Crank the Willie Nelson because the Eels are on the road again. Mascot is the destination this week and the Roosters are the opponent as both the Harold Matthews and SG Ball look to improve to 2-0 to start 2025.

Catch all the action right here on TCT as we go blow-for-blow and set-for-set in Round 2 of the Junior Representatives. Action starts at 2:30PM in the Harold Matthews with the SG Ball following at 4:00PM.

 

Harold Matthews Team List

 

1	Cyrus Bloomfield
2	Christopher Moala
3	Kordell Pritchard
4	Epapara Tahu-Apiata
5	Cobi McCloskey
6	Talen Risati
7	Zain Alameddine
8	Mark Peterson
9	Hayden Bell
10	Chaise Attard
11	Michael Nauer
12	Kasinga Noa
13	Samuel Polley
14	Billy Fanene
16	Retric Smith-Jessop
18	Strantz Schaumkel
20	Zac Withers
17	Jermayne Faafiu
23	Riley Davis

 

Match Updates

 

Eels kick off in the first half.

 

Big chance for the Eels early on after the Roosters spill an attacking bomb from the visitors. Scrum is set inside the Roosters’ red zone with Parra lined up to the left. They go that way as they play two passes wide to Chris Moala. Polley goes next before the fullback Bloomfield has a sortie down the right. Easts are holding on here as the Eels spin it back to their left where Michael Nauer is wrapped on the last to effect the turn over on tackles.

Easts kick early in reply looking to flip the field but some clever work from Moala on the sideline keeps the ball in the field of play. A surging charge from Nauer knocks the Roosters on the backfoot but the attacking kick that follows is too heavy and rolls dead in-goals.

Disruptive play from the Eels! They get inbetween attackers and tip an offload backwards before diving on it but the chance peters out rapidly when Parramatta lose the ball shortly afterwards. Time is off as the referee calls the captains out for an early chat – not sure what the catalyst was but it only leads to a scrum for the Roosters.

Kordell Pritchard shows impressive contact balance to ride a huge shot from a defender and then turns it into a massive run! Cracking carry from the centre and it takes the Eels well out of danger. The Blue & Gold go on to complete the set with an attacking bomb that is lost backwards by the home team but their fullback Triston Ross saves the day by diving on the loose pill. Unfortunately, the Eels lose the field position advantage with a high shot penalty.

The Roosters find some space down their right edge but the cover defence is able to prevent a full line break. Still the pressure is now on the Eels and Easts are able to produce the numbers advantage down the opposite side of the field as their left centre Bastion Armstrong crashes over out wide. The touchies wave away the shot from out wide.

 

Try scored by Bastion Armstrong. Conversion unsuccessful by Lachlan Metcalfe.

Roosters lead 4-0

11min gone

 

Errant work from the home team off the resumption play allows the Eels to nab a line drop out from the kickoff. Can they reply on the scoreboard?

A messy kick recovery ends up with Talen Risati nearly bursting through the line but the Roosters barely hold on. Eels play down the right edge short side and end up held up over the line so back we come 10m out. Left now as Polley centre the ball before Chaise Attard is wrapped up in front of the posts but it was the last play of the set and the Roosters get another let off.

Trouble follows now after Parra seem to get trapped in-goals from the resultant clearing kick. Think it was the fullback Bloomfield there who looks surprised at the call but it leaves the Roosters with a huge chance to press their advantage here. Press they do as well with another strike down their left edge from the drop out set. The winger Filipe Fakauho is the beneficiary this time around as a clean shift down the left edge allows him to dive over in the corner. The conversion is struck sweetly from the sideline this time around.

 

Try scored by Felipe Fakauho. Conversion successful by Lachlan Metcalfe.

Roosters lead 10-0

18min gone

 

Again the Roosters struggle from the kickoff. No drop out this time but a soft unforced error from a simple movement to the right gifts the Eels a scrum feed 30m out. They play right to Bloomfield for the opening charge. Schaumkel rips in next before Risati tests the defence down the right. The emphasis on the right pays dividends when the switch of play comes late in the set. Bloomfield is the key man here as he sweeps of his halves at speed. It opens up the channel for Cobi Mcloskey to run the left sideline and get the Eels on the board! Tough opening attempt for Alameddine but he gives it the business and slots it with a nice draw!

 

Try scored by Coby McCloskey. Conversion successful by Zain Alameddine.

Eels trail 6-10

23min gone

 

My goodness! The laces catch from Moala off the kickoff! Impressive work and it avoids what would have been a huge error. The Eels build from there with a simple set that sees Risati boom a clearing kick downfield. Tidy play after points.

Billy Fanene makes his presence known with a stinging shot as Easts complete their reply set with a towering bomb. Bloomfield lets it bounce and has to race backwards to tidy up the tough bounce but does well enough and Parra escape their red zone care of a penalty for offside defenders.

A very good touch finder puts them back in play 10m over halfway. Nauer takes the first run before Alameddine and Risati link up on tackle two. Play continues to the right before the Eels are penalised for an incorrect play-the-ball. Crucial error there given they were knocking on the door of the goal line.

Gee that proves costly as well. Second phase play and crisp ball movement down the left edge of the Roosters frees up Filipe Fakauho for his second try of the game. Penalties in possession always hurt but this one did more than usual.

 

Try scored by Felipe Fakauho. Conversion unsuccessful by Lachlan Metcalfe.

Roosters lead 14-6

30min gone

 

Half Time

Sydney Roosters 14 lead the Parramatta Eels 6

 

Second Half

 

Eels receiving the ball.

Schaumkel gets us underway as the Eels chase the two score deficit. Well they try to get to work but an error in the first set puts them immediately under pressure. Far from ideal here and they will now need to defend inside their own half.

The Roosters are working around the ruck with some changes of angles and inside passes but the big boppers for the Eels are working hard and in turn force and error in front of the posts. They needed that one.

Bit of a mistakeathon to start the second stanza though as I think it is Michael Nauer with the error in the next set. To make matters worse, frustration about the call escalates the scrum feed to a penalty as the Roosters take the tap restart. A second infringement two tackles later leads to time off as Risati and Noa are called out. Noa is on report, not sure what for, while Risati seems to cop the customary warning from the main official. The Eels seem to have forced an error in the first tackle of the next set as the ref blows a short whistle but their celebrations are cut short as he changes his call to a penalty. Bizarre stuff here out at Mascot.

Polley looks to turn the pressure up on defence with some aggressive line speed and a good tackle. Easts shift the ball to the posts on the next tackle and are caught running it left on the last. Impressive goal line stand from Parra but they need to cut the errors out.

They are unlucky not to pick up a penalty for misaligned markers early next set but good lord they kill themselves on the next play with another error. If they hold out here I will be stunned.

Switch back under from the Roosters to open their next set as their right centre crashes back to the left. Parra drag him down and then get a huge reprieve next play when the referee identifies an obstruction play. The Eels take the tap restart from in front of their posts? Must not like the crosswind here but they end up with a second penalty slightly closer to the sideline and now look to find touch.

Oh no! What oculd have been! Crisp play from the left edge cracks the Roosters open from midfield and Bloomfield puts Moala into space. The winger still has the fullback to account for and chooses to kick ahead for his own #1 but with the try line open Bloomfield mistimes his recovery attempt and knocks on. What a let off!

Another penalty for the Roosters follows and the defensive task becomes that much more difficult. They work from left to right early in the set and pick up a second penalty when Michael Nauer and his opposing number get into it in the midst of a tackle. Bit of coinflip penalty there I reckon – could have easily argued the niggle was instigated by the ball runner. Nauer goes on report and the Roosters on the attack as their left edge strikes again. It is a hat trick for the winger Fakauho who gets up and immediately shoves the Parra defender. The referee cautions both captains but does not put the winger on report – which is a bit of a joke after recent actions but the Roosters take a commanding lead in this scrappy dogfight.

 

Try scored by Felipe Fakauho. Conversion successful by Lachlan Metcalfe.

Roosters lead 20-6

44min gone

 

The Eels need to find a way to turn momentum in this game but they get it wrong with a two-man strip. Naturally the penalty is called and the Roosters get the chance to attack for a full set again. Fatigue looks to be setting in for the Eels now with a number of missed tackles early on but they manage to get to the last and clean up the grubber kick. Think it was Pritchard there. Bloomfield provides a strong run in the wake of that play and Parra fight hard to get to a clearing kick but an unkind bounce gifts the Roosters a 20m restart.

The Roosters eventually tack on to their lead with under 5min to play after a contested bomb from their half falls favourably. Their centre Jeziah Papa scoops up the loose pill and dives over to cement the victory.

Try scored by Jeziah Papa. Conversion unsuccessful by Lachlan Metcalfe.

Roosters lead 24-6

57min gone

 

More points for the home team as they bust through the fatigued defence of Parra’s right edge. The Roosters fullback Triston Ross looms up in support for the easy try and an exclamation mark on the game as the clock just about runs to full time.

 

Try scored by Tristan Ross. Conversion successful by Lachlan Metcalfe.

Roosters lead 30-6

59min gone

 

Full Time 

Sydney Roosters 30 defeat the Parramatta Eels 6

 

SG Ball Team List

 

1	Nathan Howlett
2	Dominic Farrugia
3	Andes Johansson
4	Lachlan Vella
5	Lorima Rokosuka
6	Cameron Bamblett
7	Lincoln Fletcher
8	Beau Lucien
9	Lachlan Coinakis
10	Max Popo
20	Phoenix Tauasa
12	Christopher Petrus
13	Maison Ong
14	Tom Summer
15	Wesley Pakoti
16	Ryda Talagi
17	Mark Williams
18	Corey Leigh
19	Michael Fililava

 

Match Updates

 

One big change for the Eels today. Phoenix Tauasa is making his debut for the Eels in SG Ball with Jezaiah Funa-Iuta out.

Roosters kicking off.

Geez, the errors are running thick and fast at Mascot today. Parramatta begin their match with an early mistake that serves a shot at opening points up for the Roosters on a silver platter.

The home team oblige the Eels as well as quick hands and a nicely angled run from the right backrower Lachlan Dooner splits the defence for the first try of the game. Just about the exact opposite of the plan for Parramatta here and like the Harold Matthews earlier, the Eels find themselves in an early hole.

 

Try scored by Lachlan Dooner. Conversion unsuccessful by Tyson Walker.

Roosters lead 4-0

3min gone

 

Well I would certainly accuse the Eels of poor play for the first try but the second one is just Lady Luck shining on the Tri-colours. The Roosters work to halfway and look to put in a midfield kick but it catches a deflection off an Eel. It ricochets perfectly to the chasers on the right edge who set off down field without missing a beat and Nathan Howlett can’t stop the 2-on-1 at the last line as Jackson Stewart touches down. Brutal start here.

 

Try scored by Jackson Stewart. Conversion successful by Tyson Walker.

Roosters lead 10-0

6min gone

 

The alarms are sounding loud and clear here as Jaxson Allen knifes through the ruck defence of the Eels. Parra scramble to drag down the dummy half and get a huge let off on the next tackle when the Roosters cough up the ball in prime attacking territory and a penalty that follows finally gives Parra some room to breathe.

A second penalty for rubbish in the ruck takes the Eels to halfway and they will need to get stuck in quickly now given the early deficit. Petrus and Popo get early runs before the Eels go left as the halves link up. Fletcher has a strng run down the right but the defence of the Roosters wraps him up and again stands tall on the last as they shut the running play of the Eels down and bring Lachlan Vella down for the turnover.

While they couldn’t crack the Roosters first time around, a sloppy pass out of dummy half earns the ire of the touch judge and will give the Eels a second shot. Scrum is set 20m out as Parra play to the right with Fletcher. He is tackled as Lucien gets the next carry. Talagi and Lucien centre the ball before Parra spin to the right but quick line speed from the Roosters forces Fletcher to pull his pass. It isn’t the prettiest way to do it but the Eels hit back as Petrus slips an offload to a looping Saukuru. It isn’t on target though and the five-eigth knees it ahead but wins the race for the loose ball in-goals and scores! Just like they drew up I guess!

 

Try scored by Lorima Saukuru. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels trail 6-10

13min gone

 

Talagi takes the lead carry next set. The Roosters are showing aggressive line speed and Parra shape to kick early to try and flip the field. Not sure if it was by design but the kick falls shallow and actually gives Farrugia a chance to reel it in and attack but he can’t stick the catch and the Roosters will have the ball on halfway. Well they had the ball because they too fail to complete their set and give the Eels a much needed let off inside their own half.

Suddenly the Eels generate a line break as a tipped pass falls into the hands of Rokasuka and the winger sets off down the sideline. It is actually a 6-again as well after the deflection from a defender but Lorima plays aggressively inside to support and the Roosters come away with the ball after batting the pass down and diving on the ball.

Er, what? Initially what looked to be a penalty for the Roosters is just a play-the-ball. Was that meant to be a set restart? Very odd. Regardless it doesn’t hurt the Eels as they comfortably defend the rest of the set and watch the clearing kick roll over the dead ball line.

Summer is rocked by a strong hit but stays on his feet. Coinakis gets away a rushed clearing kick from dummy half and it sees the home team come away with a net win in field position. Now Summer gets one back with a nice tackle of his own as again the Eels look to have a bit of rhythm in defence. Howlett defuses the midfield bomb and the Eels pick up a penalty. Was it a high shot? Not sure but time if off for a banged up Eel. I think we are okay and play resumes for the touch finder from Fletcher. He is marked near the 30m line as Parra get back to work with Petrus.

Right to Popo before Fletcher spins through tackles behind the ruck. Summer gets the next run before Saukuru stabs an attacking kick ahead. It takes a turn back to the Eels as Rokasuka flicks in back to Petrus in support but the next offload to Howlett is grassed and the Roosters survive a sudden attacking raid.

Oh a big error from the Tri-colours now as they kick out on the full on halfway. Petrus and Pakoti get us underway next set but the Eels come unstuck down the right. The pass gets all wrong forcing Farrugia to race back and clean it up but enterprising play from the left centre Andes Johansson next tackle puts Parra back in position for an attacking kick. It proves to be a difference maker too as Fletcher puts it on a dime for Dom Farrugia! The athetlic flanker climbs the ladder and claims the ball for his own before shaking off his opposite and stretching out to score in the right corner! Tough attempt for Fletcher and he is waved away from out wide by a small margin.

 

Try scored by Dom Farrugia. Conversion unsuccessful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lock the scores up at 10 all

29min gone

 

Mark Williams rumbles up field on the first carry. Pakoti and Petrus follow with Pakoti getitng a second carry in the set. Ditto for Williams. Busy work there. Fletcher sends up a midfield bomb that Vella takes. He gets an offload away to Farrugia who kicks ahead but the ref correctly pings him for shoving his opposite in the contest for the ball. It doesn’t hurt the Eels too badly though with a short range touch finder following and from there the Roosters fail to complete their set. Big chance with just minutes left to half time!

 

Scrum is set on the left side of the field. Saukuru takes the run after a dummy at first receiver but an incorrect  play-the-ball on the next tackle completely flips momentum. Suddenly it is the Roosters with possession inside Parra’s half and the chance to lead before oranges.

Good, driving tackle from Saukuru early in the set but the Roosters recover on the next tackle with second phase play and look set to score when the go down the right edge. I don’t know how but some combination of Johansson and Rokosuka have saved a damn certain try. Write that one down in the greater context of this game because they was a 4-pointer for all money.

A penalty in Parra’s next set gives them an outside chance at troubling the scorer as they work down their left with under a minute to play. They can’t crack the Roosters open from long range and instead Fletcher takes a deep crack at a field goal. He doesn’t strike it sweetly though and it never gets the lift needed to get over the cross bar. It rolls dead and brings an end to the half.

 

Half Time

 

Parramatta Eels 10 locked up with the Sydney Roosters 10

 

Second Half

 

Parra kicking off.

Solid start to the half for the Eels as they repel a running raid from the Roosters and then cobble together a tidy set. Fletcher completes it with a kick that finds grass before the Tri-colours fullback picks it up.

Strong defence jolts the ball loose as the Roosters try and use the pill down their left. Alas, the Eels return the favour in kind with an early early in the resultant set.

Indeed, the Roosters strike first in this half as well on the back of that reprieve. It is their dummy half Allen who proves to be too strong from close range as he barrels through defenders to dive over and give the home team the lead back.

 

Try scored by Jaxson Allen. Conversion successful by Tyson Walker.

Roosters lead 16-10

41min gone

 

Ooph. A cold drop from Rokasuka on the clearing kick from the Roosters sets the home team up for a free shot at Parra’s goal line. Tough error.

Tremendous hustle from Saukuru now! The Roosters put a pass on the ground and he hares up to put pressure on the recovery. It causes enough hesitation for Johansson to also race up and dive on the pill. Gee they needed that. Saukuru is in the thick of it again when he is cleaned up late on the clearing kick as the Eels get a huge penalty inside of the Roosters’ half.

The ball is marked about 35m out from the Tri-colours line as the Eels tap and go with Petrus. Fletcher turns Pakoti inside on the second but he is driven into the ground in a big shot. The Eels do not wilt in the wake of the shot though as Tom Summer shows some light feet to slide through the front line defence. He comes to the fullback and feeds a perfect pass to Fletcher on his left and the Eels are right back in this! Fletcher dutifully converts his own try and the scores are tied up again.

 

Try scored by Lincoln Fletcher. Conversion unsuccessful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lock the scores up at 16 all

48min gone

 

Popo is unlucky not to earn a penalty there. He gets called back to the mark after the defender grabs a big fist of jersey to slow him down. Oh the razzle dazzle falls just short! It looks like Popo again as the late offload in the middle sparks a sizzling run down the left sideline for Rokasuka. He beats his opposite with pace and overheads a one hand pass back inside to Saukuru but it is called up instantly! I don’t have the angle to make a judgement call there but Saukuru spikes the ball on the ground in frustration as the lead goes begging.

The next penalty in the game falls the way of Parra and Fletcher finds touch 10m inside Easts’ half. Vella gets the tap and go as Summers goes next. Left to Fletcher who links up with Saukuru who gets a bounced pass to Rokasuka that the winger tidies up. Popo centres the ball before a well weighted kick from Fletcher forces a line drop out.

The Eels knock a contest drop out backwards but the sweeper from the Roosters is perfectly positioned to clean it up. Big play.

Real arm wrestle period in the game now as the teams go essentially set-for-set. I give the Roosters the edge though as their defence firms up and restricts the Eels inside their half. The Eels answer with a stinging set of their own before Nathan Howlett is violently smashed in the air. That is extremely dangerous and the Eels pour in furiously to defend their downed custodian. How will the referee handle this? That hit had plenty of impetus on a vulnerable player.

ON REPORT ONLY? That is genuinely outrageous. Disgraceful result from the three officials there.

The Eels are fired up in the following set and make good initial metres but a drop from Petrus kills the momentum for the visitors. Instead the Roosters work towards an attacking kick. It comes along the carpet but Saukuru dives on it before time is called off. Initially I thought the ref signals a knock on but I think it is actually to stop time for the banged up half. He is clutching a leg and the trainer tends to him for what seems to be a cramp. Ah it was signal for trapped in-goals. So a drop out.

Parra go short but the Roosters win the contest for the ball. The home team are held up over the line next to the posts so play comes back 10m. The Eels hold out to the last and end up diving on the loose ball to keep themselves in this fight.

Rokasuka fights hard for a really impressive gain. Johannson and Farrugia follow before time is stopped. What is going on now? The ref is walking up to the ruck and potters around for half a minute as play stays stopped. Maybe a blood bin in the periphery?

We get back underway as the Eels drive over halfway with Popo. Fletcher looks for a midfield bomb but is charged down but thankfully Howlett wins the race for the deflection.

Petrus carries the ball down the left before Talagi has a good carry back to the ruck. Right to a wide Lucien who fights post contact before Fletcher finishes the set with a bomb. A good chase traps the Roosters inside their red zone with a bit over 5min to play.

The pendulum swings to Parra now as their defence forces an ugly clearing kick that sails out on the full. The Blue & Gold will have a full set inside the Roosters’ half. They work from right to left as Fletcher then switches play to Ryda Talagi. Johansson gets the ball down the left in a shift that leaves Saukuru grounded from a late hit off the ball – he has really been in the wars today in a brave effort. A penalty is blown and the Eels now face the decision of taking a shot at goal from wide-ish left or taking the tap?

Before that we have a sin-binning! The Roosters will finish this game with 12 men after the late hit on Saukuru and the tap is the choice for the Eels.

Talagi gets the first call as the Eels work right to Fletcher who uses Phoenix Tauasa on the short ball. Popo centres the ball on the fourth before the bulldozer that is Chris Petrus plows his way over for what I hope is the match winner down the left! They went with the bold call and it pays off big time! Fletcher adds the extras to give the Eels an important 6-point buffer and we have about a minute left to play.

 

Try scored by Christopher Petrus. Conversion unsuccessful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lead 22-16

69min gone

 

As expected they kick short and again come away with the ball after a shooting chaser gets the backwards deflection from the Eels. Game is very much on here as the Tri-colours play down their left and the man that claimed the kick off burrows over again for his second in Jaxson Allen. He has been a thorn in Parra’s side all game and drags the home team back into an unlikely chance for a draw. The conversion will be the key here and it is lined up from wide left. Both teams wait as the touchies lift their flags and the scores are locked up again.

 

Try scored by Jaxson Allen. Conversion successful by Tyson Walker.

Roosters lock the scores up at 22-all

70(?)min gone

 

The clock obviously is a bit off here as the Eels kick off. Second phase play puts the Roosters in position for a match winning shot at field goal but the service is terrible on the final play of the game and in a mad scramble of play the Eels somehow hold on to snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat after getting a strong look at victory. Manic finish to this game.

 

Full Time

 

Parramatta Eels 22 draw with the Sydney Roosters 22