Moses, Lomax shine as Eels stun Broncos in Suncorp thriller

Parramatta have put a spear in Brisbane’s top-four hopes in a stunning 22-20 win inspired by skipper Mitchell Moses.

To make matters worse for the Broncos their star prop Payne Haas was seen limping badly at the end of the match at Suncorp Stadium.

Moses was on fire in his return from injury with winger Zac Lomax his powerhouse self with two cracking tries.

The clash had a drama-charged finish when Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh was off-side when collecting a Gehamat Shibasaki grubber with 48 seconds left on the clock.

Parramatta fullback Josah Papalii was a sensation at No.1 and was a relieved man when Walsh was denied after he knocked-on for his opposite number to swoop.

The Broncos, at full strength and on the back of five wins in a row, were error-riddled in the second half with Walsh the worst offender in a rocks and diamonds display.

The home side led 14-12 at half-time against an Eels side that were more than up for the fight.

Both halfbacks, at the elite end of the spectrum most weeks, were highly influential.

Moses, back from a calf injury sustained in NSW camp in the lead-up to game two of the State of Origin series, was superb with his long and short kicking game to set up two tries.

Broncos counterpart Reynolds was also on song with a runaway intercept try and crafty inside pass for Kobe Hetherington to race away.

Moses was at it again after the break with a lovely out ball to Will Penisini to send Lomax over for his second after a loose pass by Walsh gifted possession.

Walsh took several poor options in attack before on the last tackle he put on a superb step on the 40m line and found bench specialist Billy Walters in support to give Brisbane a 20-18 lead.

Addo-Carr would not be denied and streaked over for his 150th career try to grab the lead

The hosts left Haas on the bench for 30 minutes in the middle of the match as he battled a lingering lower back complaint, but he came back on for the final stint before suffering another possible injury.

The first half was full of quality and competitive footy.

Brisbane forward Xavier Willison was put on report for a cannonball tackle on Eels prop Junior Paulo early and the visitors got into a grind with determination.

Walsh made the cardinal error of letting a Moses mid-field bomb bounce. Parramatta centre Sean Russell gathered, chipped over Walsh’s head and scored a cracker.

Reynolds then swooped on a Dean Hawkins pass to race 75m to score.

The captain orchestrated the next try for Hetherington but the visitors were plucky.

The quality of the Eels attack has improved markedly over the season and Moses, with a set play, lobbed a perfect kick for aerial specialist Lomax to dive, catch and score.

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Wow. The Broncos appear to have pulled the win out of the hat at the very last minute, the ball going through the hands on the last tackle before Gehamat Shibasaki rolls in a grubber for Reece Walsh. Eels fullback Joash Papali’i is there to clean up but he can’t pick it up cleanly and Walsh swoops to score!

Or does he? Nope, the bunker is taking a look at it, and they find Walsh is offside. No try!

The Eels get a penalty instead and just need to play out a slow final set to win it.

And they do. They won’t be playing finals footy this year but that’s a huge result for Jason Ryles’ rebuilding side. They’ll take a lot of confidence out of this win.

Eels 22 beat Broncos 20 at Suncorp Stadium

The Eels were superb in Brisbane.Credit: Getty Images

Once again the Eels hold on, only just, as Brisbane runs the ball on the last and threatens to score when Jordan Riki runs off an Adam Reynolds short ball and is dragged down a few metres short of the tryline.

Is it time for a Reynolds two-point field goal attempt?

Eels 22, Broncos 20 with 90 seconds left

Bit of drama here as the Broncos go on the attack via a Kotoni Staggs line break, then spread it left and Zac Lomax is penalised for a lifting tackle – no, make that offside. Actually, make that no penalty at all, as the referee changes his decision to six again and orders a play-the-ball.

Brisbane aren’t thrilled – an old-fashioned penalty could level the scores here – and they’re even less happy when they cough up possession on the following tackle.

And now Reece Walsh adds insult to injury in Brisbane’s next set, aiming for a 40-20 kick but instead sending the ball sailing over the sideline on the full. The Eels get the ball inside Brisbane’s 40.

Eels 22, Broncos 20 with five minutes left

And the lead changes hands again! Some sharp passing unleashes Josh Addo-Carr down the left and this time the Broncos don’t have time to stop him diving over in the corner.

What a performance this has been from Parramatta. They’re in a battle for the wooden spoon but are currently beating the fifth-ranked Broncos on their own turf.

Zac Lomax’s conversion attempt hits the post.

Eels 22, Broncos 20 with 15 minutes left

The Eels survive again as a dangerous-looking Ezra Mam bomb ricochets off the goal post and bounces back infield – and only just out of the grasp of the chasing Kobe Hetherington.

But they’re not so lucky the next time Brisbane go on the attack, Reece Walsh running the ball on the last tackle, stepping off his left foot and bursting through a gap before sending Billy Walters over for the match-levelling try.

Adam Reynolds converts to put the home side back in front.

Broncos 20, Eels 18 with 20 minutes left

Billy Walters scores for the Broncos.Credit: Getty Images

The Eels withstand a few back-to-back sets defending inside their own half and now look to extend their lead, this time on the left where Josh Addo-Carr goes close before being bundled over the sideline.

It’s a great tackle from Kotoni Staggs and Reece Walsh, and the Eels waste a captain’s challenge after claiming Addo-Carr was taken high.

Eels 18, Broncos 14 with 25 minutes left

The Eels are back in front again, making the perfect start to the second half with a well-worked backline move down the right. Joash Papalii links with Mitchell Moses, who finds Viliami Penisini, who sends Zac Lomax over in the right corner. The winger has a double tonight, and this time he slots the sideline conversion as well.

Eels 18 lead Broncos 14 after 4 minutes