A whirlwind start gave Parramatta the perfect platform to take out the VB Premier League title with a 31-12 win over the reigning champion Sydney Roosters, who suffered their heaviest defeat of the year when it mattered most.
The Eels were ruthless early and powered to an 18-0 lead by halftime, which was extended to 24-0 soon after the break.
However to their credit, the tricolours fought back to be just 24-12 down and in sight of a great comeback before the Eels regained some composure and finished off the job.
Parramatta fullback Joel Reddy scored first for Parramatta in a spectacular play, the Eels keeping the ball alive until Peter Lewis made a strong charge to the line and threw a brilliant offload as he was falling back to Reddy, who fought to plant the ball over the line.
The spotlight then shifed to 17 year-old winger Jarryd Hayne, who had planned to be spending grand final day in Jersey Flegg.
However due to eligibility rules, winger Matt Petersen could not play and Hayne was called up, only to become a two try hero.
Ashley Graham's try just after halftime gave Parramatta a 24-0 lead, but two tries in five minutes had the Roosters clinging to a desperate premiership hope.
Marcus Perenara, however put the final nail in the coffin with seven minutes remaining with a field goal, before hooker Drew Dalton threw a dummy and dashed over for a try from dummy half to give the Eels their trophy.
Roosters second-rower Nigel Plum was a standout for the runners-up, with his defence delivering two of the hits of the year, one late in the first half which jolted the ball free from Eels co-captain Luke O'Dwyer, enabling him to score his team's first try soon after.
The mini comeback had Jason Taylor worried, having almost relived a grand final horror from his first year of coaching.
"Straight out of playing, I coached the Eels SG Ball side and we were up 14-0 at halftime in that grand final," Taylor said.
"I must admit, I did think about it when the Roosters scored those tries in the second half, it got a bit scary, but we got there in the end, and really, that's all that matter's."
Parramatta 31 (J.Hayne 2, J.Reddy, A.Graham, D.Dalton tries; B.Delaney 5 goals; M.Perenara field goal) defeated Sydney Roosters 12 (N.Plum, M.Lett tries; J.Soward 2 goals) at Telstra Stadium, Sunday, October 2 (3.50pm).
Parramatta: Joel Reddy, Jarryd Hayne, Ashley Graham, Brett Delaney, John Williams, Jeremy Smith, Marcus Perenara, Josh Cordoba, Drew Dalton, Jack Afamasaga, Chris Muckert, Henry Perenara (c), Luke O'Dwyer (c). Interchange: Peter Lewis, James Storer, Zeb Taia, Justin Tsoulos. Coach: Jason Taylor.
Sydney Roosters: Aidan Kirk, Troy Malcolm, Lelea Paea, Sam Perrett, Michael Lett, Jamie Soward, Grant Rovelli (c), David Shillington, Heath L'Estrange, Mickey Paea, Shane Shackleton, Nigel Plum, Stuart Webb. Interchange: George Rose, Lopini Paea, Steve Meredith, Adam Schubert. Coach: Shane Flanagan.
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