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An awful first half where the Parramatta Eels struggled to complete a set gave way to a vastly improved second stanza as Brad Arthur’s men gunned to the Bulldogs down 36-10. Forty20 and Sixties reflect on Parra’s 12th win of the year and what proved to be the difference in a game that was quintessentially one of two halves.

With both sides suffering from contentious sin-bins the drama this week surprisingly focuses on a bizarre stop in play caused by a Canterbury trainer. Although the boys try to explain what happened they are left none the wiser for the event that will surely capture the eye of the NRL administration.

Isaiah Papali’i’s incredible individual season continued with another blockbusting game as the game’s form backrower repeatedly trampled the Bulldogs into submission. The run on rookies continues for Parramatta with Sean Russell nabbing a double on debut and Sixties and Forty20 look at how the young man handled the pressure cooker that is the NRL.

With Origin 2 looming ahead as a standalone fixture, how it impacts the Eels is a key talking point. An injury to Harry Grant opens an unlikely door for Reed Mahoney if he is sufficiently recovered while Jake Trbojevic is set to miss the game giving Reagan Campbell-Gillard a look into the Blues. On top of that, Tom Opacic is a strong chance to fill the troublesome spot in the centres for Queensland.

The reaction pod closes out with the boys reviewing the action from the NSW Cup where the Eels won 22-6. Sunday’s win lifts the Eels into 2nd on the ladder and it comes from plenty of young faces making big time contributions. A season best performance from Solomone Naiduki led the way while Will Penisini continued to build his portfolio to be the next back called up to the NRL.

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