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AAP
AAP
Sport
Murray Wenzel

Roosters hold off Moses, Eels in NRL

Joseph Suaalii was instrumental in the Sydney Roosters' win over Parramatta on Sunday. (AAP)

The Sydney Roosters have defied a Mitchell Moses-inspired Parramatta fightback, with Joseph Suaalii starring in their 31-24 NRL Magic Round win.

Victor Radley (ankle) was a casualty of the victory, which came after an inspired Eels comeback led by Moses just when the result looked secure.

The Roosters' success ensured both sides finished 10 rounds with 6-4 records as the fight for a top-four spot intensified.

The Eels, who beat ladder leaders Penrith last week, couldn't convert their mass of possession late in the first half.

Sam Walker's field goal and Suaalii's try either side of half time seemingly killed off the contest, until the Roosters' 19-point margin was cut to seven in just three minutes.

Moses put Isaiah Papali'i through a gap for his second try, then produced a magical soccering effort down the right wing to cross in a brilliant solo performance.

Ryan Matterson then stepped through four tacklers to score under the posts and make it a one-point game with 20 minutes to play.

But Suaalii literally popped up again, flying high to collect an AFL-like mark from Luke Keary's bomb and score his fifth try in three games.

A penalty then gave the Roosters a seven-point buffer they clutched tightly through the last five minutes.

Earlier, Radley's ankle felt the weight of a tackler, the lock limping off and being scheduled for scans amid fears of a syndesmosis injury that could sideline him for at least a month.

It again scuppers his hopes of a State of Origin debut, after those ambitions were derailed last year by suspension.

And it's also a blow for the Roosters ahead of a date with top-of-the-ladder Penrith on Saturday.

His absence wasn't felt heavily in the first half, with Sam Walker's kicking game at the centre of the Roosters' carve-up.

First, a clunky grubber kick fooled Eels fullback Clint Gutherson, with James Tedesco winning the race to the ball.

His second was just as potent, collecting his own kick in behind, which exposed their numerical advantage with Tom Opacic in the sin-bin for a professional foul.

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