Distance and schedule kept me at home for this match, and I’m not sure the old ticker would have survived the live venue experience. Those two points have been hard to come by lately and it looked like being more of the same against the lowly Knights. A combination of guts and a Bevan French miracle play earned the victory for the Eels, though the cost might be significant.
To be truthful, I didn’t expect an easy match against the Knights, but I was confident of a win. After 20 minutes of this match, things were playing out exactly as expected. Without being brilliant, Parramatta were executing effectively in attack and comfortably defending against a lacklustre Knights offence. Tries to Scott and Radradra were just reward for a Parramatta team that was starting to resemble the side we watched in the early rounds.
Early on, the Eels defence comfortably held the Knight’s attack.
However, if nothing else, this season has taught us that momentum can turn in the blink of an eye. A fifth tackle shift, a trick shot from a kick off and the clever use of the referee blocking the defence led to three tries for the Knights and a half time lead for the home team. With Eels captain and halfback Foran succumbing to a shoulder injury, it seemed that fate was going to again deal the Eels a tough hand tonight. I’ll admit to feeling very nervous at this point.
The start of the second half did nothing to improve my confidence. After watching the Eels play without the ball for over ten minutes, the result of a slew of penalties and some questionable calls, I was certain that fatigue would eventually cost the Eels any chance of getting back into the match. Two penalty goals to the Knights extended the lead to 8 points and my doubts increased.
Shame on me!
If nothing else, this season should have taught me that the 2016 Eels are made of sterner stuff. A well executed shift to the right in the Knights quarter resulted in a try on debut for debutant Bevan French and some Manu Ma’u magic culminated in a four pointer next to the posts for Michael Gordon who then converted his own try for a two point lead. For his part in the Gordon try, Takairangi was forced from the field with a hamstring injury and Parramatta now had Scott in the halves and Ma’u in the centres. The last quarter of the match would not be easy!
With the excitement of the first half of the match coming from line breaks and great attack, in contrast the excitement in the final throes of the game came from the errors in possession. Typically, Parramatta looked to have lost the match in the final minutes following a powerful surge from Knights favourite Nathan Ross. Yet, to cap off a memorable debut, a remarkable in-goal save from Bevan French forced a loss of possession from Ross and a 20 metre re-start from the Eels. The margin between victory and defeat was truly that close.
The French was unbenched – what a superb debut!
For the Knights, it was a tough loss in front of their home crowd. They executed better than they had in any game this year and could feel proud of their efforts.
For the Eels, the victory may come at a cost to be counted in the coming rounds. The loss of Foran, if for an extended period, would normally be covered by Brad Takairangi, especially with both back-up halves out for possibly the season. However, the hamstring injury to Takairangi leaves me puzzled about the likely replacement. We might see Gutherson shifted there with the return of Jennings from Origin.
BA speaks post match just before the team song is belted out.
Whatever happens, it will be nice to roll into the next match on the back of a win.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Good Report 60’s. I had to endure the game on radio after livestream blocked the game. I don’t know what was worse listening to the gaggled commentary from what seemed a barnyard looney group. At any given point of the game they were off on tangents like where’s the best place for Joey to have a beer. Real pro stuff.
I heard the game lying down until the first knights try & I got a bad feeling about it, & from that point I sat up on the edge for the whole game.
A very ugly win, very much needed so is the break next W.E. Hopefully the winning feel again will be there to carry through till Darwin, where a win is also needed to keep the momentum & provide encouragement for the team.
Cheers Colin. You know sometimes those ugly wins are often achieved under the toughest circumstances. I’ll happily take that one!
After that game, I’m booking in to see my cardiologist. I’ve definitely gotta get my cholesterol checked out.
An ugly win, more a credit to Newcastle than our side, though we did show a lot of grit.
I’ll take that win and our first 2 points of the comp (after deductions.)
I think it’s brilliant how you guys can remember the breakdown of the game after the event. With all the excitement and toing and froing, I barely remember the final score. I really enjoy your write-ups. Keep up the good work.
Cheers mate. That match was burnt into my brain tonight. I reckon it was the quickest write-up I’ve ever done!
Sums up my experience tonight too Sixties. Watching on my iPad (NRL digital) it was almost frisbee’d out the window when Norman dropped the ball near the end. Despite some discipline issues, the commitment in defence with depleted troops in that second half was a credit to those left standing.
I reckon the neighbours would have been concerned with my language when it looked like we had conceded a try to Ross. I must have had a bizarre look on my face as the realisation set in that French had unbelievably saved that try.
Sure was heart in mouth stuff..Injuries are a huge worry, the bye next week will be most welcome.
Could Kenny Edwards be the new five-eighth???
If rumours are right and Gordon is off to Roosters – why now? and not at the end of the season amazes me….Gutherson will probably slot back to fullback, with Vai Toutai in the centres….
As long as the team keeps having a go is all we can hope for….
Isn’t there talk about Gordon going and hasting coming across? It could be that Hastings will slot into the halves spot and gutherson going back to fullback
There’s talk but no confirmation. I wonder if the injury toll will either put an end to the talk or “Hastings” it?
I stated on Miatch’s blog that the second half defense was really special. Reminded me of the night against the Dogs. A lot of grit there. Also it was a great start for Bevan French. I was hoping that BA would hold him back until next year to give him time to grow his experience and body. However I do not think there were too many options and he took his chances well. I would like to see him get a chance at fullback sometime this season.
I believe that we need to be looking for an experienced forward to complement the likes of Alvaro and Meroea. I will also be happy to see Tim Mannah back on the park. Any news about his return.
That was a game I was very happy to see end. If I had not watched the whole game ( When try’s were scored ) & didn’t know the end score I would of thought the Knights won by 30 point’s. They certainly looked to be all over the Eels, but the 2016 Eels are a different prospect & I’m still getting used to it. The adversity the Eels have had to contend with this season is unbelievable & I’m sure when BA said, We have hit rock bottom last week he defiantly wouldn’t of thought he was going to loose Foran next game, However, I don’t think anything can kill the spirit of the Eels this season. As fans we must stay strong & not include the previous seasons of under par performances in the drama’s that are now affecting the club & ultimately sway our devotion to our team, as this season has absolutely no on field similarities to the on field performances of the last 5 years. Yes the board is still a basket case & that seems to be getting taken care of. As they say, What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger, So look out next season NRL, if you will need to find Kryptonite if you want any chance of stopping the Eels from next season. No NRL Commission, You can’t buy Kryptonite on planet Earth. Finals or not this season, lets just enjoy watching our Mighty Eels.
P.S. Another Good read.
Thanks Sixtiesboy.
Jim, what passion you have as a fan and you are correct. We will be stronger next year. We are a different team to past years.
Great read Sixties. Superb account. I was there mate and it was a frightening end and I was so relieved when we won. One of the gutsiest wins IMO all season, and one of the best since BA took over.
You’re spot on about our team under BA, WE ARE RESILEINT. Beau Scott is one of the best buys we’ve had in a long time. Tough bastard and hopefully the younger guys take note…
Thanks Jim and Mitchy. Parra are made of better stuff this year. How did Beau Scott look beside BA at the media conference. Two peas in a pod. When he is on the field BA must feel as if he has a bloke with the same mindset running the team for him. Scott has been a terrific purchase.