THE Northern Eagles put up a convincing argument for the National Rugby League club to move back to Brookvale Oval on a permanent basis with a 28-22 win over the Sydney Roosters.

A crowd of 12,120 was on hand to watch the Eagles run over the top of the tired Roosters, who were forced to play most of the match with only one interchange player following injuries to centre Ryan Cross (knee), prop Adrian Morley (ribs) and fullback Luke Phillips (concussion) in the first half.

The Eagles had a crowd of just over 8000 watch them play at their second home of NorthPower Stadium on the Central Coast three weeks ago against Newcastle, leading to claims the Manly-run club should move back to its former home of Brookvale Oval permanently. And today's vocal crowd would have done little to silence those critics.

The Eagles led 18-10 at halftime after tries to Jason Ferris and Steve Menzies, who celebrated his 200th game after backing up a Brendon Reeves break to score under the posts.

Second rower Wade Forrester scored 16 minutes into the second half to make it 22-10 before winger John Hopoate crossed with 12 minutes remaining after some great work from young five-eighth Luke Dorn as the Eagles chalked up their first win of the season.

Cross, who missed most of last year with a broken leg, could be out for the rest of this season after suffering suspected medial and cruciate ligament damage.

It wasn't all sunshine for the Eagles, however, with hooker Jamie Goddard going on report early in the second half after a scrum erupted and also Grant Wooden placed on report in the first half for a high tackle on Craig Wing.

Hopoate was also placed on report with eight minutes remaining for an innocuous late tackle on Roosters half Craig Wing after he kicked the ball, while Roosters captain Luke Ricketson went on report for a late tackle on Eagles five-eighth Luke Dorn.

def. ROOSTERS 22
Cross, Grothe, Hodges (2) tries, Milton 2, Crocker goals

Brookvale Oval 7 Apr '02, Crowd: 12,120

Referee: Steve Clark

Eagles Team:

Brendon Reeves,
Robert Miles,
Lenny Beckett,
Albert Torrens,
John Hopoate,
Luke Dorn,
Jason Ferris,
Grant Wooden,
Jamie Goddard,
David Westley,
Wade Forrester,
Mark Shipway,
Steve Menzies (c).

Replacements:
Jason King,
Danny Lima,
Brad Kelly,
Shayne Dunley.