In a match which could secure their finals berth, the fifth-placed Eels take on the top of the table Storm at Kellyville.

The clash will be a home-coming for Storm half Dylan Brettle, a Rouse Hill Rhinos junior and 2024 Eels SG Ball captain.

For the Eels, the changes continue at fullback, with Corey Leigh filling the role this week. Leigh has experience in custodian duties during his time in Parra pathways, so he won’t be a stranger to the position.

The conditions will be very wet, so the side that can minimise errors will go a long way to earning the win.

Kick off is at 1pm.

 

Eels Team List

 

1	Corey Leigh
2	Lorima Rokosuka
3 11	Araz Nanva Domenico De Stradis
4	William Lewis
5	Mohamed Alameddine
6	Matthew Hunter
7	Josh Lynn
8	Beau Lucien
9	Patrick Spence
10	Ryda Talagi
11 20	Domenico De Stradis Trace Beattie
12	Christoper Petrus
13	Max Popo
Interchange
14	Raffaele De Stradis
15	Lachlan Coinakis
16	Damascus Neemia
17	Ieti Samuelu
18	Isaac Jim

Late Mail

 

Araz Nanva is out, presumably due to promotion to the NSW Cup, with Dom De Stradis taking over in the centres. Trace Beattie is called into the starting backrow from outside the listed roster to fill the vacant spot.

 

First Half

 

The Melbourne Storm will kick off to start this game.

Oh lord, nightmare start and I mean hellscape nightmare start. Ryda Talagi has dropped the ball from the kickoff and the Storm have scooped it up and scored. The Eels will be playing from behind today after just about 10 seconds expiring from the clock.

 

Try scored by Luke Ceasri. Conversion successful by Eli Morris.

Storm lead 6-0

1min gone

 

Anything other than conceding a second try would be considering a rousing success after that start and thankfully the Eels successfully negotiated the kickoff set with Corey Leigh defusing a midfield bomb from the Storm. Parramatta keep it simple as they work to their kick where Josh Lynn and Mohammed Alameddine combine to make the tackle.

Geez this is tough sledding, the unforced errors are mounting up far too quickly. Now it is Leigh who has erred as he gets too close to the sideline defusing the clearing kick and puts a foot on the chalk after possessing the ball. Just gifting free ball to the top-seeded team in the competition.

Melbourne swiftly make them pay as the focus their attack down their right edge. A quick shift across their back line finds the Eels a man short as Alameddine pushes up to try and make a defensive play and they cross in the corner. Parramatta need to cut the silly lapses out and fast or the game will be lost within the first quarter of play.

 

Try scored by Luke Cesari. Conversion unsuccessful by Eli Morris.

Storm lead 10-0

7min gone

 

The first bit of traction in the Eels this game comes from the combination ruck work of Talagi and Popo as they win consecutive plays. Lynn completes the set with a bomb but loses his footing – thankfully it doesn’t seem to have cost him with the kick but the Storm return the pill strongly and go on to win a penalty the following play.

Big hustle play from Trace Beattie here as he makes an important charge down. He follows up the play by winning the race for the ball but goes close to getting driven into touch and flings the ball back to support. Questions over whether he has passed off the ground but after letting play go on the referee signals a stop and indicates the touch judge saw a knock on there. I didn’t really see a knock on to be fair but there was a question over the pass for certain.The players quiz the touch judge (politely) over the call but nothing will change.

The Storm get the ball back as a result but Parramatta’s best set of defence follows as they aim up and eventually jolt the ball loose.

Better now as the Eels begin to exert some force in the arm wrestle for field position. Neat work from Spence and Alameddine plunders nice metres down the left before Hunter’s clearing kick is well chased by his halves partner Lynn to trap the Storm near their goal line.

Leigh is able to drive the ball back his 30m line on the following kick return as a result and the Eels will work towards plus field position this set. Ultimately the Eels turn it over on the last as they venture down their left edge but it is a solid result as they continue to build their way back into this contest.

This clearing kick from the Storm goes very close to getting marked a 40/20 but Leigh gets there in time to prevent it from occurring. Unfortunately though, the reply kick from the Eels at the end of the next set has too much zest on it as it rolls over the dead ball line for a 20m restart.

Bizarre stuff here as the Storm not only kick early on an extended set but mimic Parramatta’s earlier error as they drive it well and truly over the dead ball line. Is this the break in the game the Eels were sweating on? It is indeed!

Trace Beattie, the late call up to the roster, is the man to spur the Blue & Gold to action as he punches a hole down the right edge. He quickly sums up his best support option as he fires the pass back inside to his five-eighth Matthew Hunter and the rangy playmaker does very well to fight through a cover tackle and get the ball down over the line!

 

Try scored by Matthew Hunter. Conversion successful by Josh Lynn.

Eels trail 6-10

22min gone

 

Damascus Neemia does a better job of the kickoff and gets the Eels successfully underway after points before Ieti Samuelu delivers a rousing charge that skittles defenders. The Eels are surging now as they pour over halfway. Beattie has a good carry before Lynn has a lovely show, go and pass to find a rampaging Neemia who breaks the line and links up with Hunter for a rapid-fire double!

Just like that the Eels have the lead but there is plenty of work left to do to keep the Storm at bay.

 

Try scored by Matthew Hunter. Conversion successful by Josh Lynn.

Eels lead 12-10

25min gone

 

Two pass shift from the kickoff to find Samuelu. He is followed up by Beattie before taking a second charge of his own. Left to Popo to take the Eels just shy of halfway as Spence has a scoot out of dummy half that will bring up the last before he is pulled up a play-the-ball infringement. Bit of a tough call perhaps with the Storm defender pulling him down but the ball ends up with the visitors 10m inside their half.

Change of methodology for Melbourne this set with as they focus on their left edge. A charge down on the last takes an unkind ricochet for the Eels as it finds Dylan Brettle, the Storm halfback, and he dances through half a dozen defenders seemingly destined to score before last ditch cover efforts somehow keep him out. Alameddine saves a certain try as Melbourne attack down their right as he bats the final pass down but the Storm capitalise on the opposite of the field from the set piece as they are able to get outside Rokosuka and touch down in the corner.

 

Try scored by Amaziah Murgha. Conversion unsuccessful by Eli Morris.

Storm lead 14-12

31min gone

 

Big contact! Ieti Samuelu with a hammerblow tackle there. Huge effort from the big man across this set as he makes multiple tackles and still races out to put pressure on the kicker. Alas his hard work is betrayed by an error from Leigh on the kick recovery as he needs a second snatch at the ball to secure it and than little bobble touched the kick chaser.

Huge set of defence for the Eels now and they are able to navigate it despite some nervous moments. It culminates in a rather blatant forward down Melbourne’s right edge that thankfully the officials were awake to.

Popo and Alameddine do the early ruck work in return now. Dom De Stradis jumps in for a charge as well before a bustling run from Neemia takes the Eels to halfway. The Eels shift it right to Beattie for a good gain as Lynn completes the set with an attacking kick to the left. Alameddine claims it and offloads to Hunter who dabs it down the left for Dom. He bats it back before it rolls over the sideline to Corey Leigh who then kicks back the posts. Chaos ball in action here. It looks like Melbourne have lost it in the contest now but the referee signals for a penalty to the visitors and the Eels look upset.

Uh what? More chaos ball now in Parra’s next set! Chris Petrus makes a half break with a well angled run down the left but almost loses it in the slippery conditions as he tries to offload to support on his outside. He somehow gets a second touch on the ball to push it back and the Eels swoop on it to stay alive. They take play to the right where they nearly break through with Will Lewis but his final pass back inside is tipped by a defender so the Eels get a fresh set.

Long possession follows with a set restart boosting the tackle count but at the end of it the Eels come undone as Leigh’s pass to Rokosuka is tipped into touch by the Eels winger. Probably wasn’t the right pass to pull the trigger on given how the Storm defence held its shape but the clock for the half was expiring so at best the Eels get one last play to follow that up.

After a truly diabolical start where they handed the form team of the competition 10-points, the Eels have fought back to go in the sheds down by just 2-points and having arguably played the better of the two sides when the early lapses are accounted for.

A big second half awaits now for the Blue & Gold given they have a gilded opportunity to knock over the 1st placed team on the ladder.

 

Second Half

 

The Eels are kicking off in the second half.

Good set from the visitors as they work into Parra’s half and stage for an attacking bomb. Leigh calmly defuses the threat before he is struck above the shoulders and earns the penalty.

Bit of short side from Parramatta down their right before Samuelu centres the ball. Hunter turns Neemia underneath to put the Eels in position for an attacking kick of their own. Parra bat the bomb back and Beattie does extremely well to get away a second kick to the posts but the Storm are able to clean it up.

The first error of the half comes from the Eels unfortunately as Lorima Rokosuka drops it cold on tackle two looking to ruck the ball out. Another free shot for the Storm here to start a half – sound familiar?

Dangerous second phase play from Melbourne nearly results in points as they shift the ball from the posts to their left. An errant final pass aids Parramatta as their winger Murgha toes the pass ahead off his ankles but there is a knock on from Melbourne in the resulting scramble for the loose ball.

Good play from the halves now as they link up and use Dom De Stradis for a big gain. Hunter completes the set with a bomb and is backed up by a strong chase from Max Popo. Good footy.

What isn’t good footy is another unforced error from the Eels. This time the mistake is made on halfway by I believe Damascus Neemia – who has had a cracking game until that point.

Melbourne focus on the ruck through the first three tackles on this set. Set up centrefield they can play either way and choose to go left where another errant pass prevents them from doing damage. Alas it looks like Rokosuka tries to compete the dipping pass and knocks on but rather than a scrum the referee is indicating it is a penalty and Lorima is on report? I am left scratching my head. I think the indication is for a shoulder charge? Very odd.

More ball for the Storm either way as a second penalty follows for holding down in the ruck. The Storm build towards their left edge as their winger Murgha sorties back to the posts to bring up the last. Brettle is bereft of options on the final play and eventually succumbs to a tackle near the goal line as the Eels hold on through a very protracted possession for Melbourne.

It looks like Rokosuka was clipped high there but no call comes. He takes a while to get to his feet and play the ball but a penalty comes next play for the Eels as the Storm crowd the ruck.

Dom De Stradis puts the Eels inside Melbourne territory before Lynn and Beattie combine down the right nicely. It allows Lynn to try a chip next play as his chasers pour through and force a line drop out. Good result.

Long restart from the Storm as Ryda Talagi rips in. Raff De Stradis with a good carry next before Ryda gets a second tote of the rock. Right now as the halves link up and find Beattie out wide before Lynn sends the bomb to the left on the last where the Storm are able to dive on a batted ball and hold on. Chance for the Eels to pin Melbourne down now and they lift massively as spirited defence knocks the ball free and gives the Blue & Gold a premium chance to reclaim the lead.

Scrum is set centrefield as the Eels threaten both edges. They break to the right as Hunter runs to the line. Three passes back to the posts with Raff now as the Eels switch it back to the right with Lynn and Talagi working together. Beattie is collared high, quite clearly, for no whistle and there is an error on the next tackle that lets the Storm off. Really poor missed call though.

Big defensive contact again but the Storm hold on to the ball this time around. They grind their way out to shy of halfway before sending the bomb up. Leigh takes is comfortably and gets back out to his 20m mark. Alameddine and Dom shoulder up for some tough carries with Moey asking for seconds. Parra shift wide right to Will Lewis to bring up the last as Lynn tries to rip a torpedo bomb. He gets at least a little of it with Melbourne not wanting to take the kick on the full and they get an extremely kind bounce to save their blushes.

Still no change in the half time score as both teams battle hard in the second stanza. Petrus rips in with a good charge and offload but his support isn’t watching! Trouble is dodged as Ryda Talagi reacts swiftly to reclaim the pill and he picks up a penalty at the end of his run. He goes on to take the early carry from the restart of play before Trace Beattie bulldozes a defender. The Storm player is very clearly in a bad way though and the referee does a great job quickly stopping play once the tackle in concluded. No doubt a concussion here – and a heavy one – given the defender’s response.

Long delay here as trainers attend to the downed player. He is eventually aided to his feet and his able to walk off but I imagine that is his day done. Hopefully he pulls up healthy in the follow-up concussion protocols.

Talagi gets us back underway before Raff De Stradis get a run. Hunter looks to dab the ball in behind on the last but gets his range fractionally wrong as it barely trickles dead and gives the Storm as extended set.

Big play from Petrus now as he makes a huge cover tackle and rings the bell with a booming short. Melbourne still on the attack as they shift to their left. They look to have crossed after a big wrestle through contact but Corey Leigh is incensed and is remonstrating with the touch judge that the ball was lost. There is a prolonged discussion between the officials that takes considerable time before the try is awarded and the Eels aren’t happy. My angle gave me no insight there but Leigh was heated about the call.

 

Try scored by Mitchell Jennings. Conversion unsuccessful by Eli Morris.

Storm lead 18-12

68min gone

 

So under some controversial circumstances the Storm have secured a crucial 6-point lead and now get the ascendancy from the kickoff with some sloppy defence from Parramatta’s left edge leading to a small line break. They quickly rally thankfully and lift a gear or two in response as they force an error with good contact. They have just under 11-minutes now to make something happen here.

Will Lewis is unhappy with the official after he gets his jersey tugged while playing-the-ball but no calls comes in his favour. Instead the Eels send the bomb up on the last and finally get some luck when the Storm make a play at their own knock-on from an offside position. The penalty comes for the home team as a result.

Loose start to the possession though with a lack of direction for a couple of tackles before Ryda Talagi delivers a brilliant run that nearly breaks the Storm open. Gee the set needed that and the Eels pounce on the sudden momentum as Matthew Hunter digs deep into the line and feeds Ieti Samuelu a very late pass. The big man strolls over to score under the posts but I have to tell you folks, that pass was very forwards and the officials missed it. The Eels have certainly worn a few tough calls today but that is a BIG one in their favour as they level it up on the scoreboard.

 

Try scored by Ieti Samuelu. Conversion successful by Josh Lynn.

Eels lock the scores up at 18-all

73min gone

 

You take them when you get them and the Eels got one there. Can they spin it into a victory now? They need a good set after points as a minimum and they find it with nice work around the ruck complimented by a clearing kick from Lynn that finds the carpet.

The reward comes in rapid fashion! The Storm have coughed it up on the very next tackle. Coinakis, who was involved in the tackle, is fired up and rightly so as the Eels get a scrum 13m off the Storm line.

Good, direct play across the first three tackles nearly sees Ryda storm over but it is his SG Ball running mate who sparks the comeback into full effect! Hunter drifts to his left and brings a flying Petrus underneath him back to the posts and the athletic backrower refuses to be cowed by the defenders and he punches through and gets the ball down!

The ref awards the try but now a fracas has broken out as the players swirl around each other grabbing and pushing. No idea what sparked it, most likely some banter and mouthing off but will it harm the Eels? My word it will. Ryda Talagi has been called out with his captain Matthew Hunter and subsequently has been marched to the bin. Will it be reciprocated for the Storm? Oh yes it will! We have balance here as their backrower Preston Conn is sent for the same 10-minute window and given there is under 4-minutes left here, neither player will feature in the remainder of this contest.

 

Try scored by Christopher Petrus. Conversion successful by Josh Lynn.

Eels lead 24-18

77min gone

 

The Storm reclaim the ball from a contest short kick off and have plenty of time to work through a full set but they won’t get there! They come unstuck taking the ball down their left edge and narrowly avoid a penalty for obstruction only to turn it over on tackles!

Geez, is that another bad call? It looks like the Storm try to execute the peel-away strip…only to not fully peel away but the referee just lets play go on. Will that cost the Eels? In a word no! The Storm don’t have much time left on the clock and opt to kick across field for their winger Luke Cesari. He is flying after the ball and will get a play at scoring deep in the in-goals but his foot was out as he possesses the pill! The touch judge makes an instant call and the Blue & Gold prevail in a huge comeback victory against the first placed Melbourne Storm!

 

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 24 defeat the Melbourne Storm 18