Match Report: Eels march into the Grand Final

The mighty Parramatta Eels are now one win away from completing what will go down as one of the greatest premiership runs of all time after they outclassed and outpointed the Bulldogs 22 to 12.It was a match where none of the calls seemed to fall the Eels way - a number of contentious decisions went with the Bulldogs, however this was a Parramatta side that would not be denied and to a man, they were simply awesome tonight.However, they do have a number of concerns going into next week's decider against the Storm or Broncos. Nathan Cayless went off just 10 minutes into the match with a hamstring injury and Jarryd Hayne and Matt Keating are on report for knees in the back and a chicken wing, respectively.It was a tough game from start to finish and on the Bulldogs first kick return, Luke Pattern copped an accidental knock from Nathan Cayless and left the field concussed. Patten's injury saw El Masri switch to fullback and Idris moving to the wing and the Dogs backline just never really clicked with the changes.However, they were still able to record the first points when they got yet another try off their signature kick behind the line, just a few minutes into the match. The opportunity came after Ben Smith was ruled to have knocked the ball on, although Eels fans would argue that there was definite interference in the ruck. To make matter worse, Jarryd Hayne was adjudged to have dropped knees into the back of try-scorer Bryson Goodwin and El Masri was given a shot in front of goal as a result, after missing the initial sideline conversion.It really was the worst possible start for Parramatta, and not a lot they could do about it either. However, fortunately they kept their composure, even when their captain pulled himself off the field not long after with a hamstring problem.Far from going into their shells, the Eels gradually started to get more confident in promoting the ball and it was a tactic that the Bulldogs just never were able to combat. However, it took until the 24th minute for them to post a point with another piece of Jarryd Hayne individual brilliance creating a try from nothing, when he accelerated, broke two tackles and then handed off to Joe Galuvao for the Eel's opening try under the sticks. The Burt conversion put us back on level terms, but we most definitely had the ascendency.It looked like we were about to go up 12 to six when a Bulldogs fumble was picked up by the Eels who raced away with the ball, however, the play was called back and the Eels were doubtfully penalised for our markers not being square. That sent the Dogs downfield and onto the attack and a 12 point turnaround was eventuated when Hayne made a meal of trying to clean up an awkward bouncing grubber and Josh Morris powered through to touch down before Hayne could recover from his misjudgement. The El Masri conversion put the Bulldogs in front by 12 to six, but the Eels had looked the more dangerous, with the Bulldogs not really pressuring the Eels with the ball in hand.That said, it was important we carried that momentum through into the second half, and they did, playing an even more expansive brand of football with the likes of Feleti Mateo promoting the footy at every opportunity. This had the Dogs constantly on the back pedal. The pressure we were able to mount resulted in a try to Luke Burt after Krisnan Inu did well to pull in a pass and then dish off the Burt 10 minutes into the half and then Tim Mannah scored his first try of the season, backing up the ball after the Eels had once again managed to keep it alive with a number of offloads. Those two tries put the Eels in front for the first time in the game, up 16 to 12, after Burt missed the first but potted the second.Once in front, the Eels never looked like being headed. The Eels coped remarkably well without their captain, despite only having three recognised props in the side, with Fuifui Moimoi really stepping up to the play at making almost 200 metres from 20 hit ups. Moimoi was at the centre of the Eels final try starting the play with a good offload that eventually saw Daniel Mortimer go over near the posts and the 22 to 12 scoreline that resulted from the Burt conversion would never be pegged back.The Eels were awesom across the park. Jarryd Hayne was good, without dominating, and he was no more responsible for the victory than a half dozen Eels players. As mentioned, Moimoi was brilliant up front and well supported by Tim Mannah, while Ben Smith and Nathan Hindmarsh produced incredible defensive performances. Jeff Robson produced arguably his finest game at NRL level, steering the side around the park brilliantly and Mortimer produced a brave effort given his injury. Burt was always dangerous on the wing and Krisnan Inu made a very impressive return constantly beating his opposites with dazzling footwork.It will be a nervous couple of days as the Eels await the judiciary reports and the news on Captain Cayless' hamstring. However, regardless of what happens and no matter who wins tomorrow night, the Eels juggernaut just keeps rolling on. They fear no-one and nor should they. They are on the verge of one of the most incredible premierships of all time.

As always mate, I love your work. Thanks for putting that report together. I didn't get home from the game until midnight and I'm guessing you were in a similar boat. It's impressive that there's a report up for the fans to read already.

I was feeling nervous and sick as the 2nd half kicked off and honestly didn't expect us to win. It was a sensational second half. Even with the dodgy calls against us we were able to put on some sensational tries to seal the game. It was a great night to be an Eels fan. Now for the big one!!!

The one thing I was most impressed with was the way that Fui kept on running and running and running at Hannant. After being dominated in his first couple of hit ups you could excuse Fui for trying a different and less painful tactic. Early in the second half Fui had the points over Hannant and just kept on pounding him. It was great to watch. I'd love to see a highlights package full of his hit ups from the game.

Let's enjoy this week and hopefully come away with a very special piece of history.

"I think thats the problem. He is too good for NSW cup so we are trying to jut fit him into the NRL team somehow . But in reality he is not a 6 or a 9. Just a fullback right now. During the recent pre-season Papalii only spent time training with…"

"The chances of him being our 6 next year are very low, if he was a serious consideration he would be playing 6 now with dylan at centre. I'll be very surprised if he is our starting 6 next season unless he gets a lot more time there this season. "

"I think Joash is a good player, but from what I've seen only at fullback or on the wing. Those positions we've got pretty well covered, so I guess he's a great back up option. I'd like to see him in 1st grade, but I dont know how he fits in?"

Replies

Finchy September 25, 2009 at 11:49pm

Freakin brilliant. That nearly killed me. Nervous sweats .. heart going at 100 beats a minute. I can hardly believe we are in the GF after such a crazy season. Well done to the boys .. they were awsome and made the dogs look boring and incompetent.

Praying that Caylo can make the GF .. it will be criminal if he misses the win.
Ross September 26, 2009 at 12:06am

Every time i thought of the game today my heart done a back flip.. for a fairly fit 6' 2" 103 kg red hed.. that is saying shit i am scared and not used to it. lol but we one and what more could we ask.. a grand final??
Ross September 26, 2009 at 2:28am

Well written 1Eyed. the Dogs tried to match us at our own game (Flamboyance) in the second half.. which they had no chance of.. and that was that.
rob lauridsen September 26, 2009 at 3:56am

love the match report. great to have that feeling that we will win games even when its not going our way, its been a while since i could say that. Who ever we play im confident more so than last time , i hope for his sake that cayless can play he deserves this but in saying that im sure that the boys will win it for him
Camo73 September 26, 2009 at 8:16am

As always mate, I love your work. Thanks for putting that report together. I didn't get home from the game until midnight and I'm guessing you were in a similar boat. It's impressive that there's a report up for the fans to read already.

I was feeling nervous and sick as the 2nd half kicked off and honestly didn't expect us to win. It was a sensational second half. Even with the dodgy calls against us we were able to put on some sensational tries to seal the game. It was a great night to be an Eels fan. Now for the big one!!!

The one thing I was most impressed with was the way that Fui kept on running and running and running at Hannant. After being dominated in his first couple of hit ups you could excuse Fui for trying a different and less painful tactic. Early in the second half Fui had the points over Hannant and just kept on pounding him. It was great to watch. I'd love to see a highlights package full of his hit ups from the game.

Let's enjoy this week and hopefully come away with a very special piece of history.
- Ryot Wilson > Camo73 September 26, 2009 at 1:52pm
  
  Totally agree 1eyed thanks for doing this,
Djl September 26, 2009 at 9:09am

great match report WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHhooooooooooooooooooooooo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eelheart September 26, 2009 at 9:20am

I was watching the after game interviews and realized that MOORE IS SUCH A SORE LOOSER. he was complaining about some bad calls they had. how about the bad calls the EELS had against????
What a win I came out unable to talk from the stadium I lost voice completely.
GO THE MIGHTY EELS
waldo September 26, 2009 at 9:40am

Apart from the fingertip strip by Hindy which went unreported and resulted in our scrum feed we didn't get many calls but Parra were super confident the whole match. This time it wasn't Groethe lobbing hand grenades ~ the whole team were doing it!
And, I thought Parra were a little ragged at times. Hopefully this will mean they're fluid as Eels for the GF.
Mortimer was terrific.
Tinkerbell September 26, 2009 at 10:46am

I could not be prouder!

Once again, the courage of plaers like Robbo (who now has an Appreciation Group on Facebook), Big Smiley Ben Smith, Big Joe, Tim Mannah, Hindy, KK was incredible. Throw this in with the likes of Hayne, Inu and Morts and you have a performance which blew the Bulldogs off the park. The Bulldogs were formidable opponents, but our defence made them look like a second class team.

Also - congratulations to the fans there last night. The atmosphere was amazing - as was Church Street a few hours later! The celebrations continued well into the night.