Match Report: Eels fall short against Bulldogs

Parramatta have just failed to overcome their arch enemies the Bulldogs going down 20 to 16 in a match that was really a tale of contrasting halves.

As was rumoured prior to the match, Vai Toutai came into the Eels starting side for Ken Sio, and Ben Roberts started for Junior Paulo who shifted back to the bench.

The Bulldogs started much the better scoring two tries in the first ten minutes. The first came from a cross-field kick which the Dogs regathered before kicking again, coming up with the dregs and putting on the initial four-pointer. The second came from a blindside play with Cheyse Blair over-committing on his inside and the dogs scoring in the corner to give themselves a ten nil lead.

However, the Eels fought back courtesy of Chris Sandow who carried on his fine opening match form. A pin-point Sandow bomb, bounced off the Dogs defenders falling to Matt Ryan who touched down. Sandow converted to make it 10 to six. Then six minutes later Sandow took the ball one off the ruck sprinted to his right, creating an overlap and firing a pass out to Blair who did well to touch down despite a last ditch tackle from his opposite number.

Where Sandow was providing the spark for the Eels, Josh Reynolds was doing the same for for the Bulldogs. The match was quickly developing into a try-fest and three minutes later the Bulldogs regained the lead after Reynolds slipped between Ben Roberts and Jacob Loko to race 60m and score. Reynolds then delivered a perfect kick for Sam Perrett and despite the attention of young Toutai, the Bulldogs winger managed to get the ball down giving the Dogs a 20 to 10 lead.

Parramatta really needed a try before half-time and they were gifted one, when an aggressive tackle including a suspicious Sandow shoulder knocked the ball loose from the Bulldog carrier and the ball was shuffled out to Blair who scored again, putting Parramatta back to within four following the successful Sandow conversion.

The Eels resumed proceedings without their co-captain Reni Maitua, ruled out for the rest of the match with reported ankle ligament damage. The second half was completely opposite to the first 40 minutes, with defence dominating and both sides struggling to make headway. The Eels had the better opportunities but as the second half clicked over it looked increasingly like we were going to end up with a stalemate. And that we did, with the Bulldogs paying much more attention to Chris Sandow and Jarryd Hayne failing to inject himself into the match from fullback.

A commendable performance from the Eels but they just fell short of what would have been a massive boost to this young side.

"Wiz you made my day with that pic. Please keep em coming. We need some entertainment around this place. Second best post all year to the Sarantinos sacking! ❤️"

"Poppa, I won't claim to have read all the posts but I don't see what Wiz finds objectionable in what I've said. Without lab results of dosage we don't know if JAC was driving impaired. Cocaine remains detectable in the system long after effects have…"

"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". "

Replies

Big D March 14, 2013 at 10:08pm

Hayne quiet and both Bens incompetent. Went away from what worked for us in attack last week. Mostly very good defence though which is a welcome bonus. Just needed a proper 5/8 not a back rower or Roberts
Moray Eel - the killer eel March 14, 2013 at 10:08pm

Did Hayne play? He appeared to be injured. The glazed look in his eyes was a worry. I hope he doesn't get drug tested after the game.
Homer Jay March 14, 2013 at 10:09pm

He played his good game last week. Gonna have to wait for wk 10 for his next decent game. Talk about no consistency!
Jacked March 14, 2013 at 10:11pm

What was Haynes problem?
- Braeden Kelly > Jacked March 15, 2013 at 1:17pm
  
  hayne went quiet after Ennis landed and twisted his ankle thats why he played shit
Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown March 14, 2013 at 10:12pm

Not a bad effort, would have won if we got a few things right, damn that hurt.
coco March 14, 2013 at 10:12pm

last week the game opened up for hayne, this game didn't present those opportunities. in saying that he really needed to come up with some big runs from the back. he also saved two tries. wasnt exceptional wasnt very good but just a solid game.
Sokrates V March 14, 2013 at 10:13pm

I for one was not disappointed, we were not bad but our attack went flat, without Reni we lacked that little spark, but I was happy overall with the effort, the inexperienced backline showed tonight but with maturity and guidance they will approve further, of this I have no doubt.

Completion rates was solid and the compression defense was impressive, with good defense I can only see further improvement and the rest will follow.
Prof. Daz March 14, 2013 at 10:13pm

Agree Big D, we need more at 5/8. Roberts makes too many errors, and I still think Paulo tends to crab across field and back-track on himself, rather than straightening the attack. Our defense was a massive improvement from 2011-2012 and kept us in the game. Our problem will be that it is unclear where the improvement in attack will come, and we need to improve, to trouble well-organized defensive lines.
Bourbon Man March 14, 2013 at 10:13pm

All in all, the positive I took from the game was a committed performance from a young team, who refused to concede to a team so far over the salary cap as to be an insult to the honour and history of the game.

Until Shitburt and the NRL reign clubs like the Dogs, Storm and Roosters in, the AFL will continue to gain ground over rugby league. The fans won't keep copping this.