The Canberra Raiders have ended Parramatta’s finals hopes with a 33 to 20 victory at GIO Stadium.
The Raiders lead by as much as 26 points before Jarryd Hayne inspired an Eels comeback. It wasn’t enough as Anthony Milford sealed the result with a field goal in the 78th minute.
The Eels loss means that both the Broncos and Warriors stay alive in the finals hunt.
FINAL SCORE:
Raiders 33
Eels 20
Regardless of what occurs in other matches, the Parramatta Eels must defeat the Canberra Raiders today at Canberra Stadium to perhaps seal an unlikely birth in the finals. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:30pm (AEST).
The Eels had their finals destiny in their own hands last week but a poor performance against the Newcastle Knights away from home has severely crippled their chances of securing a top eight spot.
Parramatta’s chances of making the finals rests on yesterday’s result between the Storm and Broncos. A Brisbane win will mean today’s clash against Canberra is nothing but a dead rubber for the Eels.
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A Storm victory however, keeps the Eels season well and truly alive for 24 hours at least. The Eels with a win today would overtake Brisbane into 8th position on the ladder.
Parramatta would then have to hope that rivals Penrith do them a massive favour and beat the Warriors tomorrow night in order to seal a finals birth.
Given their poor points differential, the Eels would miss out on the eight completely should the Warriors cause the upset against the Panthers away from home.
Given the way the Eels capitulated last week however, it remains to be seen if the Eels have what it takes to beat the Raiders in Canberra.
It’s been a tough year for the Raiders, but at least they have managed to string two wins together of late, beating both the Tigers and Sharks in recent matches.
Former Eels coach Ricky Stuart now has the opportunity to effectively end Parramatta’s 2014 finals campaign should Canberra cause the upset at home.
Overall the result of today’s contest largely rests on Friday night’s result between Brisbane and Melbourne.
If Brisbane won, then the Raiders could win easily given that the Eels haven’t nothing to play for. If Melbourne won, then the Eels should be expected to conjure up a win. Irrespective, a game with Jarryd Hayne is going to be exciting.
Tip: Eels by 8.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:30pm (AEST).
If you are following the action live, be sure to share you thoughts on the match in the comments below.
Jay C
Roar Guru
It's pretty hard to lose when you back both horses in a 2 horse race. You are twisting my words and trying to use circular logic. The fact of the matter is in the last ten years he has coached one team to or beyond their potential. He came to Parramatta promising the world, gutting the club, and delivering nothing. He then left at the first opportunity, renegging on his long term contract. And now he has the hide to get cranky with other players for renegging on theirs? He has yet to deliver any talent to Canberra. And if rumours are true he is willing to make Hoffman one of the top paid players in the game it shows that he is not the drawcard Canberra were expecting. Part of what makes a good coach in this era is the ability to pay unders for top shelf players. Des does it, Bellamy does it, Bennett does it. If Parra finished last this year. He would have come out and said. "Well you can't blame me for the current performance", when they succeed though, it was all his master plan. He who had Sandow playing reserve grade and Hayne playing like a reserve grade. He is a master manipulator, and his manager is worth every cent he gets. I would love to see a successful Raiders outfit, but it won't happen with Stuart.
steveng
Guest
Yes he did but have a look at the Eels this year, they could have made the 8 but failed dismally and you can't blame Stuart for that or can you? Stuart did what he had to do and the Eels went on and did better without him or are you going to say that they could have made the 8 and/or won the comp with Stuart? Why blame Stuart for the Eels? But one thing I'm sure that Ricky has got a bit of satisfaction from this last game by beating the Eels.
Jr
Guest
Another example of appalling referee decisions crippling any Eels' momentum time after time. The refs this year need to front ICAC
Scrubbit
Guest
Well I think Brisbane were only outside the 8 for a very short period while the warriors spent a fair chunk of the season outside it.
Kris
Guest
Well because of the start of the year, that would be the Broncos wouldn't it?
Jay C
Roar Guru
I'm still knocking Stuart. HE still walked out on Parra and left them in a shambles. The Raiders are losing everyone and gaining no one. I can't see them being top 8. Also I think it goes on most tries scored, but I'm not too sure.
steveng
Guest
I think they go by which team was paced higher on the ladder for the year on an average throughout the rounds played, but that is a good question.
steveng
Guest
Who's knocking Stuart now? The Raiders will be a competitive unit in 2015, mark my words.
Clark
Guest
This result was very pleasing. Hopefully the Warriors can make the most of their chance and somehow get past Penrith
Scrubbit
Guest
No idea man. People keep saying that worries need to lose by 3 so maybe it goes off lowest points against?
Parrafan
Guest
Agree with you Truth. I think that's a reflection of the inexperience in our squad. I actually think it was better we got knocked out before the finals, rather than become road kill in week 1. Will give us much more incentive to secure a spot in the finals next year. As I reminded some raiders fans tonight things could be much worse. We could be stuck with Ricky for another 2 years.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Raiders gave me palpitations.
MJB
Guest
Oh Raiders. Three in a row!
TheTruth
Guest
Terribly disappointed by the performance of the Eels over the last 2 weeks. After their magnificent effort against Manly, they only needed 1 win from 2 games they were expected to win and put in the kind of performances that have seen them at the botom of the table for the last few seasons. I didn't expect them to go far into the finals, but it would have been great exposure and reward for the younger players with an eye on the years to come. Alas, it was not to be. At least this year showed glimmers of the light at the end of the tunnel, and didn't require a bottle of vodka as a prerequisite for watching their games each week.
Jono
Guest
Got a bit nervous when the Eels scored 3 quick tries in the last quarter, but glad to see the Raiders win and send White out with a victory. It has been a terrible season, as any is when you only just avoid the wooden spoon, but here's hoping for a better 2015.
LexTeeS
Guest
Hate to hijack the raiders victory thread... But whats the rule with tied for and against? Points for right?
LexTeeS
Guest
Only hope for the sake of Brisbane that the Warriors either win, or lose by 3 or more. Going out on for and against will be a pretty low blow after the Cummins/Gillette fiasco.
The spectator
Guest
oh Boomo! 13+ money for jam.
Alan
Roar Guru
Raiders finish the season with three wins in a row. Most importantly, the Broncos and Warriors stay in the hunt for a finals birth. The Warriors in particular can afford to lose by 2 or less points tomorrow and still make the finals. Brisbane must hope that the Panthers beat the Warriors by 2 or more points to scrape into the finals. Eels season is over despite a good second half from them in attack. Defence though still a big cause for concern heading into the off-season. Raiders 33 Eels 20
Alan
Roar Guru
80' - Raiders deserve the win. Hayne came to life in the second half scoring two quick tries and having a hand in another try for Sio. It wasn't enough though. Raiders attack tore the Eels to shreds as Canberra raced to a 32-6 lead. Eels season is over. Raiders win. FULLTIME Raiders 33 Eels 20