NRL round 12: Jake Averillo’s miracle try during narrow loss to Parramatta Eels

Canterbury Bulldogs prodigy Jake Averillo’s effort was “as outrageous as it gets” in the NRL, but it wasn’t enough to topple the Parramatta Eels.

Jake Averillo's ‘outrageous’ try against the Parramatta Eels.

Canterbury Bulldogs centre Jake Averillo left the commentators speechless after scoring an “outrageous” try against the Parramatta Eels on Sunday.

During the round 12 encounter in Sydney, the Bulldogs were trailing by 12 points when players returned to the field after the interval.

Desperate to reduce the deficit, Canterbury found themselves ten metres out from the opposition try line before quickly spreading the ball out towards the right wing.

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When winger Maika Sivo received a rainbow pass from playmaker Mitchell Moses, he cleverly flicked the footy at Averillo who wrapped around towards the corner flag.

The 19-year-old lunged towards the try line with limbs flailing in all directions, but the referees still sent the decision upstairs as he celebrated with his teammates.

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Replays showed Averillo had planted the ball down millimetres from the dead ball area with his entire body suspended over touch, and the commentators were left in shock.

“We’ve seen some good ones, but that is up there,” Fox League commentator Warren Smith cried.

“That is in the Olympic final. He’s a human starfish … as outrageous as it gets.”

Former Bulldogs star Michael Ennis was left “speechless” as he attempted to describe the stellar try.

“There’s huge wraps coming out of Belmore about this young man,” Ennis said on Fox League.

“This is an incredible, incredible show of athleticism from Averillo.

“That’s unbelievable … that is amazing.”

Australian poet Omar Sakr tweeted: “That try by Averillo was absolutely extraordinary. Unreal. Wow.”

That literally was a motion graphic. How was that a real life try? So good! 😂 #NRLBulldogsEels

— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) August 2, 2020

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Since making his NRL debut earlier this year, Averillo has scored three tries for the Bulldogs, and has also proven an accurate kicker off the tee.

Averillo was stood down from Canterbury last month after he was linked to a potential coronavirus outbreak, but the teenager undeniably impressed on his return, managing a line break, line break assist and 76 run metres.

Sitting at the bottom of the NRL ladder, the Bulldogs were total outsiders heading into Sunday’s encounter against the mighty Eels.

But coming off a shock victory over the Newcastle Knights in round 11, Canterbury gave their western Sydney rivals a mighty scare. After trailing 18-0, Canterbury dominated possession and territory throughout the second half, reducing the margin to just two points.

However, the Eels held on to secure a narrow 18-16 victory, their tenth win of the season.

The Parramatta Eels are currently second on the NRL ladder.

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur conceded it was “like a morgue” in the sheds following the unconvincing win.

“We were happy that we hung on and found a way to get the job done but, we put ourselves under too much pressure and made it too hard for ourselves,” Arthur told reporters.

“It was like a morgue in the dressing sheds, they were really disappointed.

“I had to ask them if they really wanted to sing the team song, but that’s good because we’re setting high expectations and I know we can be better.

“It’s two points, it’s two points we needed.”

Next weekend, the Bulldogs come up against the Melbourne Storm on the Sunshine Coast, while the Eels will take on the in-form Cronulla Sharks in Sydney.