Match Blog: Eels vs Raiders

It was the same old story for Parramatta today. Patches of promising play but just too many defensive lapses as the Eels went down to the Raiders 40 to 34.

In the first 15 minutes, the Eels looked as sharp as they have all season - admittedly it's not a high bar -- but they played with speed and enthusiasm and went up six to nil when Ryan Morgan swept onto a Joseph Paulo grubbed kick.

However, not long after the 20 minute mark the Eels conceded consecutive penalties to put themselves under pressure and once again they didn't have the defensive capabilities to hold. Parramatta found themselves short down their right side and Canberra centre Jarrod Croker exploited it, with a fantastic flick pass that put his winger Reece Robinson over.

Not long after Ken Sio dropped a kick which resulted in a try for Joel Thompson and then Blake Ferguson leapt for an ordinary Casey McGuire cross field kick and then raced 80 metres to score a triple of quick tries. The Raiders made it four tries when Josh Papalii broke through some paper-thin line defence.

Again, the Eels came out the sheds with more purpose and scored the first two tries of the second half. The first though Cheyse Blair and the second when Jarryd Hayne put Ken Sio over in the corner. Just six down, the Eels needed to keep pressing the momentum but the Raiders got one back against the run of the play when a kick was batted down by Josh Dugan and Thompson again grabbed the dregs for a try. Then followed a shocking defensive effort that let Dugan crash through a set-line before putting Robinson over for a double.

Basically, Parramatta’s defence just isn’t up to the task. In this game, their attack was impressive. Every time they got into position they threatened Canberra and got two tries back through impressive backline movements that saw Ryan Morgan and Ken Sio touch down out wide.

Then Chris Sandow kicked for Jarryd Hayne who gathered but was caught just short of the line. However, he flicked it out the back to Sandow in support to put the Eels just two points behind with three minutes to go. In an apt finish to the match, Raider’s centre Jack Wighton simply broke through the Eel’s defensive line to finish the match at 40 to 34.

"Name the crazy claims I've made, Wiz. My bet is you can't. Put differently, you don't grasp points made but instead of just trying harder it's "that's crazy". "

"We did go for him? It was news months ago. I mean sure handy for us but also Penrith have refused to use him and he has been in top 30 for 3 years? For us could have been a nice player to have and see how he went but also could have been same as…"

Replies

Paul Flynn May 13, 2012 at 12:27pm

Pauli Pauli looks like an absolute gun
boffin May 13, 2012 at 12:43pm

So what's the score guys?
- Rosemont > boffin May 13, 2012 at 12:48pm
  
  Can 36
  Parra 24
fpv eel May 13, 2012 at 12:48pm

Canberra lead 36-24 with 51 gone.
- Fish > fpv eel May 13, 2012 at 1:03pm
  
  The 2 stars for us combine for a great try. Radrada has been brilliant and he did well to setup Pauli Pauli. We are getting beat 46-30 but the attack has been great and we have a very young lineup with a lot of 17 year olds. The future looks bright if we keep them and teach them how to tackle
boffin May 13, 2012 at 12:59pm

Why is it kids v grown men Bongs is canberra team that different
Make Parra Great Again May 13, 2012 at 1:08pm

Love all the offloads from our boys, something like 15 offloads so far. And we are scoring points. Kearney take notice!!!

And big Semi is a future star
Make Parra Great Again May 13, 2012 at 1:11pm

Young Folau tackling well.
KING STIFFLER: GOODBYE May 13, 2012 at 1:15pm

The losing culture is definitely being instilled at parra

These young kids look woefull....cannot tackle for the life of them
- Michael Picklum > KING STIFFLER: GOODBYE May 13, 2012 at 1:26pm
  
  Lousy Defense.... definately part of Parra's Culture