The Sydney Roosters extended their unbeaten run to three games last night, when they hosted the Parramatta Eels at Allianz Stadium for the first time since 2017, in the first leg of the Jack Gibson Cup.
Milestone Men Rise to the Occasion
Victor Radley and Sam Walker delivered once again this week as they celebrated their 100th and 50th NRL matches respectively, putting in plenty of work to help steer their side to an eight-point victory.
Having received high praise from Coach Trent Robinson throughout the week, Radley was as relentless as always at Lock, covering 107 metres and making 32 tackles in a massive 77-minute effort.
Walker had plenty to say about the result of the match as well, guiding his team around the park with 383 kicking metres and holding his ground in defence with 27 tackles, missing none.
The 20-year-old also helped set up a first-half try, breaking the line off a Brandon Smith short-ball before finding Luke Keary who scored his first of two tries for the evening.
Paulo Perfection Opens Easts' Account
After conceding a penalty goal in the first 10 minutes of the match, Trent Robinson’s men hit back quickly with a spectacular try.
At first receiver, Walker was rushed by Parramatta defenders who forced him into making a quick decision, opting to throw a Harbour Bridge pass across to Jaxson Paulo, who was also heavily defended.
Tip-toeing his way into a pocket of space on the inside, Paulo then found Drew Hutchison on his outside with a magical flick pass, sending him over for the Roosters’ first points.
Drew Hutchison gets the Roosters on the Board
Suaalii Steps Up
With James Tedesco departing the field early, it was up to 19-year-old Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to slot into the fullback role for the remaining 56 minutes of play.
Suaalii injected himself into the game almost immediately, delivering an early ball to Roosters debutant Corey Allan, creating a left-edge overlap in the process, that ensured Daniel Tupou would score in the corner.
Tupou Crosses In The Corner
He then assisted another try in the second half, drawing in two defenders before delivering a perfect flick pass to Paulo who put the ball down in the corner.
The Samoan International finished the game with 132 running metres, three tackle breaks, one line-break and two offloads.
Spine Combine for Terrific Try
On the brink of half time, hooker Brandon Smith linked up with his halves to extend the Roosters’ lead heading into the sheds.
Darting out of dummy half, Smith sent Walker straight through a gap in the defence before he drew in Clint Gutherson and found his halves partner Luke Keary, who raced away, diving over under the sticks.
Walker and Keary Combine
Having held the Eels try-less for the opening 40 minutes, the play sent Easts into the break with a massive 16-2 advantage.
Wingers Wage War at Home
Just like most high-scoring contests, the wingers had plenty of input into the result of the Roosters Round 5 match.
Jaxson Paulo had a try and an assist, as well as an impressive 21 runs of the football from which he racked up 175 run metres and four tackle busts.
Tricolours veteran Daniel Tupou had a night to remember, scoring a try and topping the run metre charts from both teams recording an astonishing 236, with 57 of those coming after initial contact.
The Tongan International also produced an incredible try assist in the second half, breaking two tackles on a kick return to run for 50 metres before gifting a one-handed offload to Keary who scored the Red, White and Blue’s fifth and final try of the game.
Keary Goes Again
The Sydney Roosters will look to put plenty of points on the board again next week, when they travel south to take on the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park.
