The Eels dominated the Raiders to claim a 40-4 win and move into a preliminary final against the Cowboys next week at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Parramatta young gun Will Penisini opened the scoring after a horror mistake by Jordan Rapana handed the ball to their rivals in a strong field position.
But young gun Xavier Savage had to outdo his teammate with an “ugly moment” of his own.
What looked like a go-ahead play turned into a four-pointer for Tom Opacic after the ball bounced between Savage’s legs.
MATCH CENTRE: Parramatta Eels vs Canberra Raiders, teams, live scores
“When he didn’t play the ball I thought he was in trouble here, he split his legs … big time in this game,” Fox League’s Greg Alexander said.
“It was a horrible bounce, but Opacic just chased and chased,” Fox League’s Shane Flanagan said.
“This is an ugly moment for him (Savage),” Fox League’s Andrew Voss said.
Moments later a bullet from Mitchell Moses found winger Waqa Blake who scored a simple try.
The Eels continued their red-hot try goal form with a simple effort from Junior Paulo that went through a gap as big as the “Sydney Harbor Bridge”.
“Paulo just goes over the Sydney Harbor Bridge … they were shot to pieces in Canberra,” Alexander said.
“They dragged them all over the line there, it’s a demolition of the Eels here.”
Although Savage was clearly disappointed with his mistake early in the contest, he bounced back in a big way to “light up CommBank Stadium.”
The young gun showed his speed to cut the line and score from 70 meters.
“Not just a test of skill, not just a test of speed, but also a test of great character,” Voss said.
“Xavier Savage, young star lights up CommBank”.
From then on Parramatta dominated, and tries from Mitch Moses and a brace from Marata Niukore gave the Eels a big win in front of their home fans.
Moses was carted off the field for an HIA in a moment that left Eels fans with their hearts in their throats but he came through and returned to the field.
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70th MINUTE
Gunner Marata Niukore put the icing on the cake with a late try from a clever Clint Gutherson pass.
Fox League’s Andrew Voss urged Parramatta fans to book tickets for their preliminary final against the Cowboys.
“It’s time to celebrate Parramatta, book your tickets and head north,” Voss said.
45TH MINUTE
Mitchell Moses scored an impressive solo try, charging into the corner before completing a one-handed takedown.
Xavier Savage couldn’t get to the middle of the Eels quick enough to cross.
“Moises scores in the corner … what a try in the Parramatta set,” Voss said.
“Oh, it’s hot, and when it’s safe it’s so hard to contain,” Alexander said.
But just moments later, after taking a knock to the head in a tackle on Jack Wighton, the independent medic sent the half-back to an HIA.
After coming off the field against the Panthers last week, the Eels struggled without his management, but with a big boost he is back on the field.
28th MINUTE
Raiders young gun Xavier Savage scored a try against the run of play, dancing through the Eels’ defensive line.
The 20-year-old put his team on the back foot after an early mistake cost him a test.
“Not just a test of skill, not just a test of speed, but also a test of great character,” Voss said.
“Xavier Savage, young star lights up CommBank”.
“He’s had a rough night so far, he’s still getting his head around the things that have happened,” Alexander said.
“This is exactly what the Raiders needed, they’re back.”
15TH MINUTE
Eels gun Tom Opacic scored his second try after the ball bounced through the legs of full back Xavier Savage.
Opacic didn’t give up in what looked like a mediocre play, pouncing on the ball after he “took Savage’s middle stump” according to Fox League’s Andrew Voss.
“When he didn’t play the ball I thought he was in trouble here, he split his legs … big time in this game,” Alexander said.
“It was a horrible rebound, but Opacic just chased and chased,” Flanagan said.
“This is an ugly moment for him (Savage),” Voss said.
Moments later a bullet pass from Mitchell Moses found Waqa Blake to score the Eels’ third of the night.
Junior Paulo then crossed untouched on a Ryan Matterson short ball.
“Paulo just goes over the Sydney Harbor Bridge … they were shot to pieces in Canberra,” Alexander said.
“They dragged them all over the line there, it’s a demolition of the Eels here.”
6th MINUTE
The Eels opened the scoring courtesy of a charging run from Eels young gun Will Penisini.
Dylan Brown and Clint Gutherson had a hand in the four-pointer that came after a fumble by Raiders wing Jordan Rapana.
“The young center opens the scoring for the home team,” said Voss.
“What a year Will Penisini has had,” Alexander said.
“The whole back of the Rapana fault,” Flanagan said.
PRE-Match PREPARATION
Ricky Stuart’s Raiders couldn’t be in better form going into this contest after a big win to knock the Storm out of the finals.
Canberra have won their last five games and with star players Jack Wighton, Hudson Young and Joseph Tapine all out, they will be confident of a win.
The Raiders will be without tight end Adam Elliott who has been battling a hip injury for several weeks, while the Eels have selected the same 17.
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MATCH CENTRE: Parramatta Eels vs Canberra Raiders, teams, live scores
Brad Arthur was sacked by Ricky Stuart before the 2013 season before the now-Raiders coach sensationally re-hired to take over the team.
Bad blood remains between the Parramatta and Stuart faithful, which could see some firemen erupt in this contest.
Mitchell Moses has been named for an ugly header in his side’s defeat to the Panthers in a huge boost for the Eels.
Meanwhile, Waqa Blake remains on the sidelines after a night he would like to forget and Ryan Matterson moves to the bench in place of Marata Niukore in a late change.
Stuart has followed suit, switching Corey Horsburgh into the starting side at lock in place of Corey Harawira-Naera.
TEAMS:
Raiders: 1. Xavier Savage 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 16. Corey Horsburgh 13. Corey Harawira-Naera 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 17. Ryan Sutton 18. Albert Hopoate
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penini 4. Tom Opacic 5. Waqa Blake 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paul 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali ‘i 17. Martha Niukore 13. Ryan Matterson 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Jacob Arthur 16. Oregon Coast 19. Bailey Simonsson
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