2023 NRL Round 12: Eels 36, Rabbitohs 16

May 19, 2023

149

Andrew Pelechaty reviews the Friday night clash between South Sydney and Parramatta.

Result

Parramatta Eels 36
Tries: (6) Bailey Simonsson 26th, 57th; Sean Russell 2nd; Bryce Cartwright 52nd; Dylan Brown 71st; Will Penisini 75th
Goals: (6) Mitchell Moses 3rd, 28th, 54th, 58th, 73rd, 76th

South Sydney Rabbitohs 16
Tries: (3) Alex Johnston 7th, 36th; Campbell Graham 47th
Goals: (2) Latrell Mitchell 38th, 48th

Embed from Getty Images

Report

Parramatta were the first to score in the second minute – after a nice pass from the returning Mitchell Moses saw Sean Russell score in the right corner. Moses slotted the conversion for a 6-0 lead.

Alex Johnston appeared to hit back for Souths a few minutes later. But The Bunker ruled that Johnston didn’t ground the ball properly, with Clint Gutherson getting a foot to it first.

But Johnston quickly got his own back with a try in the left corner after a Latrell Mitchell one-on-one strip.

Parramatta scored through Bailey Simonsson for a 12-4 lead.

Johnston got his second try – again down the left – as Souths narrowed Parramatta’s lead to two. It was a crucial try just before the break.

Moses attempted a two-point field goal on half-time but missed.

Campbell Graham – who must be a huge contender for NSW Origin – scored off a slick scrum play seven minutes into the second half. Mitchell converted for a 16-12 lead to Souths.

Parramatta hit back through Bryce Cartwright from close range (off a Moses pass), with Moses’ conversion giving Parramatta an 18-16 lead with 25 minutes left.

Parramatta extended their lead with Simonsson’s second try, started with a beautiful Dylan Brown chip kick. It was cleaned up by Junior Paulo, who passed to Simonsson.

With 10 minutes left, a Liam Knight penalty gave Parramatta valuable field position. The Eels marched up the field, with Brown pouncing on a Moses grubber just inside the dead-ball line.

Will Penisini made sure of the win with a late try. And it was first time Souths have conceded more than 20 points this season.

It was an incredible performance from Parramatta after a frustrating loss to Canberra last week, with Brown winning the inaugural Eric Simms Medal tonight. It was Souths’ first loss since Round 5, breaking a six-game winning streak.