Parramatta have produced one of their best second-half performances in years to come from behind and beat NRL table-toppers Manly 22-12 in a thrilling clash at Pirtek Stadium.
Trailing 12-0, the Eels’ looked in real trouble on Friday night as the Sea Eagles took a commanding lead into halftime.
But what followed wasn’t in the script as the Eels, rejuvenated under coach Brad Arthur this year, scored four unanswered tries to clamber back into the top eight in front a delirious home crowd of 17,706.
The Eels went into the game with their season on life support following last week’s controversial loss to Canterbury and things looked ominous when Manly winger Jorge Taufua scored against his former team after four minutes.
Peta Hiku added a second in the other corner on the half-hour mark with Jamie Lyon kicking two goals.
Manly had looked comfortable in dealing with the Eels’ attack but, after halftime, that all changed as the home side blew away one of the best teams in the NRL.
The reborn Chris Sandow looked to have scored a try just after the restart when he scampered under the posts.
Although it was deemed to be good by the on-field officials, video referee Luke Patten overruled it for a very dubious obstruction call against David Gower.
The decision infuriated the home crowd but only served to galvanise their side who produced a dazzling 15-minute spell that produced three tries.
Jarryd Hayne, almost predictably, was the architect of the first with a brilliant run that teed up back-rower Kenny Edwards for the first four-pointer of his NRL career.
The second on the 53rd-minute was a moment of magic from winger Semi Radrardra who hauled in a Kieran Foran bomb, shook off three tackles and raced 95 metres to the line.
Sandow added the extras to level the scores before kicking a 40-20 – his sixth of the season – and from the resulting tap-kick, the ball was spread wide for Will Hopoate to score against his former club.
A shellshocked Manly struggled to get out of their own half for most of the second stanza as Parramatta laid siege to their line.
Vai Toutai iced a vital two points six minutes from time by putting the finishing touches to a sweeping move in the right corner.
Arthur said the performance of his side was a sign they had matured and said the second-half display was the best since he took over from Ricky Stuart last year.
“It wasn’t so much for the points we scored but the way we defended and stayed composed,” he said.
“After Chrissy’s try was disallowed, we didn’t drop our heads. I think we matured as a team tonight.”
Co-captain Hayne said the team were playing a brand of football that was both exciting to watch and hard to defend, but said they needed to learn how to play for the full 80 minutes.
“It’s about everyone playing their role and being in the right spot at the right time,” Hayne said.
“Once one person misses out, it affects the whole play. It’s our biggest strength and our biggest weakness.
“We controlled that and, the better we do it and play for 80 minutes, the better we will be.”
A disappointed Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey had no complaints about the defeat but said his side dropped off after halftime and paid the price.
“We were 53 per cent completion in the second half, we just thought it was going to happen and a few things went Parramatta’s way and got them back in the game,” Toovey said.
“I didn’t expect us to come out and play that way.”
NSWelshman
Guest
Wow tough words calling people stumpy swamp pigs behind a keyboard eh? Does he remind you of your other half? Perhaps you would like to call him that to his face?
NSWelshman
Guest
Actually they didn't whoop the Sea Eagles...........rather they beat them by 10 points! Congrats to the Eels, they deserved the win on the back of their second half. I'm pretty confident that had it been a finals game the score would have been quite different & that's not taking anything away from the Eels. Another year or so I think they'll be right up there as a contender.
NSWelshman
Guest
Manly is a contender mate! I never said the Eels were not a good football team! It just seems pretty funny that the Eels supporters come out in force when their team wins & rubbish the team they beat then think they're the best thing since vegemite! We'll see who the contenders are come finals time!
Muzz
Guest
Stop it : )
The eye
Guest
What are the odds on the roosters and storm getting beaten as well ?
Ted
Guest
Semi's are a different beast !! 2014 finals will be a special!
mattray
Guest
I think Hayne completely changed his game in the 2nd half. He went into first receiver and set up 2 tries. Only the Champions can change there game like that. Hayne would of got 2 dally m points last night meaning on my count he's 4 points clear of thurston and burgess pending tonight's game.
S.L. Craven
Guest
well said Jimmy
Muzz
Guest
Could be a smash up derby.The Cows pack have an opportunity to stamp their authority leading into the finals series. Should be good !
The eye
Guest
And tonites cowboys / rabbits will then grey the water again if the money is right and the cowboys get up..Teos a huge loss and T.Sims back is a huge gain...as would be the late inclusion of Tamou
Jimmy
Guest
Really good game to watch, I enjoyed it immensely. Good to see Parra fans rewarded . I am not a Parra fan, but they stick with their team , thick and thin, well done Parra fans. Sandow is a real confidence player, when things are going well he is a world beater. Maybe Arthur has worked out how to stop him dropping his head when things don't go his way. He didn't let the disallowed try get to him. Good luck to him, he has been a much maligned player and deserves a bit of a go.
james t
Guest
Shameful display decided by shameless officials with no clue at all. The Nrl the joker of the sporting world. Shortall fast becoming the worst ref. J.haynes whinges more than a squealing pig and milks penalties well like slater and inglis
Muzz
Guest
Manly have the best halves pairing in the comp and 1 of the better back-lines but imo i'm starting to think that their 4 cylinder engine room won't cut it come finals time. I also think that last nights game put Souths win over Manly into perspective.
andy
Guest
Maybe their props/bench are not really getting the job done.
TheSmak
Guest
Finally a story not about ASADA. Great win Eels. Thought Sandow had a great game and Digoise (spelling) was unreal.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Imagine if we play like that against Knights and Raiders! But we won't.......
The spectator
Guest
It's good to see kb back blogging again, haven't seen you since the rorters were bashed by Manly, good your back mate, where all friends here no need to hide and be ashamed.; ). I'm happy where Manly are at as these games are more about injury free ATM and getting crap out of your game before the real comp starts in 2 weeks. It's not ideal losing but Manly are know for not turning up against non contenders.
eagleJack
Guest
In my mind on how it "should" be done, it is very quick. The video refs are in the ears of the on-field refs at all times. Multiple camera angles on multiple TVs relaying info in real time. Player drops the ball, it is called a strip and penalty is given, but before anything can be done the video ref overrules and rules a loose carry. No time wasted, correct decision made. Scrum. But it's the NRL, and they tend to make simple things very difficult. And you are right the side effects of players staying down etc is frustrating.
KB
Guest
I don't think so son..the refs are compelled now to police your silly wrestling tactics..no more bad acting or free uptown kicks...the cows will destroy you tonight.
Clark
Guest
Good win by Parra. I feel though that the fact their last two games are away and their poor point differential could work against them.