Eels Blogs

Traveling to Brisbane, the Eels weren't given much of a chance to win. With Jarryd Hayne out it seemed as if the Eels would struggle to score points against their more fancied opponents. The Broncos however were also missing key players, Justin Hodges and Corey Parker. It was however, going to be a night for celebration for one team.

The game started with Brisbane on the attack early. They had two repeat sets to start but were repelled time and time again by the Blue and Gold Wall. The Eels, finally with ball in hand, spread the ball wide, Mullaney took the ball 3 passes off the ruck and accelerated past Alex Glenn. It seemed Parra would score with Mullaney racing through the backfield and Sio looming in support. However, the Broncos scrambled well, being able to push Sio into touch on the following play. The Broncos were pinned in their own 20 and Wallace, under pressure from Nathan Smith, kicked the ball into Smith's leg who received a kind bounce and strolled in under the posts to put the Eels up 6-0 8 minutes into the match.

Brisbane then got some field position and marched up field. Burt defused a bomb but it was ruled Ryan Morgan obstructed one of the chasers and a penalty was given. It took some luck for the Broncos to post their points when Corey Norman put in what was seemingly a nothing grubber and Mullaney received an evil bounce. Norman simply had to reel the ball in and plant it down. That he did and the score read 6-6.

The middle of the match was a tough affair. Both teams belted each other up the middle, looking for the upper hand. Then the Eels clicked into gear. They started making easy metres up the middle and on the fringes. Reni Maitua showed the form that had him in the green and gold a few years ago and tore apart the men on the fringes. The Eels showed the plays that have been missing this season. Sandow played with purpose and the plays were fast and crisp. Justin Poore took an offload from Nathan Hindmarsh and was seemingly going to be stopped, he kept driving however and eventually crashed over the line. He showed the determination that has been lacking for most of the season and it spurred on the blue and golds. Then came a passage of play that Parramatta is famous for. The confidence from in their own half to start spreading the ball began paying dividends as they surged forward seemingly at will. They started throwing the ball around and showed the chinks in the Brisbane armour. Ben Roberts drifted across field before offloading to Paulo who in turn passed to Mullaney. He drew 2 defenders and then handed the ball to a hard running Sandow who turned on the speed and slid over untouched.

Second tackle from the kick-off and it was on again. They went right and Ben Smith delivered a sweetly timed pass to Cheyse Blair who accelerated onto the ball. Brisbane fullback Luke Capewell did well to grab his jersey but Blair was able to deliver the ball to Ken Sio who loomed in support and Parramatta were in again. They led 24-6 and it was turning into a carve up. But Parra weren't done yet. With just under 2 minutes remaining in the half, Mullaney drifted side ways and split the Brisbane defence. He was practically over but the Brisbane defenders slapped the ball out of his hands. As he's done throughout his stellar career, Burt was the man on the spot and grounded the ball a second before teammate Ryan Morgan could. The score read 30-6 at halftime and the Eels seemingly ready to put the Broncos to the sword.

The Broncos however would not surrender easily. Ben Roberts knocked on from the kickoff and the Broncos took full advantage. A cleverly worked second man play put Capewell in untouched. Clever work from Andrew McCullough put Brisbane back in the game and the score read 30-18. The Eels were going to have none of that though and the second phase play started again. Paulo ran across the field and offloaded to Maitua. Maitua turned and gave the ball back to Paulo who basket balled it to Sandow. Sandow threw a no look pass to none other than the Tongan Wrecking ball, Fuifui Moimoi who was not going to be denied. The Broncos responded after a perfectly weighted kick found it's way into Lachlan Maranta's hands and he touched down in the corner. The score read 36-22 with a Broncos fight back on life support.

But it was Parramatta's game. Nathan Smith poked his head through the line before delivering a sweet offload to Chris Sandow. Sandow took on Brisbane fullback Gerard Beale and was seemingly covered. Sandow though used an in and away and fend to slide over in the corner. Luke Burt continued his good kicking record this season and landed the sideline conversion. The Eels had just posted their biggest score ever at Suncorp and they did it in style. The Eels running out 42-22 winners.

Key Stats:

Chris Sandow: 108m, 2 Line Breaks, 2 Tries.

Ken Sio: 159m, 1 Line Break, 1 Try.

Jake Mullaney: 161m, 1 Line break, 1 Offload, 1 Try Assist.

Reni Maitua: 182m, 2 Line Breaks, 3 Offloads.