By Jacob Shteyman and Joel Gould
The genius of halfback Sam Walker has kept Sydney Roosters’ top-four quest on track and put the Dolphins’ semi-final hopes in jeopardy in a free-flowing clash in Perth on Friday night.
Trent Robinson’s men won 40-34 at HBF Park, with Walker scoring two tries from chip-and-chase kicks.
Sam Walker and James Tedesco celebrate a try.Credit: Getty
Walker had a personal haul of 24 points, which included eight goals from as many attempts. He was also on hand to save two tries with his defensive resolve.
The Roosters remain in third position but lost winger Dom Young to a hamstring injury and centre Joseph Manu was put on report and sin-binned for a high shot on Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
With the defeat, the Dolphins remain eighth on 24 points but are ahead of Canberra and St George Illawarra on for-and-against after a seventh loss in nine games.
The Roosters had strike right across the park and fired from the kick-off. Centre Joseph Suaalii stormed in, then Walker chipped and chased to score, making the difficult look easy.
Incredibly, Walker did it again minutes later. He bamboozled Dolphins forward Felise Kaufusi, running around in a circle before dinking the ball over fullback Tabuai-Fidow and scoring.
Departing Talagi to the fore in shock Eels win
Wantaway Parramatta teenage star Blaize Talagi has shown Eels fans what they’ll be missing next year, starring in a surprise 30-20 defeat of the Warriors in Auckland.
The 19-year-old centre, who is set to join Penrith in 2025, scored a try and set up another on Friday night.
Eels fullback Clint Gutherson scores against the Warriors.Credit: Getty
The second-from-bottom Eels produced one of their most convincing displays of the season to break a six-game losing streak and all but end the Warriors’ finals hopes.
The 12th-placed Warriors remain three points adrift of the top eight, with their finals rivals still to play.
Parramatta, meanwhile, had only pride to play for and were coming off a torrid week in which they lost Talagi, and promising forward Charlie Guymer asked for permission to speak to other clubs.
But Talagi is not gone yet.
He set up the first try of the night, finding the last pass for winger Jake Tago in a sweeping move to the left.
Joey Lussick doubled the Eels’ advantage before the Warriors hit back through Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, with Shaun Johnson involved in the build-up in his return from injury.
Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson also starred after a disappointing season.
AAP
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