Eels make it nine in a row

Parramatta may pay a heavy price for their 40-26 NRL victory over Sydney Roosters after captain Nathan Cayless was rushed to hospital with an eye socket injury. Cayless suffered a concussion and a suspected broken nose in a costly collision early in the clash, but it's the eye injury which is of the greatest concern to the resurgent club.

The Eels already have four props in the casualty ward, with Aaron Cannings (shoulder), Adam Peek (jaw), Michael Vella (ankle) and Justin Tsoulos (shoulder) all injured, while enforcer Fuifui Moimoi is suspended till week three of the finals.

The drama overshadowed the ninth consecutive victory for the Eels, who can go a long way towards clinching a home semi-final with another win in next Sunday's blockbuster against Brisbane.

In a game where defence took a back seat to attack, the Eels posted a seven tries to five victory as opposing centres Ryan Cross and Luke O'Dwyer bagged two tries apiece. The opening 40 minutes was more akin to a touch football match than an NRL fixture, with the scoreboard ticking over at a point a minute after eight first-half tries.

The Eels went into the sheds ahead 26-14 at the main break after a frenetic opening to the game, showcasing the full array of skills from both three-quarter lines. Roosters winger Amos Roberts showed brilliant balance and awareness to touch down for the opening try, just moments before taking out the left-hand corner post.

Opposing winger Eric Grothe squared the ledger after a sweeping Eels backline movement, before teammate Jarryd Hayne crossed for his 15th try in just the 13th game of his career. When a Josh Lewis grubber caught Grothe out of position and resulted in a Ryan Cross try in the 15th minute, Eels coach Jason Taylor was so incensed he hooked the representative star to the sideline.

Both teams continued to trade tries - Dean Widders and Ben Smith were next to cross for the Eels, while Cross replied moments later. However, the telling blows were delivered by Gold Coast-bound O'Dwyer, who scored either side of the break to hand control to the visitors.

It was more of the same in the second half, as a crowd of 15,142 were treated to more attacking football, although the Roosters never really threatened.

In further bad news for the tri-colours, prop David Shillington was placed on report for a swinging left arm on Glenn Morrison, while lock Ashley Harrison was medicabbed off the field late in the game.