Resurgent Raiders roll Eels 18-2 as Parramatta’s winless start to season continues
CANBERRA tackled Parramatta out of the game to restrict the Eels to just two points — relegating the Blue and Gold to another sad stat as their horror season continues.
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BOOK your off-season holiday, Parramatta fans, your season is over.
That is what history suggests after the Eels slumped to their sixth consecutive defeat against the rejuvenated Raiders in Canberra.
No side has made the finals after starting the year 0-6 — a sad stat Brad Arthur’s men will have to defy to play September football.
Despite the best efforts of Clint Gutherson, who impressed in his comeback from an ACL injury, the sluggish Eels had no answers for the red-hot Raiders.
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur was bitterly disappointed with the defeat, which has left his side stranded on the bottom of ladder.
“We are a bit lost for words at the moment,” Arthur lamented.
“Everyone is really disappointed. I thought the effort was great and we tried really hard, but that is not enough to win NRL games.
“We keep shooting ourselves in the foot with ill-discipline and penalties.
“I thought defensively we were pretty good, in terms of the amount of field possession they had, but we are just down on confidence.
“But we’ve just got to go again next week — that is all we can do.”
Arthur refused to rule out making changes, while he said Jarryd Hayne’s looming return from a quad injury “wasn’t the answer to their problems”.
“We’ll have to have a look at the game again,” he said.
“I won’t make any rash decisions tonight.
“Winning becomes a habit and unfortunately so does losing.
“We have to get on top of our discipline to give ourselves a chance.”
The Eels may be languishing, but the same can’t be said for Canberra.
Five-eighth Blake Austin starred on his return from reserve grade with a try, while he tested the Eels’ defence every time he touched the football.
Austin was proud of his performance after spending two weeks with Mounties in the Intrust Super Cup.
“The frustrating thing with my first three or four weeks was the fact I had some glaring errors in defence that weren’t up to standard,” Austin said post-match.
“Ricky made me go away and get that right and I thought tonight was a step in the right direction.”
Halfback Aidan Sezer was also impressive for the Raiders.
Sezer used his pinpoint kicking and passing game to control proceedings for Canberra, who charged to consecutive wins in convincing style.
For all the Raiders’ flair, it was their defence that proved the difference.
Canberra tackled Parramatta out of the game to restrict the Eels to two points — relegating the Blue and Gold to their lowest points tally through six rounds in franchise history.
Raiders big men Sia Soliola, Junior Paulo and Josh Papalii laid a powerful platform, opening the door for dynamic hooker Siliva Havili to run riot.
Papalii was particularly potent for Canberra, running for a team-high 133 metres in a huge statement after spending time in reserve grade.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was rapt with the win, especially his side’s defence.
“I’m not going overboard, it’s only early in the season and we’ve won two games, but there is a lot of character in this squad,” Stuart said.
“When we were under a little bit of pressure defensively, you could see they wanted to work for each other.
“That was the best part for me in regards to the game.
“We also wanted to back up our effort from last week.
“I thought that was a really tough performance (against Canterbury) and we needed to show that it was not a one-off.”
The Raiders have rediscovered their matchwinning mojo, but Parramatta need to urgently find form to save their season.
The Eels lacked conviction, which is concerning for a team running last.
Bevan French struggled in his return from a shoulder injury, making one run in the final five minutes of the match.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Eels, who face Manly at ANZ Stadium next Sunday.
CANBERRA 18 (B Austin J Papalii J Rapana tries J Croker 3 goals) bt PARRAMATTA 2 (M Moses goal) at GIO Stadium. Referee: Matt Cecchin, Phil Henderson. Crowd: 12,328
Originally published as Resurgent Raiders roll Eels 18-2 as Parramatta’s winless start to season continues
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