Match Report: Bring on the Dragons!

Parramatta almost certainly booked themselves a spot in the NRL final series tonight by demolishing the Penrith Panthers 48 to six.Even if the Eels lose next week to the Dragons it is unlikely that the Panthers can turn around what is now a massive differential between themselves and Parramatta and they must therefore finish below the Eels. The only other side that could leapfrog the Eels are the injury-ravaged Tigers who must score two upset wins against top three-ranked teams to have any chance of finishing in front of Parramatta.It really was a complete performance from the Eels who were sensational from one through to 17. While Jarryd Hayne was again fantastic, the Eels showed they were far from a one-man team with the likes of Daniel Mortimer, Luke Burt, Matthew Keating and Joel Reddy all having sensational games.The match couldn't have started any better for the Eels. After receiving back-to-back penalties, Jeff Robson put through a grubber at the end of the first full set which bounced off the upright and was dived on by Daniel Mortimer, for his first of three tries.A try in the third minute was followed by another in the 13th when Jarryd Hayne had the foresight to chip over a flatfooted defence for Luke Burt, who caught the bouncing ball and put down. Burty kicked the goal from touch and we were up 12 to nil inside of 15.Parramatta continued to dominate but the points didn't come, however with three minutes left in the half, Mortimer produced a brilliant individual try cutting through the teeth of the Penrith defence to score under the posts. The Burt conversion made it 18 to nothing, which was a much fairer representation of the game.Having scored in the third minute of the first half, the Eels did it again in the second half when Matt Keating sold a couple of dummies to a couple of Penrith dummies, strolled through and then beat the fullback. Keating was brilliant tonight and it was probably his best game in the NRL.Luke Burt was another who was excellent. His chasing was exceptional and he was rewarded for effort when he ran after a Jarryd Hayne kick and then tackled Jarrod Sammut in goal, eventually wrestling the ball from him and scoring an unbelievable try. He converted yet again and we were now up 30 to nil.Jarryd Hayne then produced some of his trademark brilliance, streaking down the wing and then as the cover defence converged floating a perfectly placed pass inside to Daniel Mortimer who put the pedal to the floor and streaked away for his third try. Burt's conversion from in front made it 36 to nothing.The Panthers got what looked like it would be a consolation try, however the Eels weren't done with yet. Mateo slipped a beautiful ball to put the Eels away down the blindside before Joel Reddy dummied to bamboozle the cover defence and we extended the score back out to 42 to six.But just to cap it off, the capacity Eels crowd was rewarded with one last try with Blue and Gold hero Fuifui Moimoi scoring in the final minute. Luke Burt maintained his perfect kicking record making it eight from eight, completing an absolute massacre of the Panthers who were made to look like absolute amateurs against the red-hot Eels.In the end, the massive build-up to this game was something of an anti-climax such was the Eel's dominance however, we've got another big week ahead of us as we take on the Dragons in a game that could possibly see us vault a number of places up the ladder. Bring on those Dragons!

"Just watched the replay...

Williams... awesome.
Fox - quality. Re-sign.
Zac - fantastic first game back. Easily best winger in NRL. Blues for sure.
Mitch... didn't own it but has to be NSW 6.
Penis... just fark off... got the ball security of an 8…"

Replies

shwgrl August 28, 2009 at 9:29pm

Great game, Morts was fantastic, all played well.
Pushed a few stupid passes at times but didnt hurt us at all.
Gives other teams pleanty to worry about
Go Parra!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gil Carter August 28, 2009 at 9:34pm

Simply fantastic!! - How good is Reddy going? - Mortimer has really come of age. We must keep him. Every one stood up - The pressure of winning consecutively doesn't seem to get to them (unlike the fans) - What a turnaround from earlier in the year!! - Well done Parra!!!
Fui Fui Moi Moi August 28, 2009 at 9:52pm

WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so pumped right now already got my ticket for next weeks vs the dragons.
stephen August 28, 2009 at 10:05pm

How good was that...They came at us hard in defence early and I was a bit worried that we were having trouble gaining yardage but we hung in there and steadily grew in confidence.The scary thing is that wasn't our best game in recent times. We can improve..WOW.... Just to finish.How good is Luke Burt!!! another 24 points and an all round top class game. You never hear his name when the plaudits are given out. I salute you Luke. What a great clubman.When you talk about Hindmarsh & Cayless as Parra men ...never leave out Luke Burt.
Shaun August 28, 2009 at 10:10pm

Mortimer had a blinder as did Reddy (in defense) and Burt was just great. Yes, Hayne set up two tries but he was relatively quiet. We ain't a one man show.

Yes, bring on the Dragons. We'll win and the results will go our way putting us in sixth or fifth spot.
Gil Carter August 28, 2009 at 11:23pm

Not afraid of anyone now - Dogs? (beat 'em 27-8) - Storm? (beat 'em 26-18) - Titans? (could've easily beaten 'em up at Skilled BEFORE we started our run). Dragons? (the only frontier left....& next week will be their reckoning). Still no team this year has beaten us twice & Dragons will make it sweet!! - I bet they can hear our pounding hooves, as we come steaming down the outside to win it all!!! - Be afraid Drag Queens..... Be very afraid!!......... Wayne Bennett?? - We have DA!!!!
Parra Mafia August 28, 2009 at 11:25pm

To all you guys who bag Keating, Robson and Lowrie and wish they weren't there so you can bring in Tim Smith.
Keating was awesome, Robson was handy in attack and his defence was superb and Lowrie gave 125% as usual.

Any comments??
- Tim > Parra Mafia August 29, 2009 at 7:57am
  
  I've said it once and i'll say it again. If we are going to re-sign Lowrie, he should get 50K, seeing as he has been free-riding for 2.5 seasons on about 250K.
  
  I'd still prefer Hindy, Shack and Mateo in the backrow though for next season with Smith, a hooker/utility, Moimoi and Mannah on the bench.
- Toecutter > Parra Mafia August 29, 2009 at 9:10am
  
  Couln't agree more,as I have said on other posts Robson must stay. His defensive effort against Jennings tonight was awesome, didn't give the guy an inch. Also his attacking game has improved over the last weeks doesn't try to overplay the situation he just gives great service to the guys that can. Lowrie and Keating have also improved week on week and are beginning to repay their coaches faith. Last nights game was the most clinical I have seen the whole team in a long time.
fishbulb August 29, 2009 at 12:58am

If you don't mind, I think I'll be death-riding the Tigers. They lose, we're playing finals football.

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