The Parramatta Eels are off to a flying start under new coach Ricky Stuart but face an early litmus test against rivals Canterbury Bulldogs tonight. Join us for live scores and commentary from 8.00pm AEDT.
Stuart could not have asked for a more perfect start to his coaching career at the Eels last week.
Key stars Jarryd Hayne and Chris Sandow played exceptionally well as Parramatta thumped the Warriors 40-10 at home.
For the first time in many moons, the Eels finally managed to click in attack and were also very strong in defence.
As good as Parramatta were however, the Warriors were equally as dreadful and at times looked like a team that is destined to claim the wooden spoon.
New Zealand offered no resistance against Parramatta’s up tempo play and the Eels were allowed to dictate terms.
That will not happen tonight against the Bulldogs.
Despite missing a host of stars last week, the Bulldogs were very competitive in their 12-point defeat to the Cowboys and possess the potential to bring Parramatta back to earth if the Eels are not careful.
Prediction
It’s only round two but tonight’s contest could very well dictate whether or not the Eels are a realistic chance of making the finals.
If there is one team Parramatta loves to beat, it is the Bulldogs, and a win tonight over their great rivals may just spark the Eels to life for the rest of the season.
Beating Canterbury however will be easier said than done, even when they are under-strength.
The Bulldogs were missing regular stars Ben Barba, Sam Kasiano, James Graham and Frank Pritchard in their loss to the Cowboys last week, but they still managed to push a team many expect to challenge for the premiership.
Although all four players remain sidelined tonight, the likes of Greg Eastwood, Tony Williams, Michael Ennis and Josh Morris should still pose plenty of problems for Parramatta’s defence if the Eels fall back to old habits.
Canterbury’s lack of an x-factor in attack may once again prove their downfall against a Parramatta unit being led by in-form stars Hayne and Sandow.
Hayne scored a hat-trick of tries last week while Sandow was also very strong, scoring 16 points in an assured display from the halfback.
Given the amount of attacking class the Bulldogs still have on the sidelines, a fit and firing Hayne and Sandow should provide the Eels with enough spark to cause the upset.
Eels by six.
Renegade
Guest
Thursday Night Football sucks.....25'000 last night is dissapointing. Had it been a Friday night game it would have hit 35-40k easily and probably even more on a Sunday.
Jye
Guest
turbodewd you have no idea. I am with you to say that Hayne didn't have his best game ever, but his work to almost save that try from Reynolds break was great. Instead of just letting Reynolds draw and pass to his support, he kept him podding away hoping that another Parra team mate could catch up to mark the support player, though Josh turned Hayne inside out which ultimately lead to the try. If you want to back a player for that it shows that maybe your football intelligence isn't as illustrious as you thought.
eagleJack
Guest
Wooah someone is obsessed with Hayne noting down times throughout the match! As I said he has weaknesses. But the frustration is borne from people knowing what he can produce. He is an exceptional talent but he does float in and out of games. That is something he needs to work on, but it isn't helped by the fact the Eels have zilch in attack so everyone is expecting the spark to come from him everytime he touches the ball. As for the 20:28 try I actually think he defended as well as could be expected. He kept his balance, backtracked and covered both players. Hard to do when the others are running at full pelt. Reynolds happened to have executed it perfectly so not a lot Hayne could have done. But your other points are fair.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
I was thinking of calling Parramatta police station and reporting a missing person...Jarryd Hayne. An absolute dog of a performance.
turbodewd
Roar Guru
No, what is worse is an NRL pretender who, at fullback, dawdles. Here's Hayne's efforts tonite, pal: 4:00 - Bulldogs cross-field kick. Hayne dawdles across, by 4:03 he has slowed completely. 4:06 ball is on the ground, Cbury recovers, Hayne misses easy tackle 6:28 - Hayne kicks out on full 7:09 - Bulldogs score on edge of field, Hayne nowhere to be found, can be seen dawdling towards the action 20:28 - Hayne allows try, falls for dummy, doesnt even lay a hand on Reynolds. Hayne is as fast and agile as anyone. eagleJacque, youre whack!
eagleJack
Guest
Hayne certainly has weaknesses in his game he needs to work on. But there is nothing worse than a nobody calling an NRL athlete a pretender.
Black adder
Guest
Makes you wonder if he had a side bet! Sticky should put him in reserve grade for a couple of weeks at the very least.
turbodewd
Roar Guru
Hayne was terrible! A woeful forward pass, no good runs and fell for a pathetic dummy to let in a try. Also, at the 73min mark shows disinterest in supporting his winger who was taking a high ball. Phil Gould duly noted this. Earlier in the game Hayne was nowhere to be seen at fullback coming close to stopping any try scoring play. He is a pretender.
ThomasCrown
Roar Rookie
Keating and Ben Roberts need to be replaced asap.
Alan
Roar Guru
The Bulldogs hold on for a four point win after practically doing all the defending in the second half against an Eels side that defended well but failed to click in attack. Parramatta has ALOT to work on in attack. Hayne was very quite and hardly got involved. Sandow and Roberts combined well on occasions and looked the most likely to open up the Bulldogs defence. Canterbury however stood their ground well and showed the attitude needed to win this game despite not dominating possession or territory tonight. When they get back to full strength, they will be very hard to defeat. Thank you for your company tonight and join us tomorrow when the Dragon host the Broncos! Eels 16 Bulldogs 20
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: The Bulldogs kick the football out of the field of play and they hang on in a grinding game against the Eels Eels 16 Bulldogs 20
Alan
Roar Guru
NO TRY BULLDOGS - Perrett has put his foot on the sideline before passing the football and the Eels survive but have got 27 seconds to win the game Eels 16 Bulldogs 20
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Bulldogs go on another rare attack with seconds remaining here. They have been gutsy tonight the Bulldogs against a very poor attacking Eels side. Reynolds with another cross field kick and Perrett regathers and Ennis now may have scored a try right on fulltime! Eels 16 Bulldogs 20
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Hayne knocks on now in the middle of the field and that caps off a game to forget from the fullback. Bulldogs will hold on one would think Eels 16 Bulldogs 20
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Eastwood with a good run here. Bulldogs have defended well and have frustrated Eels big time. Keating with a kick and the Eels regathers possession after the ball was deflected Eels 16 Bulldogs 20
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Ben Smith is taken over the sideline and the Eels attack continues to produce more rocks than diamonds. Very poor as the Eels once again do down the short side with nothing on! Eels 16 Bulldogs 20
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Reynolds with a kick but the football goes dead and the Eels get the 20 metre restart. Parramatta running out of time here Eels 16 Bulldogs 20
Alan
Roar Guru
75' - Eels on the attack as Sandow goes high but Lussick produces a shocking follow up grubber kick that Morris regathers easily Eels 16 Bulldogs 20
Alan
Roar Guru
74' - Knock on by Keating and the Eels are let off the hook big time here. Parramatta still in this. Eels 16 Bulldogs 20
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Morris with a good run here as the Bulldogs go on a rare attack in the second half. Reynolds with a bomb now and Tautai fails to regather and Roberts is forced to take the football dead. Bulldogs with a line drop-out and finally go on the attack and could very well score here Eels 16 Bulldogs 20