After last week's poor effort against an energetic Tigers side Eels fans were expecting an improved performance from their team. Especially given they had pushed the previous year's Grand Finalist's the week before.
The match would be a big test of the Eels' defence with the Roosters boasting an impressive back-line. However with the improvement the squad has shown under Ricky Stuart fans believed it would be a hard-fought match between both sides with a small margin proving the difference.
What ensued will be burned into the minds of the Eels faithful for years to come. The Eels' performance was nothing but disgraceful. They lacked fluency in both attack and defence. Up until now it appeared as though they were beginning to compensate for the retirement of tackling machine Nathan Hindmarsh. Tonight showed just how far they have to go to cover for the gaping hole Hindy left.
The match however started relatively even with both sides fighting for the upper hand. However the Roosters began their rampage when Jared Waerea-Hargreaves crashed over for them to lead 6-0. The Eels struggled to hold the ball and complete their sets. When they did complete a set the resulting kick never delivered the desired result.
The Roosters' superior kicking game shone with the accurate boots of Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney delivering tries. The Eels' inexperienced back-line not only dropped bombs but continually tried to rush the opposition leading to overlaps being developed very quickly. The only Eels backs that had any success in closing down the play were Ken Sio and Ryan Morgan. Both Loko and especially Vai Toutai struggled in closing down their side of the field. It cast back to memories of the problems Eric Grothe Junior and Joel Reddy had for a number of seasons but this was worse.
The Roosters forwards ran rampant all game, hardly being slowed in their hit-ups that allowed quick play-the-balls. Young Roosters winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who hadn't scored a try in 10 games, scored a hat-trick.
The Eels produced just one chance all match when Chris Sandow switched sides on the last tackle and kicked through for Jacob Loko. However Loko was unable to ground the ball.
22-0 down at half time and the Eels looked a shadow of the team that hammered the Warriors in Round 1. This time there would be no miracle come back. The Eels tried in the first half. They gave up in the second half. There was no Blue and Gold legend to lead them out of the darkness. No old head to put a rocket up them and show some pride in the jersey.
Instead what was offered up was a meek showing that allowed the Roosters to score at will. They more than doubled their score after half time and by the end of it they had scored 50 points. With Parramatta unable to trouble the score-board.
The play-the-ball from the Eels was slow, Ben Roberts had one of his worst games in his career, unable to either handle the ball or throw it backwards. Luke Kelly's cool head and pin-point kicking deserted him and it was left up to Sandow to attempt the impossible when he tried a chip-kick that landed in the hands of a Rooster.
The Eels now turn their attention to face Cronulla next week. Cronulla have had a tumultuous start to the season off the field. This game offers a chance at redemption for the Eels as well as the opportunity to honour their good mate and brother of Tim Mannah, Jon. The two teams will do battle for the Jon Mannah Cup.
Jon passed away in January after a long fight with cancer that spanned almost 3 years. The club has said they have a number of things planned to celebrate the life of Jon. Even if you don't want to, get out to the ground and wear the blue and gold in memory of a wonderful person and a genuine tough bloke who always wore a smile. RIP JON.
Replies
Good write up, I will be there next week, but pls ben roberts played an average game for him, which is A grade park standard.
Nicely written Super Eel, and you pretty much summed it all up mate.
Here`s hoping that our boys had their minds set on the Jon Mannah Cup and wanted to make sure they got through tonight`s game injury/suspension free.
I`m expecting a total turn around in form from the Eels next Saturday night at Parramatta Stadium.
I expect Sandow, Hayne, Kelly, Loko, Maitua, and of course Tim Mannah to have massive games against the Sharks and lead the way to winning the inaugural Jon Mannah Cup.
It made it a lot easier when I didn't have to describe any of Parramatta's tries.
Yes Ben Roberts played a great game for the Roosters. Probably unlucky not to get the Roosters game ball award tonight. I heard that the Roosters players actually voted Ben for the players player award but it`s against the rules to do that so they just decided to give him half of their winning bonus money instead, you know, for making them look good and creating opportunities for them.
At least he gets that extra cash because he`ll be needing it after this season when he retires.
Come on guys, everyone join in. It might make him come out and win man of the match next week.
Well, one thing for certain is that he would get man of the match if he played against us next year. lt always happens to us. We`re cursed that way. Maloney did it to us tonight. And Mortimer scored a try against us too.