Eels Blogs

Rain has been coming down all day in Parramatta. Sometimes it's been drizzling, other times so hard it becomes difficult to see. You could be forgiven for thinking the Parramatta river has rapids such is the speed and ferocity with which it is moving around Parramatta Park. 

The white water dances up and over the weir next to the footbridge to the east of Bankwest Stadium.

The ground across the park is soaked. What were once puddles are now ponds as supporters traipse their way through the muddy and sodden grass with an audible squelching under their shoes.

The stadium itself is the wettest its been in its short life. But where the quagmire of Cumberland Oval once stood, a 21st century drainage system ensures a far cleaner game. Old players will tell you that running out on Cumberland Oval in the wet could cost you your boots as the thick, sticky mud would cling to leather and plastic alike.

That being said, surface water and puddles are still visible before kick-off.

Traditional rugby league thought dictates that a wet game is a game for the forwards. Where metres are needed and backs can stay on the sidelines to catch nothing but a cold. But that's old thinking now being dispelled by the modern generation with their willingness to throw the ball in atrocious conditions.

Why the change? Are coaches becoming less conservative? Or have they realised that sending one big boy at three other big boys is far more likely to result in an error than attacking the edges?

Setting the stage tonight is the Melbourne Storm and Parramatta Eels.

The 2020 Premiers against the 2020 Pretenders.

Melbourne is here to show there is life after a legend. Eels fans chuckle to themselves at that thought. There is definitely still life after a legend retires, but Premierships? Well the Blue and Gold faithful have been waiting 35 years for another one.

Parramatta is here to lodge their title credentials. They've been an up and coming fighter the past two seasons, willing to dance with those ranked below them, occasionally putting them to the sword. But against the established fighters they've been found wanting.

Sometimes they've gone the distance, only to come up short. Other times on the ropes early and desperately trying to fight their way out before the towel is thrown in.

The Eels know what is needed to beat Melbourne. A high class, consistent, 80 minute performance consisting of desperate defence and patient attack.

Find yourself trying to beat the Storm with one play and they'll be the ones delivering the knock-out blow.

Defence

15 minutes in and Melbourne find themselves in familiar territory - 10 metres out from their opponent's line. Usually the end here is predictable. Melbourne, through sheer weight of possession and consistent attack break down the defence and often break the hearts of their enemy.

To the left of the uprights and five metres out now Kenny Bromwich plays the ball, Brandon Smith scoots to his right and delivers a well weighted and timed pass to the rampaging Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

The big lock has done this plenty of times - pick out the opposition hooker close to the line and run straight through him. 

Bankwest Stadium holds its breath as Asofa-Solomona thunders towards the comparatively tiny Reed Mahoney. David and Goliath eat your heart out.

The big Kiwi's body lunges into the in-goal.

A burst of water rises from the pitch as it's compressed by 300kg of mankind.

The green-shirted referee runs around, blows his whistle and signals Asofa-Solomona has been held up.

As the number 13 drags his body off the ground, up pops two blue and gold warriors. The white head-geared Reed Mahoney and inspirational fullback Clint Gutherson. The pair of them combined weigh 180kg. Asofa-Solomona himself tips the scales at 115kg.

Their goal line desperation will not be the only example of the determination the Eels will play with this night.

Time and again Gutherson will arrive as the last line of defence. He'll smother a kick from Josh Addo-Carr, dive to knock the ball from Cameron Munster's grasp as the Storm fullback goes to plant the ball on the try line and sprint across field to clean up a dangerous grubber in the in-goal.

Mahoney himself will use every ounce of pace he can muster against the lightning pace of Addo-Carr to beat the Storm winger to a grubber bouncing around in Parramatta's in-goal.

Attack

On paper Melbourne has the better side. Halves Cam Munster and Jahrome Hughes are tier one representative players and premiership winners. On the opposite side Parramatta's halves have been described as hot and cold.

Mitchell Moses in particular has come under criticism for being a flat track bully.

There is no flat track this night. Melbourne isn't a side that surrenders, they're a side that rarely concedes first.

But that's what will happen this night. Dylan Brown will pick out former teammate George Jennings with a cross field bomb and the flying Fijian, Maika Sivo will out-leap the Melbourne winger and carry fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen into the in-goal for his first try of the night and the season.

SIVO, SIVO, SIVO

The crowd is chanting.

Parramatta's next points come in the 66th minute. Where Nelson Asofa-Solomona failed, Junior Paulo will dispense of three Storm defenders to crash over. The big prop lets out a roar reminiscent of a lion staking out his territory.

This is Junior Paulo's territory, he's only permitting you to visit it.

Indeed, this match seems like it's the young lion challenging the older head of the pride.

The ageing king isn't weak and he's not done.

Each time Parramatta lands a blow, Melbourne lands one right back. It's round two but it feels like finals.

The game is locked at 12-all. Five minutes remaining.

The lottery of golden point beckons.

Perhaps last year's Parramatta would have taken that. Pushing the premiers into sudden death. But this side is looking for the knock-out punch. Stuff luck, stuff trickery, they're going to beat Melbourne or go down trying.

The previous week, when other sides would have looked to consolidate a two point lead, Mahoney sent Junior Paulo over to ice the game.

This week Mitchell Moses boots a towering bomb into the rain filled sky.

For George Jennings it's de ja vu. He doesn't even get off the ground this time. His boots are stuck to the ground like he's being absorbed by the old Cumberland mud.

Maika Sivo has no such problems. For the second time in the night he leaps high, collects the ball and rampages into the in-goal to take the lead.

SIVO SIVO SIVO

What was once a possibility now seems a reality. The Eels lead Melbourne with fewer than two minutes on the clock.

But the old lion isn't done yet. It's still got some fight.

The Storm manages a penalty off the kick-off to have one final shot at the Eels.

They go to their trusty left edge, a grubber is put through. It pings around and lands in the arms of Munster who seems like he may make it to the line. Out of nowhere, in the 80th minute, after making 58 tackles, Reed Mahoney arrives to make his 59th and force the ball from Munster's grasp.

There is a desperate captain's challenge from Melbourne to no avail. Parramatta runs out the clock.

A triumphant roar goes up. The young lion has bested its elder in battle, but the veteran isn't done. The two will meet again later in the year. Just one battle in the many more to come throughout 2021.

But this night belongs to the Blue and Gold.

Parra's running out the victors and kicking up their heels as the Blue and Gold Army marches back across the park to the sound of squelching ground and a raging river with a smile on their faces and optimism for the season ahead.