Indeed, were it not for what looked like a highly questionable decision not to award Jeff Robson a penalty after he was impeded in chasing through a kick and chase, the Eels probably would have got the money. At that stage, the score was 14 to 6 and two points would have sealed it.
Instead, the Dragon’s great escape afforded them the opportunity to march downfield and it wasn’t long later they got a try through winger Peni Tagive off a Darius Boyd grubber behind the line.
All tries tonight came from kicks. The Eel’s first saw Jarryd Hayne knock a kick back to Fuifui Moimoi who stepped his way past the last line of defence to score. Luke Burt’s conversion and then a penalty against Dan Hunt for taking out the kicker, saw the Eels shoot out to an eight to nil lead, however that was reduced to a two point advantage when Adam Cutherburtson claimed a neat Jamie Soward chip kick to score. Our second saw Taniela Lasalo dive on a kick that was spilled by Jason Nightingale and we were unlucky not to have grabbed a third, after the video referee disallowed a potential four-pointer adjudging that Luke Burt had knocked on in contesting the football. Given the success we were having with the strategy, it was hard to fathom a Jeff Robson’s decision to grubber to the in-goal with just a minute left on the clock.
However, we still went into the break with a 14 to six lead and with real hope of breaking the Dragon’s nine-win streak.
The second half was really a toe-to-toe affair, but we were holding well until that non-penalty and subsequent try and from then on, it seemed - from the bleachers at the least - that we received a run of questionable decisions. Jeff Robson was penalisd for holding down a tackler and the Dragons opted to give Jamie Soward a shot from wide out to tie up the contest, which the super boot nailed over the black dot.
That led to a tense final ten minutes, and then Golden Point extra time as both teams traded field goal shots although mostly from long distances. Only two went close. Jamie Soward nailed one, only to have it disallowed for an incorrect play the ball - that was probably Parramatta’s only real break on the night, and Jarryd Hayne went agonisingly close with a field goal attempt that travelled nearly 60 metres.
In the end, the Eels had to be content with a draw. It’s a result most Eels fans would have jumped to accept before the match, but given the lead they held, it would have been a heart-breaking result for the players who fought so hard and bravely to really earn this result against a side that has so far dominated the competition.
What will please Eels fans is that Parramatta have been tenacious at home this season - now four in a row without a loss, and they showed real heart tonight and defended tremendously. Stephen Kearney is starting to get his side to play the type of football he has been aiming for, and it’s hard not to get excited by the fact that we should only get better from this point in. Don’t give up on season 2011 yet.
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For all the Keating and Ben Smith bashers - you shall bash no more.
I have Benny as best on ground tonight, for his many one-on-one tackles in crucial situations, and his increased tempo in attack.
Very, very good game from him.
No doubt the Eels were the better side for most of the game, and I for one, am pleased with a draw.
Fantastic performance from the boys, they really worked hard for each other tonight. The word 'gutsy' doesn't do the effort justice.
Considering we were pretty much dominated in the yardage game all night, it only helps consolidate how tenacious the boys were.
We didn't get the two points, but I couldn't be happier.
I could not be prouder of my boys tonight.
For all that say that SK is doing nothing with the team - watch tonight's performance.
The courage and determination we showed is like nothing we showed last year. We played for each other tonight and it really was a gutsy performance.
I could see no one out there who did not bust their butt. Our young guys stepped up so tremendously (Loko, Allgood, Lasalo and Morgan) and with the help of our more senior men we were fantastic.
Our defence has improved remarkably. Seriously, the commitment we showed was incredible. Each player stood up tonight. Our attack looked better tonight too.
I might just go have a little cry tonight - the boys were amazing.
lost by 2 points last week, draw (1 point) this week, Bye (2 points) next week - steady improvement :)
Hmmmmmmm
A match of the Good - the NOT so good and fortunately NO real Ugly.
Robson after having such a good game reverts to THREE grubbers that cost us dearly by handing the Dragons 20 M restarts when we had momentum.
Our defense DID take their foot off the Drags throat for around 15 minutes in the second half and instead of coming up quickly they stood and waited for the attack to come to them.
The tackles were being made but only after St G gained valuable metres the Eels had been starving them of earlier.
St George made the best of this with Soward orchestrating a come back.
I felt Hayne overplayed his hand on a few occassions which could have allowed us to continue a few movements for more metres.
Having a dubious decision allow the Drags to equalise the guys dug in and more than held their own.
I am not yet getting excited but this was a good display of what Kearney has been indicating he wants from the team.
BTW - what happened to Webb? I can only remember seeing him for a very short stint on the park and although he was tackling well his 2 or 3 hit ups were ordinary
Hindy - Smith - McGuire had excellent games.
Loko and Morgan did very well against the competion's current best team.
Would like to see Loko taking more hit ups inside our own 20 tho.
Burt was very involved and supporting anything Blue N Gold that ran forward.
Pretty happy with the team in an overall context regardless of the errors of some.
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