Preview: Eels v Broncos

Venue & Time: Parramatta Stadium, 3:00pm AEST, Sunday September 2
Last Time: Eels 20 - Broncos 16 at Suncorp Stadium, round 19, 2007

Walking Wounded:For the Eels, fullback Luke Burt (knee) is not expected to return until the finals, while second-rower Ian Hindmarsh was cleared of a serious neck injury against the Dragons and will be a certain starter.

Interchange forward Chad Robinson is in doubt with a dislocated shoulder. Despite not being named, Test star Karmichael Hunt is still a hope of returning from a hamstring injury for the Broncos, while Justin Hodges is in slight doubt with a lower leg injury suffered last week against Canberra. Shaun Berrigan (fractured eye socket/cheekbone), Michael Ennis (shoulder), David Stagg (knee), Darren Lockyer (knee) and winger Brent Tate (knee) are all season-casualties at the club.

Form:The Eels have been dreadful over the last three weeks, going from top-four specials to a side now slightly exposed to missing the finals altogether. They were terrible against the lowly Dragons on Monday night, offering little in attack and defence to meekly surrender a game they should have won. This is simply not good enough for a side possessing some of the most damaging backline runners in the game. The Broncos took full advantage of some rather fortunate video refereeing calls last Sunday to turn a 6-13 half-time deficit into a solid 30-19 victory over the Raiders on a day that saw the club farewell five stars including skipper Petero Civoniceva. Brisbane made 23 offloads compared to the Raiders' eight and had a greater respect for possession to finish strongly in a match it had to win to stay in finals contention. The result pushes the reigning premiers back into the top-eight and in control of their destiny with just one round remaining.

Who's Hot:Nathan Hindmarsh didn't have much of a chance to shine in attack against the Dragons, but made up for that in defence, finishing with a staggering 63 tackles. Nice numbers for Hindmarsh, but the workload does need to be shared around a little more. Skipper Nathan Cayless was next in line with 34 tackles. Departing forwards Brad Thorn and Petero Civoniceva led the way in terms of hit-ups and metres-gained for the Broncos on Sunday with Thorn also topping the tackle count for his side and showing great determination to bag a four-pointer late in the game - his first of the season. The platform created by these two was capitalised on by halfback Shane Perry who was responsible for orchestrating the Broncos' second-half fightback with some deft passing and clever kicking.

I think:With both sides capable of slipping from the top-eight and the Eels still in the picture for a top-four finish, expect this encounter to have the intensity and desperation of finals footy. Eels by 20!

My fault we're losing

A DEJECTED Tim Smith yesterday took responsibility for Parramatta's three straight losses, which has the club on the brink of missing the National Rugby League finals.

The half back admitted he and five-eighth Brett Finch were "playing without confidence" and had to improve if the Eels were to be a premiership force.

Statistics show Smith and Finch take the line on less than any other established set of halves in the National Rugby League.

Parramatta face a must-win home encounter with Brisbane on Sunday.

"We are going to have to turn it around if we are going to be in the big one at the end of the year," Smith, 22, said.

"Obviously we haven't been setting the house on fire. The last three games haven't been good but we are still kicking along.

"I think we need to get a bit of confidence back. I really think that is all it is. Critics are always saying stuff about us but we will just let them talk."

Smith, a former Dally M rookie of the year, said he and Finch would talk about the problem this week.

Senior Eels forward Nathan Hindmarsh yesterday defended Smith and Finch, saying they were not to blame for the side's poor form.

Hindmarsh, who yesterday escaped a charge of making a lifting tackle on Dragons player Ashton Sims, said Monday night's loss was costly, but not a complete shock.

"St George Illawarra are still a very good side," he said.

21 years and Parramatta's still counting

THE year was 1986. The music charts were dominated by The Bangles and Bon Jovi, and Tom Cruise - who was then regarded as sane - was monopolising the box office in Top Gun.

And on the rugby league field the mighty Parramatta Eels reigned supreme.

I was there at the Sydney Cricket Ground on that glorious September day when the victorious Eels captured their fourth - and so far their last - premiership title.

I jubilantly scrambled over the Members' Stand fence and entered the Parramatta dressing room unchallenged to join in the celebrations.

As a 16-year-old schoolboy yet to discover the joys of sex, that day was one of the highlights of my life.

A lot has happened since then. I lost my virginity, entered the work force, married, bought a house and fathered a son who, like me, is also an Eels supporter - he just doesn't know it yet.
But as much as those momentous occasions have sustained me for 21 years, I am again ready.
I'm ready to savour the glow of knowing my team are the NRL premiers. I'm ready to embark on a week-long drinking binge.

I'm ready to walk into the TAB and hand over my ticket which, like every other year, I exchanged at the start of the season for a crisp $100 note and a prayer that this year would be our year.

But, deep down in my blue and gold heart, I'm also ready for the disappointment.

As a die-hard Parramatta fan for three decades, I've taken countless trips to watch my team.

I've flown to Auckland, Melbourne and Brisbane. I have driven to trial matches at Port Macquarie, Ballina and Maitland.

I've braved the Canberra cold and Friday night Bulldogs games at the Sydney Showground.
But there is one trip I take with Parramatta every year that I never look forward to - the journey to despair.

In 2001, I took my journey at the very last minute, when my flight was hijacked by a terrorist named Andrew Johns.

In 1998, my ticket was booked by a band of Bulldogs and the boot of Daryl Halligan.
This year, I've departed a little earlier.

Three straight losses and my hopes of an Eels premiership are fading as fast as the print on my uncollected "Grand Final Winner - Parramatta" TAB tickets.

But, come Sunday, I'll be there at Parramatta Stadium, high up in the Ken Thornett stand, where I've occupied the same seat for years.

I'll be cheering the tries and berating the ref and hoping against all hope that my journey to despair will be postponed for at least another week.

Dragons fire to upset Eels

The St George Illawarra Dragons have rocked the Parramatta Eels' finals campaign with a shock 14-6 win at WIN Stadium tonight.

Playing to kick clear of the club's first wooden spoon since 1938, he Dragons proved too strong to post a 12-0 lead at half time and rattle an error-ridden Eels outfit. With just one round of the minor premiership to go, the result sees the Eels surrender a home semi-final and slip to sixth spot on the ladder after a top four spot beckoned prior to kick off tonight.

The Dragons enjoyed ample possession and field position for the opening 20 minutes before five eighth Rangi Chase ran in support of centre Mark Gasnier to score under the posts.

The Eels conceded their second try five minutes later when winger Jason Nightingale ran onto a clever cross-field kick from halfback Jamie Soward, capping off a dominant first half for the home side.The second half saw the Eels step up a gear with lock forward Feleti Mateo crashing over in the 60th minute to peg Saints back to a six point lead.With an arm wrestle developing in the final stages it was the Dragons who kept their composure, Soward kicking a long range penalty goal with just two minutes remaining.

Venue: WIN Stadium
Crowd: 13,488
Referee: Sean Hampstead

St George Illawarra Dragons 14
Tries: Rangi Chase, Jason Nightingale
Goals: Jamie Soward (3/3)

Parramatta Eels 6
Tries: Feleti Mateo
Goals: Krisnan Inu (1/1)

Storm sneak home over Eels

STORM 14
EELS 10

MELBOURNE halfback Cooper Cronk saved his side's perfect home record and possibly the minor premiership as the Storm escaped with a 14-10 win over Parramatta at Olympic Park tonight.

Melbourne haven't been beaten at home this season but looked like losing that record as Parramatta fought back to almost knock over the competition leaders.

With 12 minutes remaining in the match the Eels sent the ball through quick hands and winger Eric Grothe dived across the line but a flying tackle by Cronk did enough to loosen his grip on the ball, with video referee Bill Harrigan ruling no try.

It would have handed the visitors the lead after they trailed 14-4 at halftime.

The Storm looked like they may have run away with the match after a dominant first-half performance but the third-placed Eels showed that they too are premiership contenders.

Both sides came out after the break fired up and it took until the 60th minute for any second half points to be registered.

First half villain Krisnan Inu, whose error handed Melbourne fullback Billy Slater a try in the 33rd minute, turned hero for his side when he leapt high above his opposite Matt Geyer and then touched down, with his own conversion from the sideline closing the lead to just four points.
Inu's first half blunder came after Cronk put a neat kick through and winger Matt Geyer managed to throw the ball back into the field of play as he was going into touch.

It was picked up by Inu, who rather than take the tackle, repeated the feat and this time Storm fullback Billy Slater pounced on the ball and managed to ground it.

Harrigan ruled the benefit of the doubt, with Melbourne out to a 10-point lead.

The signs weren't good early for Parramatta as they were forced to bounce back from two blows.

They lost halfback Tim Smith to what appeared to be a dislocated shoulder just four minutes into the match and then the Storm scored a minute later.

Smith's night looked over as he left the field clutching his arm after he damaged his shoulder while attempting to tackle a rampaging Clint Newton, however he made a surprise return 26 minutes into the match.

Melbourne took advantage of the uncertainty in the visitors' ranks as their skipper Cameron Smith took the ball from dummy half and charged straight through Eels captain Nathan Cayless.
Parramatta's first-half try was also scored by Grothe after a sweeping backline move.

After a week where the "grapple tackle" was a hot issue with both clubs, referee Tony Archer pounced on anything high.

Parramatta centre Timana Tahu was placed on report in the 25th minute for an alleged high tackle on Slater, who came in for plenty of attention during the half.

Former representative forward Michael Crocker's return to the NRL after shoulder surgery could be short-lived after he was placed on report in the 43rd minute for an alleged high shot on Eels prop Fuifui Moimoi.

MELBOURNE 14 (C Smith, B Slater tries; C Smith 3 goals)
PARRAMATTA 10 (E Grothe, K Inu tries; K Inu goal)
Referee: Tony Archer.
Crowd: 11,549.

Stuart furious at ref despite Sharks win

Fuming Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart has launched an extraordinary attack on referee Jason Robinson after his NRL side's stunning 25-24 golden-point upset over Parramatta.

The Sharks claimed their first win since mid-June when halfback Brett Seymour booted a 35-metre field goal four minutes into extra time at Parramatta Stadium.

But instead of lauding his injury-ravaged side for breaking a horror seven-game losing streak and backing up from Monday's heartbreaking loss to Melbourne with an inspirational win, Stuart used his press conference to give the officials an almighty two-minute spray before storming out, refusing to answer any further questions.

"Look I'm really, really excited, really happy for the players. But that refereeing performance nearly cost us that win," Stuart began, after Parramatta won the penalty count 11-7.

"I'd like to apologise to all our Sharks fans and supporters. I won't be staying here for any longer now, because I'm very, very terrified of costing the club $10,000 and we can't afford that.
"But I'm absolutely filthy on the refereeing performance.

"That's happened to us at least four times this season and it's wrong.

"I can't say anything to protect it. The last time I got fined $10,000 (by the NRL) was when I mentioned a statistic in regards to refereeing, and I got fined $10,000 so I'm petrified of getting fined $10,000 again, so it's probably best left at that. Thank you."

Eels coach Michael Hagan refused to get roped into any discussions about the refereeing performance, concentrating instead on a lacklustre showing from his third-placed side, who were red-hot favourites despite the late withdrawal of Australian back-rower Nathan Hindmarsh.

"I probably wouldn't go too far down that track (of the referee) to be honest," Hagan said.

"I'm more concerned about our performance and our attitude tonight was down a touch.

"But full credit to Cronulla, the way they played and hung in there, and obviously they would be very happy with the win."

After storming to a 22-12 lead with two tries to start the second half, the Sharks looked well in control until a bell-ringer of a hit from Eels centre Timana Tahu on Fraser Anderson changed the momentum in an instant.

Mark Riddell scored a try just moments after, before the plucky hooker crossed again in the 73rd minute to send the game into extra time at 24-24.

Both sides had their chances to break the deadlock, with the Sharks missing three long-range field-goal attempts, and the Eels two, in regulation time and golden point.

It was left to Seymour to finally land the killer blow in the 85th minute - capping a remarkable three weeks for the halfback, who was unwanted by the Sharks a month ago but, after a string of impressive performances, now appears set to be retained by the club next season.

As well as the field goal, Seymour also set up the Sharks opening try with a well-worked scrum-base move, as well as two other scores from kicks.

Five-eighth Greg Bird, back a week early form a broken thumb after only having his cast removed on Monday, was also strong for the Sharks coming in as a late replacement for UK-bound Adam Dykes, who may have played his final game for the Sharks after succumbing to a groin injury.

Hagan said Hindmarsh - who was sorely missed - should be right to return next week.

Bulldog accused of biting

PARRAMATTA 34
BULLDOGS 22

PARRAMATTA withstood a thrilling Bulldogs fightback tonight to move a step closer to securing a home final with a 34-22 victory, but it was overshadowed by a stunning biting accusation aimed at Dogs backrower Brad Morrin.

Morrin was put on report just before halftime when rugby union-bound Eels centre Timana Tahu made an official complaint to referee Sean Hampstead as he pointed to a mark on his arm.
It took the gloss off a magnificent game of rugby league at Telstra Stadium as the Bulldogs never gave up, Eels winger Krisnan Inu finally sealing the result with a try just before fulltime for a six tries to four win.

Asked a number of times if he wanted to make his accusation official, Tahu left Hampstead, Morrin and the live television audience in little doubt as he approached the referee.
"You f...ing bit me you dog," Tahu was heard to say over the effects microphone.

He told the Nine Network after the match: "It was just a normal tackle and I felt a sting go on my arm.

"He bit me, I retaliated and got (penalised) for it.

"I was pretty upset and a bit angry but I had to get on with the game.

"It was a bite so what happens during the week happens."

Replays indicated the Bulldogs backrower could have a case to answer at the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night.

Former Cronulla forward Chris Beattie was the last player banned for bitting when he was given two weeks on the sideline in 2001.

The Bulldogs staged an amazing comeback after Inu had looked to have put the game beyond doubt with a penalty goal for a 24-10 lead after 55 minutes.

Cameron Phelps scored his second of the night three minutes later to put the home side back in the hunt but the Bulldogs looked to be dead and buried when Tahu went over out wide after a pair of long balls from Brett Finch and Tim Smith.

Again the Bulldogs came back via centre Daryl Millard and it looked like Sonny Bill Williams would be the hero for the second week in a row when he stripped Eric Grothe in his own in-goal, but the Kiwi backrower was denied for propelling the ball forward before touching down.

Inu finally sealed the win when he chip and chased for the corner - the Kiwi international tip toeing along the sideline as he ducked in to complete a personal haul of 14 points.

The Eels had made a flying start after the Bulldogs let the kick-off dribble over the sideline, powerful prop Fuifui Moimoi powering over on the second tackle of the match.

The visitors were beating the clock when Eric Grothe reeled in a ball that was floating over the sideline before stepping his way over for a 12-0 lead after eight minutes.

Williams single handedly dragged his side back into the contest when he carried three Eels defenders over the line but it was all two easy as Parramatta lock Chad Robinson ran straight through the heart of the Bulldogs defence for an 18-6 lead.

Again the Bulldogs surged, Willie Tonga drawing three defenders before flicking a ball out for an unmarked Phelps to put the ball over just inside the corner post.

PARRAMATTA 34 (E Grothe K Inu F Moimoi C Robinson B Smith T Tahu tries K Inu 5 goals) BULLDOGS 22 (C Phelps 2 D Millard S Williams tries H El Masri 3 goals) at Telstra Stadium.

Referee: Sean Hampstead.
Crowd: 27,201.