Eels Blogs

The Pirtek Parramatta Eels have notched their third win of the season in exciting style over fellow cellar dwellers the Penrith Panthers. A super-human effort from Nathan Hindmarsh led the charge for the underperforming Eels.

There was a feeling in the chilly air out at the newly named McGrath Foundation Stadium that the match would be far from normal with both teams occupying the bottom of the table. It started as a fairly slow match with both teams turning over early possession. Nathan Hindmarsh was leading the way in defence after stopping a hard running Luke Lewis one on one just 1 metre out from the line. It was the Panthers who drew first blood with Luke Lewis eventually breaking the Eels defence. The Panthers then continued piling on the pressure, gaining plenty of repeat sets. The Eels defence remained resolute and held the blue and gold wall. It was then the Eels turn to start playing. With only 2 minutes remaining in the first half the Eels shifted it wide and after a clever interchange of passing between Matt Ryan and Joseph Paulo, Ryan Morgan gained room near the touchline, first beating fullback Lachlan Coote and then beating Geoff Daniela to make it to the line and notch the Eels' first points. Even though the Eels' plays haven't been up to scratch of late, they made at least some headway, supplying 7 offloads in the first half alone.

With Ryan Morgan scoring just on half time, the Eels finished the half seemingly the stronger of the 2 teams. They started the same way they left off. Forcing repeat set from Penrith and slowly building pressure. However, just when it seemed the Eels were about to run through the Panthers, Hayne mishandled a pass and former Eel Etu Uaisele pounced on the ball to run the length of the field. Even though the Eels had been rumbling forward really well with Moimoi causing havoc, they couldn't break the line. Off the kick off Luke Lewis broke through some really flimsy defence from Cheyse Blair to run up field, only to be stopped by Mannah. The Panthers, after some good lead up play from Michael Jennings, put Simmons over. The score stood at 18-6 and all hope seemed lost for the Eels.

However, Nathan Hindmarsh led from the front. The veteran of over 300 First Grade games began showing his experience, playing a part in several attacking raids. Hindmarsh turned back the clock when he began playing on the edges. After a good ball from Taniela Lasalo, Hindmarsh burst into the backfield, drew the fullback and sent fellow veteran Luke Burt over under the posts. A quick conversion gave the Eels 10 minutes to score again. Hindmarsh was involved only a couple of minutes later, throwing a fantastic ball to a rampaging Moimoi who drew Coote and delivered the final pass to Hayne. The Eels continued rolling forward and with 5 minutes remaining Sandow had a shot at field goal which drifted wide. It was the Panthers who next had a shot but the tireless Nathan Hindmarsh was able to put enough pressure on young Panthers debutant Harry Siejka to force the attempt off target. Both team went blow for blow until the 80 minutes were up but neither were able to break the deadlock. The score was locked at 18 all after 80 minutes.

Again, both teams went blow for blow from the kickoff. Both had position to shoot but neither could get anything on target. The Eels, only 35 metres out, couldn't set properly for a field goal and instead went wide with Blair grubbering in behind and a quick thinking Sio almost stole the game for Parramatta after grounding the bouncing ball unfortunately on the dead ball line. Then, with only 30 seconds remaining in extra time and the game seemingly headed for a draw, the Eels once again rolled forward, this time however Sandow was set. Just under 40 metres out and directly in front; Sandow steadied himself and even with several Panthers running at him, kicked the winning field goal. And that, as they say is that.

Key Stats:

Nathan Hindmarsh: 206 metres made (most by a forward) with 2 line breaks and 2 try assists.

Jarryd Hayne: 214 metres made (most in the game) and 1 try scored.

Luke Burt: 103 metres made, 1 try scored and 3 from 3 goals attempted.