Tom Opacic played against the Panthers just hours after his older brother passed away

The Eels are rallying around Tom Opacic after the centre took to the field just hours after his brother passed away in a motorcycle incident.

Mitchell Moses of the Eels reacts after missing the kick at goal that would have won the game. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Eels centre Tom Opacic was encouraged to miss Friday’s match against the Panthers but instead told coach Brad Arthur he wanted to play just hours after his older brother died in a motorcycle incident in Queensland.

Jakob Opacic died in what police suspect may be a road rage incident following an alleged argument outside the Numinbah Correctional Centre just after 10am on Friday.

Eels players wore black armbands in their 13-12 loss to the Panthers, with Opacic getting through plenty of work at right centre.

“I spoke to him earlier today and suggested that he didn’t play, but he wasn’t taking that,” Arthur said.

“He wanted to be around his mates and wanted to make a sacrifice for his teammates. I think as a club it shows you where we’re at. We didn’t get the result, but we were close.”

It’s unclear whether Opacic will be allowed to leave Parramatta’s bubble to be with family in Queensland, but that will be considered given the Eels have the bye next week.

“We are sad to learn of the sudden passing of Jake Opacic today, brother of Tom Opacic,” the club said in a statement on Friday night.

“The Parramatta Eels extend their thoughts and deepest sympathies to the Opacic family.

“Tom was brave to play in tonight’s game under painful circumstances, and we will support him during this difficult time.”

Tom Opacic played for the Eels just hours after his brother passed away. Picture: Getty Images

MOSES LEFT FEELING BLUE IN FINAL MINUTE

Mitch Moses found out the hard way that there are no fairy tales in rugby league after he missed a potential match-winning penalty goal with the final play of the game that would have catapulted him to the top of halfback hopefuls for Origin III.

Matt Burton had just given the hosts the lead with a clutch field goal from directly in front, but Parramatta was gifted a chance to steal it when Liam Martin took out Waqa Blake from the ensuing kick-off.

The Eels opted to take the two from 32 metres out, but Moses’ effort hooked to the left just like his 45-metre field goal moments earlier as Penrith avoided what would have been their first loss at home in nearly two years with a gutsy 13-12 win in front of an eerily empty Bluebet Stadium.

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Mitchell Moses may not have won the game for Parramatta but did enough to earn an Origin jersey. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“It would have been nice, but it doesn’t come down to that last shot at the end of the game,” Brad Arthur said.

“If he kicks it then it’s great, but it’s part of the game. He did his job and he played well. I thought it was a good game of football.

“He stuck to the plan in the toughest conditions.”

It wasn’t an audition that would have earned a Mark Holden touchdown on Australian Idol, but Moses’ hopes of earning a Blues debut are still alive after he produced a couple of plays that typify the Origin spirit.

With Nathan Cleary ruled out of Origin III due to a shoulder injury, Moses is one of several halves battling it out to don the vacant No.7 jersey for the July 14 dead rubber.

Matt Burton celebrates with teammates after kicking the deciding field-goal. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The Eels halfback was belted by Viliame Kikau but picked himself up to set up the first try of the evening with a pinpoint kick from the very next play that ended with Maika Sivo sliding over in the left corner.

Composure has always been an issue for Moses when things aren’t going his way, so the big test was how he’d react with his side down 6-4 at the break despite dominating possession.

“He needs to own this second half,” Michael Ennis said in commentary, and barely 60 second later, Moses set up Isaiah Papali’i with another brutal bomb that proved too tough for Charlie Staines to handle.

Viliame Kikau offloads the ball to Apisai Koroisau. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

He peppered the Penrith back three all night and defended well apart from a poor read that allowed Tyrone May to score in the first half, but Origin comes down to the big moments, and Moses was unable to ice the biggest play of Parramatta’s season, unlike Burton, who hit the post with his first attempt but nailed the winner.

“He keeps stepping up. He’s very courageous and he’s backing himself, which he should be,” Ivan Cleary said.

Cleary was “angry” the Eels even had a chance to win it at the death, claiming Blake milked the penalty.

“I think it’s another example of our game encouraging playing for penalties,” he said.

For those asking about Jarome Luai, was able to play out the game with left knee injury. Video clear in showing knee clash, likely just soft tissue contusion/bone bruise. All reports post game suggest nothing major, should be fine for Origin 3 pic.twitter.com/hs6j0TiYxF

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 2, 2021

LUAI CONCERN

The Panthers and Blues have a nervous wait on their hands after Jarome Luai appeared to injure his left knee while setting up Api Koroisau’s second-half try.

With Cleary already ruled out of Origin III, Blues coach Brad Fittler would have been sweating bullets from his living room as his other NSW playmaker required heavy strapping in the second half.

Luai had earlier clinched back-to-back repeat sets with deft grubbers, and he then ran and offloaded to his little hooker for his side’s second try.

But joy turned to agony as he stayed down clutching his knee. He battled through the pain but was limping heavily throughout the contest and must be in some doubt for Game Three, although he’s hopeful it’s just a cork.

“My foot got a bit caught and twisted in the tackle,” Luai said, confirming he’d go for scans today.

“It was a bit uncomfortable, but I just wanted to do a good job for my team and stay out there.”

Isaiah Papali'i was superb for the Eels. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

KING GUTHO

Viliame Kikau produced one of the tackles of the year to deny Justin Olam what would have been a match-winning try back in Round 3, but the Panthers behemoth was on the receiving end of an equally magnificent effort on Friday night.

Eels skipper Clint Gutherson was kept quiet in attack, but he still found a way to inject himself into the contest with a desperate effort to deny the much bigger man from close range, with teammate Marata Niukore lending his support down low.