Chloe Schibeci reviews Parramatta’s big win over Canterbury-Bankstown. Here’s how the game went.
SCOREBOARD
Eels 32
Tries: Clinton Gutherson (3, 21), Maika Sivo (9, 67), Shaun Lane (41), Marata Niukore (60)
Goals: Mitchell Moses (5, 22, 42, 62)
Player of the Year Points
Embed from Getty Images3 pts – Clint Gutherson (Parramatta Eels)
2 pts – Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels)
1 pt – Bryce Cartwright (Parramatta Eels)
MATCH REPORT
Embed from Getty Images1st Half
Both the Eels and the Bulldogs came into this game off wins last weekend: the Eels had a big win against the Broncos, while the Bulldogs had their first win of the season, beating the Sharks.
It didn’t take long for the first points to be scored, with Reed Mahoney breaking through the lacklustre Bulldogs defence before passing to fullback Clint Gutherson, who scored the first try for Parramatta in the opening five minutes of the game.
Minutes later, the Bulldogs were defending their line when Parramatta passed from midfield out to winger Maika Sivo who, despite having four Bulldogs players on him, scored in the corner. A missed conversion from Mitch Moses meant the Eels were up 10 points to nil. A solid start for the Eels.
Clint Gutherson scored a double with 20 remaining in the first half after being on the receiving end of a short and sweet pass from Dylan Brown. Again a few minutes later, Parramatta’s fullback had an opportunity for a hat-trick, however the Bulldogs’ defence forced a dropped ball.
A big hit from Bulldogs’ Ava Seumanufagai forced another Parramatta dropped ball, preventing another try to get the Eels further ahead.
Four minutes remained in the first half and the Bulldogs got away with yet another try saver, after Nick Cotric intercepted a pass from Gutherson.
HALF-TIME: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 0 Parramatta Eels 16
Embed from Getty Images2nd Half
The Eels came into the second half guns blazing and ready to attack. Within the opening minute, they extended their lead by another six points after regaining possession from a short kick by Moses, with Shaun Lane the one to score the points.
The Bulldogs finally got their first points of the night, after Jake Averillo broke through the Parramatta defence and scored under the posts. Canterbury scored their second try of the night just a few minutes later, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak crossing after taking a quick pass.
The confidence boost for the Bulldogs was short lived, after Marata Niukore scored for the Eels, placing them further ahead and limiting the home side’s opportunities to come back.
Twelve minutes remained and the Eels scored their final try of the night and Sivo his second. This try gave them their 22-point buffer to secure their win against the Bulldogs. The final 10 minutes of the game were pointless, with neither the Eels nor the Bulldogs coming close to another try.
FULL-TIME: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 10 Parramatta Eels 32
Injuries
Nathan Brown (Eels) – hip pointer
Dylan Napa (Bulldogs) – shoulder
Match Review Committee
Ava Seumanufagai (Bulldogs) – Grade 1 Dangerous Contact Other – Early Guilty Plea $750 fine, Guilty at Judiciary $1150 fine.
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