Parramatta literally threw away the opportunity to knock over Manly, in what was again a case of so close yet so far when they went down 26 to 20.
The Eels held an 14 to 6 first half lead but soon surrendered that with two basic errors on their line that saw Manly over having to dive on the ball to score. Then just when it seemed like they were out for the count, the Eels staged a late comeback scoring a try with under four minutes to go and then Luke Burt just couldn’t grasp the crumbs from an after-the-siren bomb that would have sent the game into golden point.
Parramatta were clearly the better side in the first half. They controlled possession and territory and were rewarded with two early penalties before Chris Hicks picked up a Manly dropped ball and beat three defenders to get the ball down with the help of a late nudge from Jarryd Hayne. Luke Burt converted to give the Eels a ten to nil lead.
The Sea Eagles got a try back when Jarryd Hayne attempted an intercept but instead it was former Eel Jamie Lyon streaking downfield before sending Dale Cherry-Evans across the line. Lyon converted to make it 10 to six before the Eels structured one of their better backline movements of the season, which set up Luke Burt to send replacement winger Ryan Morgan over in the corner. Burt just missed the conversion but the 14 to six half time lead was well deserved.
However, in the second half Jarryd Hayne threw a ball to Ryan Morgan, which the young back could reach and Manly’s Steve Matai ended up pouncing on the ball and after a dozen-or-so views from the video referee were finally awarded a try. Then Chris Hicks totally screwed up a kick return, slipping over and then failing to bat in over the deal-ball and Manly had two cheap tries in less than ten minutes and had surrendered their lead with the score now 18 to 14.
Dale Cherry Evans then beat Matt Keating and Jarryd Hayne to bust downfield before finding Lyon and then Brett Stewart in support and the Eels looked sunk at 26 to 18.
Jarryd Hayne had an unhappy night but produced an amazing little grubber for Justin Horo to score with three minutes to go. Luke Burt’s converion left them just six point behind and a shot of pulling off a minor miracle.
That miracle almost came to fruition. On the last play of the night, Jarryd Hayne put up a towering kick that Manly only succeeded in batting down and he bounced up sharply to Luke Burt who just couldn’t grasp the ball as he ran threw to the line.
Parramatta found yet another way to lose tonight, but they defended staunchly and were the better side for most of the match. They showed last week’s disgraceful performance againt Souths was an aberration and they they’re capable of competing week-in, week-out with every side in the competition.
In particular, at home this year, they have treated Eels fans to a gutsy performance every week since that poor Penrith loss. Every home match this year has gone down to the wire, and while the Stadium has more resembled a cardiac arrest unit than a fortress, we’ve certainly had our share of thrills and excitement. That side, a little less excitement and a few more wins, would have been welcomed.
The Eels held an 14 to 6 first half lead but soon surrendered that with two basic errors on their line that saw Manly over having to dive on the ball to score. Then just when it seemed like they were out for the count, the Eels staged a late comeback scoring a try with under four minutes to go and then Luke Burt just couldn’t grasp the crumbs from an after-the-siren bomb that would have sent the game into golden point.
Parramatta were clearly the better side in the first half. They controlled possession and territory and were rewarded with two early penalties before Chris Hicks picked up a Manly dropped ball and beat three defenders to get the ball down with the help of a late nudge from Jarryd Hayne. Luke Burt converted to give the Eels a ten to nil lead.
The Sea Eagles got a try back when Jarryd Hayne attempted an intercept but instead it was former Eel Jamie Lyon streaking downfield before sending Dale Cherry-Evans across the line. Lyon converted to make it 10 to six before the Eels structured one of their better backline movements of the season, which set up Luke Burt to send replacement winger Ryan Morgan over in the corner. Burt just missed the conversion but the 14 to six half time lead was well deserved.
However, in the second half Jarryd Hayne threw a ball to Ryan Morgan, which the young back could reach and Manly’s Steve Matai ended up pouncing on the ball and after a dozen-or-so views from the video referee were finally awarded a try. Then Chris Hicks totally screwed up a kick return, slipping over and then failing to bat in over the deal-ball and Manly had two cheap tries in less than ten minutes and had surrendered their lead with the score now 18 to 14.
Dale Cherry Evans then beat Matt Keating and Jarryd Hayne to bust downfield before finding Lyon and then Brett Stewart in support and the Eels looked sunk at 26 to 18.
Jarryd Hayne had an unhappy night but produced an amazing little grubber for Justin Horo to score with three minutes to go. Luke Burt’s converion left them just six point behind and a shot of pulling off a minor miracle.
That miracle almost came to fruition. On the last play of the night, Jarryd Hayne put up a towering kick that Manly only succeeded in batting down and he bounced up sharply to Luke Burt who just couldn’t grasp the ball as he ran threw to the line.
Parramatta found yet another way to lose tonight, but they defended staunchly and were the better side for most of the match. They showed last week’s disgraceful performance againt Souths was an aberration and they they’re capable of competing week-in, week-out with every side in the competition.
In particular, at home this year, they have treated Eels fans to a gutsy performance every week since that poor Penrith loss. Every home match this year has gone down to the wire, and while the Stadium has more resembled a cardiac arrest unit than a fortress, we’ve certainly had our share of thrills and excitement. That side, a little less excitement and a few more wins, would have been welcomed.
Replies
Tough to watch. Tough to sit through at the game. If only we got to pick the best 60 mins of each game to count towards the result - we would be leading the comp. We won 60 mins of the game 20-6, but lost 20-nil for the other 20 mins. Story of our season.
Oh well, surely it couldn't happen again next week....
Great blog title 1Eyed
"THROW away Manly opportunity"
Unfortunately we have invented soooooo many ways to throw games away that it looks like it is becoming our new normal playing style.
I am sick and tired of hearing "how unlucky" we have been over the past 10 - 12 weeks with close misses for 2 competition points.
We compete for 40 - 50 minutes then sit back to invent ways to inflict serious self harm.
Anyone else apart from the Eels and they would be locked up in a psych ward for the serious self harm they continue to practice.
IF (the BIG if) this team ever learns to play for 80 minutes they would be on top of the table and no one would ever get close to them.
The most frustrating part of supporting the Eels is watching them come out and put the front runners on the back foot then think they have the game won after the first half and just go back to 5 yo park footy practice and blow THEMSELVES out of the game.
We don't get beaten - we gift games to the opposition.
They showed last week’s disgraceful performance againt Souths was an aberration and they they’re capable of competing week-in, week-out with every side in the competition.
Well said 1Eyed - I knew you add some objective sanity after the panic merchants went bezerk after last week's disaster - I had no doubt that Parra would play hard and compete for 80mins against Manly - I also had no doubt that they would also lose though.
As has been the case for nearly ALL of the second half of season 2011 - Parramatta weakness - which is a LACK OF TALENT on the playing roster has been ruthlessly exposed yet again
Those who have seen Parra as simply giving up or having a poor attitude have really missed the big story of the Parramatta 2011 side - which is despite having inherited a side incapable of executing the SK game plan EFFECTIVELY due to a lack of talent in the halves, as well as key injuries to our outside backs - which meant Parra struggles to threaten teams out wide after all the good stuff (high completions, and effective kicks by Hayne) HAS BEEN compounded on by an existing problem of depth out wide (lack of) thanks to Tahu's thumb-sucking antics in the pre-season, the untimely retirement of Grothe and injuries to Loko & Reddy - in otherwords, Parra's lack of PUNCH out wide to consistantly turn possession & territory into points has been (for me) one of the main reasons Parra has fallen short , so often in 2011 - the other is not having another play-maker in the halves to help Hayne (enter Sandow) has only added to Parra's woes in the lack of player talent department
I believe, despite Parra's position on the ladder that 2011 has not been as bad as it appears on paper - 2012 will see a MASSIVE turnaround and will finish more likely in the top half of the ladder, not near the bottom like in 2011 - as player talent in key positions is being addressed with the aquisition of Sandow and Tonga etc
Parra will know going into 2012 - that with a bit of luck (injuries) the squad and playing style developed under SK in 2011 will be confident enough to beat ANY SIDE in the comp - and that is a HUGE plus before even a tackle has been made in 2012
Go the Eels
Well, said Tele1, I completely agree, the els side of 2011 can't be accused of not trying, even though we have not won many games I have come away from their matches being satisfied that my team gave it a damn good try. Simply put, we just don't have the personnel to compete with the top teams, but jeez we give them a fright and if some luck had gone our way in many games, we could have won more.
I look forward to seeing what SK can do with our side next year..........bring it on!
I reckon it is fitness watmo
They seem to be trying their best but don't have anything in the tank imo.
SK needs to change the water they drink at half time
OR
get a conditioning coach who can get the guys to go the full 80 minutes.
This "super" hard training crap is leaving them exhausted before they even get on the paddock
Cows punted Billy Johnson after last years effort and look at them now - go 80 minutes and a damm site more fule in the tank to do it with.
Billy Johnson used to make the guys do weights WITHOUT air con in the gym in the Townsville heat and humidity to "harden" them.
Got a feeling SK and crew are trying the same bit of stupidity.