Future rosy as Eels tah-tah Tahu

PARRAMATTA coach Michael Hagan admitted after yesterday's 26-10 loss to Melbourne that the game would miss rugby union-bound Timana Tahu next year, but the Eels believe the talent the club has unearthed this season would hold them in good stead.

Tahu and second-rower Ian Hindmarsh, who has retired, bowed out with strong performances yesterday to highlight their contribution to Parramatta's efforts this season. But the likes of Jarryd Hayne, Krisnan Inu and Feleti Mateo have already shown they have big futures.

"We've got a lot of good young guys who are going to learn from this season," Parramatta captain Nathan Cayless said.

"It's great for those guys to have a full season in first grade and there's a few guys in premier league who are going to be pushing for first-grade spots next year. We're at a healthy stage as far as the club is concerned but it still doesn't take away from the disappointment of losing."

Hagan said it was disappointing that the game was losing players of the calibre of Tahu and Storm centre Matt King, who is heading to Warrington next season.

"I thought Timana's last eight weeks or so have been tremendous for the Parramatta football club and he laid on a tremendous pass for Inu to all but score in the corner in the second half. He's been aggressive and he's been quality every week so he's going to be a loss for sure," Hagan said.

"I think King from Melbourne going to England is another disappointing situation for the game and clubs are struggling to keep their quality players."

Tahu signed off from his nine-year league career in style, among the Eels' best yesterday.

"It's a bit disappointing, I was looking for that fairytale ending but it didn't happen," Tahu, who will play for the NSW Waratahs in the Super 14 next season, told AAP.

"I'm pretty shattered because now it's the end of my NRL career but I'm looking forward to rugby and looking forward to what's coming ahead. I don't have any regrets at all, it's disappointing to lose tonight but my career's just turned to a new chapter and I'm looking for bigger and better things."

Despite having a number of close calls go against them from video referees Bill Harrigan and Phil Cooley, the Eels had no complaints about the decisions and admitted the better team won.

Hagan also declined to comment on the high shot from Melbourne forward Jeremy Smith on Hayne.

Hagan rues missed chances

Parramatta coach Michael Hagan says a combination of missed opportunities and poor discipline cost his team a place in the NRL Grand Final.

The Eels settled much better than the Melbourne Storm in Sunday afternoon's preliminary final at Telstra Dome, and scored first in each half to firstly grab a 4-0 lead and then level things up after the break at 10-10.

But the former Newcastle boss told reporters after the Storm had grabbed the Grand Final berth with a 26-10 win that better execution of their game plan and skills would have made all the difference.

"I thought we gave ourselves a real chance after half-time to go to 10-all, and I thought we played some good footy at times," Hagan said.

"We didn't execute as well as we needed to, to give ourselves a genuine chance."

"I think we missed two genuine chances and probably turned the ball over on a couple of half chances which you know they punish you for those errors. But I thought we were pretty courageous at different times in the game."

"I thought our players acquitted themselves very well and gave themselves their best chance anyway. I think we made plenty of line breaks in the game and we certainly challenged them physically at times."

"Probably there was a period just in that 15 minutes before half-time we conceded three or four penalties which really gave them a good roll-on and they took advantage of that. They're hard to handle when that's the case."

Twice in the second half Krisnan Inu came close to scoring a try that would have given the Eels hope, but on each occasion video referee Bill Harrigan ruled that he had touched the sideline just before forcing the ball, and the second instance was a blow according to Hagan.

"I think that try had to be scored at that time, whether it was (a try) is hard to say because there wasn't a genuine replay for a few minutes, but I think it's fair to say he was probably out," Hagan said.

Captain Nathan Cayless was bitterly disappointed by the result, especially after his team had had its opportunities in the game, but his mood was helped by a positive outlook for the future.

"We've got a lot of good young guys who are going to learn a lot from that season," he said.

"We had a to put up with a lot of criticism but I thought we finished off the season really strong. It's just disappointing that it ended today."

"It's great for those guys to have a full season in first grade, (Jarryd Hayne) Haynesy and Krisnan (Inu) and there's a few guys in Premier League who I'm sure will be pushing for first-grade spots next year."

"They're going to be in their third grand final in a row, so we're at a healthy stage as a club but it still doesn't take away from the disappointment of today."

Storm puts away gallant Parramatta

MINOR premiers Melbourne will meet Manly in the NRL grand final after the Storm put away a gallant Parramatta 26-10 at Telstra Dome today.

The 16-point margin was hardly indicative of what was a closely fought contest, the Storm prevailing to earn a return trip to the decider and a chance to avenge last year's grand final loss to Brisbane.

The game looked headed for a thrilling finish when the Eels tied it up at 10-10 midway through the second half, but the Storm were just too composed with two late tries sealing the result.

It was all the Eels early with Melbourne looking like they had been struck by stagefright in front of a 33,427-strong crowd, the largest to attend a Storm match in the Victorian capital.

Parramatta were rewarded for their dominance when a brilliant two-man cut-out ball from Tim Smith found an unmarked Eric Grothe for a 4-0 lead, Krisnan Inu's sideline conversion swinging across the face of the posts.

Perhaps feeling the effects of the week off, Melbourne looked a little out of sync, their kicking game leaving a lot to be desired as the Eels were handed easy turnovers of possession.

The Storm finally got some field position on the back of a Parramatta leg-pull penalty and Cameron Smith maintained some pressure by securing a repeat set of six.

From there Greg Inglis and Cooper Cronk swapped positions and it sparked a backline raid as winger Steve Turner made good use of limited space to lock it up at 4-4 after 28 minutes.

It was just the spark Melbourne needed as another penalty from the restart saw them march downfield, Cronk stepping through weak Brett Finch and Josh Cordoba tackles to score adjacent to the posts.

Melbourne went close again when Anthony Quinn was pushed into touch a metre short of the line, Parramatta the happier of the two sides to hear the halftime hooter as they clung to a six-point deficit.

Whatever Eels coach Michael Hagan said to his side at the break had the desired effect with Parramatta having the perfect start to the second half, a repeat set leading to a Joel Reddy try to again lock it up.

Melbourne edged ahead when Timana Tahu showed a little too much aggression in slamming opposite number Israel Folau's head into the ground, Cameron Smith slotting over the simple shot at goal.

Again one pointscoring play led to another as the Storm extended to what proved to be a matchwinning 18-10 lead after 54 minutes, Inglis finding Ryan Hoffman who bumped through a pair of Parramatta defenders to send Matt King on his way.

The Eels tried everything to get back into the contest but were denied by the barest of margins, Inu twice going within millimetres of getting his side back into the contest only for the video referee to rule in the home side's favour.

Cameron Smith took it out to a 10-point margin when Finch was ruled to have stripped Jeff Lima close to the line before King scored his second of the day in the final seconds to kick off the home side's celebrations.

Bellamy and Hagan trade final barbs

Rival coaches Craig Bellamy and Michael Hagan continued to pile the pressure on referee Tony Archer with tit-for-tat barbs on the eve of their NRL preliminary final at Telstra Dome.

Following on from comments from Bellamy that Parramatta were the best 'milkers' of penalties in the NRL, Hagan said his opposite number had little to complain about given their favourable treatment they had received from whistleblowers.

"I've done a bit of research and I think Melbourne have won 10 of 13 penalty counts at Olympic Park this year," Hagan said.

"So they've obviously got a very good record at home and we're just thankful we're not playing at Olympic Park on Sunday.

"It doesn't bother me, I'm very confident with the way we play and very confident with Tony Archer as referee and we haven't had any issues with him in the past and I don't expect to have any issues tomorrow."

Bellamy claimed the Eels, who received a league-best 209 penalties in their favour this season, were the kings of milking penalties.

Rookie winger Krisnan Inu in particular came under heavy fire with Bellamy claiming the young Kiwi had learnt the art of drawing a penalty "pretty quickly".

"I just know I've seen those stats (on how many penalties the Eels get) and they get more than anybody else," Bellamy said.

"There's a couple of reasons why I suppose."

Eels skipper Nathan Cayless played down the gamesmanship between the rival coaches, but refuted claims Parramatta deliberately tried to con the referee.

Hookers PJ Marsh and Mark Riddell were brilliant at exploiting the Bulldogs around the ruck in last weekend semi-final win, the Bulldogs penalised on a number of occasions for having their markers offside.

"I don't know about milking them, the penalties we've been given this year we've certainly deserved them," Cayless said.

"When you play the ball fast and play open attacking football obviously defending team is going to try to slow you down.

"That's what we've been able to do well the last couple of weeks which is generate good quick play the balls and generate exciting football which I think everyone likes to see."

While Hagan and Bellamy tried their best to get some sort of advantage over the referee, they also made sure they left a good final impression, just in case Archer was one to indulge in himself with a newspaper over his morning cup of coffee.

"Tony's obviously the No.1 ranked referee at the moment so ... he'll do a good job, he's done a good job all year," Bellamy said.

Hagan was just as lavish in his praise.

"We are more than happy with Tony Archer as referee," the Eels coach said.

"I think he's been the best referee this year and I would think he would be a big chance of being the referee next week as well."

Bellamy said he would leave his players to their own devices on Saturday night with no group viewing organised for the Manly-North Queensland preliminary final in Sydney.

Hagan declares Wagon a certain starter

Parramatta coach Michael Hagan says lock Daniel Wagon is a certain starter in Sunday's National Rugby League preliminary final against Melbourne.

Wagon had been in doubt with a neck injury but has improved remarkably over the past 24 hours and completed the Eels' final training session in Sydney this morning.

The Eels have just departed Sydney Airport to head to Melbourne and while Wagon did not arrive with the team Hagan said there was nothing sinister about his absence and he would definitely play on Sunday.

"Daniel Wagon is fine, he trained this morning. He just lives near the airport so he made his own way here," Hagan said.

Hagan expects his side to be unchanged from the team who beat the Bulldogs last week.

Hindmarsh says Eels can beat Storm

NATHAN Hindmarsh laughs when older brother Ian is quizzed about retirement.

"Oh, he's gunna miss us," the Parramatta superstar interrupts.

"Especially when he's stuck in the house next winter with the kids, the wife, it'll be tough."

The retort, however, comes just as quick from this fella now only weeks away from his move west to that Cowra property.

"Mate, I'm not going to be stuck in the house. There will be work to do. It's full on. We can't all be like you and spend our days doing nothing."

And so the banter continues as the Hindmarsh brothers look ahead to what may be their last NRL game together against Melbourne this Sunday.

The sibling back-rowers have made it all the way to grand final day once before, beaten by champion halfback Andrew Johns and his Newcastle Knights in 2001.

But the ghosts of deciders past definitely aren't haunting this pair.

"I feel really confident about this Storm game," Ian enthuses.

"I don't know why. I just really believe we're going to win it.

"And all the talk about last games and stuff, I haven't been thinking about that at all.

"I'm just convinced I'll be at training again next Monday morning."

Baby Eels ready

Parramatta have spawned two of the NRL's last three rookies of the year in Tim Smith and Jarryd Hayne, and the pair are maturing at the right time as the Eels unleash their next crop of youngsters.

The league's three most recent Dally M rookies of the year will be on display at Telstra Dome on Sunday with Melbourne centre Israel Folau, who won the prize this year, also part of the preliminary final.

Smith took the award in 2005 and Hayne last year, but the Parramatta side will also include stars on the rise Krisnan Inu, 20, Feleti Mateo, 23, and Joel Reddy, 21.

Fullback Hayne, yet to celebrate his 20th birthday but already a bona fide NRL superstar, said the emergence of the new breed had relieved the pressure on all of the Eels' young brigade.

"Last year I did (feel the pressure) but not so much this year, there's a couple of young boys in there that sort of take it off me and the likes of Inu and Feleti have been getting a lot of exposure which is good," the NSW State of Origin winger said.

"(The media) sort of have one week with them, then one week with me, then one week with Inu so it isn't just on the one person.

"They can't say you're the young bloke in the team because there's a couple of us."

Lock Mateo, who debuted against the Storm in 2004 but has come of age under Michael Hagan this year, said the Eels' young guns were motivated by an event which is almost ancient history to some of them - the 2001 grand final loss to the Hagan-coached Newcastle.

"Obviously you want to go all the way and I think the boys missing out in 2001, they'll be looking to get there, especially the older boys, for Ian (Hindmarsh) and Nathan Cayless," he said.

"I don't think they've won a premiership so it would be nice to get one for them.

"It's not really talked about, I think it might be in the back of people's minds but for the time being I think we're just focussed on Melbourne and trying to get the job done."

Centre Reddy, the son of former St George great Rod Reddy, was pitched into his first finals match against the Bulldogs last Saturday when experienced centre Ben Smith was ruled out with a knee injury.

But Reddy, who has played more fullback and wing than centre, said his September debut had been made easier by his involvement with the first grade squad throughout the year.

"I've been lucky, I've been 18th man a few weeks and then going back and playing Premier League so I've always felt a part of the squad throughout the year," he said.

"It's not like I've just been thrown in the deep end, I've always felt a part of the squad and I've always been in there.

"With anyone being injured early in the week I'm in there until they come back in later on in the week so there hasn't really been a big jump."

Parramatta CEO accuses Melbourne of dirty tricks

MELBOURNE was last night accused of "outrageous and shameful behaviour" after secretly attempting to replicate Olympic Park's smaller field dimensions to this weekend's venue, Telstra Dome.

The NRL was last night forced to step in and order Telstra Dome management to mark out a full size field for Sunday's grand final qualifier against Parramatta.

Olympic Park is 6m narrower than all other NRL fields and 2m shorter in its in-goal areas.
On the reduced field, Melbourne has won 30 of their past 31 games.

Melbourne this week sent Telstra Dome officials measurements for field markings on the AFL venue, but asked for the same sized dimensions as Olympic Park - infuriating Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald.

"It's disgraceful, shameful and outrageous behaviour - they have tried to hoodwink the NRL," Fitzgerald said.

"We've played on Olympic Park all year and we anticipated we would play on the same size field at Telstra Dome. It is the same for both teams," Storm CEO Brian Waldron said.

But a fuming Fitzgerald labelled the move selfish.

"As for Parramatta, it's lucky we put pressure on the NRL to check the field measurements," he said.

"Melbourne's attempt to secure an unfair advantage is just selfish.

"The NRL has assured us they will have representatives on the ground when the markings are done this Saturday to ensure everything is 100 per cent.

"They have played 13 games on their mini field this year and then they have the hide to try and get the grand final qualifier on a smaller ground.

"It really is an outrage but I'm not surprised given what has gone on down there in their turbulent 10-year history.

"I have strongly voiced my disapproval over the past decade about the Storm being allowed to use their mini field when all other clubs have home grounds that meet the correct field dimensions."

Waldron said he was happy for the NRL to mark out Telstra Dome to the same measurements Sydney sides use.

"If the NRL determine that they want the ground measurements changed, we won't have a problem.

"Our players are used to playing on a shortened field but as I said, if the NRL want it altered that's okay with us."

Told about Waldron's comments, Fitzgerald said: "Brian is an AFL blow-in. He has only measured AFL fields which are oval-shaped."

Eels coach Michael Hagan admitted Melbourne would have gained an unfair advantage playing on a smaller field.

"Of course they would have," Hagan said. "Their defensive structure, their line speed and their kicking game are their strengths on the smaller ground.

"We would be expecting to play Melbourne on a full-size field."

NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said his organisation would ensure all ground measurements meet the the game's strict standards.

"Regardless of the view anyone at Melbourne may have about this, all matches in final series are NRL controlled events," Annesley said.

"The Olympic Park dimensions are reduced because of the restriction of the running track but no such restrictions apply at Telstra Dome. We will be playing on a full-size pitch.

"Should Melbourne win and progress to the grand final, they will be playing on exactly the same size pitch at Telstra Stadium."

The outspoken Fitzgerald, the game's longest serving CEO, has been a long-time critic of Melbourne, often questioning whether the Victorian club should be retained in the NRL competition.

Eels claim Storm short-change rivals

ILL-feeling between Parramatta and Melbourne has resurfaced ahead of Sunday's grand final qualifier, with the Eels asking the National Rugby League to stop Storm transferring Olympic Park's dimensions to the Telstra Dome.

Though coach Michael Hagan and Eels players are confident meeting the Storm away from their "awful" regular home venue, Parramatta boss Denis Fitzgerald wants officials to oversee Telstra Dome markings to make sure they meet guidelines.

Olympic Park is narrower than a normal NRL ground and its in-goals are shorter. And given the Storm's 30 wins in 31 games there, it is not a favourite place to visit.

But Fitzgerald said Melbourne should, like all other teams, provide a full-size field in the finals.

"Melbourne is the only team that has a home ground which is a mini-field," Fitzgerald told The Daily Telegraph.

"At Olympic Park you would be better off playing with 10 men rather than 13.

"I will be requesting that the NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley do a survey on the ground to ensure Telstra Dome meets the minimum requirements in terms of width and in-goal depth.

"With our exciting backline, we like to play an expansive game."

Storm chief executive Brian Waldron last night fired back at Fitzgerald.

"Given Denis's concerns, we welcome him down to Melbourne as early as possible this week to mark the ground himself," Waldron said.

"He is the self-professed doyen of the game. I'm sure he's done everything in rugby league except mark the fields. Here's an opportunity for him to say he's done it all."

The free-flowing Eels believe shifting Sunday's second preliminary final to the wider expanses of Telstra Dome is a bonus for them over Melbourne.

"I think anywhere other than Olympic Park suits us," Hagan said.

"It's an awful ground to play at. I'm not a fan of going to there and nor is anyone else. It's too narrow and it's not a genuine footy field.

"The in-goals are too short and Melbourne play to those conditions better than anyone because that's what they do well."

Although beaten 14-10 at Olympic Park in round 23, the Eels emerged from that game oozing confidence they could reverse the result.

NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said his organisation would ensure the ground meets all requirements.

"Telstra Dome has ample room to meet the full dimensions as prescribed by the NRL," he said.

Tahu in awe of younger colleagues

Parramatta centre Timana Tahu says he is impressed how easily the Eels' younger players are coping with the pressure of the NRL finals series.

The Eels have won both their play-off matches so far and will meet minor premiers Melbourne in the second preliminary final at Docklands on Sunday.

Full-back Jarryd Hayne is only 19 while Krisnan Inu and Feleti Mateo have not previously played in the finals.

Tahu said he had great confidence in his younger team-mates.

"They're really mature for their age," he said.

"Usually when you get rookies coming in to the finals and they haven't had much experience, you get a little bit worried but with Jarryd Hayne, Feleti Mateo and Kris Inu, they'll do the job for us."

Tahu said the trio were tailor made for the finals.

"They're just pure athletes and they've got a good footy brain as well," he said.

"Sometimes if they do make little mistakes - usually some people go into their shell - but with Kris Inu and Feleti and Jarryd they just seem to keep on kicking on and they've got heaps of confidence and they're not ones you really worry about."

Meanwhile, the Eels have announced the signing of New Zealand international Joe Galuvao for two seasons.

Galuvao had one more year to run on his contract with South Sydney but has been out of favour with the Rabbitohs this season.

The second rower won a premiership with Penrith in 2003.

Galuvao lands new NRL deal

Joe Galuvao's NRL career has been handed a lifeline with the former New Zealand Test forward agreeing to a two-year deal with Parramatta on Monday.

Galuvao will link with the Eels in 2008 and 2009 after falling out of favour at South Sydney this season.

The 29-year-old ended the season playing for Easts in the Queensland Cup and it was believed his NRL career was as good as over before the Eels swooped.

No celebrations from Hindmarsh

Is Nathan Hindmarsh becoming the grumpy old man of Parramatta?

The Eels qualified for a shot at the NRL grand final with a 25-6 victory over the Bulldogs on Saturday night, but Hindmarsh still wasn't satisfied.

Even after coach Michael Hagan told his players to enjoy the moment, Hindmarsh was thinking ahead.

He has bigger goals to achieve.

"Everyone is telling me to start smiling, but I will smile when I'm holding up the cup in two weeks time," said Hindmarsh.

It's not the first time Hindmarsh has played devil's advocate.

Three weeks ago the tireless backrower complained about his younger teammates free-spirited football style.

He knew it wasn't the way to win a premiership, never mind the fact they had just run in 13 tries in belting 2006 premiers Brisbane.

Hindmarsh knows defence and completions, not flashy football, is what wins premierships.
And although defence is something Parramatta can hang their hat on lately, Hindmarsh knows there is plenty of improvement left in the Eels.

"We are getting better, we don't want to go in too confident but we know we're getting better," he said.

They face `mission impossible' with a preliminary final date with minor premiers Melbourne at Telstra Dome next Sunday.

Nobody expects Parramatta to continue their charmed run as underdogs but it hasn't stopped Hindmarsh from revealing his desire to win the 2007 premiership.

He's already missed two golden opportunities at a title, the first in 2001 when the Eels lost the decider to Newcastle, and the most recent their shock 2005 preliminary final 29-0 failure to North Queensland.

And this season marks his last playing alongside brother Ian before his older sibling retires.

"Playing in a grand final and losing one, that is what is driving me, definitely," he said.

"Playing for blokes like my brother (Ian) who haven't played in one (grand final) and will finish at the end of the year.

"And Timana (Tahu) who is off to union and he wants to win another one (premiership).

"Everyone is doing it for everyone that is in the side."

Eels end Bulldogs' season

Parramatta booked a date with Melbourne in the NRL preliminary finals after defeating the Bulldogs 25-6 in their semi-final at Sydney's Olympic stadium on Saturday evening.

The Eels prevailed in a contest marred by a litany of wasted attacking chances, but their four tries were enough to end the Bulldogs' season in the second week of the final.

The Bulldogs' cause was not aided by a right forearm injury sustained by start backrower Sonny Bill Williams, which consigned the New Zealand international to the sideline in the opening half.

The Eels scored tries through Mark Riddell, Eric Grothe Timana Tahu - whose farewell to rugby league will be put on hold for at least one more week - and Jarryd Hayne.

Krisnan Inu made all four conversions and Brett Finch added a field goal.

The Bulldogs got on the scoreboard through a try to Matt Utai and a conversion from Hazem El Masri.

It was the Eels who enjoyed the early running in attack but a turnover deep inside the Bulldogs' half led to to the opening try scored by Utai in the sixth minute.

Williams made a midfield break before offloading to Luke Patten, who subsequently found a rampaging Andrew Ryan in support.

The movement seemed to die when Ryan passed to Willie Tonga, who slipped to the ground, but the former Australian international was able to get the ball away to Utai for a try in the left-hand corner.

El Masri landed the conversion from the sideline, but the Bulldogs suffered a blow midway through the half when Williams left the field with his injury.

Williams' absence possibly buoyed the spirits of the Eels, who found a response in the 20th minute when Riddell touched down on a grubber that was poorly fielded by the Bulldogs close to the tryline.

Inu added the extras and he did so again in the 34th minute to establish the 12-6 half-time lead following the try to Grothe, who benefited from an overlap on the last tackle to score down the right flank.

The second half was littered with missed opportunities from both sides, with the Bulldogs going close early after the break when Brent Sherwin was held up over the tryline.

The wasted chance was costly, as the Eels were able to put themselves more than a converted try ahead when Finch slotted a field goal against the run of play in the 52nd minute.

They took their time to ice the victory, eventually doing so in the 74th minute when Tahu pounced on spilt ball from Reni Maitua before running 60 metres to score the third and final Eels' try.

Hayne simply added to the Bulldogs' heartbreak when he crossed out wide in the final minute of play.

Parramatta 25 (M Riddell, E Grothe, T Tahu, J Hayne tries; K Inu 4 conversions; B Finch field goal)
Bulldogs 6 (M Utai try; H El Masri conversion)

Inu opts out of two-year Mormon mission

The Kiwis and Parramatta Eels can breathe easy - rising star Krisnan Inu has decided against walking away from rugby league for a two-year Mormon mission.

On the eve of the Eels' National Rugby League (NRL) elimination semifinal against the Bulldogs, Inu confirmed the mission had been canned in favour of continuing his league career as a role model for youngsters of the same faith.

"It is a case where I believe I can do more for the church by staying," Inu told the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.

"I had a talk with my parents, and together we decided that it is best if I pursue my career. In no way does this mean I am losing faith."

Inu, whose father is a bishop, spoke this season of the need to quit the NRL for two years and complete his mission overseas, following the path of compatriot and now Cronulla centre Fraser Anderson.

"At first I did feel pressure, and then as the games kept coming and I started playing better, people saw the positives of me staying."

One of the finds of the NRL season, Inu looks certain to add to his solitary test cap against the Kangaroos in Wellington next month and make his first senior tour for the Kiwis in Britain later in October.

Tim Smith a danger man for Eels: Sherwin

They have shared a barrage of criticism this season but Bulldogs halfback Brent Sherwin has identified his opposite Tim Smith as the man to stop in Saturday's NRL semi-final clash with Parramatta.

Both number sevens have endured patchy form this season and still have plenty of doubters as to their ability to lead their sides long-term ahead of the do-or-die clash at Telstra Stadium.

Sherwin has come under fire for his kicking game and lack of involvement, while Smith's decision-making and consistency have also come under the microscope.

But Sherwin doesn't buy into the argument Smith could be the Eels' weak link, instead tipping the pacy pivot to be the danger man for the Bulldogs.

"We're going to have to watch him, because everything he touches seems to be turning to gold at the moment," Sherwin said.

"He's been on fire over the last couple of weeks and has got his team going very well, so that's what I've got to do to my side for us to be a good chance."

While Sherwin has shown glimpses of his best form since returning to first grade midway through the season, he acknowledges he still has his share of sceptics.

But the 29-year-old said he would be focussed on only what Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes thinks come Saturday night.

"I don't really worry about what everyone else says but I've kind of gotten use to it," Sherwin said.

"Folkesy's got me playing how he wants me to play, so if I keep him happy I stay in the side.

"I'm trying to get my kicking game in order and I think I'll get a lot more confidence out of that so if I can get that on song it goes a long way to us staying alive for a another week."

The Bulldogs return to full-strength for the clash with Sonny Bill Williams back from a one-week suspension and Willie Mason and Mark O'Meley both in the side after injury-layoffs.

Young forward Jarrad Hickey said having all three big men on deck would inspire the rest of the troops.

"It's unbelievable, this is the first time we've had a full strength side all year and what better time to get it than going into semi-finals football," Hickey said.

"It's unbelievable the feeling (to play with them), the whole forward pack is an inspiration to play behind and when I get out there it makes my job a lot easier.

"I really feed off them, they can teach me a lot and I really learn from them.

"When you've got Willie Mason running next to you, you want to do your best job and not let him down, so you really put in and go that extra step."

Eels wingers stand tall over Bulldogs

Stopping Sonny Bill Williams might be a difficult task, but the tallest order in Saturday's semi-final with the Eels will be how do the Bulldogs combat Parramatta's towering wingers?

In a mismatch tailor-made for the Eels, Parramatta's wingers Krisnan Inu and Eric Grothe come up against arguably the shortest wing pairing in the NRL of Hazem El Masri and Matt Utai.

New Zealand sensation Inu, at 185cm, has a slight height advantage over NSW opposite El Masri who is listed at 178cm tall.

Meanwhile, Grothe is one of the tallest wingers in the NRL at 189cm and he will come up against one of the shortest in 168cm Utai.

While the Bulldogs have made no secret of their plan to attack Eels kickers Tim Smith and Brett Finch, the Parramatta pair have set their sights on exploiting the Dogs lack of height out wide - even if they don't admit it.

"I just think the ability of our wingers to contest high balls is an advantage full stop," Finch said.

"It doesn't matter who we play against we certainly know it's a strength of ours the way the guys contest the high balls and whatever team we play we send kicks that way.

"I'm sure if the opportunity arises for Timmy or myself to put one across to our wingers we will.

"I don't think we'll be targeting anyone, it's just something we do a fair bit anyway.

"Hopefully (the height advantage) helps and hopefully we can get a result out of a few cross field kicks.

"(But) Hazem El Masri and Matt Utai they haven't survived as long as they have if they've got a weakness there.

"We certainly don't see it as us targeting them it's just that our two wingers are good in the air and we go to them anyway."

Eels coach Michael Hagan admits the size superiority could be used to his side's advantage, but it would only help Parramatta if they execute properly.

Last week against the Warriors both their tries in the 12-10 victory came from kicks, however neither Inu or Grothe were involved.

In fact, it was Inu who was peppered at the other end as the Warriors targeted the 20-year-old rookie to perhaps find a chink in his armour by scoring the New Zealand team's first try of the game.

"It's some advantage there as long as your execution of things is right," Hagan said.

"The quality of their (Bulldogs) wingers is different by virtue of what they provide and they're both quality players.

"I don't think we've got a huge advantage there. It helps but you need to be confident by playing well."

Eels forwards deserve more credit: Hagan

Parramatta coach Michael Hagan says he is more than happy with the efforts of his 'under-rated' forward pack as the Eels look to keep their finals aspirations alive.

The Eels come up against the star-studded Bulldogs forward pack in the semi-finals on Saturday night after the Parra big men held their own against the Warriors on Friday .

"Our forward pack is underrated," Hagan said.

"I think they've done a really good job in the work they've done against the Warriors, against Brisbane the week before and even Melbourne a few weeks back.

"I think they're probably not getting the wraps they deserve at the moment."

The Bulldogs' pack will also be bolstered by the return of suspended forward Sonny Bill Williams, but Hagan says the Dogs will need to find a way to stop wingers Eric Grothe and Krisnan Inu.

"That's certainly a strength for us at the moment, the form they're both in and Jarryd Hayne at the back.

"They're going to be important again this week, they'll be put under plenty of pressure by Sherwin.

"I thought they handled it pretty well last week, they were put under a lot of pressure early on and came up pretty good."

The strong Parramatta side are not without their injury concerns for the Olympic Stadium showdown.

Ben Smith underwent surgery this morning to determine the extent of a knee problem he sustained against New Zealand, the big centre unlikely to feature in Saturday night's semi.

Dogs, Eels back to the future

TWO decades after the Bulldogs and Parramatta forged one of rugby league's great rivalries, a crowd of 50,000-plus is expected to pack Telstra Stadium this Saturday night to see it rekindled.

And just like it was back in the 1980s, it will be a battle of the Bulldogs' brutal forward pack taking on the magic of the Eels' electric backline.

With the return of Sonny Bill Williams to the Bulldogs side after suspension, the semi-final is shaping as a clash of "muscle versus magic" with the Belmore club yesterday talking up the return of their powerful forward pack to full strength.

With the exciting Eels backline proving a handful in recent weeks, the clash looms as a tantalising throwback to the 1980s where Canterbury and Parramatta fought out several epic premierships battles.

"It's been a while," Bulldogs forward Reni Maitua said last night. "But we are back together now.

"I'm excited to have Sonny Bill back. He's my right-hand man. It is all on the line for us.

"There will be no more excuses, otherwise we'll be looking to next year."

The Bulldogs arrived back in Sydney yesterday afternoon after a gripping 20-18 loss to North Queensland in Townsville over the weekend.

Williams will be back alongside Mark O'Meley, who returned from injury against the Cowboys, and Willie Mason, Maitua, Corey Hughes and Andrew Ryan - who all came through the game unscathed.

"It's a great bonus having our top squad available for such a big game," Ryan said.

"It is as good a time as any to start performing.

"If we don't, it's all over."

Parramatta coach Michael Hagan is well aware that the Bulldogs will field their most potent forward pack for the sudden-death game.

"They have lost their past two games but they haven't had all their players together," Hagan told The Daily Telegraph.

"Mark O'Meley is now back and Sonny Bill returns.

"If they are all together and they all fire, then it will be a tough night for us.

"They have quality in the forwards. I'm not sure we fear them but we certainly respect them."

A huge crowd is expected at Homebush for the game between two of Sydney's oldest and fiercest rivals.

The other option of playing the game at the neutral Sydney Football Stadium was discounted, despite Telstra Stadium being the Bulldogs' home ground and the Eels earning a "home region" advantage.

"I think the game will be great for that part of Sydney," Ryan said.

"It should be a massive crowd and played between two teams who have had a lot of success.

"They have a lot of good young players so that makes it important we have a good kick-chase game."

Maitua claimed he already had nerves.

"It will be a huge clash - I've got butterflies just thinking about it," he said.

"We have played Parramatta twice this year and it's one each.

"Parramatta like to play a wide-running game. They probably went a bit too wide too early against the Warriors but in the second half they ground away."

Bulldogs fullback Luke Patten said his side was tired of being talked up in the media.

"We're over that. We've done all our talking," Patten said.

"We have to get to training and do all the hard work and let our football do the talking.

"They are always willing affairs against Parramatta.

"We were beaten by the Cowboys but we still took a lot out of the game."

The two teams played grand finals in 1984 and 1986, winning one each.

Eels defence chokes Warriors

Steven Price lamented missed opportunities and Eels captain Nathan Cayless used phrases such as "toughening up" and "grinding it out." The two differing perspectives summed the Warriors 10-12 home finals game loss up perfectly.

The Warriors got off to an inauspicious start right from the get-go as from the very first hit-up prop Sam Rapira was left stunned and shaky after a shuddering shoulder check from Eels captain Nathan Cayless. It was a taste of the uncompromising and passionate defence that was the key feature of the Sydney side's game on the night.

Rapira did recover promptly to play the ball and a solid Warriors opening set of six ensued but the Warriors never quite came to grips with the Eels' passion and commitment.

Early opportunities missed

The Warriors threatened twice within the opening half hour adopting a clear strategy of taking the Eels on at their own aerial game. Michael Witt ignored a three-on-one overlap early to kick early in the tackle count, his chipped kick to second string wing Patrick Al Van bang-on but Al Van's handling was not.

Witt then tried to repeat the dose on 25mins with another well weighted kick to Al Van's wing after the Warriors had consecutive sets of six. This time Al Van soared high and successfully tapped the ball down to centre Todd Byrne who inexplicably failed to ground the ball in-goal as a try seemed certain.

The Eels also had two clear-cut scoring chances but were unable to capitalise as No 6 Brett Finch - whose commitment and smarts epitomised the Eels on the night - broke the line but didn't have the legs to outrun McKinnon and Crocket who hemmed him and forced him into an injudicious pass.

The Eels were undaunted, however, and on the half hour a sloppy Al Van handling error saw possession lost on the first tackle and from the next set of six the Eels cashed in. Parramatta halfback Tim Smith benefited from a quick play of the ball darting out of dummy half and throwing a perfect short ball for centre Timana Tahu to collect at speed and cross the line.

Replays showed that Tahu had lost control of, and never grounded, the pill as a brave tackle from Michael Witt dislodged his grasp.

McKinnon and Crockett both made crucial try saving plays in the dieing stages of the first half as McKinnon cut down a rampaging Ian Hindmarsh after excellent Eels offloading and support play cut the Warriors defence to shreds.

McKinnon tested the referee's judgement to the limit: wrapping Hindmarsh's legs up and slowing the play-the-ball for five valuable seconds as his team mates desperately scrambled back in defence.

With the halftime hooter poised to blow the Eels spread the ball wide to Crocket's wing where he somehow covered a three man overlap and showed great desperation to turn and chase down a grubber on his line.

The game was dead even over the first stanza as reflected by the game stats that saw the penalty count ready five to four in favour of Warriors but possession favouring the visitors at 55%.

The Warriors drew the first blood of the second half when, after two consecutive, fluid sets of six - aided by a penalty, Michael Witt found himself with the ball - and time to think - in centre-field 10 metes from the Eels line.

In keeping with the game plan he launched another pinpoint bomb to Al Van's wing and again the strategy reaped rewards with Al Van again out-jumping his opposite and volleying a pass straight into the eagerly waiting hands of Byrne to score and redeem his earlier blunder.

Surprisingly, and crucially, Michael Witt missed the conversion from a handy angle.

Turning point

Between 49-57 minutes the Warriors hammered at the Eels defence with four consecutive sets and excellent kicks from halfback Grant Rovelli pressuring the defence into mistakes.

But the pressure reaped no rewards as desperate Eels defence twice miraculously denied overlap try scoring opportunities. The first came on the third tackle of the third set of six when Logan Swann inexplicably ignored a two man overlap and went for the line - only to be held-up inches from scoring.

Two tackles later wing Krisnan Inu saved a certain try as he nullified another two man overlap: stretching out to tap the final pass astray. The attacking momentum was completely lost on the fourth set when Steve Price threw a marginal forward pass on the third tackle.

Parramatta showed the kind of ruthless opportunism that finals footy demands as they finally won some territory after two much needed penalties gave them some much need respite and momentum. Finch then tapped a flat, short, Smith cross field kick back to Feleti Matteo - one of the Eels best on the night - who scored another kick assisted try.

Teenage star Inu had a 'grim reapers' smile on his dial as he coolly lined up a forty five degree angle conversion and nonchalantly buried it.

With 15 minutes left Al Van came within inches of scoring on the back of a trademark scything break from Warriors fullback McKinnon (faultless on the night and too furious to speak coherently aftermatch) who fielded a kick on his own line and carved off forty metres.

The Warriors kept the ball alive and travelled the length of the field only for Al Van to be dragged down and stripped of possession agonisingly, inches, short. The referee, however, failed to see the Eels hand that raked out the lost ball.

Marsh has the last laugh

But it was a former Warriors favourite son PJ Marsh who drove a icy cold stake through his former fans' hearts as he worked a double around move and surprised the home defence with a clever short grubber kick off the outside of his foot.

Jarryd Hayne had motioned for the kick through and made no mistake as he outpaced Steven Price and Michael Witt to the bouncing ball for the clinching try. Grim reaper Inu again made no mistake with the simple conversion.

Not over until Witt says so...

But the Warriors had one riposte left, to keep a slimmer of hope alive, ensuring an excruciating final two minutes as Michael Witt conjured up a brilliant try. The (vastly improved) stand-off spotted Todd Byrne steaming down the wing and picked him out with a pin-point kick for Byrne to draw Inu's cover tackle and return the favour with a pass inside to Witt with no defenders ahead.

Witt was then cut down before he could catch the ball as Chad Robinson resorted to a desperate professional foul. Referee Bill Harrigan saw it as such and correctly awarded the penalty try.
This time Witt converted and from the next attacking set he launched a towering bomb and as the packed house watched with hearts in mouth Brett Finch again came up trumps, bravely putting his body on the line to handle the kick as a wall of Warriors rushed towards him.

Finchs' courageous final play summed up the Eels effort and the wafer fine line between victory and defeat on the night.

Eels 12: Tries: Feleti Matteo, Tamana Tahu. Cons: Krisnan Inu (2).
Warriors 10: Tries: Todd Bryne, Michael Witt. Con: Witt.

Eels ready to get gritty

Parramatta are preparing to go from pretty to gritty for their NRL qualifying final clash with the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium on Friday night.

The Eels were electric in their stunning 13-try 68-22 final round rout of reigning premiers Brisbane last weekend, stunning the Broncos with some inventive and incisive razzle-dazzle play.

Prior to leaving Sydney for Auckland on Wednesday, senior Eels suggested some of last week's tricks were likely to be left in the cupboard as they attempted to overcome a free scoring Warriors outfit.

"If the weather's different we're going to have to pull back on a few things," forward Nathan Hindmarsh said.

Centre Timana Tahu felt Parramatta would need to grind out a win over the Warriors.

He was especially wary of the threat posed by fullback and former team-mate Wade McKinnon.

"I think Wade McKinnon is a big danger," Tahu said.

"He's an intense bloke and a competitive fullback, and I think he's one of the best fullbacks I've played this year. It wouldn't surprise me if he did get an Australian jersey.

"He's probably the massive danger. If the Warriors get a roll on, he can carve us up, so we've got to watch out for him.

"They are a big forward pack and once they get a roll on, they get confidence in their team, they can throw the ball around too.

"We've just got to try and stay on our toes and try to grind out the game with them."

Hindmarsh stressed the Warriors' firepower stretched well beyond their starting line-up.

"You can't really pinpoint all their threats because they are strong across the board, from fullback to front row and they've got great bench players," Hindmarsh said.

"A lot of teams, their bench can let them down, but I think with the Warriors it keeps their momentum going."

Last week's sensational win over the Broncos ended a three-match losing streak and infused Parramatta with renewed confidence, but it hadn't made them cocky, according to Hindmarsh.

"The way we played we're not over confident, but we took a bit of confidence out of the game," Hindmarsh said.

The listed 17-man Parramatta squad was accompanied by back Joel Reddy and injured fullback Luke Burt, who paid his own fare to Auckland to support his team-mates.

Eels regain momentum

David Fairleigh said last week he got particular joy from working with the Parramatta backs.

The Eels assistant coach said this was because he was amazed by their skills. The backs gave those skills their greatest exposure when the stars came out to play in the 68-22 romp against the Brisbane Broncos at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday.

Jarryd Hayne, Krisnan Inu, Timana Tahu and the rest it finished as a game of touch football-basketball-volleyball-handball in the park against a hapless Broncos outfit running out of troops, running out of legs and run off their legs.

It won't be like that for the fifth-placed Parramatta against the third-placed Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, this Friday night.

There are two schools of thought about the value of Sunday's romp as preparation for the New Zealand finals match, with Parramatta virtually certain of a second chance should they lose. One school would have it that a game which featured 17 tries was hardly the hard hit-out needed before tough finals football.

Another school would have it that the win more than restored confidence and momentum after four losses in five games. With just a five-day turnaround, such a soft game (that's relative; there are no soft games) was just what was needed given the quick back-up, and Parramatta suffered no injuries.

And given that the Warriors have players with basketballers' handling skills from 1-17, Parramatta's abundant attacking skills needed a workout for what might be a tryathon. Friday's game is unlikely to finish 12-8 to the winner.

The quick turnaround might present as big a challenge as the Warriors. What should concern the Eels is the four first-half tries conceded in 20 minutes against the Broncos. Well three, but it should have been four. Broncos winger Nick Emmett's losing the ball over the line has him a star player in any Max Mannix video highlights package.

Brisbane were able to score almost at will when they reached the Parramatta quarter until then. The incident broke the ailing Broncos' spirit but the final score couldn't hide those structural defensive problems. Early on, Parramatta still looked like a team high on effort but low on cohesion.

Five days is a short time to get a season's deficiencies right.

Pin-up boys need to cool it

CAUTIOUS Parramatta players fear only one thing heading into an explosive 2007 NRL finals series - and it's standing in their own backline.

A group of senior Eels have this week spoken at length with flamboyant NRL pin-ups boys Jarryd Hayne, Krisnan Inu and Feleti Mateo.

Parramatta captain Nathan Cayless admits the trio - who bagged a staggering seven tries in the final-round thrashing of Brisbane - are the most exciting players to don the blue and gold in years.

But the Eels skipper has also warned them to pack caution in their kit bag of flicks, chips and looping cut- outs when they play the Warriors at Mount Smart Stadium on Friday night.

"The way those young guys play, it either gives you the X-factor or it ends up a weakness,'' Cayless tells The Daily Telegraph frankly.

"I mean, the younger boys are certainly not afraid to chance their arm and that rubs off positively on the rest of the team.

"But they also need to understand there are times when you need to take the tackle. Hold the ball and go to ground. But these guys are so young. They haven't learned that yet.

"And that's why we've been so inconsistent ... the boys just need to use some judgement.''

Kangaroo superstar Nathan Hindmarsh admitted after the Broncos thumping that he was "peeved'' with some of the fancy passes while coach Michael Hagan praised senior players for addressing the situation.

"As exciting as these young guys are, there are times when you have your heart in your mouth because they're taking an option that isn't in the best interests of the team,'' Hagan says.

"But we also have to understand where they're at in terms of their development. Understand that we may have to wear some mistakes like Krisnan passing that ball back in-goal against Melbourne or Jarryd's mistake in the Origin game.''

Eels hooker PJ Marsh agrees, adding: "I would never tell those young guys what to do. It's more about getting our backyard in order, making sure our completion rates are up.

"And that's what Hindy was talking about after the Broncos win. If Jarryd Hayne thinks the chip kick is on ... we still want to see him go for it.''

Cayless adds: "We understand these guys are young and they just don't seem to get nervous or worried. "And while that will certainly be to our advantage in the finals ... well, I think they leave all the stressing up to us older guys.''

Over in Auckland, meanwhile, Warriors cult hero Peter "Mad Butcher'' Leitch says the city's first home finals series is attracting so much interest he will ring Eels players and ask to buy up their complimentary passes.

Leitch, who hammered the Full House sign on to the Mount Smart Stadium gates before the Manly match in round 24, is now hopeful of doing it again.

"Oh, there's a bloody great feel about the place this week,'' the Butcher says. "I've had people ringing me from Invercargill, from Christchurch, there are people from all over the country wanting tickets for this game.

"At the start of the year we were giving away Warrior car flags and posters to get people to home games. Now we haven't got enough tickets for everyone.''

Eels destroy Broncs to take fifth spot

The Parramatta Eels devastated the Brisbane Broncos 68-22 in their final round NRL clash at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday, claiming fifth spot on the ladder.

The Eels will now face the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland on Friday night, while the Broncos finish the season in eighth spot and will travel to Melbourne to face the minor premiers next weekend.

Parramatta played a phenomenal game, running in 13 tries to the Broncos' four.

"We came out with one goal and that was just to complete our sets and I think we did that pretty well in that first half," Eels half-back Tim Smith told ABC Grandstand.

"I think our forwards were our main thing for us - the outside backs get all the glory but I think you've got to look at those forwards, they've been doing it week in, week out for the last 25 games.

"They're (Brisbane) a quality side and we knew we were going to be in for a tough one.

"To our credit I think we stuck through the grind, we're just really happy to get those two points.

"But we've got to go over to New Zealand next week, that's going to be a tough one."

Parramatta winger Krisnan Inu put in a stellar performance, racking up 26 individual points, including three tries and seven conversions.

Team-mates Timana Tahu, Jarryd Hayne, Ian Hindmarsh and Feleti Mateo also backed up with two tries apiece.

The Eels surged to a 34-16 lead at half-time, despite some early shaky defence.

The Broncos' Steve Michaels crossed in the left corner for the visitors in the ninth minute and moments later Justin Hodges ran out of dummy half to score under the black dot. Corey Parker went on to kick the conversion.

Hodges was in the thick of it again only minutes later when he collected a grubber kick and made his way over again.

Parker added the extra two, and it was suddenly 16-6 to the visitors after 17 minutes.

But the Eels seemingly kicked themselves into gear, scoring the next five tries for the half and going on to dominate the rest of the game.

Parramatta 68 (K Inu 3, I Hindmarsh 2, J Hayne 2, T Tahu 2, F Mateo 2, E Grothe, T Smith tries; K Inu 7, T Smith conversions)

Brisbane 22 (S Michaels, J Hodges 2, B Thorn tries; C Parker 3 conversions).