Two changes for the Eels with Alex Twal and Tyrell Fuimaono out of action due to representative honours on Wednesday. Tepai Tepu-Smith and Craig Field come into the team for them.
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"Spot on, Pops - at least 2 of our 5 were first tackle.
Storm had more than 5 set restarts on 4th/5th tackle alone.
Huge possession difference. "
Storm had more than 5 set restarts on 4th/5th tackle alone.
Huge possession difference. "
"Jeez, I dunno.... it's pretty hard to overlook the ref bias at the beginning, looked like it completely knocked the stuffing out of us. That said, yes, we responded with a diabolical performance. We just can't handle adversity. Probably says…"
"Worst possible start to the season. I didn't think the first half was that bad and at 18-4 with some very dodgy calls thought if ryles gets into them at half time we could turn it around, thought it was much better than last year when it was 46-0 at…"
"'One thing about the Eels though, for a while now, when things don't go their way, they just turn to water.' - yep, this point was so disappointing tonight wasn't it, because after the way we finished 2025, honestly thought that soft underbelly was…"
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First points for the Tigers today as Abbas Miski spills an uncontested bomb. The loose ball is then scooped up by the chasers for the Tigers and they spread the ball two passes wide to Obeid Kharwan who is able to score despite French's best efforts.
The conversion is unsuccessful.
Tigers lead Parra 4-0
4min gone.
Tigers drive it past halfway from the kick off set and they actually have a good chance to open us up down our right edge as they have a decent overlap but they focus on a crash ball for their backrower. They then run it on the last and catch us out as our energy in defence looks pretty low before a pass back on the inside is grassed and we get the ball back.
Solid set in reply now as they work the ball down their right edge and roll the ball in behind on the last to trap the tigers 9m off their goal line.
We finally lift in defence and do well to lock the Tigers inside their own half but an excellent kick from their half finds touch 1om out from our line. He hoofed that hard and flat.
Good work from our hooker josh Grant now as he catches the defensive line offside with a smart run. Penalty to Parra.
We attack down our right edge early in this set but are repelled by the Tigers. We go back to the posts and then back to the right but are again held out. On the last Zach Dockar-Clay puts in a very nice grubber towards the posts and it looks like French has scored! But no, the ref is coming out for a 20m restart. But no again! We are going back several tackles when Jeff Markus was hit late for a penalty.
We again go down our right and there is definitely a chance for Atini Gafa if izzard can get a clean cut out ball to him but the pass is horrid and Gafa has to slide to catch.
Coming back to our left on the next play we set up for a sweep to French but the ball gits the deck. Savvy play from French sees him toe it ahead and earn a line drop out.
Oh dear Izzard again. Throws a hospital ball to newcomer Fairouz Elkander at the line now and the ball hits the deck. Wasted chance.
Dangerous throw from Tepai Tepu-Smith and Tui Oloapu now. Clear penalty and fortunately the Tiger is ok.
A good shot from the tap restart jolts the ball loose.
Bit of second phase play from the Eels at the start of this set but we are going to far sideways. Zach Dockar-Clay looks to trying spark a play down the right edge short side with a quick burst from a standing start but drops the pass from Grant cold.
Quality affair this so far...
More bizarre scenes now. The Tigers roll down field are set for an attacking kick on the last but are penalised during the play the ball of their last tackle. The runner is on report for using his knees.
We are extremely lucky to get a repeat set in the mid field when another pass from Izzard hits the grass as he looks for French. The Tigers have a man that races up and tries to scoop it up and blitz down field but he knocks on into French who in turn drops it.
Parra scrum.
Actually never mind that. Two tackles into this set we drop the ball again as two of our forwards play at the line.
Early kick in this set for the Tigers now as they look to catch out Gafa who is in the line. It is damnably close! Definitely would have gone up to the video ref in first grade but the ref rules the ball goes dead in goals before anyway - French or the Tigers' chaser otherwise - gets a hand on it.
WE march down field from the 7 tackle set but don't really threaten the Tigers even though we arrive in their red zone with a tackle to spare. Izzard rolls it in goals on the last and gives chase but he slips over in chase preventing him from making the tackle in goals.
The Tigers are still trapped one metre out though.
Parra defend comfortably this set and earn the ball back in good position but again an error from Zach Dockar-Clay is the undoing of us. This one was in the tackle and he comes out of it filthy with the call and beseeches the ref to change his mind...obviously to no avail.
Again not much doing for the Eels in attack and on the last ZDC sends up a bomb and French gives chase Billy Slater style! Terrific stuff as he streaks through in pursuit. He times his run spectacularly and forces a double knock on in our favour. Great effort!
From the restart of play we go right where nothing is doing but once we switch back to our left Izzard puts Jack Morris through a hole near the line and he crashes over! Looks like he scored on the second effort but the ref checks with the touchy who wasn't impressed so we get a held up call.
On the last ZDC looks for the grubber but it is caught in the line and the #20 scoops it up and races down field. Zach gives chase but is done near our 20m line and the Tigers look certain to score before French comes out of nowhere to make the try saver! Phenomenal stuff.
We then hold on against the Tigers through the following set until shock, they make an error.
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