while Jeff Robson will play his first game for the club since Round 21, 2011 after securing a release from the Warriors.

For the Roosters, coach Trent Robinson has been able to call on representative forward Boyd Cordner, who comes onto the bench in place of Chris Smith.

For Parramatta, coach Brad Arthur has made a number of positional changes in the wake of Brad Takairangi's failure to recover from injury in time for tonight's contest. Manu Ma'u, celebrating his 50th NRL game, shifts into the centres with Kenny Edwards starting in the second row. Peni Terepo will start ahead of milestone man Danny Wicks, with Rory O'Brien coming onto the bench.

Both sides come into tonight’s contest off the back of last-start losses; the Eels going down to the high-flying Sharks and the Roosters falling foul of Canterbury last Thursday.

Welcome to League Unlimited’s coverage of Round 18 Friday Night Football between Parramatta Eels and Sydney Roosters at Pirtek Stadium.