NRL 2024: Dolphins win 44-16 over Parramatta Eels without Wayne Bennett in Darwin
Brad Arthur has slammed his Parramatta Eels side, accusing them of giving up following a second half onslaught by the Dolphins which saw his side concede eight unanswered tries in Darwin.
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has accused his side of giving up and slamming the outfit as a part time football team in the wake of the Eels’ humiliating 44-16 loss at the hands of a depleted Dolphins.
The Dolphins piled on eight unanswered tries in the second half to claim a courageous victory missing the likes of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (hamstring), Herbie Farnworth (shoulder), Tom Flegler (shoulder), Felise Kaufusi (hamstring), Tom Gilbert (knee) - and coach Wayne Bennett stranded in Brisbane with illness.
For the Eels, Friday night’s loss put them on a course desperate for wins against Manly, Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm over the next five weeks - and all without star halfback Mitchell Moses.
Arthur said Parramatta’s second half capitulation was the result of a “handful” of players lacking the commitment needed to play NRL.
“It’s what’s wrong with our footy team, we are a part time footy team at the moment,” Arthur said.
“We pick and choose when we want to play. We pick and choose in the 80 minutes when we want to make a tough choice or a soft choice.
“That second half wasn’t good enough. It good too fast too hard and we gave up. It’s as simple as that.
“There is only a handful of players in the club at the moment that choose to come every week with the right mentally and toughness, and want to be an 80 minute football player and an NRL player every week.
“The conditions didn’t help in the second half but we didn’t play the conditions very well. We spent a lot of time behind our goal posts, you have to harden up and defend one set. I don’t think it was fitness issue…”
EELS VS DOLPHINS MATCH REPORT
Parramatta face a horror run to save their season after suffering a demoralising 44-16 defeat at the hands of depleted Dolphins outfit in oppressive conditions at TIO Stadium in Darwin.
The Dolphins piled on eight unanswered tries in the second half to claim a courageous victory missing the likes of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (hamstring), Herbie Farnworth (shoulder), Tom Flegler (shoulder), Felise Kaufusi (hamstring) and Tom Gilbert (knee).
For the Eels, Friday night’s loss put them on a course desperate for wins against Manly, Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm over the next five weeks – and all without star halfback Mitchell Moses.
Skipper Clint Gutherson also suffered an injury scare after colliding with Trai Fuller late in the game and finished the game hobbling off the field.
The Eels looked well on top in the opening exchanges, winning the territory and possession battle.
Brad Arthur’s men completed at 83 per cent in the first half and were tackled 24 times, 42 by the end of the game, but worryingly only managed to cross the line three times as the side’s attack continued to look rudderless without Moses running the show.
Parramatta’s attack was out-enthused and outplayed by Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa, who controlled the game with tempo and punished Parramatta’s defence in the second half.
The Eels’ second half will worry coach Arthur.
The side only managed to complete six sets and on the other side of the ball conceded a try every three minutes, and missed 18 tackles.
The hot and humid conditions did Parramatta’s big men no favours with the impact of the likes of Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Junior Paulo and Joe Ofahengaue stifled by the weather.
SPINE MATTERS
It was a tale of two halves for Kodi Nikorima and Isaiya Katoa. Nikorima had a first half to forget, missing tackles and making poor defensive reads. First he was caught on his heels in defence and was nothing more than a speed hump for Shaun Lane for Parramatta’s first try. He then threw a hospital pass in his own try line with Eels players everywhere, The Dolphins were lucky to get away with it. Katoa on the other hand, kept his side in the fight. After recovering from kicking out on the full in the 6th minute, Katao found a silky overhead pass for Jack Bostock to open the Dolphins’ account. Then came the no-look pass for Tesi Niu’s try in the second half that helped level the scores. Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King was as dynamic and started poking holes in the fatigued Parramatta defence in the second half setting up tries for Niu and lock Max Plath.
TRAI’S TOP 30 AUDITION
The Dolphins needed dispensation to get Trai Fuller into the side this week after Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow suffered a hamstring injury set to sideline him for four weeks.
Fuller isn’t a top 30 player but did his chances of an upgrade no harm after an energy filled showing in the no.1 jumper. Fuller was up to the task not only under the high ball but was well positioned to diffuse attacking kicks as well. He iced a Josh Kerr linebreak, on the back of a deft pass from Marshall-King, to put the Dolphins in front for the first time in the game in the 53rd minute.
PROTECTED SPECIES
Another game and another discussion about just how much protection from defenders to kickers need. Dolphins youngster Oryn Keeley was penalised for taking Parramatta five-eighth Daejarn Asi as he kicked the ball. The contact was minimal but that didn’t stop the referee from blowing the whistle.
Fox League expert Michael Ennis raised the question whether kickers are now playing for the penalty.
“That’s a soft penalty, Asi knew he would get the penalty,” Ennis said.
EELS GOAL KICKING MYSTERY
Parramatta winger Sean Russell’s goal kicking licence is surely under review after stepping up to the tee in the Darwin heat on Friday night.
Russell missed what looked like a simple conversion after Lane’s try and his second attempt never looked like going over the back dot.
Skipper Clint Gutherson is the usual goal kicker but gave up the duties to Russell. Gutherson has been managing his workload at training and Blaize Talagi even trained at fullback during the week.
But after Russell’s two misses, Gutherson stepped up to take over in the second half to slot a penalty goal. Arthur insisted Gutherson wasn’t injured leading into the game.
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