Parramatta Eels ‘in deep trouble’ after nightmare loss in western Sydney derby
For the second time in three weeks, the Parramatta Eels were unable to muster a try, and their pursuit of an NRL premiership is in turmoil.
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The Penrith Panthers have once again proven why they are genuine premiership favourites, toppling the Parramatta Eels 20-2 at Panthers Stadium on Friday evening.
An impressive defensive performance from the Eels was wasted when Penrith scored seconds before the halftime buzzer of their highly-anticipated clash.
The Panthers dominated possession in the first half of the western Sydney derby, relentlessly attacking the opposition tryline.
Four close calls were sent to the Bunker in the opening 21 minutes, yet Penrith were seemingly unable to get on the scoreboard — along with a cluster of unforced errors and fumbles, Parramatta’s defence proved very effective.
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SBS News sports presenter Robert Grasso tweeted: “This is an incredible 1st half defensive performance so far from the Parramatta Eels tonight heading into the finals. Especially after that capitulation vs Souths. Proving a lot of doubters wrong.”
After a long stint defending from their tryline, the Eels were eventually granted an opportunity to take the lead in the 24th minute.
Parramatta playmaker Mitchell Moses spotted a potential overlap on the right wing, and passed the ball towards teammate Clinton Gutherson.
However, the unsuspecting fullback did not anticipate receiving the footy, which bounced off his torso onto the turf.
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The local Penrith crowd jeered with delight as Cronulla Sharks premiership player Michael Ennis blasted the Eels.
“Gutherson wanted nothing to do with it … look at this, he’s not even looking,” Ennis said on Fox League.
“They gifted away a great opportunity.”
Former Melbourne Storm star Cooper Cronk elaborated: “Miscommunication, that is not a good sign for Parramatta.
“They’ve been under all sorts of pressure defensively, and during their first chance, their best players turn over the football.”
To rub salt into the wounds, Panthers winger Josh Mansour dived over just before the halftime buzzer to put the home side ahead on the scoreboard.
As players retreated into the sheds, Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary slotted the conversion to seal a 6-2 lead.
The Panthers secured 62 per cent of the possession in the first half, and almost doubled Parramatta’s run metres tally.
During the interval, Penrith legend Greg Alexander told Fox League: “When you have a look at the stats, if you didn’t know the score, you would think Penrith were in front by at least three tries.”
A leaping effort from Panthers forward Liam Martin extended his club’s advantage in the 55th minute. The 23-year-old collected Cleary’s precise kick at full stretch, landing over the tryline to secure Penrith’s second of the evening.
Sports reporter Chloe-Amanda Bailey bluntly tweeted: “Liam Martin is a grouse footy player.”
Liam Martin flies high 😱
— NRL (@NRL) September 11, 2020
And how goood was that!!!#NRLPanthersEels#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/yPqngTLAIe
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Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai dived over the final moments of the one-sided encounter — for the second time in three weeks, Parramatta were unable to muster a try.
Having won their 13th consecutive match, the Panthers have secured the minor premiership for the first time since 2003. It’s the longest streak of victories in the NRL since the Cronulla Sharks mustered 15 straight wins in 2016.
Meanwhile, the Eels have lost three of their last five fixtures, and are at risk of slipping out of the top three on the NRL ladder.
“Parramatta are in deep trouble,” Sydney Roosters great Braith Anasta said after the final whistle.
“It is the self-doubt now for Parramatta. Since Round 10 they are scoring 13.8 points a game.
“Their inability to create and their inability to score tries at the business end of the season when you need that confidence and self-belief heading into the finals.
“They have got to be questioning their ability at the moment. They have to be.
“It is obvious to see for all of us that there is a lot of hesitation and self-doubt in that side.”
Alexander responded: “Parramatta’s big problem has been their inability to score points. They did not make a linebreak. That has got to be a concern for Brad Arthur.
“They were gutsy in defence and over the last six weeks when they have lost a couple of games and been unconvincing in their wins, but there defence has stayed solid except for the Souths game that was an aberration.
“They are still one of the best defensive sides in the competition, but that doesn’t help if you can’t score points.
“If the points dry up you can’t just keep tackling for 80 minutes. That showed tonight. They didn’t attack. They just defended. They just hung on.
“The Eels hung tough, but if you are not creating try-scoring opportunities you can’t tackle all night.”
Next weekend, Penrith will take on the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville, while Parramatta will face the Brisbane Broncos at Bankwest Stadium.
Originally published as Parramatta Eels ‘in deep trouble’ after nightmare loss in western Sydney derby