‘Can’t believe it’: Ray Stone’s miracle try in golden point thriller

NRL fans were treated to an absolute thriller in Melbourne, with an unheralded forward sealing a miraculous victory for the Eels.

Ray Stone of the Eels. Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images

It’s only Round 3, but we may have already witnessed the most enthralling NRL match of the 2022 season.

The Parramatta Eels have secured a thrilling 28-24 victory over the Melbourne Storm on Saturday, with a fortuitous bounce gifting utility Ray Stone the matchwinning try in golden point.

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The two powerhouse clubs were embroiled in a topsy-turvy contest at Melbourne’s AAMI Park, with players returning to the sheds at halftime at 12-12.

Stone scored a bizarre try in the 70th minute to put the Eels in front, but just when it seemed as though Parramatta were going to escape with a gritty victory, Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen dived under the posts five minutes later.

Scores were still tied at 24-24 when the final siren echoed around the venue, sending the match to golden point.

Ray Stone of the Eels scores his first try of the match. Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Early in extra time, Eels halfback Mitchell Moses attempted a drop kick at goal from long range, with the footy bouncing off the right post back into play.

But Stone, who had chased after his teammate’s kick, retrieved the ball before any of his opponents, sidestepping Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes and diving over for the decisive four-pointer, his second of the night.

“I can’t believe it,” former Cronulla star Michael Ennis said on Fox League.

Commentator Andrew Voss continued: “Stone, my goodness. Stop the press on the Southern Highlands news. Ray Stone may have scored the matchwinner with a double.

“This is incredible. This is the most dramatic moment.”

Just to add to the drama, Stone suffered a suspected right knee injury during the dramatic final play and required medical assistance as the match officials checked whether he was off-side.

Stone had scored two NRL tries before Saturday’s victory, therefore doubling his career tally in one match.

It was Melbourne second consecutive golden point match, following last weekend’s nailbiting victory over the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Parramatta have now defeated the Storm three times in a row.

Should be a special moment in Ray Stone's career, instead he hurt his knee. I hope it's a less serious injury but that motion and his face after it tells a different story. Once again #NRL fans are lucky @nrlphysio shares his insights like this. #NRLStormEelshttps://t.co/WcnXIUBaQV

— Roy Ward (@rpjward) March 26, 2022

That is ridiculous.

Golden point, off the post, bloke scores a try, injures his knee.

WHAT. #NRLStormEels

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) March 26, 2022

Oh my god that’s wild #nrlstormeels

— matt (@mattencarnacion) March 26, 2022

“Geez we make it hard on ourselves, last week dumb stuff lost us the game,” Moses told Fox League after the win.

“We were lucky to get away with it, Stoney came up with two big plays to win us the game.

“We pride ourselves on our efforts and he leads it.

“He leads it at training, he does the extras and he’s probably one of the fittest at the club. It showed there, in extra time he comes up with the big play when no one else is there, he turns up.”

Speaking to reporters at the post-match press conference, Parramatta coach Brad Arthur confessed: “It’s always good when a little bit of luck goes to one of our players that you can rely on.

“Stoney is one of those guys, he works hard, he is sometimes in and out of the team but he never complains, he just gets on with his job.

“He made sure he was onside ... it was a good bit of footy awareness from him, so pleasing for Stoney.

“We didn’t expect anything different. We knew it was going to come down to the wire. It’s very hard to come down to Melbourne and take two points off them.”

The Eels will next face St George at CommBank Stadium on Sunday, April 3, with kick-off scheduled for 6.15pm AEDT.

Originally published as ‘Can’t believe it’: Ray Stone’s miracle try in golden point thriller