Clint Gutherson inspires Eels’ 24-12 upset win over Sharks
Shopped to rival clubs during the off-season, Michael Jennings proved he still has plenty to offer with the fast greying flyer proving the difference as the Eels outmuscled the Sharks on Saturday night.
Threatened with reserve grade before the start of the season, Michael Jennings turned back the clock on Saturday night with the former Australian centre scoring a double as Parramatta upset Cronulla.
Shopped to rival clubs during the off-season, Jennings proved he still has plenty to offer with the greying flyer proving the difference.
Going head-to-head with an injury-ravaged Sharks following the 11th hour withdrawal of Shaun Johnson, Jennings scored in the 53rd and 72nd minute.
“All the boys dug deep tonight,’’ said Mitchell Moses.
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“That is probably our first 80-minute performance. The boys just kept on turning up for each other.
“They had a few players out tonight but we had about five or six out too. Everyone is doing their job.’’
BIG IMPACT
Junior Paulo piled on the pain with a bone-rattling hit on Scott Sorensen capping off a powerhouse performance.
Paving the way for Parramatta’s gritty win over Cronulla with a metre-eating first 20-minute stint, Paulo left Sharks players battered and bruised in his best performance since returning to the Eels.
After a challenge from Brad Arthur for the Eels forward pack to dominate in the middle, Paulo and the pack responded by getting one over the Sharks.
The 120kg behemoth made 30 tackles – but none better than the bell ringer on Sorensen in the 65th minute.
“It is an all-round effort but the forwards are certainly doing there bit,’’ Moses said.
“They were huge in defence. We are all just enjoying it at the moment and it was great to out it all together.’’
NON-COMMITAL
Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson refused to be drawn into talk about his future.
The heart-and-soul fullback remains uncontracted beyond the year and has already attracted interest from rival clubs.
“You will have to talk to my manager about that,’’ Gutherson said.
“Have you got his number? I will just leave that to him.’’
Gutherson has been the backbone of the Eels’ surprise season start with the fullback instrumental again as Parramatta made it three from four.
After overpowering the depleted Sharks after scores were locked at 12-12 early in the second half, Gutherson said he is relishing the Sharks captaincy.
“I am still learning,’’ Gutherson said.“But it is easy when you are winning and having fun each week. After last year I learned a lot as a person and a captain. We have a lot of older heads here that I can learn off and I am just trying to enjoy it.
NO ONE-HIT WONDER
A star was born on Saturday night when an 18-year-old with a viral video made his NRL debut.
Thrust into the spotlight earlier this week when a hidden camera recorded the moment he was told his dream of playing in the NRL would come true, Bronson Xerri proved himself to be a star of the future with a solid first outing for the Sharks.
A tall timber who tips the scales at 100kg, Xerri immediately made an NRL impression by running for almost 70 meters in his first half of first grade.
LISTEN! Pressure on the Clearys, Ponga’s missing spark and rich pickings for the Blues. Plus Matty’s confrontation with “The Animal”. Don’t miss this week’s episode of The Matty Johns podcast with Paul Kent and James Hooper.
DUGAN’S NIGHT OF DRAMA
A dropped bomb, a head-knock and a bruised bum, it was a night to forget for Sharks No.1 Josh Dugan.
In what proved a nightmare return to the back, Dugan was left bruised and battered after a torrid night against the Eels.
Dugan’s drama started when he was taken from the field for a concussion test in the 7th minute and continued when he received a tail bone injury shortly after he returned.
Limping for much of the match, Dugan dropped a first half bomb to gives the Eels a shot before he gifted Michael Jennings a try in the 53rd minute by failing to clean up a kick.
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER
The Flanagan name returned to a Cronulla team-sheet when Kyle Flanagan played his first NRL game without his father as his coach.
Called into the starting side after Johnson pulled out, Flanagan Jr slotted his first NRL goal when he booted a sideline conversion to also put his famous surname on the point scoring list.
Signed until 2021, the young half made his first NRL appearance under John Morris just months after his father Shane was forced to quit as Cronulla coach for breaches made during a previous suspension.
PARRAMATTA 24 (M Jennings 2 M Niukore B Takairangi tries M Moses 4 goals) bt CRONULLA 12 (S Feki2 tries K Flanagan 2 goals) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Chris Butler, Chris Sutton. Crowd: 11,185
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