Eels
10
Match Complete
Panthers
16
| 60 |  | N. Cleary | ||
| 58 |  | N. Cleary | ||
| 48 |  | N. Cleary | ||
| M. Moses | | 31 | ||
| 27 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 19 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 18 | | T. Grant | ||
| M. Moses | | 7 | ||
| M. Moses | | 3 | ||
| M. Sivo | | 2 |
| 1 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Parramatta Eels and Penrith Panthers meet in Round 11 NRL action at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEST).
There is something seriously wrong at Penrith. Unfortunately, the coach is aware of the problems but won’t tell anyone what they are, nor the means by which he intends to fix them. It is all a bit mysterious at the foot of the mountains and, after six consecutive losses, the supposedly star-studded squad resembles more of battery operated vehicle without a charging station. Flat.
Parramatta are equally as difficult to read. After a promising start to the season, the wheels appear to have fallen off after consecutive losses to the Cowboys and Storm.
The latter was a drubbing and said a great deal about where the Eels are really at in terms of mounting a serious charge on the premiership.
Thus, this matchup is full of desperation. Another loss for the Panthers to one of their old foes might be just about enough for the Penrith fans, after coming into the season with such hope and positivity. Should the Eels stumble against the most out of form team in the competition, it could potentially confirm a widely held belief that they are only a mediocre NRL outfit.
James Tamou, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Viliame Kikau and James Fisher-Harris must show the way for the visitors. Kikau has been solid this season, but the other three are not denting the defensive line proportionate to their reputations. That forward momentum should allow Nathan Cleary more opportunities than in prior weeks, even with James Maloney not by his side.
Simply holding onto the ball might be a good place to start for the Panthers, with their error count being a concern most weeks.
Parramatta’s young stars have faltered as we head towards the bye. Mitchell Moses appears to have become gun shy, refusing to take on the line as he had done earlier in the season.
The level of aggression in the forwards has not been as high as in some of their excellent wins through the opening rounds. Blake Ferguson appears to have slipped in form yet, with the Clint Gutherson contract saga now over, Parramatta can hopefully get their minds back on the field and execute Brad Arthur’s plans more consistently.
Prediction
Picking this match correctly will be something of a lucky dip for fans. If Penrith remain on form, Parramatta will win well. But, if the Panthers do finally show some of the talent many believe they possess it could be a ripping affair between two sides that appear evenly matched on paper.
I feel this could be the beginning of the resurgence for the Panthers; a resurgence triggered by a four-point win tonight.
Parramatta 14-18 Penrith
Catch all the action on The Roar, with live coverage from 7:50pm (AEST).
Game information
Where: Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
When: 7:50pm (AEST)
TV: Fox League, Nine
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, NRL app
Betting: Eels $1.44, Panthers $2.80
Teams
Eels
1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Josh Hoffman 4. Blake Ferguson 5. George Jennings 6. Will Smith 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Junior Paulo 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tim Mannah 11. Shaun Lane 12. Marata Niukore 13. Manu Ma’u
Bench/Reserves: 14. Peni Terepo 15. Daniel Alvaro 16. Brad Takairangi 17. David Gower 18. Jaeman Salmon 19. Bevan French 20. Kane Evans 21. Oregon Kaufusi
Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Josh Mansour 3. Dean Whare 4. Waqa Blake 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Sione Katoa 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Frank Winterstein 13. James Fisher-Harris
Bench/Reserves: 14. Liam Martin 15. Tyrell Fuimaono 16. Tim Grant 17. Moses Leota 18. Mitch Kenny 19. Hame Sele 20. Kaide Ellis 21. Caleb Aekins
Scott Pryde
Expert
Might need that anyway!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Haha - I would have been asleep by halftime after driving for 8 hours.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
He would have needed another holiday straight away if he had to call last nights game!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Straight back into it would have been calling last night’s game... ;-)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nope - got back into Sydney yesterday afternoon. I'm doing both games tonight, so straight back into it.
Gordon Iceman
Guest
Simple stop blaming the team . Brad Aurther should not have been resigned what has he done for the team since has been there nothing but bad mouth the players when they loose . As the great Jack Gibbson said if your not there and won the grand final in 3 years you won't get there. Really pull the Parramatta board apart and if we want a grand final get a grand final coach
BA Sports
Roar Guru
That is the worst three consecutive performances by a team (Parra) since the 1999 Magpies. I think it is reasonable for Eels fans to ask questions of the coach when Ferguson and Hoffman start in the centres while Jennings doesn’t play and Takarangi is on the bench. And both sets of fans can ask why the heck in slippery conditions both teams persisted with going through the hands on the last when two of five grubbers tried resulted in 4 pointers....
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Penalty shootout may have been fitting.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
I blame Rudd/Gillard.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
You do realise that your sense of humour borders on genius. I fell of my chair! Thank you, best call of the night.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Wet my pants!!! Great line.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The Penrith Panthers have claimed their third win of the season with a 16-10 victory over the Parramatta Eels at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney. In what loomed as a desperate match for both sides, the Eels started well, with a quick try to Maiko Sivo giving them an early lead. It brought on an ominous feeling for the Panther's fans after another opening to a match where the team appeared less than engaged. A Mitchell Moses penalty goal extended the lead and the Eels appeared destined for an easy night at the office. Tim Grant refused to accept that and crashed over to bring the Panthers within two after 21 minutes. At 8-6 things had definitely tightened up and just a penalty goal to each side was added to the scores leading into the break. The Eels held a slender 10-8 advantage and the game was in the balance. The second half became a grind and an error riddled affair, with neither side commanding the contest with efficiency and completions. A penalty goal to Nathan Cleary brought the scores level after 49 minutes before his 59th minute try gave the visitors their first lead of the night. Cleary was to convert his own try and build a 16-10 lead for Penrith. What followed was comical as both sides dropped the ball and bumbled their way towards the finish line. In the end, it was the Panthers that would hold on and the Eels who would lament wasted opportunities. In reality, the strongest message to emerge from this match was the fact that neither of these sides will be making a significant impact during the semi-finals. They were both a little awful tonight and the Panthers just a little less awful than the Eels. Final Score Parramatta Eels…………….10 Penrith Panthers………..….16
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
God what a horrible performance by the Eels. Not a great game for the neutrals overall really, terrible ball control, lack of direction on attack...just bleh. Nothing good for either set of fans to take away really.
Bruiser
Roar Rookie
No rain for 2 weeks and the ground was like makybe diva had to run on it! I blame the groundsman for a terrible spectacle
Tom G
Guest
No matter how much the pundits are talking up the Panthers win, this was an awful loss by the Eels. Looks like that shiny new stadium will have an increase in seat vacancies in the coming weeks. Hard to fathom their recruitment since super coach Arthur arrived. Even harder to fathom is why he was given another two years.
Steve
Guest
Ha......I'm traumatised after watching that.
E-Meter
Roar Rookie
Two more years of Brad Arthur. Can I get an induced coma?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Aren’t you supposed to be on holidays? Yeah. Heavy favourites. Early try. Sometimes they think they need to go through the motions.
Insider
Roar Rookie
To think I spent my entire day mocking rugby union Need to find large hole
Big Daddy
Guest
That makes 2 of us. Had to win sooner or later. Good way to kick off weekend. Glad I didn't watch it.