Parramatta Eels 24
NQ Cowboys 20
How sweet was that? The Parramatta Eels went into hostile territory facing tough conditions, walked through fire and emerged with a place in the 2022 grand final. Whether it is Penrith or South Sydney, this shapes up as the biggest grand final since the days Winfield was plastered on the trophy. Personally, I was three when we last won a competition and Iāve endured two grand final losses and a few more heartbreaking preliminary finals. I am milking this one for all it is worth.
The best part? This was not your typical Parramatta win. This was pure effort, determination and grit, a team that just wanted it more. The Cowboys threw plenty at them, and for much of the first half the Eels couldnāt get out of their own way, yet they aced some chances, took advantage of some luck then best of all, clawed their way back when the game started to slip away.
My teeth are all a centimetre shorter than they were yesterday thanks to that defensive stand in the last 15 minutes, but that is the kind of footballing effort you dream of supporting. The flash plays and brilliant tries are great, but a team that just refuses to lose and digs in for each other, that is a rare, beautiful thing. Just keep that fire burning for one more week, boys.
Stadium Australia could be filled twice over by Eels fans next weekend, and the Leagues Club may very well collapse under the weight of Blue and Gold fans. For those looking for grand final tickets I wish you good luck, and for those that miss out may you watch it with fellow Eels fans, whether they be family, friends or like-minded strangers.
For your own mental health, may I suggest avoiding Fox Sports for the next week. If you thought Parra sold papers before this, imagine what a grand final Eels team will do.
It was only effort that saved the Eels here, the effort of a team playing for each other knowing several will be moving on next year. Mitchell Moses missed the birth of his first child to be there, and the team played like they were determined to reward that sacrifice. Brad Arthur has got this team peaking at the right time and while whoever we play next week will be a massive challenge, Iāve got a different feeling about this Parramatta team. This video put tears of joy in my eyes.
For the numbers inclined:
Possession: Cowboys 54%, Eels 46%
Completions: Cowboys 36/43 (83%), Eels 27/36 (75%)
Run metres: Cowboys 1,857, Eels 1,611
Tackle breaks: Cowboys 40, Eels 31
Offloads: Eels 15, Cowboys 7
Tackles: Eels 360, Cowboys 299
Ineffective tackles: Cowboys 24, Eels 9
Errors: Cowboys 6, Eels 11
Penalties conceded: Cowboys 5, Eels 7
Grand finals in 2022: Eels 1, Cowboys 0
Reagan Campbell-Gillard scoring one try off a near perfect replica of the try Junior Paulo scored last week, that was special. Reg barging over for his second, giving the ref a serve then demanding he award it, that makes me glad that Reagan can work as a boys or girls name for my next born child. You da MVP, Reg, we love you big man.
Ā
Clint Gutherson
1 – Fullback
Get used to that A+ stamp for this win, starting with the King. Clint Gutherson was at his defensive best, saving several tries and cleaning up some difficult kicks while finding himself in support and making a casual 179 metres and 5 tackle breaks, including some crucial dummy half darts under immense pressure. There are others more skillful and flashy, but I wouldnāt trade the King for any fullback in the game.
Maika Sivo
2 – Left Wing
I donāt know what Maika Sivoās ACL rehab entailed, but get the whole team on that program for next season because Sivo has come back twice the player he was. His kick returns against the Cowboys were that hard, head down running everybody has hoped for, and defensively he has become an absolute weapon. There is no way he makes that play to stop Kyle Feldt two years ago. I cannot wait to hear the Sivo chant echoing around a packed Stadium Australia next weekend.
Will Penisini
3 – Right Centre
Will Penisini was slippery Willy in this one; the best way I can describe his style is that he āswerves fastā. It was nice to hear him talk up his commitment to Parramatta this week, ruining weeks of well planted stories from his manager in one sound bite.
Bailey Simonsson
19 – Left Centre
Iām an honest guy, Iāll admit that Bailey Simonsson coming in for Tom Opacic was about my worst case scenario for replacing the injured centre. Badass Bailey made me look a fool, pulling out some huge defensive efforts including the game winning scramble, while working hard rucking the ball out against some fierce line speed. Maybe his future in the Blue and Gold is at centre, and heāll be desperately unlucky to miss out should Opacic be good to go next week.
Waqa Blake
5 – Right Wing
The bad news for Eels fans is that this was a āBad Waqa Blakeā week. The good news is that we are thus due āGood Waqaā for the biggest Eels game in 13 years next weekend. Butterfingers Blake dropped another bomb and was lucky the Cowboys couldnāt manufacture a way to keep kicking at him, rest assured his opponents next week will not make that mistake. He had a few good runs but wasnāt as busy as his fellow backs in rucking it out. The over/under on heart attacks he causes for Eels fans next week is 74.5 and money is coming in hard for the overs.
Dylan Brown
6 – Five Eighth
North Queensland worked Dylan Brown over to the tune of 30 tackles, though it didnāt blunt his running game the magic moments of last week didnāt come together for him. He was strong and our best moments were down that left edge, but Shaun Lane stole that show. I canāt wait to see what Dylbags comes up with in the media for grand final week.
Mitchell Moses
7 – Halfback
Look, Mitchell Moses’ on field performance might only deserve a grade in the B range, but in a game where the Eels won it through pure effort, by digging deep and wanting it more, Iām giving an A+ to the guy who missed the birth of his first child to play. No teammate can watch Moses do that and then give anything less than 120% on the field for him.Ā
RCG
8 – Front Row
RCG crossing the stripe twice stole the show, but his hard work in the middle against a tough Cowboys pack was just as important as the meat pies. He was unstoppable, aggressive and a defensive unit, keeping Parramatta in the game on both sides of the ball in that first half where things could have easily fallen apart as the team made mistake after mistake. If I saw Reg on the street I reckon Iād just drop to the ground and go full Wayne and Garth, āweāre not worthy, weāre not worthyā.
Reed Mahoney
9 – Hooker
There were a lot of moments when I thought weād win this match for sure. One was when they showed Todd Payten talking to his team while pointing at a powerpoint slide in the pre-game, which gave me distinct Brian Smith vibes. Then we score off a forward pass and Iām thinking āthis is our nightā. Yet the strongest sign of all was when Reed Mahoney dived for a grubber and aced the pickup, something he has rarely managed in his career. The flat passing scared me more often than Iād like, but itās finals footy and you mostly get away with it.Ā
Junior Paulo
10 – Front Row
Big Junior was immense, responsible for a lot of tough yards against a pack that came to the game with bad intentions. He missed a few too many tackles for my liking and his discipline could have been better, but on a āscattering opposing forwardsā scale he was sensational. His running in formation with RCG off Mattoās shoulder for Regās first try is the kind of stampede Iād rather run out the back of the in goal from than try and face head on.
Shaun Lane
11 – Second Row
Iād say Iāll be telling my kids about the game Shaun Lane played last night, but I started that this morning and my three year old is already sick of me talking about the ātall funny guyā and how destructive he has been this year. Lane continued to be a defensive presence and made a couple of clutch plays, but in that second half he was a one man wrecking machine, running the ball like Jason Taumalolo and offloading like Arthur Beetson. If heās not in the Australian team for the World Cup then Iām changing my allegiance to Jamaica.
Isaiah Papali’i
12 – Second Row
For a man that breaks the line so frequently youād think Isaiah Papaliāi could finish a try, but not for the first time this year his option when faced with just the fullback to beat wasnāt ideal. I nitpick because I love, and I canāt wait for him to avoid answering questions about the Tigers for an entire grand final week.
Ryan Matterson
13 – Interchange
Another week, another peach of a ball from Ryan Matterson to get a big man across the line. Letās hope he makes it a hat-trick next weekend. Mattersonās effort in Townsville was as massive as arms, leading the forwards in runs and second only to Reed in tackles. In the trade-off of quality and quantity Ryan Matterson went Old El Paso. Letās hope weāre chairing him off the field holding a trophy next weekend.
Bryce Cartwright
14 – Interchange
Bryce Cartwright came into the contest earlier than expected due to HIAs, and that stage of the game didnāt really suit his style. He forced an offload moments after a set restart in good ball and didnāt get many other chances to make an impact with the ball. Iāve got no idea what Brad will do with this bench spot next week.
Jake Arthur
15 – Interchange
No injuries and a tight contest meant there was plenty of time in this one for Jake Arthur to start thinking up names for the new family dog heāll be getting when we win next weekend.
Oregon Kaufusi
16 – Interchange
Oregon Kaufusi got 36 minutes on the field and it turns out we barely had the ball for all of them. He managed a paltry 3 hitups in his time, but made 23 tackles and out of grand final generosity he keeps his A grade streak alive.
Marata Niukore
17 – Lock
For those that believe in omens, Marata Niukore gave you the equivalent of holes in the lucky undies when he dropped a regulation hitup pass in the first set of the game. The bad start didnāt get to him and in a game where both back rowers spent time off the field for HIA and we had to make 60 more tackles than our opponents, Niukoreās contributions without the ball were massive.
The Eels are going to the grand final. Just say it to yourself a few times and enjoy that warm feeling. Enjoy the week of buildup, the hype, the highlights and even the pre-match nerves. Avoid the negative stories, bitter opposition fans and most certainly any Eels fan who canāt put it all aside and just revel in this week.
I canāt imagine an effort that would have me more pumped for next week than the one Parramatta gave us last night. It was far from perfect in execution, but in effort, desire and showing that gumption, that spirit that wins premierships, it was everything we could hope for. A lot has been said about the Eels and their toughness, their effort levels over the years. Those voices will be quiet after watching last night. This is a team that can win a comp.
In eight days time, there is every chance the long drought will be broken. Get excited Eels fans, weāre one game away from immortality. Shaun Lane might already be there.
Until next time, stay slippery Eels fans.
Gol
Stats and images provided by NRL
Firstly, I’d like to nominate RCG for PM. How tough a grind was that win? Jeez, these guys have some fair ticker
He was a politician in the interview with Danica. I don’t think he answered any of the questions she asked. Him starting he wanted to punch Moses out for that first half kicking may not of been politically correct!
And Fittler didnt want him in his SOO Team. Hipster dufus no nothing pretender.
Couldnāt help thinking about my brother Joe after our massive win last night. He would have been at his swearing best, punching the air, texting his mates & maybe shedding a tear or two because weāve finally made another GF. Iām pretty passionate but in reality he beats me hands down in that area. If Joe was still with us heād be booking a ticket thru one outlet or another, meeting with mates & maybe organising a lift to the ground, Instead heās up stairs with Mum, Dad, sister Mary & our little brother John, all passionate Eels supporters. Seats organised, probably a sandwich or two made, decked out in full Parra regalia waiting for the game to start. This oneās for you Bro. Gone too soon but never to be forgotten.
Love always
Michael
Michael, Iāve only just seen this and now Iām shedding more tears. John and I were talking about Joe straight after the game. Wish he was still with us to experience this coming week. All the best to you and your family.
After the last night, I would personally like to thank Fittler for the motivational edge he gave RCG. Reg was one of the form props before origin, now he is playing even better. What a great game by the big fellah. Think about the huge mistake you made by dropping him, Freddy.
Cameron Smith made a whole career out of forward passes from dummy half, so maybe Reed is onto something with his flat passes. I don’t recall Smith getting pinged very often for that.
Everyoneās an A ey lol
So good I donāt even know what to say. Just going to soak this week in, and I think Iāve locked in tickets to the final, so itās all just getting that much sweeter.
Given we sort of won that āuglyā, we are due to play a belter next week, right? Thatās been the rough pattern this seasonā¦.. Can only hope.
Hope the lads have a great week and enjoy what theyāve achieved.
Pretty sure it was on here (maybe on the Souths loss?), there was a question, which I fully agreed with at the time, whether Gutherson was past his best and on the decline.
I am here for penance, and forgiveness for even thinking this.
What a true leader he has been for us since our run to the finals (Canterbury game) – gives everything and has been at 100% effort always.
I love the man.
One small request for the GF; can we learn to win at least one short line drop-out (whether we are kicking or receiving). Just one …
G’day mate my take on gutho was he just didn’t seem right I think it was an injury and now fully fit back to his best wholehearted best
Whatever it was – he certainly has chosen the right flavour of Weat-Bix to sort it out, and it has been integral to getting us to the big one š
How would Manly be feeling? Gutho and Lane are a massive part of why Parra are playing a Grand Final. Mind you, qudos to BA for getting the best out of these players… and for fixing Moses’ defence.
Time to start a petition for Shaun Lane to get a statue outside Commbank Stadium.
One of him being tackled by 3 blokes with his arm stretching out 5 metres and still making the offload.
Tks Gol, RCG earned the MVP gong and the team earned the win.
For the Cowboys to not put us to bed after what we gifted them in the first half says they were poor or we just kept turning up, definitely the latter. I thought Marataās early error was from a pass a little high and too hard.
Which I will add…. Was from RCG! he atoned himself for the rest of the game. MVP in fact….. Which I whole heartedly agree with. That hit he out on in the second half absolutely lifted the whole team. Like RCG himself says….. Props win you matches….. The halves decide by how much. No wonder we have invested so much in junior and RCG…… šø Well invested.
Agree BDon.
Hiku ran for 300m against Sharks mostly in the second half. Reg saw him and almost broke him in half (legally). That tackle signalling there’s no easy meters here buddy!!
Give the edge forwards a 15min rest during the match and they’ll hopefully play like that next week. Go the Eels!!!
Superb – simply superb. The effort from all was amazing and to win like that was even better albeit tough to hear / see.
Well done to all but it aināt over; we have some payback to dish out to them next week. I think we will do just thatā¦.BA will have the right game plan and the players just need to be patient and continue with the belief and effort.
NO team is better than us – we have only beat ourselves this year when we have not been on. If we are on we will be fine.
And i am all the way over here in the bloody UKā¦..%$#@ Me.
Sack BA
Ageee with the grades 100%.
Reg was so strong up the middle. Shaun Lane has become a tower of strength. This year he’s realised how big he is and to keep driving his big legs through the tackle. He’s also put on some shots.
ICE Was strong.
Absolute euphoria!
Go Eels!!
The Kickau shoulder charge thing will be interesting, just watched a replay, it wasnāt high but it was 100% a shoulder hit with no arm wrapping, in fact his arm got wedged on Campbell Grahamās torso to prevent any wrapping motion. Two weeks, a fine or Perry Mason gets a not guilty? Iām already thinking āwhoās hair will they dye white for Mitchell Moses to spot?ā
Great grades as usual. I’m asking now but will you all support a go fund me page for my funeral because after Friday night I don’t think my heart or blood pressure will handle another close game. Lol
John Wayne made a movie and got an Oscar for it – called True Grit. The Eels are the embodiment of True Grit. They gave the Cowboys every chance to win particularly the first 55 minutes but Parra hung in there like a staffy with the last bone.
I wrote some weeks back we have to trust BA with his bench because he wasn’t changing it. I might not agree with it but, who has proven to be right. Not me!
I watched the game then went straight back in and watched the replay.
I have absolutely no doubt Parra will be victors next Sunday. The Cowboys had every chance to ice that game but could not break down that defence in the last 20 minutes which is normally their best period.
As good as Penrith are Parra has the game that can manage them. They play structured attacking football a style Parra is comfortable with.
South saved their worst game for last night.
And Shaun Lane was my MYP with RCG a close second.
And yes can we please try a long drop out.