Parramatta Eels 0-3 nightmare after ‘absolutely bonkers’ scenes

The Eels made last years’ NRL Grand Final but 2023 has started horrifically with no signs of it getting better anytime soon.

It’s been brutal for the Eels. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Parramatta’s horror start to the NRL season has continued, dropping to 0-3 after a 34-30 loss to the Manly Sea Eagles.

At a boiling hot 4 Pines Park where it was still 28 degrees at full-time, the Eels lost a third straight match by just four points to continue the side’s stunning fall from last years’ grand final.

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While the Eels haven’t been too far from a first win of the year, the side could be last at the end of round three with matches against the Panthers and Roosters to come in the next two weeks. And all three will be coming off a bye.

It’s a schedule Matty Johns said on The Late Show with Matty Johns “Is a complete oversight as far as the draw is concerned … That should not happen”.

But at best for Eels fans it can be seen as an excuse.

Bryan Fletcher said the defence was “woeful” on the line, particularly for the Sea Eagles, who dominated the game.

The Eels can’t get the W. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

It was a chaotic end to the match with four tries in five minutes as Parramatta stormed home from 28-16 down to just fall short after an intercept try to Haumole Olakau’atu sealed the result for the home side.

“A brain explosion from the Eels, forcing their hand from inside their own territory,” Warren Smith said as Olakau’atu snatched the ball from a J’Maine Hopgood offload and ran away 40m to score, making it 34-26 with three minutes remaining.

The Eels had a shocker of a start as Manly tore them apart down the left side of the field.

The Sea Eagles were up for the challenge, physically imposing its will on Eels.

The home side opened a 14-0 lead with Nine’s Phil Gould calling it “a freeway down this left-hand side of the field.”

“They are relentless, Manly … (Tom) Trbojevic becomes your worst nightmare,” Gould added.

Trbojevic was the Eels’ worst nightmare, scoring a double in a starring performance against Manly’s old rivals.

But on a dime, the match flipped on its head as the Eels scored two tries to go to the break at 14-10.

The Eels then hit the lead when Clint Gutherson scored straight after the break but Manly returned to the ascendancy through two tries in three minutes after Tom Trbojevic scored off a chip from Josh Schuster and Brad Parker scored a remarkable try.

Manly pulled off a huge win. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Daly Cherry-Evans had looked to boot a 40-20 only for Bailey Simonssen got to the ball at the last second, batting it back in, only for Reuben Garrick to win the race to the ball.

But he landed on it instead and having not knocked it on, his centre Brad Parker was first to ground the ball for the four-pointer.

The Eels tried to hit back but were denied by a touch judge call of a forward pass, despite replays showing it went backwards, and a butchered try when Will Penisini only had to pick the ball up on one side of the line and ground it on the other.

It set up a chaotic end, only for the intercept to decide the result.

That's gotta be the most Parramatta way to lose 🤣

— Wilson Smith (@wilson_smith93) March 16, 2023

Absolutely f’n bonkers pic.twitter.com/8bQ41DMEE1

— Dan Ginnane (@DanGinnane) March 16, 2023

Yeah, three rounds in and there’s no sign this is changing.

How good.#NRLManlyEels#NRLhttps://t.co/EiCgG9KrbK

— Luke Cooper (@luke__cooper) March 16, 2023

This has been entertaining
But geez some of the defence and handling has been poor
But the heat has played a factor
28 degrees near full time !!! #NRLManlyEelspic.twitter.com/YzBgj1QJSQ

— Bernie Coen (@berniecoen) March 16, 2023

Originally published as Parramatta Eels 0-3 nightmare after ‘absolutely bonkers’ scenes