12 replies to this topic

[G Las D]

Half time in this one.
The rain has been pouring down. Eels started the best of the two teams scoring early on - Sandow following his own kick to the line. Defender fumbled it and Sandow pounced to touch down. That was after 4 minutes.
6-0
Broncos then tried to fight back but have made too many mistakes.
They've had 53% of first half possession but have yet to trouble the scorekeeper.
Still 6-0 to Eels at half time then.
broncos are still in this one though the bookies have now got Eels as slight favourites.

[G Las D]

Second half up and running.

[G Las D]

Eels spilling ball a bit cheaply - twice on consecutive set. Hindmarsh and MoiMoi the culprits too.

[G Las D]

Yow Yeh has scored the try that has been coming.
Corey Parker taking kick from touchline - he levels it - superb kick.

6-6 then

[G Las D]

Wallace kicked through and followed it to score a try.

6-10 to broncos.
Parker converted it so:

Eels 6 - 12 Broncos

[G Las D]

* minutes from time and now its 16-6 to Broncos.
Ben Hannent burst through from short distance to score a try.
Parker converts

Eels 6 - 18 Broncos

Eels have slowed noticeably while broncos have played more solidly and in the second half made fewer mistakes than earlier.

[G Las D]

Full time at Parramatta Stadium.

Eels 6 - 18 Broncos

Broncos got better as the game went on.
Eels must be disappointed with that performance.
Broncos controlled it.

[G Las D]

Ben Hannant was given the man of the match award of $1000.

[jannerboyuk]

Thanks for the updates! disgracefully i'm expected to work today! Broncs looking good then post lockyer.

[G Las D]

Hard luck!

Yes Broncos look like they'll get over Lockyer's absence.
Despite having a generally poor first half they had most of the chances and territory in the game.

Hodges had a superb game. He was called on to defend a lot and much of the attacking came down his side of the pitch.

Yow Yeh, Norman, Wallace, Hannant, Big Sam and Parker all had big games.
Reed and Beale saw less of the ball in the game than they generally had last season.

[Lounge Room Lizard]

Parramatta need a massive clearout. MoiMoi, Hayne, Hindmarsh live off the past and often simply do not do enough to justify their reputation. I am not sure Kearney is the right man. I expected more from them and show some fight. Sandow is a great individual player but is he the organizer and leader that the Eels need to get them to win games? I dont think so. Cant see the Eels doing much this year and I doubt will make the playoffs playing like they did. The Broncos I thought would struggle without the leadership of Lockyer but they seem to be able to cope. I dont think they will be good enough for a GF but from tonights game they look likely for a playoff spot.

[G Las D]

Maybe I'm jumping the gun a bit, but Nathan Hindmarsh looked like he'd started one season too many today.
OK he was solid and certainly not bad, but he's bigger and slower and just didn't have the edge.
I had him in my Fantasy team last year a few times and he scored well.
Hayne looked keen in attack but then merged into the background.
After today's performance it seems like Eels could do with an influx of fresh talent.
The balance is wrong.

Knights certainly showed more spirit and competitiveness. Losing at home is not the start anybody wants. All the same they were in a position to win that one.
They are clearly a better squad than last season.
Looking down their teamsheet makes good reading.

[thirteenthman]

On the strength of today, the Eels will struggle again. I might be on my own on this, but I do think Chris Sandow is over rated. And Ben Roberts has to be one of the least inspiring number sixes in the NRL. Of course they do have Mr Hayne to come back, so he might make a difference - but I suspect it'll take a lot more on this evidence.

As for the Broncos, I'm sure it'll take them a while to adjust to life after Lockyer, but they've got plenty of talent on board. Better teams would've put the Eels to the sword today, but it is only round 1.