Match Report | Roosters Open Magic Round in Style

Next week: The Roosters get a bye in Round 10 before a blockbuster in Round 11 against the Bulldogs. The Dolphins have now lost two straight and come up against the Eels at CommBank Stadium in Round 10.

The Artie Legacy Medal: Yet another honour in the glittering career of James Tedesco as he takes home the Artie Legacy Medal as best on ground. He joins Felise Kaufusi, Billy Smith and Sam Walker as winners of the medal named in honour of rugby league Immortal Arthur Beetson. "To receive this medal tonight is very special," Tedesco told Fox League post-match. "I'm just trying to lead by example and I feel like I'm playing some pretty good footy."

Full-time: The Roosters blew the game open early in the second half and then held off a late surge from the Dolphins to win by 10 points. Skipper James Tedesco was simply magnificent for the Roosters with 19 runs for 208 metres and 10 tackle breaks while Naufahu Whyte led the way up front with 151 run metres. Hugo Savala and Victor Radley also played leading roles for the Roosters.

76 min: A great offload by Josh Kerr creates some second-phase play for the Dolphins and Kodi Nikorima gets over a for a try which Jamayne Isaako converts to pull it back to 36-26.

73 min: Just as the Dolphins threatened a miracle comeback, James Tedesco came up with a slashing 70-metre run to get his team out of trouble before Robert Toia showed some dazzling footwork to score. Roosters 36-20.

69 min: An error by Mark Nawaqanitawase gives the Dolphins another look and Isaiya Katoa goes left and sends a pass over the top to Herbie Farnworth for two tries in two minutes and the margin is back to 12. Roosters 32-20.

67 min: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow makes it a double when he slices through from 30 metres out cruises to the line to give the Dolphins some hope. Jamayne Isaako converts. Roosters 32-14.

62 min: With Ray Stone about to dive over for a Dolphins, Billy Smith comes up with a stunning trysaver for the Roosters when he launches himself at full stretch and knocks the ball free.

60 min: A mistake in the ruck by Angus Crichton registers the Roosters' first error of the second half after 20 minutes of sensational footy to blow the game open.

56 min: The Dolphins need points in a hurry but a terrible offload by Herbie Farnworth turns the ball over 20 metres out.

50 min: The Roosters make it three tries in 10 minutes with Victor Radley finding Billy Smith who creates space for Daniel Tupou with quick hands. The veteran winger makes plenty of metres before finding Connor Tracey in support and the hooker races away to score. Hugo Savala adds the extras to make it 32-8.

47 min: James Tedesco explodes into the back field but can't link with his support players. The Roosters force a line dropout and on the next set come up with their fourth try courtesy of a pinpoint Hugo Savala for Victor Radley to score. Roosters 26-8.

44 min: From a midfield scrum the Roosters come up with a clinical movement which features Hugo Savala and James Tedesco before Mark Nawaqanitawase crosses for his second try. Savala converts from wide out. Roosters 20-8.

Half-time: With Hugo Savala controlling the game well and James Tedesco and Victor Radley adding some classy touches the Roosters take a six-point lead to the break. They completed 17 of 20 sets at 85 per cent and came up with three line breaks to the Dolphins' one. Young centre Robert Toia also stood tall with three tackle breaks, a try assist and 110 run metres.

39 min: Zach Dockar-Clay is penalised and placed on report for a high shot on Connelly Lemuelu. The Dolphins draw closer when Jamayne Isaako bangs over the penalty goal. Roosters 14-8.

37 min: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow comes up with a piece of magic to get the Dolphins back into the game after chasing an Isaiya Katoa kick and soaring above James Tedesco to bring the ball down and score. Jamayne Isaako converts. Roosters 14-6.

35 min: Roosters winger Daniel Tupou does a superb job to get up and knock the ball back into play as the Dolphins fail to find touch from a penalty.

34 min: The Roosters threaten again when Victor Radley picks up Egan Butcher close to the line but the ball is dislodged from Butcher's hands as the defence closes in.

27 min: The Roosters are denied one of the tries of the season after replays show Zach Dockar-Clay had lost the ball on the way to the ground after a passing movement that featured some freakish passes from Mark Nawaqanitawase, James Tedesco, Robert Toia, Siua Wong and Victor Radley.

23 min: The Roosters' blitz continues with Mark Nawaqanitawase producing an acrobatic finish in the right corner after receiving a brilliant offload from Robert Toia. Roosters 14-0.

20 min: A simple error by Dolphins winger Jack Bostock puts his team under pressure but he makes amends by cleaning up a James Tedesco grubber and the Dolphins go long with the dropout.

17 min: The Roosters go further ahead when Victor Radley surges onto a pass from Zach Dockar-Clay and powers through three defenders to score. Hugo Savala's conversion makes it 10-0.

11 min: The Roosters strike first after Siua Wong's flick pass puts James Tedesco into space and the No.1 finds Robert Toia and the centre shows speed and footwork to score. Hugo Savala misses the conversion. Roosters 4-0.

8 min: A blow for the Roosters with Sandon Smith ruled to have suffered a Category One head knock and out for the game.

7 min: Roosters playmaker Sandon Smith leaves the field for a HIA after he was bumped off by Herbie Farnworth and fell backwards onto his head.

6 min: A superb kick out of dummy half by Connor Watson pins the Dolphins deep in their own territory and the Roosters look to muscle up in defence.

Late Mail

The Roosters are 1-17 with no late changes, rolling out the same 17 that enjoyed a commanding victory over the Dragons on ANZAC Day. Ethan King is 18th man.

Felise Kaufusi and Kurt Donoghoe were both withdrawn on Thursday morning, joining Daniel Saifiti who was sidelined with a shoulder injury. Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King returns from his leg laceration. Mark Nicholls moves to prop, Connelly Lemuelu starts in the second row and Sean O'Sullivan and Oryn Keeley join the bench. Harrison Graham is 18th man.

 

Sharks v Eels at Suncorp Stadium

Foxx on the run: Josh Addo-Carr grabbed yet another double to take his career tally to 147 tries and his Magic Round tally to eight. He ran for 191 metres and had seven tackle breaks in a typically dynamic display.

Full-time: Dally M leader Will Kennedy racked up another 173 run metres and two try assists while Ronaldo Mulitalo ran for 160 metres and came within inches of one of a spectacular try after pulling down a bomb and twisting his way to the line but just losing the ball on the way down.

80 min: An offside penalty against Ryley Smith hands Nicho Hynes an easy shot at goal and the Sharks get home 28-18 in front of 44,613 fans.

79 min: The Eels launch one last raid but Sam Stonestreet does well in defence and Jesse Ramien comes up with an intercept to ensure the Sharks will come away with the points.

70 min: A mistake by Isaiah Iongi as he tries to catch a bomb is punished by the Sharks who put together a slick right side raid with Nicho Hynes and Will Kennedy combining to put Sam Stonestreet over for his double. Hynes misses from wide out. Sharks 26-18.

68 min: Ronaldo Mulitalo soars through the night sky and brings down a bomb and attempts a spectacular put-down but loses the ball inches from the ground. Eels winger Bailey Simonsson is penalised for a mid-air tackle on Mulitalo despite the protests of Mitch Moses who is adamant his winger was simply contesting the ball.

67 min: The Sharks launch a successful captain's challenge after Ronaldo Mulitalo was initially ruled to have knocked on while flying for a bomb but replays showed the Eels had touched the ball first and the Sharks got a scrum feed.

63 min: On the back of a Junior Paulo offload and great work by J'maine Hopgood the Eels go 50 metres to make it two tries in two minutes as Mitch Moses finds Dylan Brown and the No.6 races 25 metres to touch down. Sharks 22-18.

60 min: Mitch Moses, Dylan Brown and Sean Russell combine beautifully on the left edge to put Josh Addo-Carr over for his second try of the night. 'The Foxx' takes his Magic Round tally to eight tries, two clear of Selwyn Cobbo, who gets his chance on Sunday to add to his tally. Sharks 22-12.

56 min: Braydon Trindall launches a huge 40-20 to put the Sharks into the Red Zone and Cameron McInnes gets across the line in the next set for his first try of the season. Nicho Hynes converts his lock's try and the Sharks lead 22-6.

55 min: The Eels go close in the left corner but great scramble by Will Kennedy and Sam Stonestreet turns them away.

53 min: Mitch Moses explodes into space and his final pass goes astray but Shark Jesse Coplquhoun goes to the bin for a professional foul after dragging Dylan Brown back as he tried to support Moses.

50 min: The Sharks grab their third try through Sam Stonestreet courtesy of a neat grubber by Will Kennedy into the corner. Nicho Hynes misses the conversion. Sharks 16-6.

50 min: Eels bench forward Sam Tuivaiti leaves the field for a HIA which he passes.

43 min: A high tackle penalty against Oregon Kaufusi invites the Eels into the Red Zone and Josh Addo-Carr flies high for a bomb but can't control the catch and the Sharks come out of danger.

Half-time: Both sides completed 17 of 21 sets at 80 per cent in a tight first half. Eels young gun Isaiah Iongi racked up 126 metres from 11 runs while his Sharkls counterpart Will Kennedy ran for 96 metres. Sharks lock Cameron McInnes worked the house down with 23 tackles and also broke seven tackles with some incisive runs up the middle.

39 min: Sharks back-rower Briton Nikora runs a great line from 12 metres out and takes a pass from Nicho Hynes to cross for his sixth try of the season. Hynes adds the extras. Sharks 12-6.

34 min: The Eels go wide to the left and Dylan Brown produces a long ball over the top of Sam Stonestreet to put Josh Addo-Carr over to get the blue and golds on the board. Addo-Carr is now the leading tryscorer in the history of Magic Round with seven tries. Sean Russell converts to make it 6-6.

34 min: Sharks five-eighth Braydon Trindall is placed on report for late contact on Mitch Moses after the Eels No.7 had passed the ball.

33 min: Sharks benchman Siosifa Talakai leaves the field for a HIA just moments after entering the game for the first time. Talakai is ruled a Category One after showing concussion signs while on the ground and is out for the night.

32 min: More good attack from the Eels with Mitch Moses and Dylan Brown calling the shots but the Sharks' defence refuses to buckle and they come away on the back of an offside penalty.

25 min: Oregon Kaufusi comes up with a poor offload for the Sharks and another chance is lost.

23 min: Eels fullback Isaiah Iongi is bundled into touch by KL Iro as the Sharks continue to defend strongly.

20 min: Another chance goes begging when J'maine Hopgood puts the ball down 10 metres out from the line.

16 min: The Eels mount some pressure but Will Kennedy comes up with two big plays with a strong tackle in Isaiah Iongi and a grubber clean-up to keep the line intact.

10 min: A superb pass by Nicho Hynes puts KL Iro into a hole on the left edge for the opening try of Magic Round 2025. Hynes adds the extras. Sharks 6-0.

8 min: A 'roll ball' penalty against Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr puts his team under enormous pressure.

7 min: A dropped ball by Braydon Trindall puts an end to the Sharks' raid.

6 min: Back-to-back penalties against the Eels piggyback the Sharks out of their end and present Craig Fitzgibbon's men with an early chance.

Late Mail

The Sharks have made two late changes for the opening game of Magic Round. Forward Jesse Colquhoun will join the interchange for his first NRL match of the season in place of utility Daniel Atkinson, who is now the 18th man. Tom Hazelton has been promoted to start in the front row for his 50th NRL appearance, with Oregon Kaufusi switching to the bench. 

One change to the Eels team before kick-off with Matt Doorey replaced on the bench by Jordan Samrani. Earlier in the week Charlie Guymer received a recall to the side in place of Kelma Tuilagi, who was suspended prior to last week's bye. Veteran Ryan Matterson's hopes of making his second NRL appearance of the season were dashed after he was one of the players cut when the squad was trimmed 24 hours before kick-off.

Magic Numbers

• The Sharks have won only one of their past four Magic Round games.
• Sharks fullback William Kennedy has scored three tries in three Magic Round games.
• Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored six tries in four Magic Round games.