Eels stun Dragons to send Manly packing

2009-09-21

For the second year running the eighth-ranked side has knocked over the minor premiers in week one of the NRL finals.

Last year the Vodafone Warriors became the first eighth-ranked side in history to survive week one by upsetting top-ranked Melbourne 18-15.
And on Sunday, Parramatta emulated the feat with a stunning 25-12 win over 2009 title favourite St George Illawarra at WIN Jubilee Oval.
The outcome was all the more stunning because the Eels had crashed 0-37 to the Dragons in the final round of the regular season last weekend. However, with Nathan Hindmarsh and Eric Grothe back in their side they were always likely to be an entirely different proposition in the play-offs (not that they were helped by losing Krisnan Inu).
The form guide showed the Dragons had won only one of their last four games while the Eels had lost just one of their last eight.
Despite being called on to defend for long periods, Parramatta made halftime with a 12-8 lead and the score remained the same for the first 20 minutes of the second half. But the critical moment came as the Dragons pressed yet again at Parramatta’s right-side defence, Eels winger Grothe coming off his wing to steal a Jamie Soward pass and race 95 metres for a try under the bar. With Luke Burt converting the Eels were 18-8 ahead with 18 minutes to play.
Finally the Dragons found a way through Parramatta’s right side for Brett Morris to score although Soward couldn’t convert, leaving Parramatta 18-12 ahead with nine minutes to play.
Minutes later that became 19-12 with Burt hammering over asuperb 40-metre field goal and,in the dying minutes,peerless Jarryd Hayne turned on his player of the year tricks with a stupendous solo try to put the Dragons to bed. At least they have a second life next week. Not so Manly which watched the matchknowing its season was over with Parramatta winning.
The upshot of Parramatta’s win is that Melbourne, as the second highest-ranked winner in week one, now joins the Bulldogs in advancing to the third week of the play-offs. And the two highest-ranked losers St George Illawarra and Gold Coast have a second shot next weekend but must travel to keep their campaigns going.
Ironically Dragons coach Wayne Bennett must now head to Suncorp Stadium next Saturday night knowing only a win against his old Brisbane club will save St George Illawarra from the disappointment of a quick exit despite winning the minor premiership. There’ll be real concern that the Dragons have now had just one win in the last five weeks. The winner of the Broncos-Dragons clash will meet Melbourne – expected to be the bookies’ new premiership favourite – in week three.
In the other week two play-off next week, Parramatta will take on Gold Coast at the Sydney Football Stadium. Win then and the Eels would meet the Bulldogs in week three.
Match details:

At WIN Jubilee Oval, Kogarah
St George Illawarra 12 (Dan Hunt, Brett Morris tries; Jamie Soward conversion, penalty).
Parramatta Eels 25 (Luke Burt, Daniel Mortimer, Eric Grothe, Jarryd Hayne tries; Luke Burt 4 conversions, field goal).
Halftime: 12-8 Eels.
Referees: Jared Maxwell and Matt Cecchin.
Crowd: 18,174.

NRL Finals – Week Two

1st Semi-Final:
Friday, September 18, 7.45pm, at Sydney Football Stadium
NRL: Parramatta Eels (W4) v Gold Coast Titans (L2)
NYC: Canberra Raiders (W4) v Wests Tigers (L2) 5.30pm

2nd Semi-Final:
Saturday, September 19, 7.45pm, at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
NRL: Brisbane Broncos (W3) v St George Illawarra Dragons (L1)
NYC: Brisbane Broncos (W3) v Manly Sea Eagles (L1) 5.30pm

In week three of the NRL finals, the Bulldogs will play the winner of the Eels/Titans and Melbourne Storm will play the winner of the Broncos/Dragons.
In week three of the NYC finals, the St George Illawarra Dragons will play the winner of the Raiders/Wests Tigers and the Melbourne Storm will play the winner of the Broncos/Sea Eagles.

Article courtesy of the Vodafone Warriors.

A link to their website can be found here…