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The Sydney Roosters may be forced to complete their push for a finals berth without captain James Tedesco after the star fullback suffered a concussion in the 34-12 defeat of Parramatta.
In Friday night's earlier match, the Warriors tightened their grip on third spot on the ladder with a thrilling 29-22 victory over Manly.
At Western Sydney Stadium, Tedesco orchestrated the Roosters' victory, scoring two tries and setting another up as the Eels' finals hopes dissolved.
But late contact from Maika Sivo forced him from the field in the final 20 minutes of the match.
Tedesco lay on the ground disoriented and in discomfort after being collected by the Eels winger, who flew out of the line and struck him high as he was falling.
He made it to his feet and walked from the field, but not before venting his frustrations at Sivo.
Sivo, who was placed on report, had been playing his first match back from a four-week suspension incurred for a high tackle.
Tedesco was ruled to be displaying category-one concussion symptoms, meaning he has already been ruled out of next Saturday's clash against former club Wests Tigers.
New Zealand international fullback Joseph Manu is the obvious replacement option.
Given Tedesco has had eight documented concussions already, the Roosters could stand him down for more than one match, having taken a similarly cautious approach with Luke Keary last year.
The victory over the Eels continues a stunning turnaround for the Roosters, who have won four of their last five matches and are threatening to break into the top eight for the first time since mid-May.
They will finish the weekend in 10th place on the ladder, potentially as few as one competition point behind eighth.
Beating the Tigers would set up a mouth-watering encounter with traditional rivals South Sydney in the last round of the regular season, a clash that could determine both sides' finals fate.
The loss ends a tumultuous campaign for Parramatta, who are set to become the second team in the last decade to miss the top eight the year after making the grand final.
Ultimately, the Eels can blame a run of close losses to start the season, and a drop-off in defensive intensity that began in the State of Origin period, for their lowly ladder position.
The Eels had been gutsy on their goal-line early against the Roosters but conceded two tries from scrum plays in quick succession to go from 6-0 up to 12-6 down midway through the first half.
They never again regained control of the match.
Tedesco, who bagged the Roosters' first try, completed a double just before the break as his side attacked from long range down the right.
He floated a cut-out pass to Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i for a 22-6 lead midway through the second half.
Nine tries were scored across the 80 minutes in Auckland, with Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Sea Eagles counterpart Jason Saab each picking up hat-tricks.
A runaway effort to Warriors second rower Marata Niukore with eight minutes remaining broke Manly hearts, with the loss ending the Sea Eagles' finals hopes.
The gallant Sea Eagles threatened to crash the Warriors' party after snatching a surprise 22-16 half-time lead courtesy of four tries in the opening 40 minutes, including fleet-footed Saab's treble.
But Watane-Zelezniak and another playmaking masterclass from Shaun Johnson earned the Warriors victory on a special night for the club.
Mt Smart Stadium was renamed "Daniel Anderson Stadium" to recognise and celebrate the Warriors' legendary former coach Daniel Anderson, who was left a quadriplegic in a bodysurfing accident last December.
Fittingly, the Warriors delivered to honour Anderson in an electric opening to the NRL's "Unite for Daniel" round 25.
Funds raised from during the round will go towards the rehabilitation of the Warriors' 2002 grand final coach.
After skipping four competition points clear of fifth-placed Cronulla with two rounds remaining, the Warriors can seal a top-four finish — and a double chance in the finals — with a win over St George Illawarra or the Dolphins.
AAP
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