Roosters v Eels: Big three confirmed; Time for Tuilagi
The Roosters have a top-four spot well within their grasp but will need to be on high alert against a dangerous Eels outfit that took the Panthers to the limit in Round 23.
With their remaining four games against sides currently outside the eight, Trent Robinson’s get a golden opportunity to take momentum into the play-offs but any hiccup will see the Sharks and Bulldogs breathing down their neck.
The likely return of Dom Young (hamstring) and Nat Butcher (ribs) is a further boost as the Roosters look to fine tune combinations for the big games to come in September.
The Eels continue to have a dig and have enough weapons to trouble any side, as they showed against the Panthers in a pulsating contest last Friday.
With games against the Roosters, Broncos, Dragons and Wests Tigers to come, the Eels have a golden opportunity to play spoiler for a couple of finals hopefuls and then consign the Tigers to a third consecutive wooden spoon when they clash in the last round.
Team News
Roosters: Coach Trent Robinson goes with the same 17 that downed the Dolphins in Round 22 ahead of a bye in Round 23. Winger Dom Young (hamstring), back-rower Nat Butcher (rib cartilage) and prop Lindsay Collins (head knock) are all good to go after suffering injuries in that game in Perth in Round 22.
Eels: Kelma Tuilagi is back from a thumb injury on the interchange bench and Matt Doorey makes way in the only change to the 17 that pushed the Panthers to the brink last week. Winger Maika Sivo is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from a hamstring injury.