Parramatta add to Canterbury’s misery with comfortable 36-16 victory

Parramatta have added to Canterbury’s early misery and remained unbeaten with a 36-16 victory over their old rivals on the back of an inspired display from Blake Ferguson.

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Big, bald and brassy.

Parramatta winger Blake Ferguson scored two tries and set up a third in another blockbusting performance against hapless Canterbury on Sunday afternoon.

Ferguson has been the NRL’s form player over the opening two games of this season. The power is back, the smile is back and so are the Eels

He trampled Canterbury in Parramatta’s 36-16 win — his first try a 92-metre intercept. After a 80 dominant minutes, Ferguson had run for a whopping 272 metres.

And both his efforts this season have been in front of NSW coach Brad Fittler.

Fittler sat sideline for Channel 9 as Ferguson destroyed Canterbury and Penrith a week ago.

Big Fergo was brilliant — taking high bombs, setting up tries, scoring tries, big-metre carries, pumping legs.

Ferguson was terrific on the right wing. AAP Image/Brendon Thorne.

“I am just enjoying footy,” Ferguson said. “I’m better mentally this year. I know what my role is in this team. It’s taken me a long time to juggle both off and on field. I feel like everything is going all right. I’m just enjoying life.”

Ferguson didn’t play Origin last year but surely, based on early season form, would have to be back among the wing contenders.

He needs to reconnect with Fittler after missing a preseason camp.

“I didn’t want to speak to him before the game. Parramatta is very important to me and I don’t want to sidetrack myself worrying about something that is out of my control,” said Ferguson, who is proving a stellar buy from the Sydney Roosters, whom the Eels face this Friday.

“He is 106, 107kgs. When he came he said he would like to play around that 100, 101kgs,” Eels coach Brad Arthur said. “He’s strong and is good to have around the group. He’s a winner. He breeds confidence, he just wants to win, he just thinks he is going to win all the time.”

The Eels ran roughshod over their old rivals. Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images.

EAST v WEST

Bring It. On.

Unbeaten Parramatta are primed for an east versus west Sydney blockbuster this Friday night against NRL premiers Sydney Roosters.

A slow start, where they trailed 10-0 early, will be a concern for coach Brad Arthur. But the Eels then went and scored 30 straight points to demoralise the battling Bulldogs.

“They are a good footy team,” Arthur said. “Our attitude is in the right space coming up against last year’s premiers. Definitely but some of our execution needs to be better. It’s nice to win two games but it was disappointing the way we didn’t close the game out.”

The Eels’ true test, though, will arrive against the Roosters. Ferguson tried to play down the importance of the fixture.

“I haven’t really thought about it or spoke about it,” Ferguson said. “I want to enjoy this week and get tucked in that game Tuesday or Wednesday. It’s another opposition to me, I will go out and do my job regardless.”

DEAN PAY

Two intercepts passes thrown in the second half killed Canterbury, who led 10-0.

Canterbury has now conceded 76 in the first two games of this season.

While the season is just 160 minutes old, pressure must surely be mounting on Canterbury coach Dean Pay.

Pay and the Bulldogs have opened discussions about a contract extension. Sources claim though the board is already becoming nervous about any new deal with Pay.

Canterbury had a ridiculous amount of ball early. In the opening 20 minutes, the Bulldog enjoyed 76 per cent of possession. They had 57 runs to Parramatta’s 20 and had 331 more run metres than the Eels.

Through sheer weight of possession, Canterbury struck once and then twice. The stats had levelled up by halftime and the Doggies fell apart in the second half.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Bulldogs skipper Josh Jackson said.

The ANZ Stadium ground announcer tried to tell us Canterbury Easter match with Souths was a “blockbuster.” No one believed it.

The Bulldogs were ordinary again. Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images.

ROOKIE STARS AGAIN

Two games into his NRL career and Brown was splendid again.

His side had no ball in the first half but Brown came up with two grubber kicks that earned Parramatta repeat sets.

It finally gave the Eels some ball — and confidence. They were big plays.

He looked good again on that left edge despite spilling his touch of the ball. Brown looks remarkably calm for an 18-year-old.

A second half try capped another bold performance.

“If he can just do that for us every week, that will be a tough ask. We have 24 tough games” Arthur said. “I don’t need him to do any more than that. Next year he can worry about going to another level. This year he just has to get himself ready to handle the physical battle week in, week out.”

Will Parramatta gamble by offering him a four-year extension even though he has played just two NRL games?

Parramatta captain Gutherson was in top form. AAP Image/Brendon Thorne.

GUTHO BOOSTS HIS VALUE

Parramatta tabled an offer but has agreed to pull it now and start negotiations again. Known as a loyal player, Gutherson wants to re-sign the moment Eels coach Brad Arthur is retained.

Problem is Arthur may not be re-signed until halfway through the season.

Retaining Arthur isn’t the only issue determining Gutherson’s future — but it would be a significant part is his decision.

Gutherson scored two tries on Sunday to further boost his stocks. He is getting back to his very best form.

Parramatta and halfback Mitch Moses aren’t close yet. Moses has told Eels officials he wants to totally prove himself as the club’s lead playmaker this season. He kicked six from six yesterday.

FREDDIE’S FEET

NSW coach Brad Fittler watched the game in bare feet.

Fittler sat sideline commentating for Channel 9 and watching some of his NSW hopefuls go around.

Wanting to feel the earth and minerals through the ANZ Stadium turf, Fittler slipped his black shoes off and crossed his legs bare foot.

Freddie did whack the shoes back on for his on-field interviews. Once he sat back down again, off came the Moccasins.

PARRAMATTA 36 (B Ferguson 2 C Gutherson 2 D Brown S Lane tries M Moses 6 goals) bt CANTERBURY 16 (K Foran D Napa R Smith tries K Holland 2 goals) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Ben Cummins, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski. Crowd: 20,134