NRL 2022: Parramatta Eels book spot in grand final after beating Cowboys, Mitchell Moses misses birth of first child
Eels halfback Mitchell Moses made the ultimate sacrifice by missing the birth of his first child to take the field – and his teammates didn’t let him down.
NRL
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Parramatta is on the cusp of snapping its 36-year premiership drought after ending North Queensland’s fairytale season in a controversial preliminary final on Friday night.
The Eels produced a 24-20 boilover Townsville to qualify for their first grand final since 2009 and end the Cowboys’ stunning 2022 resurgence one game short of the decider.
In front of a capacity crowd of 25,372 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, the Eels overcame a spirited North Queensland, who fought back from a refereeing howler in the opening minutes to fall agonisingly short.
The Eels have not tasted premiership success since 1986 and hold claim to the longest title drought in the NRL.
But that could all change at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Sunday week when they face either Penrith or South Sydney in what promises to be an epic grand final.
HOLY MOSES, THAT’S COMMITMENT
Eels halfback Mitchell Moses made the ultimate sacrifice by missing the birth of his first child on Friday to take the field – and his teammates didn’t let him down.
Moses’ partner Bri Gardoni gave birth about four hours before kick-off, with Moses tuning in via video call.
His commitment to the team was inspiring and Moses got the job done in the biggest game of his career.
“I’m really happy for the boys,” Eels coach Brad Arthur said. “We’ve made a lot of sacrifices. Mitchell Moses made a massive sacrifice, he didn’t get to see the birth of his daughter.
“You could see the last 10 minutes how they defended. They are cherishing every last day they’ve got with each other.
“We wanted it really badly. You could see that. I could see it in their eyes since the Bulldogs game in round 22.
“They got together and had some really honest conversations about turning up every week. We just had to get the job done. We weren’t getting beat on effort tonight.”
Moses’ leadership was enough to steer the Eels home when the game was on the line and his personal sacrifice surely inspired Parramatta.
“It’s been a roller-coaster,” Moses said. “I lost my grandmother last week and we laid her to rest on Monday. I had to meet my first child over Facetime deadest four hours ago.
“To now play in a grand final next week ...”
ARTHUR FINALLY DELIVERS
Arthur has been under immense pressure to snap Parramatta’s premiership drought and the heavens have nearly opened.
Arthur went into the game with a 3-7 finals record, having never won two finals matches in a play-offs series during his eight years in charge of the Eels.
But he is now in his first grand final and has the chance to deliver long-suffering Parramatta fans their first premiership in nearly four decades.
While the job is not done yet, the Eels have been vindicated for standing by Arthur, who has transformed the club into a consistent NRL performer.
Now the final hurdle awaits.
COWBOYS FINALS CURSE STRIKES
The Cowboys have a long history with finals officiating controversies like Kieran Foran’s “hand of god” try in 2012 and the infamous seven-tackle set of 2013.
And it continued last night when The Eels were gifted the first try following a shocking missed forward pass.
Parramatta strike first! 💥#NRLFinals#NRLCowboysEelspic.twitter.com/fTvU2En141
— NRL (@NRL) September 23, 2022
The pass from Moses to Isaiah Papali’I was clearly forward but neither referee Grant Atkins or his touch judge spotted it as Will Penisini raced away to open scoring in the seventh minute.
The match see-sawed all night with four lead changes as Eels prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard bagged a double and Parramatta defended their way to victory.
But the match was not without controversy and the Penisini try played a pivotal role in the outcome.
COWBOYS MISS FAIRYTALE FINISH
The Cowboys produced one of the most remarkable resurrections in NRL history.
They finished second-last last year but turned it around to narrowly miss a spot in the 2022 grand final.
Coach Todd Payten has done a tremendous job transforming the Cowboys following four consecutive bottom four finishes. While this pain will linger, the Cowboys should hold their heads high and the future is bright for North Queensland.
Co-captain Jason Taumalolo was inspirational with 193m and five tackle busts as the Cowboys played with vigour all night. They have the talent to be a serious premiership contender next year.
Heartbroken Cowboys taught finals lesson
Cowboys coach Todd Payten says North Queensland was taught a finals lesson following their heartbreaking loss to Parramatta on Friday night.
The Eels ended North Queensland’s fairytale season with a gripping preliminary final win at a sold-out Queensland Country Bank Stadium. It brought an end to a remarkable resurrection for the Cowboys, who finished 15th last year and rocketed into this year’s final four.
The Cowboys were well in the contest in typical Townsville heat, but couldn’t seal the game as Parramatta tackled themselves to their first grand final appearance since 2019.
“To be 12-all at halftime after having Jason (Taumalolo) in the bin was a great effort,” Payten said. “Parramatta played finals footy. The way they managed that second half was much better than us.
“The way they scrambled was better. That’s the difference between a win and a loss.
“We let in a couple of soft tries which turned the momentum of the game. We kept fighting hard.”
After finishing third in the regular season, the Cowboys produced a thrilling golden-point win in week one of the finals to bring a preliminary final to Townsville for the first time.
They got off to a poor start when referee Grant Atkins failed to pick up a Mitchell Moses forward pass and then had Taumalolo binned for a high tackle.
But the Cowboys hung on and got into an arm wrestle with the Eels.
If not for some poor plays in the second half, they could have been preparing for a third grand final in eight years.
Instead, the Cowboys will begin planning their 2023 premiership assault with what will be a red-hot team.
Co-captain Chad Townsend said the Cowboys just couldn’t get the job done against the experienced and desperate Eels.
“We were losing the field position battle a little bit,” he said.
“We hung in there and gave ourselves a chance at the end.
“There’s a lot of heartbreak and disappointed. The guys had an incredible season.
“We’ve trained hard, enjoyed each other’s company, and gave ourselves a chance to compete.
“We’re disappointed because of the opportunity we had. That’s the thing that’s the hardest at the moment.”
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