Architect Anasta inspires Roosters

Forgotten man Braith Anasta has led the under-strength Roosters to an emphatic 32-12 victory over the Eels at Parramatta Stadium on Friday night.

Having trailed 8-6 at the break, the depleted Roosters, who entered the clash without Willie Mason, Craig Fitzgibbon, Anthony Tupou and Nate Myles on State of Origin duties, began the second half with a bang posting three tries in the first 15 minutes to seal the deal.

Anasta sent a strong message to New South Wales selectors setting up three of the Roosters' six tries and crossing twice in a commanding performance.

Emerging No.7 Mitchell Pearce posted another polished display on the back of a gallant effort from the makeshift Roosters pack.

The Roosters set up camp in Eels territory in the opening 10 minutes of the match but failed to turn pressure into points.

Having weathered the early storm, the Eels appeared to post the first points of the match with a try to Daniel Wagon only to be denied by the man upstairs, who ruled Brett Finch obstructed the Eels' defence.

But the Eels faithful were soon on their feet when Finch beat the compressed Roosters defence with a spiralling cut-out pass to give Eric Grothe a saloon passage to the try line.

Luke Burt added the extras from the sideline to hand the host a 6-0 advantage at the 19-minute mark.

The Roosters hit back through Anasta who showed tremendous footwork to evade the Eels' goal-line defence and score adjacent to the posts - Amos Roberts landed the easy conversion to draw level at 6-6.

Parramatta were given a reprieve late in the opening half when Roosters debutant Anthony Cherrington lost possession over the line before a Luke Burt penalty goal sent the hosts into the break 8-6 ahead.

Anasta delivered the final pass twice in the space of two minutes as tries to Iosia Soliola and Setaimata Sa handed the visitors a 16-8 lead in the 45th minute.

The Roosters' next four-pointers both came from kicks - first Pearce delivered a clever cross-kick to give Anasta his second try before the skipper returned the favour to send Shaun Kenny-Dowall over in the corner.

Eels winger Joel Reddy showed good strength to score a consolation try in the 73rd minute before a Pearce intercept put an exclamation point on the Roosters' impressive performance.

Roosters 32
Tries: Anasta 2, Soliola, Sa, Grose, Finch,
Conversions: Roberts 4,

Eels 12
Tries: Grothe, Reddy,
Conversions: Burt,
Penalty: Burt

Sportal NRL Player of the Year Votes:
3 - Braith Anasta (Roosters)
2 - Mitchell Pearce (Roosters)
1 - Mark O'Meley (Roosters)