Eels battering shows Broncos have a lot of work ahead of them

After all the talk of revenge, this was a night to forget for Brisbane, in which Anthony Seibold’s baby Broncos were again exposed by a red-hot Parramatta.

1. Brisbane’s completion rate was simply shocking on Thursday night. If they are to beat the Roosters they need to improve their discipline with the ball. They failed to build pressure against Parramatta with a 57 per cent completion rate and 14 errors. The inexperienced Broncos side were just blown out of the water by a red-hot Parramatta squad.

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It was more tough viewing for Broncos fans. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

2. It was a night to forget for Origin contender Kotoni Staggs. The Broncos centre was a standout in the opening two rounds of the competition but he was found out quick in defence. The one chink in his armour was exposed against Parramatta when he let in a try and gave away a silly penalty in the second half. His shining start to 2020 was overshadowed by his poor game.

3. While the Broncos were brave having to defend their tryline for repeat sets, the tries they let in were just soft. Clint Gutherson strolled through the line almost untouched in the second half, while Michael Jennings’ try under the posts was almost too easy with Broncos hanging off him. The Broncos need to go back to the tackling pads next week ahead of their game against the Roosters.

Two Broncos couldn’t Michael Jennings scoring. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

4. The Queensland hooking spot is up for grabs this year and Parramatta’s Reed Mahoney is throwing his hand up for the role. He was outstanding at Suncorp Stadium. He was involved in almost every play and looked dangerous around the ruck for most of the game.

5. This Parramatta side are the real deal this year and they look the goods to end their 34-year premiership drought. They were too quick and too slick for the baby Broncos, taking advantage of the error-riddled side. This victory has left them 3-0 win-loss record to start the season and most commentators believe they can go all the way in 2020.

NEW RULES GET LEGENDS’ THUMBS UP

The NRL’s much talked about rule changes proved to be a success when they were trialled for the first time ever last night.

The one referee and six-again call had a noticeable impact on the game and was a return to the 1980s and 1990s frenetic, fast-paced style of rugby league.

With no stoppages in play, the game was a throwback to the gladiatorial, hard-fought games where fatigue becomes the biggest factor and opens the match up for the little men.

For fans, it was entertaining to watch.

The rule changes led to a faster game - which led to plenty of Parramatta tries. Picture: Getty

In recent years, the players have taken advantage of slowing down the ruck and giving away penalties to catch their breath.

Not last night.

On-field official Gerard Sutton took just two minutes to blow the first ever six-again ruck infringement penalty and Parramatta made the most of it when they scored the first try of the game a minute later.

Only two penalties were blown in the entire first half which led to non-stop, continuous football and it didn’t take long for the fatigue to set in.

By the 20 minute mark, the speed of the game had begun to ease with errors slowly creeping into both sides’ attack.

Michael Jennings dances through the tired defence to score. Picture: Gety

But it was entertaining football to watch.

Fans took to social media last night to post their approval of the new-look game.

NRL legends Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler were also said big fans of the rule changes.

“It was much quicker in the ruck,” Johns said.

“It was a lot faster.

“I loved it.”

Parramatta five-eighth Dylan Brown also credited their first two tries to coming off the back of the referee’s six-again call.

The one less referee allowed the game to flow a lot smoother and with less interruptions.

Matthew Lodge takes a hitup in his first game back from an ACL injury. Picture: Getty

Sutton did well to make the right call nine times out of ten last night in further proof just one referee is enough to officiate the game on the field.

In the end, it came down to the fatigue factor - with Brisbane succumbing first as Parramatta ran riot around them.

Nine Eels players finished the game with 100+ running metres in a testament to how quick and fast-flowing the game had been.

If last night’s game was anything to go by, the rule changes will be here to stay. - CHRIS HONNERY