The Sydney Roosters hosted the Canberra Raiders at Central Coast Stadium to conclude Super Saturday for Indigenous Round.
The Roosters entered this clash in fifth spot with a 7-4 record, while the Raiders entered the game eleventh on the ladder with a 4-7 record and a chance to enter the top 8 again.
Both sides experienced a change in halves this week as Sam Walker was rested and George Williams was released.
This gave Joseph Manu and Sam Williams spots in the halves for their respective sides.
After 20 minutes of back and forth play, the Green Machine would finally crack the scoreboard.
20 metres out, on the last tackle, Jack Wighton took the ball to the short side and passed out to Elliott Whitehead.
Whitehead sent a grubber back on the inside which caught the chooks napping and allowed Josh Hodgson to crash over and open the scoring.
Sam Williams sprayed the kick across the face of the goal and the score remained 4-0.
To add salt to the wound for the Roosters, James Tedesco left the field with a hip injury.
5 minutes later, the Raiders would extend their lead.
After a quick play the ball, 5 metres out, Hodgson jumped out of dummy-half and gave it to Corey Horsburgh who crashed over under the posts.
Williams slotted the easy conversion to make the lead 10-nil.
The Roosters received a massive boost after that try as Tedesco returned to action, being cleared of any damage.
A couple minutes later, the Roosters would finally get a try of their own.
Lachlan Lam put up a bomb which Caleb Aekins dropped. Joseph Suaalii pounced on the ball for his first NRL try.
Adam Keighran’s conversion attempt slammed into the post and the deficit remained 10-4.
The Roosters would go back to back, scoring on the very next set.
With the ball at midfield, Tedesco took it to the short side, dummied and poked his nose through before offloading to Josh Morris. Morris drew in Caleb Aekins and gave it inside for Lam to score.
Adam Keighran nailed the conversion to level the scores at 10.
Again, on the following set, the Roosters would find themselves in Raiders territory.
Play was halted as replays revealed Ryan James used his knee to hit Jared Waerea-Hargreaves in the head. James was immediately sent to the sin bin.
The Roosters would immediately take advantage of this man advantage.
Joseph Manu drew in the defence down the right side before flicking a short ball for Sitili Tupouniua to crash over.
Keighran kicked the goal to make the halftime score 16-10 to the Roosters.
Sydney would extend their lead early in the second half.
On the goal line, on the right side of the field, the Roosters spread left from Ben Marschke, through Lam, Tedesco and Morris to Daniel Tupou who scored in the corner.
Keighran’s sideline conversion went in off the post to make the lead 22-10.
A few minutes later, the Roosters were back on the goal line. Manu put a grubber through which was cleaned up by Jordan Rapana.
However, Manu stripped it back from Rapana, reached out and grounded it for a try.
Keighran slotted the conversion to make the lead 28-10.
A couple of minutes later, the Raiders would get the try they needed to get back in it.
On the goal line, Hodgson gave a crash ball for James to spin his way over the stripe.
Williams kicked another easy goal to lower the deficit to 28-16.
However, Manu would immediately put a dagger through the hopes of the Raiders fans. 20 metres out, Manu put a bomb, chased, and came down with it himself to get his double.
Adam Keighran added the 2 points to make the lead 34-16.
A few minutes later, the Roosters were back on the goal line again.
Tedesco dribbled a grubber through for Morris to take it and plant it down.
Keighran hooked the conversion attempt as the lead remained 38-16.
With 10 minutes left, the Roosters would have the ball 30 metres out and spread it to Suaalii.
Suaalii fended off Seb Kris and passed inside to Tupouniua who crashed over for his double.
Keighran nailed the conversion to make the lead 44-16. This score held until full time.
The Sydney Roosters ran away with a 44-16 victory over the Canberra Raiders.
Both of these sides will head into a bye next week.
In round 14, the Roosters will be attempting to win two in a row as they head to the Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon to take on the Titans.
Meanwhile, the Raiders look to overcome their current slump as they host the Broncos on Saturday night.
NRL News Player of the Game
3. Joseph Manu (SYD)
2. Corey Harawira-Naera (CAN)
1. James Tedesco (SYD)
