NRL 2021 Parramatta Eels beat Melbourne Storm 16-12, Clint Gutherson stars

As the AFL introduces controversial medical replacement rules, calls for a concussion interchange are growing after this sickening head knock.

Junior Paulo is making try-scoring a real habit

Parramatta’s Clint Gutherson might not be the ‘The King’ of the NRL No.1’s but again the much-loved Eels superstar showed why he is fullback royalty.

On a night when Melbourne forward Felise Kaufusi was amazingly allowed to stay on the field after he knocked Ryan Matterson out with a dangerous head slam, Gutherson reigned supreme in a 16-12 victory in the driving rain at Bankwest Stadium.

And after this brilliant effort-based performance from Gutherson, there isn’t a single Eels fan who would swap Gutherson for a James Tedesco or even a Ryan Papenhuyzen.

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Clint Gutherson almost single-handedly kept the Eels in the game.

James Tedesco’s stunning performance last weekend against the Manly Sea Eagles where he scored three tries made, three try-assists, six tackle busts and one line break reinstalled the Roosters fullback as the best custodian in the game.

South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell is showing all the signs of a player who will turn into one the game’s elite fullbacks, while Ryan Papenhuyzen picked up where he left off from his Clive Churchill medal-winning performance in last year’s grand final against the Rabbitohs.

While pundits after round one were left waxing lyrical about Tedesco’s hat-trick showing against the Manly Sea Eagles and Melbourne’s excitement machine Papenhuyzen, Gutherson forced himself into the conversation after single-handedly keeping the Eels in this contest.

Gutherson had only clocked 49-run metres to Melbourne’s Papenhuyzen 91 metres in the first half.

But like with most weeks, the numbers never really tell Gutherson’s full story. That’s because most of the numbers used to measure a player’s output in the modern game don’t measure effort or sheer tenacity.

Maika Sivo wrapped the win up with a try in the dying minutes.

Two areas in the game where Gutherson is unbeaten in, even arguably against the likes of Tedesco.

On Thursday night, on a wet track where defending every single point was make or break, Gutherson saved three tries to keep his side in the contest.

When Melbourne behemoth Nelson Asofa Solomona attempted to barge over and score in the opening exchanges, the man under the weight of Solomona’s 118 kilogram body was Gutherson.

When Melbourne flyer Josh Addo-Carr made a break down the right edge at full pace, Gutherson was there again to save the day. The Eels fullback showed tremendous reflexes to take an attempted chip-kick from Addo-Carr to snuff out yet another Melbourne’ attacking raid.

But Gutherson wasn’t done. Parramatta’s newest ‘Mr Perpetual Motion’ is never done. He never quits.

Justin Olam drew the Storm level late on but it wasn’t enough in a frantic finish.

In the 31st minute, desperately trying to hold onto his side’s precious 6-0 lead, Gutherson, again, finds a way to stop Melbourne’s Tui Kamikamica from sliding over to score. Gutherson gets his legs across to stop the ball from reaching the tryline.

Finally, after weathering Melbourne’s attack, Parramatta’s defence relented in the 38th minute with a try to Reimis Smith.

Not before Gutherson found a way to punch the ball out of Cameron Munster’s hand preventing yet another try.

Melbourne’s Papenhuyzen hit back with his own bit of brilliance to level the scores at 12-all with only five minutes to go.

Papenhuyzen finished the game with almost three-times the run metres to Gutherson but it was Gutherson who had three-times the impact on his side, and the result.

Junior Paulo is making try-scoring a real habit

Meanwhile, Kaufusi was placed on report after he appeared to pin Matterson’s head down with his right elbow as he took him to ground, leaving the in-demand back-rower in a sick state as trainers tried to help him.

The crowd started the traditional “off, off, off” chant when they saw the replay, but referee Ashley Klein was far more lenient.

The decision flies in the face of the NRL’s own foul play policy which stipulates players should be sent to the sin bin for illegal acts that force their opponents from the field.

It will also raise questions over possible concussion subs after the AFL introduced their controversial medical replacement on Thursday night.

Concussion has been a major talking point this week, and the noise will only grow louder after a couple of concerning moments on Thursday. Matterson has a history of head knocks and will need to be assessed throughout the week as the club looks to navigate the safest possible path to recovery.

Ryan Papenhuyzen attracted plenty of attention.

While Matterson was forced from the field, Brandon Smith and Shaun Lane stayed on after showing signs of grogginess.

Smith appeared wobbly but was given the green light by Melbourne’s trainer, while Lane also soldiered on after copping friendly fire from Marata Niukore.

Maika Sivo finished the game with a team-high 170 metres for the Eels and bookended the scoring with a pair of four-pointers that will only boost his price tag as he looks to secure his future.

“Maika wants to stay and the club wants him to stay so I’ve got no concerns there,” Eels coach Brad Arthur said.

“If we want to be the sort of team they are and challenge (for titles), we need to do that every week. It doesn’t matter who we play; we need to have the attitude that that’s how we play.”

Felise Kaufusi goes on report.

They got away with it last week, but Melbourne clearly missed Cameron Smith when the game was there to be won.

The retired skipper has always been the man to come up with the big plays in the crunch moments, and his experience was sorely missed in the final 10 minutes.

“We need a few of our senior players (to stand up),” Craig Bellamy said.

“It’s not just down to one player. It’s got to be a contribution from the whole team for them to understand where we are in the game and what’s needed.”

The Storm must now regroup with a grand final rematch against the Panthers on the agenda next Thursday in Sydney’s west. If they lose, it would be the first time since 2008 that they started a season 1-2.

Originally published as NRL 2021 Parramatta Eels beat Melbourne Storm 16-12, Clint Gutherson stars