What a night! What a game! What a team! It’s very early days in the 2016 season, but Brad Arthur’s Eels have already given the fans great hope for the year. Before settling in to watch and analyse a recording of last night’s match, I wanted to report on the view and reaction from the fans in the stand.

Thanks to the availability of a private suite (uncatered) and the generosity of Chris, the TCT crew and associates were able to create their own Eels party at ANZ. With further thanks to Trouser Eel and his patented Eel mobile, DK, Rob and I arrived in time to catch a good chunk of the NYC match.

The evening began shakily for Forty who encountered worse than expected traffic in his journey to the stadium. Beginning his live blog of the NYC with the young Eels already 10 points down, his presence was enough to produce an inspired comeback and a convincing 30 to 20 victory. For mine, Dargan and Morris had outstanding games.

Do not disturb! Forty is blogging (simulated image!)

As the box began to fill, it became apparent that we were on the “right” side of the stadium. Many of the Eels faithful were located opposite the tunnel and the noise generated on that side of the ground was stirring. The supporters are really responding to the team and rightly so.

I’m not sure whether something was wrong with the clock, but the first half seemed like it was over in the blink of an eye. The time certainly flew as the crowd was treated to an enthralling opening stanza. Brutal defence from the Eels repelled wave after wave of a Bulldogs attack fuelled by a lopsided penalty count and a fortunate tackle count re-start. Tepai was forced to leave the field after copping a seemingly high tackle. Refusing to “lay down”, Tepai rose groggily to play the ball and the opportunity to review a tackle that didn’t miss his head was lost.

Missed opportunities for both teams, including a no try from Semi, was matched by great scrambling defence. The teams had turned up to play and didn’t the fans lap it up! Hopefully the commentary teams on both channels captured the atmosphere as well as the action.

The first half highlight was definitely Semi’s spectacular effort in setting up the try for Jennings. Never mind Japanese rugby (don’t ever leave Semi) – the circuses of the world might just be throwing some big dollars Semi’s way after that catch and offload. Confusion reigned in our box as the ref referred the call to the bunker. Whilst some could see the offload, the initial reactions of others thought it was a lost ball. The replays confirmed the mastery of the great Fijian flyer.

With a six to nil score line in the Eels favour at the break, the TCT box convened for a half time conference about the first half. The mood was buoyant though not over confident. The consensus was how different the team’s defence was to previous years and just how great it was to watch.

Was it my imagination or was the break longer than expected? It certainly provided the opportunity for some shenanigans! During the break a bold group of intruders entered the box and sat themselves in the front row. After confirming that none of us knew who the hell these blokes were, Chris told them that the jig was up and it was time to find somewhere else (which became the box next door).

Police artist rendering of two of the miscreants who invaded the TCT box.

The second half didn’t let the crowd down – the Parramatta section to be precise. The action was intense and brutal. Collisions left players bloodied and busted. A string of first tackle penalties (is there a great advantage on tackle 1?) rapidly evened the lopsided first half count and the Eels eventually accepted the two points to extend their lead to 8.

A controversial moment arose as the Bulldogs surged midway through the half. After an obvious forward pass was thrown by Kasiano, the referee apparently ignored the calls from his assistants and the TCT box to give an on-field decision of “try” as he went to the bunker. To see this call, as his touch judge stood his ground and the pocket ref looked to be signalling forward pass, was dumbfounding. Thankfully the bunker confirmed that no Eels’ hand had propelled the ball in its trajectory and all was well with the world. A correct decision even if the process was mangled by the ref.

The final 20 minutes of the half belonged to Semi Radradra. An unbelievably bold, if not downright risky pass in his own quarter promoted the play downfield via Kenny Edwards and Michael Jennings. The next play featured a nice show and go as Norman split the defence open and Semi loomed up in support to touch down under the posts.

Not long after, the game was put to bed as the great winger stormed onto a Gower pass to crack the line, then run through Hopoate’s tackle to again post a try under the sticks. To quote Miatch, “surely he has now qualified to be known as Fully Radradra.”

The next words from Miatch surely provided the ultimate mock. Reminding everyone that the Eels had never held the Bulldogs scoreless, the inevitable occurred as Hopoate crossed in the dying minutes. Hoppa finally celebrated for real after earlier being dragged into the jubilant Eels huddle following Jennings’ try, courtesy of Kenny Edwards. Did anyone catch Edwards doing the same to Thurston.

Why not celebrate with old mates?

Needless to say, the latter part of the match also whizzed by amongst a euphoria of screaming fans, exemplified by Chris near bowling over many of us as he leapt around the seats in joyous rampage after Semi’s final try.

I couldn’t conclude this post without referencing the players’ acknowledgement of the fans. The team came to the “Parra side” of the stadium to thank the fans and a number of players came past the advertising signage to mingle with supporters. Taka, Peni, Tim, Kaysa and fan favourite Tepai all went that step further with their supporter connection. Great to see and many thanks fellas.

Overall, a brilliant night to be an Eels fan. May we have many more!

#Parra2K16

Sixties

Images acknowledgement

crime.phillipmartin.info

generationiron.com

foxsports.com.au

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