Canberra Raiders blow Parramatta Eels away in 50-12 Darwin thrashing

On a high from their stunning comeback win over the Dragons, the Parramatta Eels have been given a wake-up call, as the Raiders ran riot to put 50-points on the NRL cellar dwellers.

Penrith fans can relax for another week after their side avoided dropping down to the foot of the table thanks to the Raiders who used an opening onslaught from their forwards to send the Eels crashing back to earth.The Eels would have left the four-time premiers as the only team with just one win if they’d beaten Canberra, but they were never in the hunt as their horror record in Darwin continued with a 50-12 defeat to leave them in last spot.

Weird and wonderful things happen up north, and Saturday night did not disappoint as the Green Machine’s forwards bashed their rivals in the opening 20 minutes, with Joseph Tapine setting the tone with the first try of the contest.

The Raiders put 50 points on Parramatta to send the Eels crashing back to Earth. Picture: NRL Imagery

There are some great props at the moment but Tapine might just be the best, with the Raiders skipper finishing the game with an audacious offload to Matty Nicholson who raced away untouched.

“There are only a certain number of middles that can do that,” Ricky Stuart said.

“I’ve been saying for a couple of years now that Joe is the best forward in the competition.”

Corey Horsburgh ran for 110 metres in the first half as Canberra’s forwards ran riot, with Hudson Young crossing in each half as he continued his stunning start to the season.

This was a statement win by the Raiders who look like a legitimate finals team, with Sea Eagles supporters also cheering quietly as Jamal Fogarty kicked Parramatta to death amid reports he could be off to Manly for the next two years.

Corey Horsburgh proved to hard to handle for Parramatta, Picture: NRL Imagery

RYLES AND TRIBULATIONS

Last week’s heart-stopping win over the Dragons was a wonderful moment for rookie coach Jason Ryles, but there is still a long way to go for the Eels after they were handed a reality check on Saturday night.

Missing field goal hero Zac Lomax, the home side were totally outplayed in the first half as they ran out of puff with just 40 per cent of the ball.

Dylan Brown scored a nice solo try but that was as good as it got as they were dominated in the middle and couldn’t keep up with Canberra’s quick men.

The attack continues to look sluggish without Mitchell Moses who could be back on Easter Monday, with the current spine lacking the creativity they need to match it with the top teams.

Their defence isn’t much better, with the Eels conceding 50 for the second time in six weeks.

“If you give any forward pack the amount of possession that we did in the first half, you’re probably chasing your tail,” Junior Paulo said.

“It burns you out throughout the back end of the game.”

The Raiders handed Parramatta a wake-up call. Picture: NRL Imagery

TRY OF THE WEEKES

Canberra’s forwards set the platform early, but it was the outside backs who did the damage on the scoreboard with a couple of their speedsters combining to set up a superb first-half try.

Fullback Kaeo Weekes retrieved a kick near his own line, beat a few defenders and then sped away before he linked up with Xavier Savage who raced down the sideline before he took the tackle.

The defence was at sixes and sevens, with the Raiders punishing them two plays later when Young darted away down the left to score.

The Darwin locals were treated to some more magic after the break when Shaun Lane broke free and linked up with Dylan Walker who kicked beautifully for Josh Addo-Carr to get the Eels back in the contest.

THIEF IN THE NIGHT

Tom Starling continued his red-hot form in 2025 with a try assist and a number of darting runs, but it wasn’t his attack that stole the show, with the Raiders hooker pinching Ryley Smith’s headgear in one of the more bizarre moments of the year.

Smith had just tackled his rival dummy-half and was chopping away at his arm, with Starling reaching out and grabbing the first thing he could find to send Smith’s headgear flying.

The Raiders were also lucky to be awarded a penalty try late in the game when Xavier Savage was interfered with as he chased through a grubber.

Originally published as Canberra Raiders blow Parramatta Eels away in 50-12 Darwin thrashing