The Sydney Roosters showed why they're favoured to become the first team since the Eels of the 80s to three-peat when they overcame the Blue and Gold on Saturday night in the best game of the season so far.
But in losing, the Eels displayed qualities that many experts and fans alike are backing them to challenge the Roosters later in the season.
Parramatta went into the match off the back of two hard-fought victories over the Manly Sea Eagles and Penrith Panthers. Neither side are easy beats. The Sea Eagles beat the Canberra Raiders on the weekend missing seven regulars by the end of the match, while the Panthers beat perennial contenders the Melbourne Storm.
The Roosters meanwhile flew into the contest having demolished the Broncos and Bulldogs comfortably.
In the first 25 minutes, the Roosters seemed to attack at will. Set after set they peppered the Eels line but the Blue and Gold turned them away until the 20th minute when an errant Roosters pass managed to crack the Parramatta line.
The old Eels would've folded earlier, probably given up a few extra tries for good measure and become roadkill.
But this seems to be a different side. Their defence was resolute and difficult to breach. So much so that the usually attack happy Roosters opted for two penalty goals instead of repeat sets.
What could have been a bloodbath saw the Roosters enter half time up 8-0.
Emerging from the break, Parramatta looked the more energetic. They scored almost immediately after the resumption through Michael Jennings.
15 minutes later a rampaging Maika Sivo sent James Tedesco to the shadow realm and Mitchell Moses' conversion gave the Eels a 10-8 lead.
It was the first time since round two that the Roosters had been behind on the scoreboard.
The Roosters showed their quality though and hit back immediately before the sin binning of Jennings ended any hope the Eels had of a fight back.
The reigning Premiers won 24-10.
But it is telling the respect the Eels earned in that match. Of the Roosters' 24 points, eight came from penalty goals.
Parramatta have plenty to work on. Their defensive right side is becoming a problem due to Waqa Blake's seeming inability to tackle.
Their ball control was sloppy at times and invited pressure, although they did manage to defend many of their mistakes, which is an attribute that has been missing for years.
Against most other sides, the Eels win that game. But the Roosters were too professional, too clinical, too experienced to get rattled by watching their best player escorted from the field after being trampled.
Sivo hit Tedesco so hard, Teddy was probably telling the doc to tell Tim Sheens he was right to go.
In that loss the Eels learnt what it takes to be champions. The Eels were good. The Roosters were better.
That one off performance can't be enough for Parramatta. It won't be enough for the fans. Success has been a long time coming. Close enough isn't good enough anymore.
Next weekend they take on a Canberra Raiders team with plenty of firepower but coming off two poor performances.
A win here will deliver a two-fold statement.
First it will strengthen their top four aspirations.
Second it will deliver a statement to the competition that they are Premiership contenders.
It's up to the Eels to show they have the mentality and drive to do that.
Replies
Yes I also agree Curtis Scott is vulnerable.
Yeah that first try was seriously bad defence.
Considering it was Dylan in cover, you'd back him 99% of the time to put Morris into touch. That was followed by another poor effort by Gutho.
It would've been amazing if we held them there, 2-0 at half time would've been amazing.
Most of Waqa's issues are from side on. He rarely hits with the shoulder, instead trying for wrapping the arms in a ball and all style. Almost impossible as the player is running by you. More shoulders, less arms. Fix it immediately!!!
Wouldn't surprise me if Waqa is trying to protect the shoulder he had surgery on in the off season.
That's a simple fix. As Slugg said yesterday, play Waqa on the wing in defence. It's easier to tackle your opposite winger ball and all style but more difficult on a centre
I really hope the Roosters don't win 3 Premierships in a row as they most certainly don't deserve it as far as I'm concerned. Last year's grand final was definitely robbed from the Raiders. During the Eels 80's campaign 81 - 83 in particular there were no such controversial decisions and the Eels were clearly the better side on all accounts. However, with the Roosters they're undeserved title holders and do not even come into the same arena as the 80's Eels.
think the game showed we can beat the roosters silly penalties cost us
When Morris scored I yelled at Gutherson take him body and and all instead of grabbing at the shoulders ,just like Blake
He wasn't the only problem, Dylan's attempt was pathetic - both are very good defenders so for both to miss him was quite surprising.
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