Eight Eels too sick to play

PARRAMATTA doctor Michael Johnson last night declared eight Eels were so sick they should not have played in the surprise flogging at the hands of Gold Coast.

With captain Scott Prince pulling the strings in a superlative display and fullback Preston Campbell adding some breathtaking touches, the Titans ran in seven tries on the way to a 38-12 win.

But Parramatta then took the extraordinary step of bringing Johnson to the post-match media conference to explain an illness that had torn through the team in the days leading up to the match.

"There has been a virus going through the club and it has slowly affected more and more players," Johnson said in the wake of Parramatta dropping out of the top eight.

"Ben Smith pulled out before the game, Tim Smith was only able to play half of the game, Nathan (Cayless), Fui Fui Moi Moi, Josh Cordoba and a few others were also affected.

"We brought 17 up. Maybe eight of them shouldn't have played, ideally.

"It's a virus that leads to gastroenteritis. It can come from restaurants, unwashed lettuce, that sort of thing. It seems to have been sweeping through western Sydney."

Captain Cayless stressed he did not want to detract from Gold Coast's performance and two former Eels in the victorious side, Brett Delaney and Matt Petersen, were determined it would not.

"That's the NRL," said Petersen. "If you show up to play, then you have to deal with all sorts of things."

Delaney added: "I heard afterwards a few of them were sick. It's one of those things. I reckon the way we played today, we would have been hard to beat no matter what."

But Campbell said: "They did look flat. A few of them looked a bit pale out there."

Eels coach Michael Hagan, who had to call in Joel Reddy at the 11th-hour, described the performance as "unacceptable" – regardless of the physical hurdles.

The Titans had the match won when they led 22-0 at halftime on the back of four unanswered tries, and a fifth was disallowed under the controversial obstruction rule.

Yesterday's game was just seven minutes old when Gold Coast second-rower Anthony Laffranchi crashed over to the right of the posts, with Preston Campbell adding the extras.
Five minutes later, captain Scott Prince threw a dummy and put fullback Campbell over with a seemingly masterful piece of halfback play.

But video referee Tim Mander ruled defender Tim Smith had been obstructed and the capacity crowd howled as the red light was flashed.

It could have been a turning point – Eels prop Fui Fui Moi Moi lost the ball over the line not long afterwards – but it wasn't.

In the 19th minute, Campbell was tackled high by Nathan Hindmarsh and bounced straight back to his feet, passing to Prince who kicked into the corner. The bounce was perfect for winger Jake Webster who scored.

Fourteen more minutes passed and Prince kicked the ball off the outside of his right boot in midfield, Campbell regathered and replacement Josh Graham galloped away to score. And with three minutes left before the break, Mat Rogers got his first try in a premiership game since returning from rugby union when Prince put him over in the corner and Campbell converted.

Adding to Parramatta's woes were centre Timana Tahu's hamstring injury, ruling him out of City-Country, and a medial ligament strain to Moi Moi.

GOLD COAST 38 (A Laffranchi 2, M Rogers 2, J Graham, M Petersen, J Webster tries; P Campbell 3, B Delaney 2 goals)

PARRAMATTA 12 (N Hindmarsh, P Marsh tries; L Burt 2 goals).

Referee: T Archer.
Crowd: 18,021.

Titans thrash Eels in Gold Coast clash

Round 7 - Full Time
Gold Coast Titans 38 - Parramatta Eels 12

The Gold Coast Titans have totally dominated a lacklustre Parramatta Eels with a convincing 38-12 victory at a packed Carrara Stadium today.With half back Scott Prince calling the shots, the Titans posted points early and then race away to 22-0 lead at half time.

The Gold Coast went further ahead after the break and after 54 minutes of play, led 32-0 and looked set to go on with it.A brief resurgence fom the Eels stemmed the tide with Nathan Hindmarsh and PJ Marsh posting four-pointers in the latter quarter.

But the Titans had the final say with centre Mat Rogers capping off a fine display with a try of his own in the dying stages of the match.The Titans next take on the North Queensland Cowboys on Monday week (7th May, public holiday) in what promises to be another packed house on the Gold Coast.

The Eels will be looking to redeem themselves next Saturday when they take on the Sydney Roosters at Parramatta Stadium.

Round 7 - Full Time ::
April 29th, 2007 03:00 PM
Venue: Gold Coast Stadium
Crowd: 18,021
Referee: Tony Archer

Gold Coast Titans 38 Tries: Anthony Laffranchi (2), Jake Webster, Josh Graham, Mat Rogers (2), Matt PetersenGoals: Preston Campbell (3/4), Brett Delaney (2/3)

Parramatta Eels 12 Tries: PJ Marsh, Nathan HindmarshGoals: Luke Burt (2/2)
LeagueUnlimited.com

Inu you could do it

Krisnan Inu won his biggest victory before the kick-off in last Friday night's Test against Australia at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. New Zealand coach Brian McClennan had plucked the 20-year-old centre from Parramatta's Premier League to make his debut as an international fullback.

It wasn't just a vote of confidence it was a risk which could destroy the confidence of any young player if he the occasion defeated him. Inu wasn't an experienced campaigner like an Olsen Filipaina, plucked from reserve grade to humble Wally Lewis and Australia.

Inu had virtually no NRL experience; he was a promising youngster on the way up and on a downer to nothing. So it's surprising to hear Inu say: ''I wasn't nervous at the kick-off.''

The reason? ''I had my parents Fay and Marlo and sister Lynette there,'' said Inu. '

'And I had lots of messages and calls from my cousins, close friends, my church and teammates. It took a lot of the burden off my shoulders.

''I am very grateful to Parramatta for flying my parents up.''

An upbeat Inu earned admiring comments for his assured debut, despite New Zealand's 30-6 loss. ''The coach just told me to play my own game and do the little things right. After the game he said he was impressed, he was pretty positive and said it was a steep learning curve and we were a young team.''

Although it was the biggest thrill of his young life, Inu said: ''It was a massive step up, playing against the best in the world and the hardest thing was that it was much faster.'' Inu had scarcely played against Eels clubmate Nathan Hindmarsh and here he had been facing him in green and gold.

''It was strange after looking up to him so much at training and playing. I only tackled him once, when he scored his try.'' Inu said the Australians hadn't sledged him during the match and had congratulated him afterwards. He added it hadn't been hard coming back to earth at Parramatta Stadium for the Premier League match on Sunday.

''I was happy to just play football and see the boys again but the Test will definitely build my confidence.''

Now that coach McClennan has made it clear Inu is part of his World Cup plans for next year, only injury stands between him and further Tests. He's already conquered the fear, with more than a little help from his friends.

Unchanged Parramatta for Titans clash

Parramatta Eels Head Coach Michael Hagan has named an unchanged team for the Round 7 match against the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday 29 April at Carrara Stadium.In one minor addition, second row forward Zeb Taia has been named on a five man bench.

The match will be the 200th in the NRL for Eels player Daniel Wagon. Eels coach Michael Hagan says Wagon has been a great servant of the Club over many years.

"I've always been a fan of his but probably not understood the contribution he makes. His form so far this season has been outstanding," Hagan told www.parraeels.com.au.

"The Titans have upset a couple of the bigger name teams already this season and we know we are going to have to prepare really well this week," Hagan added.

1 Luke BURT
2 Jarryd HAYNE
3 Ben SMITH
4 Timana TAHU
5 Eric GROTHE
6 Brett FINCH
7 Tim SMITH
8 Nathan CAYLESS ©
9 PJ MARSH
10 Fuifui MOIMOI
11 Nathan HINDMARSH
12 Ian HINDMARSH
13 Daniel WAGON

14 Blake GREEN
15 Josh CORDOBA
16 Aaron CANNINGS
17 Feleti MATEO

18 Zeb TAIA

Footy Tipping!

To everyone out there who is part of the Parra Eels footy tipping comp, on Oztips this is a reminder that this week your tips need to be in by approx. 3pm on Wednesday, as there is game on Anzac Day.

Good Luck and Happy Tipping!

Bulldogs sneak home against Eels

Match SummaryThe Bulldogs have claimed a fightback 21-18 victory over the Eels in front of a bumper crowd of 18,285 at Parramatta Stadium this afternoon.

The Eels led 16-12 at half time. The Bulldogs opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a try to Hazem El Masri. The Eels struck back only five minutes later, with Brett Finch setting up Daniel Wagon to score under the posts. The Eels took the lead only three minutes later, with Finch scoring his own try.

A Luke Burt penalty goal 13 minutes before half time took the Eels out to a 14-6 lead, and another goal ten minutes later put the Eels up 16-6. Astonishingly, the Bulldogs struck back as time expired in the first half, Trent Cutler pouncing on a desperation kick. The Eels stretched their lead back to six points after the Bulldogs gave away a penalty for obstruction.

A Willie Mason try just short of an hour levelled the game up at 18-all. In a frenetic final 10 minutes, the Eels had an opportunity to take the lead through a field goal, but poor play left Tim Smith in a poor position to make the attempt, and the cross field kick he elected to take led to an Eels knock on.

With six minutes to go, Daniel Holdsworth won the Bulldogs the game with a calmly slotted field goal. A Hazem El Masri penalty taken to soak up time near the end of the game gave the final score of 21-18.

Round 6 - Full Time :: April 22nd, 2007 03:00 PM
Venue: Parramatta Stadium
Referee: Sean Hampstead
Parramatta Eels 18
Tries: Daniel Wagon, Brett Finch
Goals: Luke Burt (5/5)

Canterbury Bulldogs 21
Tries: Hazem El Masri, Trent Cutler, Willie Mason
Field Goals: Daniel Holdsworth (1/1)
Goals: Hazem El Masri (4/4)

Eels to make a statement against Dogs

Luke Burt believes the Eels can make a powerful NRL statement with a win against the Bulldogs at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday.

The Eels are one of the form teams of the competition with three wins on the trot, but are still rated by few as genuine premiership contenders with their past three wins coming against bottom eight sides Wests Tigers, Canberra and Penrith.

But the in-form Parramatta fullback says a win against the Bulldogs, who possess one of the most feared packs in the competition, would send a clear message that the Eels under new coach Michael Hagan will be a force in 2007.

"We know what we can do as a team but I guess the Bulldogs are a yardstick in the competition and if we can knock them off, I think people might start to notice us a bit more," Burt said.

"We've expect to be involved right to the end of the finals and hopefully we're still on track for that.

"We're not where we want to be just yet but we're getting better and better each game and we definitely need to keep improving to win this weekend."

The Eels face arguably their toughest test of the season on Sunday, coming up against a Dogs outfit desperate for a win after last week's 14-12 loss to competition leaders Manly.

While hoping to continue his good form from the back, Burt is tipping an explosive battle in the forwards will determine the game.

"We need to get control of their forwards, if the forwards get a great roll their backs can really dominate so we need to dominate the likes of O'Meley, Mason and Sonny Bill (Williams) and if we can do that it's a big part of winning the match."

Both teams were boosted on Saturday with the news their representative contingents are likely to back up from Australia's 30-6 Test win over New Zealand on Friday night.

The Bulldogs will welcome back forwards Mason, Williams, Andrew Ryan and halfback Ben Roberts while key forwards Nathan Hindmarsh and Nathan Cayless will back up for the Eels.
Hagan has promoted giant backrower Fuifui Moimoi into the starting line-up for the Eels in anticipation of the battle up front while the Bulldogs have made only one change, bringing Lee Te Maari onto the bench and dropping Nick Kouparitsas.

Bulldogs prop O'Meley said he was highly motivated for the clash, given his controversial omission from Friday's Test and the 56-4 thrashing dished out to the Bulldogs on their last visit to Parramatta Stadium.

"Not just missing out on the test, but also for our team's sake as well," O'Meley said of his enthusiasm for the match.

"We've lost three out of five so we need to get a win and last time at Parramatta it was an embarrassing result so I'm pretty sure the boys are keen to get a win.

"We need to concentrate - we're doing all the little things right but then we'll drop off so it's about concentrating for 80 minutes."

Source: AAP

Smith to commit to Parramatta

Tim Smith is set to re-sign with Parramatta in a deal that will tie the halfback to the club until the end of 2009.

Eels management forwarded the terms of a contract offer to Smith's manager, David Riolo, at a meeting on Tuesday and Smith said last night he would meet with Riolo in the next few days.

"I want to sort something out with Parra as soon as possible," Smith said.

"I've been in the system at the club for five years now, since I was 17, and it's my preference to stay.

"I don't like this contract negotiation stuff dragging on, either, if I can avoid it. When I feel sure about what I want to do in these situations I like to go ahead and do it."

Parramatta are keen to finalise an arrangement with Smith soon, so that rival clubs trying to find answers amid a shortage of quality halfbacks coming off contract at the end of this season don't get a decent crack at him.

There is talk in league circles that Brisbane were planning to make a play for the Queensland-born 22-year-old. Newcastle, coached by ex-Parramatta coach Brian Smith, were also rumoured to be interested.

But it looks like the Eels have what it takes to keep Smith happy - particularly since he is a big fan of Michael Hagan's coaching. Smith said he didn't know what to expect when Hagan took over at the end of last season but was delighted with how it was turning out.

"'Hages' has been awesome," Smith said. "He's been a really good influence on me. You never know what's going to happen when a new coach arrives, but the best thing about the club for me at the moment is how much Hages is helping me.

"I'm really happy that I've had a couple of half-decent games in the last couple of weeks. That doesn't make a season, but the important thing is that I'm getting my confidence back. I'm improving. If you look at Parramatta and see the young players coming through, you've got to be excited about the future. I played junior footy with guys like Josh Cordoba, Feleti Mateo, Krisnan Inu and Blake Green, so it's even more exciting for me to see them hit first grade."

Riolo said there was every chance a contract between Parramatta and Smith would be finalised soon.

"There are a few things we're apart on, but a lot of things we're similar on," Riolo said.

"And Tim seems pretty keen to stay, so I can't see it dragging on for too long. He's got a couple of other options if he wants to consider them, but it doesn't look like there are any big snags that will get in the way of doing a deal with Parramatta."

Asked about the progress of his partnership in the halves with five-eighth Brett Finch, Smith said Finch had been unfairly treated by critics.

"'Finchy' is getting hard done by," Smith said. "He's doing good things that don't get a mention. His defence has been terrific. Getting used to each other on the field is something we both have to work on and we're doing that. It's getting better all the time."

No changes to Eels squad for Bulldogs match

Parramatta Eels Head Coach Michael Hagan has named an unchanged squad for the side that defeated the Penrith Panthers last Friday night for the match against the Bulldogs this Sunday at Parramatta Stadium.

In one minor change, prop Fuifui Moimoi will start the match with Aaron Cannings moving back to the bench. The Eels have three players that will take part in Friday night's test match in Brisbane, Nathan Hindmarsh for Australia and Nathan Cayless and Krisnan Inu for New Zealand. Inu has been named in the Eels Premier League side this week.

Eels coach Michael Hagan says it is tough to prepare for a match with players away on representative duty."It does make it more difficult but Nathan Cayless and Nathan Hindmarsh have had plenty of experience in playing and backing up from rep football. We just have to make sure they are looked after and we get them to the game on Sunday," Hagan told www.parraeels.com.au.

"Parramatta and Canterbury games are a bit like last weeks local derby at Penrith. It is going to be nice and physical. I'm sure the fans of both sides are expecting that and that the players are looking forward to it," Hagan added.

Parramatta vs BULLDOGS
Parramatta Stadium
Sun 22 April 3pm

1 Luke BURT
2 Jarryd HAYNE
3 Ben SMITH
4 Timana TAHU
5 Eric GROTHE
6 Brett FINCH
7 Tim SMITH
8 Nathan CAYLESS ©
9 PJ MARSH
10 Fuifui MOIMOI
11 Nathan HINDMARSH
12 Ian HINDMARSH
13 Daniel WAGON

14 Blake GREEN
15 Josh CORDOBA
16 Aaron CANNINGS
17 Feleti MATEO

COACH – MICHAEL HAGAN

Eel duo best of enemies

Parramatta star Nathan Hindmarsh wants skipper Nathan Cayless at his side for Sunday’s visit by the Bulldogs – but not before inflicting 80 minutes of punishment on his teammate in Friday night’s Anzac Test.

The pair will line up on opposite sides of Suncorp Stadium, with Cayless leading the Kiwis’ charge up front and Hindmarsh dishing out the pain in the green and gold.

Less than 48 hours later they will be brothers-in-arm as the in-form Eels look to continue their momentum with victory over arch-rivals Canterbury.

“Before and after the match we are mates but during the Test he’s just another player in our way,” Hindmarsh said of Cayless.

“You often play against teammates in rep games so it’s not something that’s new to us.

“I’ll be doing everything to make sure Australia wins and he’ll be doing the same thing for New Zealand.

“One of us will come off the field with a smile on our face and then it’s onto the Bulldogs.”

Parramatta coach Michael Hagan admits playing a Test match less than two days before a big club match is far from ideal. But he is confident the two Nathans will back-up strongly.

“It does make it more difficult but Nathan Cayless and Nathan Hindmarsh have had plenty of experience in playing and backing up from rep football,” Hagan told the Parramatta website.

“We just have to make sure they are looked after and we get them to the game on Sunday.”

The Eels have won three in a row and face a Bulldogs side down on confidence and form. But Hagan is expected a traditionally torrid encounter.

“Parramatta and Canterbury games are a bit like last week’s local derby at Penrith,” Hagan said.

“It is going to be nice and physical. I'm sure the fans of both sides are expecting that and that the players are looking forward to it.

Hindmarsh added: “The Dogs will be up for the game…they always are against us.“But we’re going along nicely and it will take a pretty decent performance to knock us off.”

Hindmarsh to farm out future

THE drought was responsible for Parramatta signing match winner Ian Hindmarsh, but at the end of the season he says he will quit and tend to his ailing farm.

Hindmarsh is the toast of Sydney's west after kicking his first field goal and adding a rare try in the 27-14 triumph over Penrith at CUA Stadium.

But yesterday he was on the road to his property, where he will be devoting all his energies from 2008.

"I'm not playing next year,'' he said. "I have a farm. With the drought and everything, it's not going too good.''

It was the rural blight that led to him walking into the club offices at French club Catalans last year and say: "I want a release. If you don't give me one, I'm retiring.

"I spoke to the coach and he encouraged me to come back and play NRL. I just had to come back to Australia really,'' he said.

But then the Perpignan-based club demanded $40,000 compensation, which they later reduced to $16,000. Hindmarsh's career was again at the crossroads.

Retiring again became "a real possibility''.

He said: "I would have had to find that money. I'm not flush with coin at the moment and the club couldn't pay it because it would have been a salary cap issue,'' he said.

"(But) I was always pretty confident that I was going to get off. I have a farm.

"With the drought and everything, it's not going too good. I'm heading out there (on Saturday).''

Hindmarsh received a rousing reception when he entered the Eels' rooms on Friday night after the "spontaneous'' field goal, which he followed by a try.

"My brother Nathan's got three tries in the past two weeks, I didn't want him to get too far ahead,'' Ian said.

"He hasn't got a field goal.''

Finch swears off fags

BRETT Finch has been forced to apologise to Parramatta officials following his late-night antics at a Sydney nightclub.

Finch was photographed partying and smoking at The Loft Bar's One Day Festival late last Sunday night.

The picture appeared in Tuesday's Daily Telegraph, leaving club insiders filthy with the five-eighth.

Only 24 hours before the photo was taken, Finch had a rib injury and was unable to play against the Raiders at Parramatta Stadium. He returned on Friday night to help inspire the Eels to a 27-14 victory over Penrith.

Disturbed by the image, Eels coach Michael Hagan spoke to Finch on Wednesday afternoon after training.

"I addressed a few things with him ... about his responsibilities,'' Hagan said.

"Denis (Fitzgerald) was disappointed about the photo as well. It's definitely not an image we want to see.''

Despite agreeing it wasn't a good look for the club, Hagan rejected the notion that Finch was hindering his recovery process by being out late at night.

"While he was out injured, he had completed all the necessary rehabilitation and treatment that was required,'' Hagan said.

"He was always going to be selected for Friday night's match, because missing last week was more about precaution. In fairness, I still believe players should be allowed to socialise in their own time.''

Hagan said he was unaware if Finch had been subjected to the club's random breath-testing procedure on Monday morning.

"But he completed the session without a problem,'' the coach said.

Finch, 26, moved to Parramatta to resurrect his career after being released from the Roosters after four seasons. He was lured to the club following the departure of halves John Morris (Tigers) and Jeremy Smith (Souths). The one-time NSW Origin player assured Hagan that football was his No.1 priority at the Eels.

"Brett was extremely apologetic (about the picture),'' Hagan said. "He was well aware that this is an image neither he nor the Parramatta club want to portray. He most certainly admitted it's the wrong image for him and the game.

"From what I've seen from Brett so far this season, I know his football comes first.''

Parramatta had five separate alcohol-related incidents last year and Hagan reiterated the club's focus on off-field behaviour was paramount.

Eels' Tim Smith swaggers back into form

Parramatta halfback Tim Smith has finally got his familiar swagger back.

Not the swagger which comes after a few too many drinks, like was too often the case in 2006, but the walk of confidence that he is back in control of his game and those around him, like he had in his rookie of the year season of 2005.

Smith produced a man of the match performance for Parramatta on Friday night, having a hand in all four tries as the Eels beat Penrith 27-14 at CUA Stadium.

The 22-year-old said he was starting to sense the return of the quiet confidence that had him touted as a future Queensland Origin star two years ago.

But Smith knows his difficult 2006 season has dented those ambitions, as he now sits behind Australian Test half Johnathan Thurston, Melbourne's Cooper Cronk and probably Gold Coast's Scott Prince in the Maroons' list of No.7 options.

"(Origin) is probably the last thing (on my mind) at the moment. If you're looking at Queensland halfbacks at the moment there's a few of them around aren't there?" said Smith.

"The best halfback in the game at the moment, Thurston, is a Queenslander. I'm just going to keep playing well and hopefully good things will come." Smith said even his teammates had noticed his newfound confidence as he was starting to bark his orders around the paddock of get his hands on the ball more often.

"If you look at all the good halfbacks running around at the moment they're touching the ball three or four times each set (of six)," he said.

"That's one of my goals to get my hands on the ball a fair bit and steer the team around. Tell the big fellas where they're meant to be and put a good kick on the end of it.

"When you get some confidence (your ability to run the ball) comes back and obviously you enjoy it more playing. I don't know if you saw it out there but I was smiling a lot more and it helps me.

"Confidence is a big thing in rugby league and I was down on it a bit last year and maybe a few games this year and I'm starting to get it back.

"Hopefully I can keep wobbling my head as the boys say and just keep playing well."

Eels coach Michael Hagan said the continued growth of confidence by Smith was key to Parramatta's fortunes this season.

"He knows he's got a good team in front of him at the moment and some good strike players around him so he's just got to know what to do and he's only young and learning all the time," said Hagan.

"Your halfback is so important now and the better he plays the more confidence the team gets and the better off we will be overall.

"We thought hopefully by week four or week five we'd be getting our best team on the field and playing some decent football.

© 2007 AAP

Eels secure third straight win

Parramatta got their season well and truly back on track after rolling to a third straight win with a 27-14 NRL victory over local rivals Penrith at CUA Stadium tonight.

In a match saw that the lead and momentum swing from one side to the other throughout, the Eels prevailed after coming from behind to post a strong four-tries-to-two win, Luke Burt the star with 18 points from two tries and five goals.

The two sides were tied at 14-14 on the hour before Burt busted the game open with his second long range try of the night, a Feleti Mateo in and away sending Ben Smith away before he set up the fullback for an easy run to the line.

The Eels sealed the win via an unlikely source when Ian Hindmarsh potted over the first field goal of his career to put the visitors up 21-14 before finishing up a strong game with a try in the dying stages.

The mood was set from the opening tackle when a Timana Tahu shoulder charge flattened Panthers prop Frank Puletua, before a pair of soft penalties resulted in a 2-2 scoreboard after ten minutes.

There was nothing meek about about Parramatta's next attacking raid with the Eels going 70 metres for Luke Burt to go over under the posts.

The play started with a magic Tim Smith long ball which allowed Tahu to get on the outside of Luke Lewis, the rugby union-bound centre finding Jarryd Hayne who in-turn fed the ball inside for Burt to outpace Michael Gordon to score.

A penalty against Joel Clinton for a play the ball infringement gave the Eels another opportunity on the Panthers' line and Smith again put it on a platter for Burt to score, but the in-form fullback was denied a second by the video referee for a bobble as he touched down.

It was a crucial call because what could have been a 14-2 lead was instead 8-6 a minute later - good vision from Rhys Wesser giving Gordon an easy run to the line.

It got even worse for the visitors in the 24th minute when Wesser capitalised on a clever Frank Pritchard ball to cross out wide, the Panthers with all the running and a 12-8 lead.

Having lost their composure following the denied try to Burt, the Eels worked their way back into the game.

The recovery coincided with the introduction of Fuifui Moimoi, the rugged Tongan prop giving the Eels plenty of go-forward with several tough runs and smart offloads.

They finally converted when a Smith inside ball put Nathan Hindmarsh over, the Test backrower backing up his double from last week with another four-pointer.

Down 14-12, the Panthers rejected a shot at goal just before the break but showed more common sense after it, Gordon converting after Eric Grothe was penalised while in possession 10 metres out from his own line in the 54th minute.

Parramatta make forced changes ahead of Panthers clash

Injuries to key forwards have forced Parramatta Eels Head Coach Michael Hagan into making a couple of changes to the side that defeated the Canberra Raiders for Friday night's match against the Penrith Panthers at CUA Stadium.

Both Mark Riddell and Chad Robinson will be sidelined for between 4 and 6 weeks after x rays confirmed fractures. Riddell has a fracture to his thumb while for Robinson the break is to his hand.

Eels coach Michael Hagan says the injuries are a blow but there is also some good news.

"We've been in pretty good shape so far and we are hopeful of getting back Nathan Cayless, Timana Tahu, Brett Finch and also Fuifui Moimoi so that may compensate for those couple being out," Hagan told www.parraeels.com.au.

"The Panthers performance against the Titans on the weekend was disappointing so they will be very fired up against Parramatta on Friday night," Hagan added.

NRL vs PANTHERS
CUA Stadium
Fri 13 April 7:30pm

1 Luke BURT
2 Jarryd HAYNE
3 Ben SMITH
4 Timana TAHU
5 Eric GROTHE
6 Brett FINCH
7 Tim SMITH
8 Nathan CAYLESS ©
9 PJ MARSH
10 Aaron CANNINGS
11 Nathan HINDMARSH
12 Ian HINDMARSH
13 Daniel WAGON

14 Blake GREEN
15 Josh CORDOBA
16 Richard FA’AOSO
17 Feleti MATEO
18 Fuifui Moimoi

COACH – MICHAEL HAGAN

Parramatta Eels stuff

Hey everyone have a look at www.cafepress.com/parraeels for essential Eels supporters gear. Well worth the look, as the Eels start moving up the ladder, and face local rivals Penrith this Friday night.

Riddell Injured

Parramatta hooker Mark Riddell is expected to miss a month of football with a broken thumb suffered during the Eels emphatic 38-6 win over Canberra on Saturday.

NRL Round 5 - Panthers vs Eels in a Grudge Match!

Friday 13 April - Televised on Channel 9
Panthers Home Game

Total Games: 75



Penrith Panthers wins: 27. [Pts: 1079]
Parramatta Eels wins: 47. [Pts: 1466]

Draws: 1

Biggest wins:Penrith Panthers: 26 pts: 2006 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 5 - Eels 18 l. Panthers 44 [Crowd: 14194]

Parramatta Eels: 58 pts: 2002 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 1 -Sun Mar 17: Eels 64 d. Panthers 6 [Crowd: 13348]

The article below is written by By Steve Mascord in todays Sunday Telegraph. It highlights the predicament of one of Parramatta's up and coming players Blake Green. He is young player who ha come through the Parramatta's junior teams, won premierships with the Premier League side, played in the same teams as Tim Smith & Jarryd Hayne, and has come out and publically stated he loves Parramatta and wants to play for the club for the rest of his life.

He has bucketloads of talent, a ready made combination with Tim Smith in the halves and a love for the club. Whoever is in charge of recruitment down at the Eels, whether it be the coach, CEO, recruitment officer, Board of Directors, whoever you / they are, this player, needs to retained.

One mistake has already been made by recruiting Brett Finch, lets not make another by letting this guy go. Find the money and a spot for him in the team if need be and lets keep this player for another 10 years. As a Parramatta supporter I am fed up with the club letting go of promising youngsters only to see them flourish at other clubs. The list over the 10 years is very long, don't let Blake Green be another player who 3 years from now we are all saying, "Gee we should have kept him...".

Make an effort, keep this guy, make the club strong through the juniors and stop recruiting over hyped, expensive rejects.

Eels rookie in shop window

PARRAMATTA Eels unveiled a 20-year-old five-eighth destined to be one of the NRL's hottest properties as they ran seven tries past a listless Canberra last night.

With Nathan Hindmarsh dashing 60 metres for the longest try of his senior career, the Eels embarrassed the Raiders.

But the talk was about debutants, five-eighth Blake Green and centre Krisnan Inu.
Green, a Hills District junior, revealed he was not contracted beyond 2007.

"Hopefully I can pick up a spot somewhere else, if not here," Green said.

"I'm passionate about the place. I love living in the Parramatta area and I'd love to play for Parramatta for the rest of my life.

"But I want to play first grade, so wherever I can get a position, I'm happy to play there."

With so many clubs searching for a halfback, the Eels youngster could be sitting on a pot of gold if he can impress this season.

His manager Isaac Moses said: "Manly were interested before and a couple of other clubs have just kept tabs with him.

"He wants to play NRL and if he can't do it here then he's willing to look at places where he can."
Five days after capturing the competition's imagination with a shock win against Newcastle, the Raiders started strongly. But when Hindmarsh took a 12th-minute hit-up on his 40-metre line and ran through the teeth of their forwards, it was game over.

Canberra captain Alan Tongue said referee Gavin Badger called second rower Neville Costigan offside before Hindmarsh waltzed through.

Eels stun woeful Raiders

Canberra came crashing back to earth tonight, demolished 38-6 by a depleted Parramatta side in greasy conditions at Parramatta Stadium.

Five tries in a 20 minute burst after halftime took the Eels' 12-0 advantage at the break out to a crushing 38-0 by the 61st minute as the Raiders' four-day turnaround after Monday's caning of Newcastle bit hard.

Doubles to second-rower Nathan Hindmarsh and centre Ben Smith and tries to Jarryd Hayne, Josh Cordoba and Mark Riddell saw the Eels put together their best performance so far in 2007, despite going into the match without injured big names Timana Tahu (arm), Brett Finch (ribs) and Nathan Cayless (hamstring).

Fullback Luke Burt, who had not missed a goal this season coming into the game after working with boot whisperer Daryl Halligan, managed five from seven.

The Raiders scored a consolation try to hooker Lincoln Withers in the 65th minute, converted by halfback Michael Dobson.

It was a night when the Parramatta forwards scooted around like backs and the little men played like heavyweights.

The Eels opened their account with an extraordinary 70-metre individual try from chunky Test forward Nathan Hindmarsh in the 12th minute.

After the Raiders had camped in the Parramatta half early while the Eels ran into the steady rain, Hindmarsh chose his moment perfectly. Spying a hole in the centre of the ruck, he jinked, put the foot down in his best impersonation of a runaway cement truck and rattled nearly 70m to dive over under the posts.

After Smith had latched on to a Tim Smith kick six minutes before the end of a scrappy first half, the centre grabbed his second, also from a kick, in the 44th minute, on the spot again when Raiders winger Adrian Purtell failed with his attempt at an Aussie Rules mark.

Hindmarsh's try-scoring feast continued four minutes later when he capitalised on a Tim Smith grubber and slapped a hand on the loose ball.

Five minutes later, the smallest man on the park, PJ Marsh, pulled off the biggest hit of the match on one of the biggest men on the field, 109kg Raiders prop Scott Logan.

The moment produced some sadly lacking fire from the Raiders in the form of some push and shove, but it was Parramatta who continued the momentum, Hayne, Riddell and Cordoba crossing within the next eight minutes.

The Raiders' handling was appalling throughout as their completion rate plummeted to below 50 per cent.

The Eels, who wore replica jerseys from 1947 to celebrate 60 years in the big league, handed impressive debuts to 20-year-olds Blake Green and Krisnan Inu.

Eels thrash Raiders!

The Eels tonight handed out a football lesson to the Canberra Raiders, beating them 38 to 6.

More info to follow.

In other games tonight Melbourne Storm beat the Newcastle Knights 22-12, and in the game between the North Queensland Cowboys and Wests Tigers, the Cowboys have come back from trailing 12-24 with 15 mins remaining in the game to win 25-24, with a Matt Bowen field goal in the 80th minute sealing the Cowboys victory.

Cayless and Tahu ruled out for Eels

Parramatta have been dealt a double blow ahead of Saturday's NRL clash against Canberra with both captain Nathan Cayless and star centre Timana Tahu ruled out through injury.

The international duo failed fitness tests with Cayless still hampered by a hamstring concern and Tahu to miss the game with an elbow injury.

Winger Joel Reddy, who has performed strongly in the opening three rounds with Eric Grothe sidelined, will come into the starting side for Tahu, with Grothe, playing his first game of the season after overcoming an ankle injury, likely shifting to centre.

Either Fuifui Moimoi or Richard Fa'aoso are expected to come into the 17 for New Zealand prop Cayless.

Josh Cordoba will likely start in the front row alongside Aaron Cannings, who was cleared to play after overcoming a knee injury.

The Raiders have reported no injury concerns ahead of the match at Parramatta Stadium.

Grothe signs new deal with Eels

Blockbusting winger Eric Grothe has re-signed with the Parramatta Eels for another three years.

Grothe, who was rumoured to be weighing up a shift to rugby union after meeting with Wallabies coach John Connolly earlier in the year, has committed to the club until the end of the 2010 season.

Since making his debut for the Eels in 1999, Grothe has played 77 NRL matches, including 11 for the Roosters in 2002 and 2003.

Grothe, the son of legendary Parramatta and Australian winger Eric Grothe senior, had a stellar season in 2006 which included three State of Origin matches for New South Wales.

He has yet to play a match for the Eels this season after struggling to overcome an ankle injury, but has been named in the side to take on Canberra on Saturday night.

One change to Eels lineup for Raiders clash

Parramatta Eels Head Coach Michael Hagan has today named just one change to the side that defeated the Wests Tigers for Saturday night’s match against the Canberra Raiders at Parramatta Stadium.

Winger Eric Grothe will make his return from an ankle injury with Joel Reddy named in Premier League. The Parramatta players will wear a replica of the 1947 strip in Saturday night’s match to commemorate 60 years in the competition.

Eels coach Michael Hagan says the Raiders will provide his team will a number of challenges.

“Their win last night will certainly sharpen the focus of our team. There are a number of good young players there that Canberra are obviously looking to build their team around for the future,”

"We have a couple of injury concerns with Nathan Cayless, Aaron Cannings and Timana Tahu. We will asses those players later in the week and make some adjustments if we have to,” Hagan added.

EELS vs RAIDERS
Parramatta Stadium
Sat 7 April 7:30pm

1 Luke BURT
2 Jarryd HAYNE
3 Ben SMITH
4 Timana TAHU
5 Eric GROTHE
6 Brett FINCH
7 Tim SMITH
8 Nathan CAYLESS ©
9 Mark RIDDELL
10 Aaron CANNINGS
11 Nathan HINDMARSH
12 Chad ROBINSON
13 Daniel WAGON

14 PJ MARSH
15 Josh CORDOBA
16 Ian HINDMARSH
17 Feleti MATEO

Eels finally in points swim

Neither Parramatta nor Wests Tigers had ever won in golden-point extra-time, and after the first two rounds of this year's competition they didn't have a win between them either.

So something had to give when last night's game went into overtime - unless it still ended up a draw, which it very nearly did until Eels fullback Luke Burt kicked an 88th-minute penalty goal.

Burt's goal, from just over 40 metres out and to the left of the uprights, broke a 20-20 deadlock and came after Tigers replacement forward Dene Halatau had been penalised for making a tackle on Parramatta replacement hooker P.J. Marsh after not being square at marker.

"It was pretty bloody nerve-racking," Burt said of the shot, which completed a terrific night for him. "My legs were pretty wobbly, mainly from how hard the game was, but the nerves were there too."

Burt kicked five goals from five attempts and - despite being one of the smallest fullbacks in the competition - came up with the biggest hit of the game on Tigers halfback John Morris in the 50th minute.

The Eels were still clinging to the 14-12 lead they took to half-time, and the Tigers were deep in attack with the rest of the defence struggling to get back after Morris had made a break.

There was a huge amount at stake with both teams on zero competition points entering the game, and while it wasn't one of the classics, it was fought out with plenty of desperation. As soon as Burt's winner had sailed over the crossbar, the Eels celebrated like they had shaken a huge weight from their backs, which was indicative of how tough it is to get a win in this even premiership.

The Tigers had locked up the game in the 79th minute when halfback Benji Marshall kicked a penalty goal after Clark ruled Parramatta had taken out a chaser, hooker Robbie Farah, off a kick from fullback Brett Hodgson.

It was fourth time the Tigers had gone into the golden-point period and the fourth time they had lost. The Eels had lost two from two in golden point before last night.

"We're going to have to address it because they're the sort of games [decided in extra time] that let us down last year," said Hodgson.

There were four attempts to win the game by field goal before Burt's two-pointer. Marshall missed from 47m out in the last minute of normal time, and then Farah (82nd minute), Burt (84th) and Marshall again (85th) were all unsuccessful.

Parramatta dominated possession for the first few minutes of the game, but once the Tigers got going they made the Eels pay the price when Parramatta prop and captain Nathan Cayless knocked on 15m out from the Eels' line.

Shortly after, Tigers prop Keith Galloway charged ahead and - with three defenders clinging to him - slammed the ball down one-handed on the line.

Marshall converted the try for a 6-0 lead and the heat was right on the Eels at home, but they answered by scoring the next 14 points before conceding a second try just before half-time.
The task confronting the Tigers got a lot harder when Halatau was sin-binned for delaying the play-the-ball in the 48th minute, but Parramatta had not done anything with their one-man advantage before Marsh was sin-binned for tackling Marshall without the ball six minutes later.

Eventually, Parramatta kicked away to lead 20-12 before the Tigers came back again. Eels coach Michael Hagan welcomed the win, saying: "You don't want to get left behind in this competition. The defensive effort, the scrambling and the desperation from our team was exceptionally good."

Tiger coach Sheens said he believed the better team had lost and that his men would keep applying themselves until the breakthrough win came.

"I'm pleased with how they're coming along," Sheens said. "No wins puts us under pressure, but if we continue to improve and play some good footy then I'm happy that we're going forward."

PARRAMATTA EELS 22 (J Reddy T Smith F Mateo tries L Burt 5 goals) bt

WESTS TIGERS 20 (K Galloway B Harrison B Marshall tries B Marshall 4 goals) at Parramatta Stadium in golden-point extra-time.

Referee: S Clark.

Crowd: 18,142.