Preview: Eels v Roosters
VENUE & TIME: Parramatta Stadium, Saturday, July 31, 5.30pm (AEST)
COVERAGE: Fox Sports
HEAD TO HEAD Played 129, Eels 59, Roosters 56, draws 5
LAST TIME: Roosters 24 – Eels 6 at SFS, Round 4, 2009
WALKING WOUNDED: The in-form Eels remain unchanged for this clash, with confirmation during the week that off-contract winger Eric Grothe will not play again this season during to a knee injury. Origin stars Mitchell Pearce and Nate Myles return to the Roosters' line-up this week after missing the victory over Brisbane with injury. Pearce's return moves the spectacular Todd Carney back to five-eighth, in place of skipper Braith Anasta who shifts to the back of the scrum. Interchange forward Jared Waerea-Hargreaves drops out of the squad after picking up a calf injury on Monday night.
FORM: The Eels have won three in a row and are better placed on the premiership ladder than this time last season when they went on that astonishing 'Hayne Train-inspired' run towards the grand final. Well this year Jarryd Hayne has taken upon himself to become the 'Hayne Plane' as was witnessed in the opening few minutes of the Eels' convincing 32-16 victory over the Bulldogs in front of almost 35,000 at ANZ Stadium last Friday night. The 'Plane' provided the take off and his teammates went along for the ride. Eels fans will be hoping that the ride lasts just a tad longer than it did last season. The Roosters are the other form team at the moment, bursting out to a 28-6 lead over the Broncos after 50 minutes before withstanding a spirited Brisbane fightback to eventually take the vital two competition points. Coach Brian Smith was ecstatic with his team's fighting qualities in the final stages when all appeared lost. It's the second week in a row the Chooks have found some extra petrol in the tank to overtake seemingly momentum-charged opponents. They now move into third spot on the ladder on points differential.
WHO'S HOT: What more can be said about Jarryd Hayne? His ability to make an opposition look third rate was in evidence again last weekend, scoring and setting up tries in the first half to almost single-handedly demoralise the Doggies. And who can forget those stunning try-saving tackles? Congratulations must go veteran Roosters full-back Anthony Minichiello who chalks up his 200th NRL appearance this Saturday night. You know the former test custodian is nearing his best form when he starts bouncing off opponents pinball-machine style from kick-returns and that's exactly what he was doing against the Broncos last Monday night. Both Todd Carney and four-try hero Shaun Kenny-Dowall also produced their best performances of the season in that match, with Carney's virtuoso display bordering on perfection.
WE THINK: This promises to be the match of the round and why wouldn't it be with the likes of Hayne and Carney on the paddock at the same time. Going against the Roosters is the fact they rarely back up well after Monday night encounters, losing seven of their past eight post-Monday matches. Despite good recent form, the Tri-colours are also struggling defensively of late and this could prove fatal with Hayne on the loose in front an expected near-capacity home crowd. We all know how his teammates feed off the electricity he produces and with a top-eight spot