As predicted Johnathon Thurston did play for the Cowboys however despite a mid-game charge from the Cowboys it wasn't enough to lift them to victory.
For the first time this year, the Eels were first to score. Kris Keating aimed himself at a half gap 10 metres out and although failing to break through, he got his arms free and popped a ball for Ben Smith who trialed through for the try.
The second try came off the boot of Jarryd Hayne, who slid a perfect grubber into a game behind the Cowboys line and Timana Tahu showed great enthusiasm to get to the ball before two Cowboy defenders.
It really did look a case of by how far, as the Eels were throwing the ball around with confidence and it was shades of 2009 as they opened up the 12 to nil victory.
However, rain started falling at Dairy Farmers and after a number of dropped balls the Eels seemed to go back into their shell and it was the Cowboys who assumed the ascendency.
First Johnathon Thurston produced a trademark short pass for Scott Bolton who squeezed between Kris Keating and Joel Reddy to bust through for a try. Then ex-Eel Ashley Graham scored when the Eel's backline showed a lack of urgency to clean up a clever cross-field grubber from Cowboys half Ray Thomson.
That leveled the scores up for half-time and in the second stanza the Cowboys continued on their way, when Willie Mason produced a great piece of individual play to flick the ball back to Willie Tonga close to the line and the Cowboys were in front.
Eels fans will take great solace from the fact that their side did not panic or drop their sack. Instead, Fuifui Moimoi's return and a more involved Feleti Mateo dragged the Eels back into the match.
A very nice short ball from Daniel Mortimer, put Feleti Mateo into half a gap and he produced a magnificent flick pass to get the ball back to Mortimer who raced away to level the scores up at 18 all.
The Eels then re-gained the lead when a Mortimer cross-field bomb was spilled by the Cowboys and Joel Reddy tapped the ball back to an unmarked Krisnan Inu who got the ball over the line. Burt converted from out wide and we were now up 24 to 18.
It was far from a vintage performance from the Eels. Across the park, there were moments of brilliance mixed with moments of stupidity or just plain poor play. That was especially so for both halves. However, to go up to Townsville and come back with the two points when you don't play at your best, isn't a result to be sneezed at.
We'll take it, thank you.
Replies
I can go to bed happy and can now stop drinking:)
I know it's a TEAM game and I know Mannah Horo etc (last week) Fui & Mateo (this week)..........etc BUT, the REAL standouts are, WITHOUT QUESTION KKEATING & TAHU.....and I'll explain why
But firstly, let me back the truck up about KKeating - I thought that (like his brother) that KKeating's footy brain was somewhat limited (poor decision making in particular) and that he had a tendancy to OVER PLAY his options to TRY to MAKE plays happen on nearly every time he got the ball.........
And I'm happy to report that I have been completely WRONG with my estimation. Perhaps KK has been probing and searching for a ROLE to play within the team...............the problem with a player like KKeating who has the ENTIRE pack of cards to play with (he can run and take on the line, step, dummy, pass, support players, kick long and kick short...and he's one hellova defender too)....the problem (IMO) for KKeating has been, WHAT OPTION to take....a case of TOO MANY CHOICES all running around in only a 21 year old footy brain !!!!
Yet somewhere in all the confusion and with Parra on the ropes at half time against the Rabbitohs - KEATING LEARNED HOW TO UNDERPLAY HIS ROLE........in otherwords, he learned not HOW to make plays BUT WHEN to make em........................and that my friends is GOLD GOLD BLUE & GOLD for everybody else.
It is no coincidence that the emergence of KKeating's MATURATION process begun in the secvond half against the Rabbits and was also the GO TO GUY against the Cowboys...............his KICKING GAME has been a major contributor in Parra's return to form - amongst the KAOS (at time during both games) with TOO MANY Parra turnovers and penalties - KKEATING's organisational skills has kept Parra in the game with precision kick's, timely darts at opposing defenses and SHIFTNG the ball out wide to TAHU & Co AT THE RIGHT TIMES......KKeating has simply KEPT Parra in the game....he has kept the train on the tracks (if you will)....and whenever Parra is still IN any game (as we all know) - Parra is a chance to win - what KKeating has LEARNED is NOT to WIN single handidly BUT HOW NOT TO LOSE SINGLE HANDIDLY.....and that folks is HUGE !!!!!!
It's only the start, but IT has begun.............KKEATING is "THE" guy........make no bones about it.............finally HAYNE has a partner in crime (not Mortimer like we all thought) BUT KKeating IS Batman's Robin here..............HAYNE is a schemer and a thinker as well as a gifted athlete.............KKeating is a schemer and a thinker too....................the SINGLE biggest improvement in KKeating's game is, without question, his NEW learned abilkity to UNDERPLAY his role and to MAKE BETTER DECISIONS .....the kid is only 21 and has an obvious tonne of talent ( So did Tim Smith) but learning HOW TO USE that talent is always the question to ask here ? and sure, KKeating will make poor decisions at times during his re-learning process - BUT he will get it RIGHT MORE than he gets it wrong
Also, the PRESENCE of TAHU on the footy field CANNOT be underestimated..............TAHU has NOW established himself as Parra's ALPHA MALE - Tahu is NOW Parra's EMOTIONAL LEADER on the paddock.............Tahu's RE-EMERGENCE began against the Rabbits with that well documented BELL RINGER and TAHU looks DANGEROUS in ATTACK and DEFENSE at almost EVERY SINGLE opportunity
BUT , it is, without question, TAHU's presence and his EFFECT on players around him that BRINGS the MOST VALUE. Men require LEADERSHIP and (sadly) Cayless has NEVER been able to INSPIRE MEN, no matter how hard he tries (and he DOES try HARDER than most).............BUT thankfully now - TAHU has simply taken that responsibility by the throat and has MADE IT HIS............Men need LEADERSHIP and there is absolutly NO QUESTION that TAHU has decided to LEAD on the field.................Parra is a MUCH more dangerous prospect NOW that TAHU has stepped it up simply by WILLING his TEAM MATES to do the same
Go the Eels
well done!
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