Matt Attard reviews a brilliant Sunday afternoon clash between two long-time rivals, with the Bulldogs going agonisingly close to an upset. Here’s how the game went.
MATCH TIMELINE
| Minute | Scoring Play | Score |
| 6th | Try Mitchell Moses (Parramatta) | Parramatta 4-0 |
| 7th | Goal Mitchell Moses (Parramatta) | Parramatta 6-0 |
| 14th | Try Clinton Gutherson (Parramatta) | Parramatta 10-0 |
| 16th | Goal Mitchell Moses (Parramatta) | Parramatta 12-0 |
| 27th | Try Clinton Gutherson (Parramatta) | Parramatta 16-0 |
| 28th | Goal Mitchell Moses (Parramatta) | Parramatta 18-0 |
| 32nd | Try Raymond Faitala-Mariner (Canterbury-Bankstown) | Parramatta 18-4 |
| 34th | Goal Jake Averillo (Canterbury-Bankstown) | Parramatta 18-6 |
| 43rd | Try Jake Averillo (Canterbury-Bankstown) | Parramatta 18-10 |
| 51st | Try Marcelo Montoya (Canterbury-Bankstown) | Parramatta 18-14 |
| 52nd | Goal Jake Averillo (Canterbury-Bankstown) | Parramatta 18-16 |
MATCH SUMMARY
1st Half
Tit-for-tat errors saw the Eels with the first real chance of the match, with Junior Paulo delivering a superb offload to Mitchell Moses, who scored next to the posts.
A terrible refereeing decision saw Marcello Montoya denied a clear try as Parramatta marched downfield and almost scored themselves.
Steve Georgiallis had his men playing expansive football but the simplicity of the Eels’ play saw more points, this time through Clint Gutherson after Dallin Watene-Zelezniak lost his bearings and played the ball the wrong way.
As the half progressed it was clear to see why the Eels are premiership contenders.
They were stronger, faster and fitter than their counterparts, which was evident when Gutherson raced harder than the defenders to ground a Moses grubber and send the Eels ahead by 18.
Kieran Foran would orchestrate a beautiful try for the recently re-signed Raymond Faitala-Mariner just before half time in the only first half joy for the battered Bulldogs.
2nd Half
The Bulldogs came out blazing with big contact from the kick-off before some fancy off-loading and a one-on-one steel gifted the Bulldogs a great chance.
A lovely long pass from Lewis and an offload from Watene-Zelezniak saw Jake Averillo touch down in outrageous fashion in the corner. He was unable to convert and the gap remained eight points.
Ofahiko Ogden was a wrecking ball off the bench for the Bulldogs, levelling several attackers with big hits, which allowed his team to build momentum in the Eels’ half.
It was Foran drifting into the line to deliver a slick move that saw Montoya cross out wide. Averillo was able to convert from the sideline this time.
Incredibly the Bulldogs went blow-for-blow with the Eels and looked to be on top.
With all the possession, it seemed inevitable the home side would take the lead, but were unable to crack the defence.
Down the other end of the field, the Bulldogs did their bit in defence, holding out a charging Eels pack close to the line.
With 15 to play the Bulldogs had enjoyed 70% of the ball, but try as they may they couldn’t take the lead from their arch-rivals in the final quarter of the match.
Eventually they ran out of steam in attack, but not before withholding a barrage of Parramatta attack.
GAME HIGHLIGHT
Jake Averillo’s unbelievable try in the corner, touching down just millimeters inside the goal line with his entire body outside the field of play. We may not see a better put down this season.
SQUADS
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Tim Lafai 4. Jake Averillo 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Keiran Foran 7. Lachlan Lewis 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Luke Thompson. Interchange: 14. Jack Cogger 15. Sione Katoa 16. Sauaso Sue 17. Ofahiki Ogden.
Parramatta Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Waqa Blake 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitch Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Nathan Brown. Interchange: 14. Andrew Davey 16. Kane Evans 17. Oregon Kaufusi 18. Brad Takarairangi.
