Eels with the opening possession here. Really solid start for the Blue & Gold as they work the ball over halfway and set up for an attacking kick. It comes from Latapu as she bombs it to the right. The Roosters allow it to bounce and Freedom Crichton Ropati flies through to claim it from there but she is wrapped up short of the line! Terrific start from the Eels as they turn the ball over deep inside the Roosters’ half.

Forward pass! Yes it is caught! Sloppy work from dummy half as the Eels get a free shot here early on. Scrum in set 30m off the Central Coasts’ line as Parramatta choose a left alignment. Latapu digs into the line and finds Savea to her right. Saba trucks it up next before Withers shapes it down the left with two hands. She takes the run herself and earns a penalty for some rough work in the tackle. Tap and go for Bell as she rolls it to the line. Latapu uses Mogan-Pritchard short at the posts as she fights to the line and is pulled down eventually.

Huge numbers left for the Eels as the ball is rifled out to the half Temieke Withers and she has every option available to her with the run, kick and pass and she holds it up beautifully as the defence over commits to the slide and she just glides through and then races under the posts for the first try!

Try scored by Temieke Withers. Conversion successful by Bailey Ma-Chong.

Eels lead 6-0

5min gone

Saba gets the call here and there is confusion from the play-the-ball. There is some muck in the ruck as the ball comes out and after some deliberation the penalty comes to Parra. However, they fail to find touch as they look to bite off a big chunk of territory and the Roosters are able to tip it back infield.

First real look for the Tri-colours here but the Eels defend strongly before Sienna Bonello does extremely well to defuse an attacking kick with the glare of the sun beating down on her.

Kaizen Morgan-Prtichard gets the Eels out of trouble with a good run back inside to the ruck as Bell then takes the Eels over halfway. Ma-Chong kicks out of dummy half and the Roosters scoop it up on the bounce.

Bit or purchase here for the Roosters in behind the ruck as they look to shift wide right. Bonello makes a good tackle to slow and damage being done down that side and at the end of the set Parramatta pick up a penalty when Crichton Ropati is tackled without the ball in the contest for the bomb.

No nonsense from Parra here for most of the set until they get it horribly wrong on halfway. Sivo and Ma-Chong all out of sync there as Bailey fires a massive forward pass. Officials are on top of it and make the easy call. Another attacking opportunity for the Roosters.

Well it was for a brief window as they cough it up working to their left and Cody Tuimaseve pounces on the loose pill.

Morgan-Prtichard and Sivo work the defence over with good runs as Bell runs in their wake. Options either side now for the Peels but they go left as the halves combine before finding Wansey who spins in a tackle and offloads to Bonello. Withers looks to dab a grubber kick back to the posts next but the Roosters trap and scrap and win the ball back in a dive on the free ball.

Metres are tough to come by for the Roosters now and Savea is able to reclaim the ball for the Eels in plus field position with the aid of kind bounce.

Good run Tuimaseve! Drives defenders back through the ruck. Sivo steams onto the next ball and nearly breaks free as the Eels then work to the posts with Bell. Left on the last as Withers runs it. She holds it up again and creates that momentary hesitation before ripping a cutout pass to Wansey. Georgia has a little bobble but reels it in and the burrows through a great last ditch tackle to get the ball down barely!

Try scored by Georgia Wansey. Conversion successful by Bailey Ma-Chong.

Eels lead 12-0

15min

Bell has another run to start the next possession. Good charge from Cairns next. Right to Duff who fights through contact and Sivo follows her up nicely. Unlucky not to earn a call there as well. Latapu goes to the air as the Roosters don’t want a bar of it and are lucky to get the ball back on a favourable bounce. Defenders swarm in from there to complete an excellent set.

Nice work from Duff there in defence as she doubles up from marker. Savea cleans up the downfield kick as Parramatta get stuck into another set. Bonello and Wansey there as Latapu then breaks a tackle to make a surging run. Morgan-Pritchard keeps it rolling before Tuimaseve grubbers it on the last down the right short side. Roosters remain calm and reclaim the ball.

Huge clearing kick for the Tri-colours here as they are able to finally shift the ball deeper into Parramatta’s half. That is rapidly undone though with a penalty for offside defenders.

Sivo and Bell with more tough work here. Duff dips in behind the ruck for a good gain as Savea then does the same beating multiple defenders! She is dragged down in a potential hip drop tackle and she is dusty. Oh no, is she okay? This is a huge moment in the contest. Savea has shone bright as any Eel this year and after a good break she is able to find her feet.

The defender goes on report and the mark is left of the uprights from 12m out. It isn’t quite a gift shot at goal but it is a straight forward one and indeed the Eels will look to secure the three-score lead here.

Penalty goal successful by Bailey Ma-Chong.

Eels lead 14-0

22min gone

Bell takes on another hit-up as Cairns and Sivo run with her next. Duff motors into Roosters’ territory as Ma-Chong sends up the bomb on the last. Didn’t quite strike it cleanly as it screws to the right and finally the Roosters take a kick on the full.

Big set here for the Tri-colours as they punch into Parra’s ruck defence. The shift left stalls their momentum as their centre and winger can’t combine cleanly and from there Savea is able to stay in the field of play as she tidies up a nice grubber kick.

Very good counter punch from from Parramatta as they go from goal-line to halfway with Withers stabbing a kick downfield to round out the set.

Signs of life from the Roosters though as their ruck work starts to lift. Parramatta’s defence needs to stay sharp here. Running play on the last from the Central Coast but they spill it cold as Tuimaseve scoops it up before tripping herself over to make the tackle for the opposition. Bit of a wry grin on her face there.

More grief under the high ball for the Roosters as they finally make a proper error after letting it bounce. Latapu with the kick there and it sets Parramatta up for a strike before half time. Scrum to the right of the posts.

Withers dummies and run before offloading to Wansey. Left to Bonello next but she is tackle out wide. Sivo looks to power over but is pulled down. Last here and what vision from Withers as she laces a brilliant kick for Bonello but the winger just can’t bring it in! What a try that would have been!

I can’t keep up! An error from the Roosters rucking it out. Another chance before oranges. O’Callaghan-Ahio and Sivo through the middle. Left to Withers who finds Savea but the fullback is cut down. Centred by Kaveinga now as the shift right finds Morgan-Pritchard and the backrower rips off a sensational offload back to Latapu. No hesitation from the five-eighth as she fires the Harbour Bridge cut out of Freedom Crichton Ropati and Parramatta’s furious finisher does the rest with a gorgeous in-and-away before dotting down in the corner!

Try scored by Freedom Crichton Ropati. Conversion unsuccessful by Temieke Withers.

Eels lead 18-0

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 18 lead the Central Coast Roosters 0

Second Half

Ooh, strong start from the Roosters as they come out of the sheds fired up with some surging runs through the ruck. Opportunistic work from Crichton Ropati usurps momentum though as she makes a crucial intercept however the Eels fail to complete their set with an error from Sivo inside the Roosters’ half. A penalty follows, rare whistle from the ref actually, as the Tri-colours look to tap and go.

They build to their right as their five-eighth Vaotuua knifes through but is then brought down by the cover defence. The look to barge their way over with Pesalili-Star Combo. I am not sure she got that down but the referee is going to point to the spot and the Roosters have life.

Try scored by Pesalili-Star Combo. Conversion successful by Anastasia Leatupue.

Roosters trail 6-18

34min gone

We have a game here and the Eels can’t afford to clock off. They concede a penalty early in the kickoff set and the Roosters take a big chunk out of them with a tap restart. This is a huge moment in the game as the Tri-colours sense the running and they look to go coast-to-coast as they work from right-to-left but it comes unstuck at the final pass as the ball is spilled into touch. Phew!

Tough set for the Eels but Crichton Ropati does really well to put Parramatta back on track. Withers completes the possession with a deft kick and the Roosters will work from inside their own quarter.

Good defensive response from Parramatta now. Central Coast will kick from inside their half and Savea races up to catch up but is dispossessed in a one-on-one strip. Huge play and it puts the Tri-colours on the attack. Can the Eels hold on? Geez that is a knock on surely? Refs rules it backwards even after the Roosters gave up on the play and some justice later in the set as Sivo is able to knock the ball out of Vaotuua’s grasp.

Latapu rolls up the sleeves and is joined by Tuimaseve and Crichton Ropati. Duff has to go back and clean up an errant defence as the set stalls before Savea sets things back on track with a wonderful run. Withers runs it on the last and gets popped in a big shot as the ball flies out. Wrong option there and again the Roosters get a chance to attack.

Yep, you can’t keep spotting them these chances as the fullback Stella Hall fires a cracking cutout pass to Ayva Papalii down the left sideline for a sneaky try. The lead is eaten into once again and the Eels need to stabilise ASAP.

Try scored by Avya Papalii. Conversion unsuccessful by Anastasia Leatupue.

Roosters trail 10-18

42min gone

Solid stuff after points by the Central Coast. They work the ball into Parra’s half and then send up a bomb that Savea does brilliantly to claim under immense pressure. Bonello and Wansey truck it up as Crichton Ropati follows them and earns a penalty for a clear strip on the ground. Silly play from the defender and a bit of relief for the Eels.

Wansey from the restart as the Eels work to the posts with Cairns from there. Right again as the halves combine with a run for Latapu. Ma-Chong has been scheming all set here as she puts Eels in motion through multiple plays and after the Latapu run she brings Isabella Bell underneath her angled back to the ruck and the big prop forward goes so well to turn some defenders into mulch and slam the ball down over the line!

Try scored by Isabella Bell. Conversion successful by Bailey Ma-Chong.

Eels lead 24-10

47min gone

Surprisingly the Roosters don’t go short. Easy work for the Eels as a result as they rumble into the Central Coasts’ half before the referee indicates there is  knock on from the Roosters. Looks like it was a one-on-one strip attempt there – there have been a few of those by the Tri-colours.

Nice swing to Freedom down the right as she fights through defenders before she is pulled down. Savea does the same with such strength through contact. Withers brings play left before bringing Wansey back to the posts before having a run herself. Last now, ball goes to Latapu who is absolutely murdered after the kick. Instant call from the referee and it looks like Sharon is OK. Easy shot at goal here as the clock ticks under 10min to play and the Eels will eat up time with the penalty goal.

Penalty goal successful by Bailey Ma-Chong.

Eels lead 26-10

51min gone

Another long kickoff from the Roosters. Easy pickings for the Eels as Bell notches up another carry in what has been a wonderful game from the bookend. Kuwendu gets stuck in as Morgan-Pritchard does the same. However, the ref has spied a tiny error from Kaizen there and the Roosters get the ball back 10m their side of halfway.

Great tackle Latapu. Good effort on the slide. The right edge as a whole respond with some spirited defence. Withers cleans up the grubber kick that comes back to the post but she is held in-goals as the clock continues to wind.

Shortish restart from Parra but they don’t contest. Roosters build from right-to-left now as their backrower Temete is turned away and from there Georgia Wansey echoes her efforts from last week with a excellent tackle that knocks the ball loose!

Set for set stuff here, which suits the Eels just fine. The Roosters are bereft of options here as they send up the Hail Mary bomb. Savea is hit just as the ball arrives, think it was clean, and the Roosters slickly pick up the loose ball and make a play for the line. That is until Freedom Crichton Ropati says NO. The powerful winger makes an outrageous one-on-one tackle against the big backrower and even strips the ball out but there was no advantage for the Tri-colours there. Still an incredible try saving effort.

Purely a matter of pride here for the Eels. The championship is now secured but can their line hold one last time? The Roosters are plenty willing here but the defence has been top notch and Morgan-Pritchard does very well to dive on a grubber kick that ricochets off the right upright. Great effort across the line there.

The restart comes. Another shallowish one. Mia Vautuaa tries to run it herself but she is held up over the line as the Blue & Gold wall stands tall right until the end!

They conquered the invincible Bulldogs last week, they avenged for first week finals loss today. There is absolutely no doubt that this team has earned their moment of glory today. Well done to Ryan Walker and his team of outstanding young players!

The Parramatta Eels are your 2025 Lisa Fiaola Cup premiers!

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 26 defeat the Central Coast Roosters 10

Take your pick for best on field. Temieke Withers was supreme in the first half while her halves partner Sharon Latapu had plenty of testing touches for the Roosters’ defence. Ditto for fellow spine members in the tireless Irae Savea and the scheming Bailey Ma-Chong. Isabella Bell and Kaizen Morgan-Pritchard got through a mountain of work with several exclamation mark moments while Freedom Crichton Ropati made a big impact from the right wing.

Just an all around quality effort from the Eels as they secure a slice of history winning their first ever Lisa Fiaola Cup title in their first ever grand final.

The official ceremony has crowned Irae Savea as the player-of-the-match and as I said above, it was a crowded field with Savea absolutely one of the worthy recipients. She played a genuine blinder last week as well to pick apart the Bulldogs and it caps a monster finals series for Parramatta’s fullback.

Parramatta are kicking off in this grand final.

The Roosters survive an errant pass in their first set as they come to work their way just into Parra’s half and send a bomb down field to Lafoga. Parramatta look to be aggressive through the middle with the ball play between forwards as Ryvvr-Lee Alo passes to Tess McWilliams but the big prop drops it.

The Tri-colors immediately have the Eels on the backfoot as their fullback Logan Fletcher glides through the Eels’ left edge. Cover defence eventually pulls her down but the Roosters have all the momentum here and they convert it into points as a cutout pass from dummy half finds Te Raukura Leafe who plows over to the left of the posts. The Eels will play from behind in this contest.

Try scored by Te Raukura Leafe. Conversion successful by Logan Fletcher.

Roosters lead 6-0

4min gone

More running here for the Roosters as they pick up a penalty late in the following kickoff set. Trouble here for the Eels with a tsunami of possession for their opponents. The dummy half Mahlie Cashin cuts through the defensive line but her pass at the final line of defence is batted down. McWilliams falls on it but the referee indicates it was knocked on initially by the Eels. A full set for the Roosters on Parramatta’s goal line the result.

Big questions asked of the left edge here but they are resolute through multiple tackles. It comes completely undone though where Cashin makes her second damaging run out of dummy half as she catches McWilliams slow in getting back to marker and presses through a gap to dive over from short range. Disastrous start for the Eels here with almost zero possession next to their name and down two tries.

Try scored by Mahlie Cashin. Conversion successful by Logan Fletcher.

Roosters lead 12-0

9min gone

Off the rails now for Parramatta as they kickoff out on the full. They are killing themselves with these errors and the Roosters are showing a ruthless streak when it comes to punishing the indiscretions.

Great work from Jones on the last as she traps her opposite Cashin trying to kick out of dummy half and forces the error. The Eels desperately needed a hold there but now comes the tough work as the Tri-colours look to tee off in defence.

Parra struggle through the following set and completely lose their minds on the last as they pass it Alo under pressure. The lock forward tries to keep it alive shy of halfway but offloads to a Rooster who intercepts it. Now drama as Taylah Falaniko has clocked a Rooster late and off-the-ball. It looks like it will be put on report and end there but the Eels are on tilt here and need to hit the reset button.

Tap and go from the Roosters. They want blood. They pick up another set when a pass is batted down, although there was confusion about which way the call was going for a good moment.

The Eels manage to hold the lock forward Ngatuere-Ongley up over the line but the pressure continues to build as Racoma Ngata is trapped in-goals on the back of a clever grubber kick.

The drought of possession continues for Parramatta.

Now a penalty for the Tri-colours for a high shot I believe. Fontayne Tufuga on report as a result while Ryvvr-Lee Alo is in trouble for what looks to be a HIA. It will be a miracle if the Eels hold on here.

The right edge barely holds on as the Eels are fended off before the Roosters get away with an obstruction coming back to their right. Thank goodness for a driving tackle from Mariah Fasavalu-Faamausili as she jolts the ball free and ends the reign of terror from the Roosters.

Plenty of work to do now as the Eels have to muster it out from their goal line. And they fail to do so as they turn it over almost immediately. Huge numbers for the Roosters to the left but somehow Fasavalu-Faamausili and Racoma Ngata save the day. Temporary reprieve though as the Roosters have plenty of tackles up the sleeve. They come back to the posts with their fullback Fletcher and then punch it over with a short pass to the right as their interchange forward Aliyah Nasio is too big and too powerful from that range. Unfortunately, the Eels are getting grilled for their errors here with the Roosters running away with this in the first half.

Try scored by Aliyah Nasio. Conversion unsuccessful by Logan Fletcher.

Roosters lead 16-0

21min gone

The Roosters have bottomless confidence here as they spread it without concern. Finally it comes back to bite them though as they turn it over 10m shy of halfway and the Eels have to produce something now.

Tufuga with a nice run before McWilliams nearly storms over the line. In fact she is held up so we come back 10m. Right to Auvae and right again as Tufuga looks to fight her way over. The Roosters race up on the last and suffocate Kyliah Gray. She manages to get a kick away but it is snuffed out in the front line by the Roosters.

Good defence though from the Eels and they are rewarded with a shonky kick from the Roosters that the Eels claim inside the opposition half. Falaniko rumbles through the ruck before Auvae earns a penalty.

Tap and go from Jones as she uses McWilliams and the powerful prop forward has done it again! She showcases her ability to beat the defenders with power through the contact as she beats four defenders on the first tackle and scores next to the posts! We have life in this one yet!

Try scored by Tess McWilliams. Conversion successful by Alleya Scrivens.

Eels trail 6-16

26min gone

The pendulum swings! A penalty for the Eels midway through their kickoff set as Soufan finds touch 5m shy of halfway.

MFF gets us back underway as Fontayne follows her up but the Eels sail too close to the wing passing through the ruck and Auvae is crunched just as she brings in a pass and the ball flies out.

Better defence again from the Eels are they square up the shoulders and make better first up contact. They flip possession when Scrivens dives on a loose pass and then gets a penalty for getting collared high on the ground.

Scrivens then restarts play as Kalepo goes next. Right to McWilliams who bursts through! She is too good! The cover defenders jump on her back but she won’t go down! Tess rumbles the final 5m to the line with a flock of Roosters on her back but she finds the strength to carry them the finals steps and gets the ball down! WHAT AN EFFORT! McWilliams dragged Roosters to the line and now she is dragging the Eels back into this!

Try scored by Tess McWilliams. Conversion successful by Alleya Scrivens.

Eels trail 12-16

30min gone

A little moment for Soufan from the kickoff as she spills it backwards but she races back to tidy it up and then runs it back herself. The Eels are content to ruck it out from that point as the siren rings out and ladies and gentlemen – we have ourselves a game! Unbelievably the Eels are stormed back into this one as Tess McWilliams took it upon herself to reduce a 16-point deficit to just 4-points!

Half Time

Roosters Indigenous Academy 16 lead the Parramatta Eels 12

Second Half

Eels with the first possession of the second half.

Graham-Withell tidies up a tricky bounce as McWilliams tees off on tackle two. Auvae totes the rock next as Jones knifes out of dummy half for a good gain. Second carry of the set for Auvae as the Eels come into the Roosters half as Soufan goes to the skies. The Roosters let the bomb bounce and Scrivens claims it but she is wrapped up for the turnover.

Good reply from the Roosters as they work the Parramatta ruck with short passes. It carries them into attacking territory as they bomb Dallis on the last but she secures the ball for the Blue & Gold.

Roosters on top of the territorial battle here as limit Parramatta’s metres. Their winger Seebeck makes a bust through the middle to put them on the attack again as the Eels scramble desperately. The Roosters work right where the Eels repel them and the crossfield kick is a messy contest that is ruled a double knock-on in favour of Parramatta.

Good set now for the Eels. McWilliams in the thick of it as you would expect. Kalepo brings up the last as Soufan sends a kick to the right. Mariah Fasavalu-Faamausili catches it on the run and passes to Racoma Ngata but the sliding defence of the Roosters traps her short of the line and the Tri-colours hold. A penalty for a high shot comes shortly after and it has left a Rooster, Whitehead I believe, very dusty – this could be trouble for the Eels.

Okay, no sin bin. So we remain 13 vs 13.

Still a big defensive set to navigate as the Roosters dig into Parra’s half. Shaky moment for the right edge but they hold on as the Roosters use second phase ball to switch edges. The Eels make a critical stop on the dummy-half Cashin as she looks to bag a second try in the same manner as the first. Turnover on tackles before a penalty follows for a grubby ruck.

Tap and go for the Eels as news comes in the Ryvvr-Lee Alo has failed her HIA in a gutblow for the Eels.

Great metres from the middles though as Falaniko storms through the ruck. Gray takes play down the right on the last but doesn’t pull the trigger on Tufuga underneath or the backs to the right and is brought to the ground for a turnover.

Another penalty for the Roosters as they take play over the midpoint again. Big save from the Eels as Lafoga intercepts a potential try enabling offload from the Roosters. A penalty swings towards the Eels afterwards as this game remains balanced on a knife’s edge.

Tufuga explodes through the front line! Huge run as the Eels pour downfield. Auvae next as Falaniko bulldozes her way to the line and is stopped a metre short. Left on the last but the Eels don’t really have a plan as they force it through the hands and lose on the sideline. Big chance squandered there.

Good damage control from the right edge of the Eels as they stay calm despite the big shift from the Roosters. Chaos now as the referee rules play on in a kick contest where the Roosters looked to have knocked on. Parra are incensed by the call but rally to make to follow-up tackle and get the ball back but oh no, a forward pass early in the next set as the Eels get it wrong out of dummy half.

Well the Roosters oblige the Eels by coughing it up from the scrum. Big let off. You take those.

Tess chalks up another powerful run down the left edge as the Eels continue that way with Kalepo who is clocked high. Ref is on top of it with a quick call. Touch finder from Soufan marked on the 30m line.

Scrivens tap and go for 10m. Kalepo next as the slow build right comes. McWilliams to the posts on the third as Rory Muller darts out of dummy half and then uses some silky hands to flick the ball inside to a barnstorming Taylah Falaniko who adheres to the old mantra of the low-player wins! She trucks her way over and the Eels will have a kick at goal to take the lead for the first time this game!

Try scored by Taylah Falaniko. Conversion successful by Alleya Scrivens.

Eels lead 18-16

47min gone

Good work from the middles here. Falaniko and McWilliams have been awesome after the loss of Alo today. Parra punch it deep into the Roosters’ half before Soufan pins the Roosters in the corner. Very, very good set after points.

Probing run from the fullback Fletcher but the Eels maintain their front line integrity. Lots of passes and offloads from the Tri-colours here but BOOM! Fasavalu-Faamausili has unloaded! Huge shot on the jam as she forces the error!

Big effort from Tufuga as her run tees up a big scoot from Graham-Withell. Falaniko with more metres in their wake as Gray digs into the line. She beats two and is barely pulled down short of the goal line. Tufuga gets the ball on the last and she goes so close to securing a crucial try for the Blue & Gold but the fullback Fletcher makes an incredible try saver! The twists and turns continue in this pulsating clash.

Oooh, the Eels survive a scary set as the Roosters are able to claim an uncontested attacking bomb as the defenders quickly wrapped Seebeck up inside their own quarter.

Nice work from Ava Jones as she helps get the Eels out of trouble. Short pass from Auvae to Pouli nets a nice gain as Gray completes the set with a kick downfield. Still solid field position for the Roosters but MCWILLIAMS HAS FORCED IT LOOSE! She is playing herself to stand still here and is making plays everywhere! She even has another run as I type out her heroics in defence. Meanwhile time is off for a Roosters for a potential head knock. Seebeck maybe? She comes off for a check.

Parra play left from the resumption as the ball is reefed out. Whose ball is it? Parras! Failed trip the call.

Gray drifts right from the scrum and sends Auvae back to the posts as Tufuga and Pouli combine next play. Options to the left as Soufan shades that side but takes it herself! She takes the heavy contact front on and powers over! A critical try! Scrivens should make it an 8-point lead and with just 3min left to play the Eels are standing on the cusp of an incredible comeback.

Try scored by Aaliyah Soufan. Conversion successful by Alleya Scrivens.

Eels lead 24-16

57min gone

Short kickoff from the Roosters. Very well executed too as they come away with the ball. Now the offloads start flowing at the Tri-colours chase two scoring plays. McWilliams nearly executes a strip but the Roosters do very well to hold on before they venture down their left. Good edge defence turns them away and forces play to the opposite side. They are panicked on the last and it is Lilieta Pouli who makes a brilliant tackle to snuff out the danger! She has rattled herself from the effort, perhaps winded from the heavy contact with the ground but she has sealed an incredible comeback win for the mighty Blue & Gold!

Simple stuff from our girls now as the ruck it out off their line. Jones finds touch from dummy half at the end of the set in a neat finish to the possession and the Roosters will have time enough for one set of their own.

Good umbrella shape from the defence here, knowing the Roosters are going to fling it around and again the goal line defence stands tall as the Eels secure the ball and will run it out as the clock runs out. Wait a minute! WAIT A GOD DAMN MINUTE! THE EELS WILL NOT GO QUIETLY TO A TITLE! FONTAYNE TUFUGA PULLS ONE FOR THE AGES AS SHE STEPS, WEAVES AND STRIDES OUT TO AN INCREDIBLE LONG RANGE EFFORT! What a try! What a try! Story book finish for the Eels as they secure a historic Lisa Fiaola/Tarsha Gale double!

Try scored by Fontayne Tufuga. Conversion unsuccessful by Alleya Scrivens.

Eels lead 28-16

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 28 defeat the Roosters Indigenous Academy 16

The Parramatta Eels were down 16-0 and looking completely lost with the Roosters running riot. From that point they posted 28 unanswered points as Tess McWilliams spearheaded a legendary comeback. McWilliams was a colossus following the loss of Ryvvr-Lee Alo to a concussion but she did not do it alone with fellow forwards Taylah Falaniko and Fontayne Tufuga standing tall as well.

Crafty work from the two dummy-halves was crucial as well with both Ava Jones and Rory Muller having golden touches. Of course the rest of the team rallied magnificently with the Parramatta defence finding some steel after the Roosters’ opening blitz. Char Henry and these girls will party hard after this one – a win for the ages and Parramatta’s first ever Tarsha Gale Cup championship!

The official ceremony confirms that Tess McWilliams was indeed the player-of-the-match and now the girls can begin the celebrations proper!

One. Last. Game.

Can the Eels complete the sweep? It will be an incredible effort if they do because it requires the SG Ball knocking over the one team that has troubled them all year. The table has been set though by the Lisa Fiaola and Tarsha Gale while the SG Ball themselves roared back to full form last week.

Strap yourselves in because this one shapes up to be every bit the cracker that the previous two games were!

First Half

Eels kicking off. Roosters have been boosted by the return of their talented dummy half Jaxson Allen.

Solid start from the Roosters as they work it halfway and then beyond for the attacking kick. It comes from Rodwell as he sends it midfield. The Roosters chase bat it back but the Eels swallow up the second kick and escape trouble before the opening penalty comes for a high tackle on Howlett.

Fletcher finds touch 15m short of halfway as the Eels get back underway with Ryda Talagi. Some shape to the right where Funa-Iuta gets his numbered called and then Jim rumbles downfield. Left from there where the Eels get it wrong as Petrus coughs the inside ball up and Ryda plays at the loose ball from an offside position to turn the error into a penalty.

First test looms for the Eels now as the Roosters get a set that starts near halfway.

Driving defence from Jim and Petrus now as the Roosters are sent back to where they started the set and it leads to a sloppy ruck! No foot used there and the ref seizes on it as the Eels come away with the ball.

Petrus gets it right for his second carry with a good effort. Bamblett wins a set restart next as the Eels work to their right where Funa-Iuta carts it into the line. Popo and Talagi take shots at the line but it is big Chris Petrus who makes the difference as he runs a silky line off the hip of Lorenzo Talataina! Lorenzo is too good not to capitalise on the chance and he drops off a perfect pass as the Eels strike first!

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

Eels lead 6-0

6min gone

Try time! The Eels pick up a penalty for a high shot and they get to work from there. Talataina turns Funa-Iuta makes a bustling run down the right. It opens the door for a raid down the right edge where luck smiles on the Eels as Fletcher’s kick takes a perfect deflection back to him! He shows slick hands to catch it and then weaves infield to slice through and build onto the lead!

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

Eels lead 12-0

10min gone

Jim from the back fence as he powers his way to near the 20m line. Ryda rips in next before Popo is hit hard. Left to Petrus next as the Eels continue the roll on with a second run for Popo. Fletcher to sky on the last as the Roosters finally get the ball back via their winger Nassar.

A penalty for a hand on the ball will help the Tri-colours find their footing here but there is concern for Max Popo who has dropped to the ground. He is clutching at the left leg and this could be a huge moment in this game. Popo is a relentless competitor for the Eels at lock. Strenuous testing being done on his knee and incredibly he will play on.

Big set for the Roosters though but again the Eels unload some driving defence as Funa-Iuta and Jim combine.

Important tackle from Talataina but it can’t save the next play as the Roosters cash in on Tyson Walker laces an incredibly shallow grubber kick that sits up perfectly for the backrower James Finegan. Parramatta had some luck with the Fletcher try and now the Roosters get their turn with a wonderful bounce on that kick.

Try scored by James Finegan. Conversion successful by Tyson Walker.

Roosters trail 6-12

14min gone

Alright, a response from the Roosters – can the Eels reply in turn?

Good hands from Rodwell there as he prevents an error from a poor pass. The Eels pin the Roosters well inside their half as again Him is involved in a strong tackle. Bamblett takes the clearing kick and comes back out to around 33m off Parra’s goal line.

Nice run from Howlett there as Johansson works a similarly effective run. Talataina pinballs through defenders and offloads but it hits the deck. Fletcher cleans it up and takes the tackle. That forces Lorenzo into action on the last as he goes hiiiiiiigh. Racing through is Christopher Petrus as he leaps over Jackson Stewart. He tips it forwards and incredibly has the wherewithal to track the ball through the air and comes down with it to score a brilliant try!

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

Eels lead 16-6

18min gone

Tom Summer with the fresh legs from the kickoff but he is met in a heavy hit. Jezaiah Funa-Iuta puts the Eels on track with another excellent run. Talagi works next as Coinakis drills it into the corner from dummy-half. Incisive kick there.

Chance for Parramatta to aim up in defence here and they do a solid job as the Roosters clear the ball just over halfway. Great work from Kebourian as he takes a courageous catch under huge pressure. The ball is squeezed out of his grip in the tackle but the defenders from the kick chase were offside. Parramatta penalty.

Talagi and Summer lead off the next set. Right to Funa-Iuta who backs through defenders for a good gain. Popo next with good leg drive. Left to Pakoti to bring up the last as Talataina goes the air again but this time a penalty goes against the Eels. Think that is for a disruptor from Petrus and it is the right call.

Good scramble from the Eels as they prevent Rodwell from opening them up. A set restart two tackles later means the Roosters will have a full set on Parramatta’s goal line though. Play is halted again as Popo is entangled in an ugly fashion. Could be his left arm here. Poor lad is copping it today and again you hope it is not a serious injury. He has been on his side in the recovery position for a good minute or two here and finally rolls to a seated position. He is assisted off and heads into the sheds in what is bad news for Parramatta.

The break has not aided the Eels as the Roosters strike on the last tackle as again a kind deflection of a kick favours the Roosters and their winger Delamere crosses out wide.

Try scored by EJ Mahu-Delamere. Conversion successful by Tyson Walker.

Roosters trail 12-16

28min gone

Good set from the Roosters as they work it over halfway and attack in the air via Walker. Bamblett defuses it with a well timed jump thankfully.

Farrugia and Kebourian ruck it out and are joined by Johansson. Tapau is on and notches a carry as Fletcher completes the set with a good, driving kick.

Bit of work there for Cameron at the back as Rodwell looks to poach a 40/20 but Parramatta’s fullback races across to cut the kick off. The Roosters raise the intensity in their defence here but the Eels respond with some outrageous offloads down their left edge and win a set restart! Wild stuff.

The ball is centred with Summer as Coinakis attacks the right edge next with Fletcher and then Howlett. Summer back to the posts and the Eels spin left to Johansson who is thrown into touch. Maybe a suggestion of a second effort there but close enough not to gripe about it.

Real battle between these two teams now as the grind descends upon this contest. Physical defence from both squads as the shadows of half time loom. Is there another twist in the first stanza?

There very nearly was! Rodwell is able to break tackles on the last as Petrus and Talataina take each out but the Eels come flying in from all angle with Jezaiah Funa-Iuta leading the way to save a certain try!

Oh no. An error from Kebourian – or rather a cheeky hand missed by the officals! Poor missed call there but it has handed the Roosters a huge chance to strike before half time. What was the touchy looking at?

THE BALL DOESN’T LIE! Rodwell grasses it on the first tackle. Some football karma right there. The Eels are happy to head to the sheds from there – no need to tempt fate and this game that shaped up as a certified banger in the lead up has delivered in spades. 35min left to play as the Eels head into the break in possession of a slender lead.

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 16 lead the Sydney Roosters 12

Second Half

Eels to receive the ball.

Tapau into the fray first. Funa-Iuta continues his big game with another run. Summer follows and offloads to Pakoti. Short side for Lorenzo who dummies and runs as Pakoti rounds out the opening set. To Fletcher on the last as the Eels work right. It finds Dom Farrugia on the last but he has no space to operate in as he tries to kick ahead only for it to sail out on the full. Roosters back on their 30m line.

Brutal. A set restart deep into the following set for the Roosters. Tough call but the goal line stand has to come now. There is a huge obstruction there and the referee has glossed over it as the Eels hold on. That is terrible. Huge tackle under the posts from the Eels as they hold out Eddy Cayless. That brings up the last and Parramatta stand tall as the Roosters turn it over playing flat on a double crash unders.

Ah, the Eels come unstuck on the last of the following set. Good work to muster to halfway but Fletcher looks to run on the last and gets caught and his offload to support is dropped. Roosters back in the box seat.

Sharp work from Bamblett! Reads the grubber to the posts and swoops in to cut off the danger. Pristine stuff!

Keoburian fights desperately for metres and Johansson flies in next. Pakoti up over halfway and from there Talataina goes to the air. Good, deep bomb and the chase pushes the Roosters back inside their own quarter.

BAMBETT AGAIN! THE FULLBACK HAS SAVED A CERTAIN TRY! Cayless breaks through the front line care of a late offload from a Roosters big man and Bamblett makes an incredible tackle. Alas it amounts to nothing with the Roosters cashing in on the next play. Tragic stuff. Rodwell has kicked back to the right and found a leaping Finegan who cuts in front of Kebourian to score. Heart breaking stuff after the Bamblett effort.

Try scored by James Finegan. Conversion successful by Tyson Walker.

Roosters lead 18-16

44min gone

Geez, the Roosters dodge a call for a knock on there. Touch and go. It allows them to work over halfway and play to Rodwell down the right. He finds support as the Roosters work left and again there is knock on missed. Just poor stuff here. Thankfully the Eels survive and pick up a penalty.

Jezaiah Funa-Iuta with the first run as Jim is next. Left to Petrus now. Left again as Lorenzo looks to run. Nice run from Johansson to bring up the last as Fletcher bombs for Farrugia. He tips it backwards but the referee rules it forwards. After everything he let got for the Roosters he calls that forwards. Unreal.

A solid defensive set from the Eels allows Bamblett to make a nice return where he is clearly collared high but again no call comes. Getting out of hand here.

Simple set from the Eels as they work for the kick where Lorenzo’s bomb is dropped by the fullback Stewart! It pings into Johansson who has a tough chance to scoop and score but it is a double knock-on with the Eels on the attack.

B-E-A-UTIFUL! Bodies in motion both sides of the scrum but it is the sweeping play from Bamblett that finds Aidan Kebourian who touches down in the corner! Gorgeous footy!

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

Eels lead 20-18

51min gone

Man, what a game.

Jim cranks up another charge. Mark Williams and Funa-Iuta up next. Talagi is back on as the Eels look to power through the middle. Petrus brings up the last as Fletcher punches it downfield where Stewart secures the ball for the Roosters.

Offloads here for the Roosters as Rodwell, the very talented half, continues to torment the Eels but Petrus saves the day and forces the ball out from behind! What a huge play in defence from the big backrower. Jim and Jezaiah working in tandem again as the Eels venture to their left where Lorenzo nearly breaks through. Bamblett tries to run it from dummy half on the last but is trapped and his pass is intercepted. Sloppy play on the last.

Farrugia with the big save in defence know as he stymies the bleeding from a linebreak and throws Lui Lee down in a big tackle. Lorenzo makes a crucial catch to defuse the attacking kick as the Eels hold on once more.

Tough set from there but Fletcher gets away a good kick – even so the Roosters will have plus field position.

They are into Parra’s half with tackles to spare as they go from left to right. Rodwell is swallowed up by Petrus and the Eels bring up the last. The bomb is tipped back by the Tri-colours and rolls into touch. Not sure how much more my heart can take today.

Williams and Farrugia cart it up into the breach. Summer next. Left to Petrus as Lorenzo and Bamblett combine next tackle. Talataina completes the set with a midfield bomb and again Stewart has spilled it! Out of nowhere! A double knock-on is that call as the Eels tried to play on but this is a huge chance for the Blue & Gold as the scrum is set just inside the attacking quarter.

Left hash mark alignment. Scrum is fed as Lorenzo shimmies to the right and uses Fletcher on the tackle one. Summer with the run to the posts. Left to Petrus who offloads and the Eels keep it alive all the way to Dom Farrugia who shows titanic strength! Seriously! What a finish! He has fought his way through a gaggle of Chooks and frees the big right arm as he slams it down in the corner in a try he had no right to score! Fletcher ices it from the sideline for the critical 8-point lead!

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

Eels lead 26-18

62min gone

Short restart incoming surely. No! The Roosters play long, they think the clock is there for the patient game.

Nice work from Williams and Talagi midcount before the captain delivers another quality charge. Coinakis stabs it in behind the defence from dummy half and weights it perfectly as he finds touch 15m out from the Roosters’ goal line. Quality work across the park there.

Good jam from Lorenzo there. Roosters look to work the short side but Parramatta are marked up and the Eels swarm a shallow bomb to secure the turnover.

Williams with more work as Kebourian comes infield. Johansson follows suit. Backs have got through a mountain of work here – as has Jezaiah Funa-Iuta. Fletcher goes to the air on the last, a sensible kick that is matched by a strong kick chase.

Just peach from Bamblett! He attacks the midfield bomb with pure confidence and makes a cracking catch. Petrus provides a good run here but is a bit ginger getting up off the ground. Summer brushes a defender to set up the last as Fletcher again tests Fletcher. The Eels contest the kick and knock it on so the Roosters will get the ball back.

Championship minutes now and that means championship plays as Andes Johansson makes a huge tackle that forces the ball loose! The Roosters were threatening there and the left centre made a huge effort!

Oooh, the Eels are cooking in behind the ruck as Fletcher takes the sortie. He has support to his left but the touch judge has called the initial pass back! Not a terrible call honestly but geez the Roosters needed that because there was a linebreak looming.

Big run from the winger Nassar and again Farrugia makes an important tackle. Carnage in the wake of that play as Nassar is all kinds of dusty and the Eels race in to prop him up. Good sportsmanship. We get back underway with a shift to the right as Johansson cuts down Heath out wide. Switch of play from there and Dom has his hands halfway to an intercept but he can’t tip it into the air and regather! Oh man he was going 90m the other way with a clean take there. Instead the Roosters get a scrum 10m out.

The Roosters break left from the scrum before coming back to the posts and they are able to sneak a try over to keep this game alive. They decline the conversion so we head to a kickoff.

Try scored by the Jesiah Fesolai. Conversion declined.

Roosters trail 22-26

69min gone

Drama now. Penalty for a crusher. The Roosters will have a real shot here. Rodwell dummies and nearly busts through but is pulled down. Another penalty. 30sec to go. It will be a tap and go. Silly from Fletcher here as he deliberately slows down the ruck. Easy sin bin. Drama, drama, drama. The Roosters work it right as the siren sounds and they have the numbers with the bin and cut through. Oh no. Oh no no no. A kick to win the game from out wide and even if they miss, the Eels are a man down in extra time.

Try scored by Brooklyn Heath. Conversion unsuccessful by Tyson Walker.

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 26 tied with the Sydney Roosters 26

Extra Time

No Fletcher for the entire extra time period essentially. The Eels would get him back if they force it to golden point.

It will take an incredible effort from the Eels now – do they have it in them?

Disaster for the Eels from the kickoff as they tackle high. Inauspicious start to extra time.

Roosters find touch 10m short of halfway.

Desperate work from the right edge as they slide to cover the raid. The Eels are holding on at the moment and get to the last where Tyson Walker looks for the field goal and pots it.

Field goal attempt successful by Tyson Walker.

Roosters lead 27-26

72min gone

Roosters working in behind the ruck. Big metres. They are over the midpoint with tackles in hand. Eels are barely holding on here but Farrugia gives the Eels the ball – only temporarily though as the referee rules against the Eels in the ruck. Hands all over the ball and it is reefed out and he rules a lost ball. Just insane. Like there is no other call there but a penalty.

Yep and that will sadly do us as the Roosters crash over with Josiah Fesolai. The Eels have absolutely bottled this one but gee the referee has done them no favours.

Try scored by Josiah Fesolai. Conversion successful by Tyson Walker.

Roosters lead 33-26

Extra Time 2

Roosters kicking off and the Eels need a miracle to score twice with the player handicap here.

Where is the penalty? Jim got worked over there for an age with no call. The Eels get to their kick but Lorenzo plays for territory and I am not sure Parramatta have that luxury at this point.

Good defensive set but again the Eels need to score twice. Kebourian makes a big return to try and ignite something. Summer and Lorenzo now as Talataina nearly breaks through and the Eels have numbers to the right but Howlett tries to tip on instead of taking it himself and the key moment passes the Eels by. Oh no.

One last hoorah from Parra as they turn a charge down into a right edge raid. Dom Farrugia tries to fling it inside to support but it goes forwards and that will do us. The Eels have unfortunately blown it today. Some very tough calls agains them through the course of this game too but a moment of madness from young Lincoln Fletcher opened the door for the Roosters to take this to extra time and with the one-man advantage they brought a wet sail into bonus time. Still a wonderful season for the Eels but a painful stumble at the very end.

Full Time

Sydney Roosters 33 defeat the Parramatta Eels 26

The Eels can’t quite complete the perfect weekend but it is still an incredible day for the club with wins in the Lisa Fiaola Cup and Tarsha Gale Cup. The SG Ball battled valiantly against a class Roosters outfit and sadly tripped themselves over at the death. The year is young for many of these players though with the Harvey Normans Women’s Premiership and Jersey Flegg Cup calling for the graduates of the Tarsha Gale and SG Ball and you know that TCT will be there to document all those milestones and journeys.

Thank you once again for embarking on another season through the Junior Representatives with the mighty Eels!