How the Eels slaughtered Brisbane

Parramatta's 58 point steamrolling of the Broncos on Sunday afternoon broke a number of records; largest win in finals history, largest win over the Broncos, largest win at Bankwest stadium, equal most tries scored in a finals match.

The Eels well and truly provided an exhibition of scintillating rugby league. Parramatta had eight different try scorers with three of them in Mitchell Moses, Maika Sivo and Dylan Brown bagging a double.

Parramatta played an expansive game, utilising their backline to stretch the Brisbane defence. This was clear in the lead up to Parramatta's first try when Blake Ferguson skipped to the outside of Alex Glenn, broke a weak tackle from Corey Oates, raced downfield and found Waqa Blake who was reeled in close to the line. Two plays later and Michael Jennings crossed to kickstart 70 minutes of madness that saw the Eels score 58 points.

The Blue and Gold have clearly changed their point of attack from last year. Rather than just try the bash and barge type of play that saw them enter the top four in 2017, they lay a platform through the middle before spinning it wide to their strike players.

Halves Moses and Brown are always looking to isolate defenders on the edge to create one-on-one matchups where players such as Shaun Lane, Manu Ma'u, Waqa Blake and Michael Jennings will often beat their opponent, giving space to wingers Ferguson and Sivo.

In addition to this, Junior Paulo is being used both as the centre of the Eels forward push and a wide running forward where his size, footwork and ball playing skills mean he sucks in defenders before offloading or throwing a pass to a teammate in open space.

It's clear Arthur is following the Brad Fittler style of playing - pass the ball to a player in space. Whenever an offload is popped, the call is clearly to find one of Mahoney, Gutherson, Moses or Brown who shift the ball quickly to the edges.

The revelation of Sivo at the back has also forced opposing halves into the unenviable position of kicking to Clint Gutherson given teams are reluctant to allow either of Sivo or Ferguson room to move on the kick return. Gutherson has been taking these kicks and looking to put his outside men into space immediately, either spreading the ball via a long pass, having the centre drop back to provide an extra number to try and generate a three on two down a touchline or bring his winger back underneath which keeps the kick chase honest and limits the chances of a dominant first tackle.

Another key change has been Parramatta's attitude in defence. The Eels have conceded more than two tries just once in the past seven weeks, which was the round 25 clash against Manly which the Eels won 32-16. There's been a real lift in intensity through the middle of the field, led by Nathan Brown, Kane Evans and Junior Paulo, while Ray Stone added more physicality against the Broncos off the bench.

Brad Arthur will be looking to play a similar style against Melbourne next week which will move around their forward pack, hopefully opening up gaps through the middle. Bolstering Arthur's side will be the return of Kane Evans from suspension, while Junior Paulo and Nathan Brown were also given early marks, as was Michael Jennings in a clear case of the coach keeping some of his key players fresh.

For Paulo to only have had to play 30 minutes is a testament to the effectiveness of Parramatta's bench players which makes Arthur's decision hard when it comes to naming his side for next week. While Melbourne are clearly favourites, the Eels do seem to have the style of play needed to beat them provided they come with the right intensity.

Parramatta will be given next to no chance to advance to week three of the finals. There's no time like the present for an upset.

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  • I thought Alvaro was outstanding yesterday especially in the first half. He ran for over 200 metres and scored a try.

    This is a welcome return for last years Ken Thornett medalist. He showed good signs last week against Manly so I was not surprised.

     The entire team were sensational yesterday and this is good momentum going into next weeks game 

  • That’s a really accurate summation. I predict the Storm will jam in when we try to shift to an edge so the kick behind might be our best weapon in Melbourne 

    • This reply was deleted.
      • Yep Storm will defintely be nervous. Our boys will take every game as a bonus from now on. 

        I still think it's weird that we finish 5th, win our final but we have to play the Top ranked loser.

        Manly finish below us in 6th, win their final but get to take on the lowest ranked loser? How is that fair?

        • This reply was deleted.
          • We should be playing Souths, Manly (who finished below us) should be taking on the top ranked loser.

        • I personally think that week two home grounds should be based on the winners. If you win your game in week one, you get a home final the following week, you lose and you have to play away.

          • That is a fairer way of doing it. They already have the benefit of a second bight at the cherry. To get a second bight and a home final after losing seems a bit rich.

            • goes both ways though. melbourne finished first and have been consistent all season. they should get to play 2 home games regardless of the outcome of those and other matches.

    • Both sides have good centres and wingers, we have the better 6 and 7.

      Both sides have a good kicking game, MM needs to land the conversions.

      So it's the battle of the forwards, if we match there pack our 6 and 7 will give our backs and edge forwards lots of opportunities, it's how we finish off those chances.

      I think Bellamy will be tellin his players were the real deal, especially as our pack ddominated the Broncos massive pack.

    • It's a free hit for us. No one expected us to be in the finals, let alone obliterate Brisbane. If we lose, we lose, we've surpassed most expectations. We win and we're 80 minutes from a grand final.

  • The only down side of our comprehensive, immaculate and superb team performance, is that storm will now take a little bit more notice. 

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