Eels v Cowboys player ratings: Who starred, who struggled?
THE Cowboys have pulled off one of the biggest boilovers of the year, downing the Eels 24-16. Check out who starred and struggled.
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EELS V COWBOYS ANALYSIS: How the game was won and lost
THE Cowboys have pulled off one of the biggest boilovers of the year, downing the Eels 24-16 to move within one win of the NRL grand final.
Check out who starred and struggled in our player ratings.
EELS:
Will Smith – 6
Scored a crucial length-of-the-field try in the first half, but had limited chances in the second half.
Semi Radradra - 7
“The beast has arrived”. That’s how Wendell Sailor described Radradra’s try for the ages in the first half. The Fijian flyer leaped high, before running 100 metres to score on finals special. He did let in a try for Kyle Feldt and struggled to recapture his first-half form in the second half.
Michael Jennings – 5
Brushed off a leg injury in the first half to continue and play a vital role, especially in defence on the edges. Made some errors though.
Brad Takairangi – 5
Limited impact, but solid defensively.
Kirisome Auva’a – 5
Made a few mistakes and wasn’t at his usual damaging best.
Corey Norman – 6
The Eels needed more from their main man in attack.
Mitch Moses - 6
Like Norman, failed to take control when his side needed him the most.
Daniel Alvaro – 2
Left the field after five minutes for a concussion test and didn’t return.
Cameron King – 6
Worked hard, but was ill-disciplined at crucial moments.
Tim Mannah - 6
Normally averages 32 minutes, but had to step up with Alvaro leaving the field with concussion. The skipper did well with 35 tackles, but needed more help.
Manu Ma’u- 6
Worked hard with 42 tackles, but lacked potency in attack.
Kenny Edwards - 6
Made 45 tackles, but discipline and errors plagued his performance.
Nathan Brown – 6
Busted his gut all night, but failed to crack the Cowboys’ line.
Interchange:
Beau Scott – 6
Delivered a solid effort in his 34-minute stint, but had limited chances in attack.
Suaia Matagi - 5
Played more minutes than he is used to due to Alvaro’s injury and it showed at stages.
Kaysa Pritchard - 3
Only played 11 minutes.
Peni Terepo - 4
Limited impact off the bench.
TOTAL: 90
COWBOYS
Lachlan Coote – 7
Try saver on Radradra, solid at the back.
Kyle Feldt- 7
Produced a brilliant mid-air try in the first half, while he ran for 108 metres.
Justin O’Neill – 6
Solid in defence, but didn’t offer much in attack.
Kane Linnett – 6
Reliable without being brilliant.
Antonio Winterstein - 5
Copped an accidental knee in the ribs in the first half
Te Maire Martin – 7
Started quietly, but finished strongly with a beautiful try-assist for Coen Hess.
Michael Morgan – 9
A masterclass from Morgan. Controlled proceedings brilliantly with his pinpoint kicking game and poise in attack, while he scored a try. He has proven he is a star player in the absence of Thurston.
Shaun Fensom – 6
Only played 38 minutes, but made 29 tackles.
Jake Granville – 7
Clever around the ruck, while he made 33 tackles.
Scott Bolton – 6
The veteran forward was reliable, especially in defence with 30 tackles.
Gavin Cooper – 7
A solid captain’s knock with 80 minutes, 30 tackles and 97 running metres.
Ethan Lowe – 7
Produced a sensational try-saving tackle in the second half and excelled with the kicking duties, including a Thurston-like kick in the second half.
Jason Taumalolo – 8
He only played 58 minutes, but was devastating when he ran the ball. Ran for over 200 metres and made 35 tackles.
Interchange:
John Asiata - 7
Came off the bench to play 34 minutes and score a brilliant try in the second-half.
Ben Hampton – 4
Quiet off the bench.
Coen Hess - 6
Injured just before half-time and lacked impact, but responded in style to score an impressive second-half try.
Corey Jensen – 5
Only played 23 minutes off the bench, but ran for 101 metres.
TOTAL: 110
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