Parramatta Eels
6
Match Complete
Penrith Panthers
40
| 75 |  | N. Cleary | ||
| 73 |  | N. Cleary | ||
| 67 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 65 | | B. To'o | ||
| 56 | | A. Koroisau | ||
| 55 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 54 | | M. Burton | ||
| 45 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 43 | | B. To'o | ||
| 17 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 17 | | T. P. Junior | ||
| B. Ferguson | | 14 | ||
| T. Opacic | | 13 | ||
| 5 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 4 | | B. To'o |
| 1 | Tries | 7 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 6 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 25 continues tonight when the Parramatta Eels take on the Penrith Panthers at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8:05pm (AEST).
With the semi-finals just around the corner, the approaches of Brad Arthur and Ivan Cleary could not be more different. Arthur has left out a number of key Eels players, whilst Cleary is holding onto hopes of another minor premiership, going in at close to full strength.
Only the most one-eyed Eels supporter would have predicted their win over the Storm last weekend. Flat or not, the Storm couldn’t match it with the intensity of the Eels, and the 22-10 scoreline was a fair reflection of their dominance.
While Mitchell Moses and Clint Gutherson were much improved, Junior Paulo was back to his damaging best, and dragged the Parramatta pack along with him.
There’s no Paulo for this game after he was hit with a one-game suspension; and on top of that, Clint Gutherson, Mitchell Moses, Dylan Brown, Waqa Blake, Isaiah Papali’i and Nathan Brown are being rested. Marata Niukora has also been ruled out after suffering a head knock.
After a mid-season slump, the Panthers appear to be running into form at the right time of the season. They eased out to a 30-6 lead against the Tigers last week before letting in a couple of late tries.
Tevita Pangai Jnr impressed in his first game for the club, whilst James Fisher-Harris and Brian To’o have made good returns from injury. While Nathan Cleary made some uncharacteristic errors, the Panthers may have timed their run perfectly this year, with the captain sure to inch closer to his best with every passing week.
Spencer Leniu has made his return from an ankle injury, but has been named in the reserves, in a sign of the strength at Ivan Cleary’s disposal. He may still get a run should any late misfortune strike, however.
Prediction
We were hoping to get a semi-final preview this week with two of the top sides looking for the psychological edge. Unfortunately, we won’t get it, with the Eels resting a host of certain starters should they make it to the last six.
The Panthers are employing a different approach and should come out big winners.
Penrith Panthers by 28
Game information
Kick-off: 8:05pm (AEST)
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
TV: Nine, Fox Sports
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel GO
Betting: Eels $13, Panthers $1.03 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Parramatta Eels
1. Hayze Perham 2. Haze Dunster 3. Tom Opacic 4. Michael Oldfield 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Will Smith (c) 7. Jakob Arthur 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Joey Lussick 10. Makahesi Makatoa 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Keegan Hipgrave 13. Ray Stone
Interchange: 14. Samuel Loizou 15. Ky Rodwell 16. Shaun Lane 17. Sean Russell
Penrith Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Stephen Crichton 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Matt Burton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary (c) 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Isaah Yeo (c)
Interchange: 14. Tyrone May 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Tevita Pangai Junior 17. Liam Martin
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Lighten up, Paul. This is an opinion site not a right or wrong one. I didn't make the comments on that other game. You are absolutely entitled to your opinion, same as I am, but, don't try to hold me responsible for something that was, or wasn't, said weeks ago.
Paul
Guest
Well Penrith’s weren’t there when they were missing their players. Yet, the comments were still that Penrith should have won. To me Penrith weren’t going full pace against Parramatta. It was more of a training run for a lot of the game. In any case, 40-6 is just a slaughter & that Parramatta team had nothing in attack, other than a few grubber kicks.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
That's a stretch, Paul. Eels made a game of it, instead of folding (they've shown grit 2 games in a row). I suggest your logic is flawed as Penrith's combinations were intact & working well. Just accept a comment for what it is, please.
Paul
Guest
Earlier in the year, Penrith missing 8 players versus a full strength West’s . During SOO. Those commenting on here were saying that Penrith should have won that game , at a very hostile Leichhardt. Yet, Penrith versus Parramatta & Parramatta leaves out players. Parramatta lose 40-6 & many on here are now saying well done Parramatta? It’s virtually the same circumstances . So shouldn’t Parramatta have almost won the game? They are in the top 8 as well & were top 4 until recently.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
This match was the perfect reply to people who wanted to abolish scrums. The 2 Penrith tries was a scrum set move and it was beautiful to watch. We need to see more of it. The scrum is a basic fabric of both rugbys and if used right can produce beautiful tries like the two we saw in this game. Abolish the 6-again rule, but DO NOT ABOLISH THE SCRUM!
souvalis
Roar Rookie
If the bench was an indication the coach thinks so.
Paul
Guest
Is that where Ferguson belongs ?
Onya.
Guest
To’o went through & around Ferguson a few times. As Ferguson is the best winger there at Parramatta at the moment . They should be a bit worried about that side of the field.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks all for following the blog tonight. I will be back on Sunday afternoon as the Titans look to round out the top 8. Enjoy your weekend
David Holden
Roar Guru
We can't read anything into that Eels performance tonight. They will play the Knights next weekend. If Parramatta can repeat last weekend's form, they should progress to the second week
David Holden
Roar Guru
We thought that class would prevail in the end and so it proved, with the Panthers left edge impressive in the second half. Penrith weren't at their best, most likely with next week on their mind, but Cleary will be happy with that performance
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Good work David Holden, thank you for keeping me up to date - certainly it is a couple of hours of intense concentration for you!
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Another fine call tonight, David, thanks very much. Well done Panthers, but, feel the contest was closer than the scores show. Good effort from a depleted Parra side against the full strength Panthers - spirited performance.
David Holden
Roar Guru
FULL TIME PANTHERS BEAT EELS 40-6
David Holden
Roar Guru
80' Inside ball for Makatoa. Long ball from Arthur but its ruled forward. The players have had enough and its full time Eels 6 Panthers 40
David Holden
Roar Guru
79' Leota goes ahead. Burton almost breaks free. Lose ball from Luai and Opacic has it. He's been stripped of the ball Eels 6 Panthers 40
David Holden
Roar Guru
78' Lane loses the ball first tackle Eels 6 Panthers 40
David Holden
Roar Guru
77' Dunster with a run. Makatoa with more work. Pass goes astray but Luai can't hold on Eels 6 Panthers 40
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Penrith 40 Wenty 6..
David Holden
Roar Guru
76' Leota brings it back. Pangai with a carry. Yeo takes it ahead. Kick with Russell Eels 6 Panthers 40