|
|
Post by Electric Eel on May 26, 2020 19:54:32 GMT 10
February 29: Panthers v Eels, Bega, 4pm
|
|
|
|
Post by Electric Eel on May 26, 2020 19:54:57 GMT 10
Eels Official website
Ferguson targets Bega trip as start of special year
Eels veteran Blake Ferguson says the trial clash with Penrith in Bega can be the start of something special in 2020.
The 30-year-old winger was the Indigenous All Stars best in their 30-16 loss to the Maori All Stars on Saturday night. He ran for 195 metres and scored a scintillating try after kicking for himself.
Next on his agenda is the historic EISS Super Sapphire Trial Tribute on Saturday, a sold-out match which will aid communities affected by bushfires.
Eels players travelled to Bega on Wednesday, with Ferguson excited about helping a community in need and continuing his strong start to the year.
"I can't wait get out there and continue it against Penrith in our trial in Bega," Ferguson told NRL.com during All Stars week on the Gold Coast.
"I'm really looking forward to talking to the communities that have been impacted by the bushfires. I think the Bega trip can be the start of a good year for us."
Parramatta assistant coach Steve Murphy said the leadership Ferguson displayed in the All Stars clash was reflective of his influence in clubland.
"I thought Fergo was very good in the All Stars game, and as the backs coach I was obviously very happy with what he did," Murphy told NRL.com.
"Fergo is working hard on becoming a real leader and that is what the group needs because he is at an age where he can really inspire people.
"He is more mature and settled and that is being reflected on the field."
The Eels have not won a premiership since 1986 and there is a sense this could be the year to end that drought.
To do so Parramatta must eradicate the inconsistency of last season. That continued in the finals where a 58-0 win over Brisbane was followed up by a 32-0 loss to Melbourne, a defeat Ferguson remembers all too well.
"It definitely does [still burn]. That game is still in the back of my mind but now we have to put it all together this year," Ferguson said.
"We have a lot of respect for the past but it is us players that have to make it happen this year.
"That means giving it our all. We've trained hard and now we will play hard.
"I want to play for my coach, for my brothers and for Parramatta. We've set ourselves a goal this year and we want to work hard to achieve it."
That confidence is born of the success Ferguson has had on the biggest stage, an asset Murphy said was invaluable to the side.
"Fergo has something that our group doesn’t have. He's played in all the big games for NSW and Australia, won a premiership with the Roosters and come up with the match-winning plays in big games, and that experience is invaluable for our group," Murphy said.
"Besides that he is a finely tuned, athletic machine who provides a lot of energy for the team.
"I am always inspired by what he can do. I was in the gym one day and everyone was around him because he was breaking one of the club's lifting records. He's an incredible athletic specimen.”
Murphy said there was a lot of expectation and excitement about playing Penrith.
"There is obviously great history there with Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Maika Sivo both coming from Penrith," Murphy said.
"In my short time here the games between Penrith and Parra have always been hard-fought and very physical encounters, so it is perfect preparation for us."
|
|
|
|
Post by Electric Eel on May 26, 2020 19:56:26 GMT 10
|
|
|
|
Post by Electric Eel on May 26, 2020 19:56:52 GMT 10
NRL.com
Late Fonua try helps Eels snatch draw in Bega trial
Parramatta snatched a 22-22 draw with Penrith after scoring a late try in Saturday’s EISS Super Sapphire Trial Tribute in Bega.
It was a fitting result for a game that was much more than a trial as Eels and Panthers players visited the fire-ravaged Sapphire Coast.
Up to $5 million was injected into the local economy and a capacity 5000 crowd packed the home ground of Bega Roosters for the historic match.
With the Eels enjoying majority support, the crowd rose to their feet as rookie John Fonua scored with just seconds on the clock to level the scores.
Until the last minute try, it appeared that early errors would prove costly for the Eels in the opening exchanges, with winger Blake Ferguson unable to hold a pass with the tryline open and Mitchell Moses kicking out on the full.
Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary made the Eels pay when he crossed for the opening try in the 13th minute after stepping Reagan Campbell-Gillard and beating Clint Gutherson.
The Panthers had the chance to extend their 6-0 lead but centre Brent Naden dropped the ball over the line.
Moses initially appeared to have saved the try when he held up Penrith winger Josh Mansour after a cut-out pass from Jarome Luai but the former international managed to flick the ball to Naden.
Another error, this time by star winger Mika Sivo, gifted the Panthers another try in the 26th minute.
Winger Brian To’o scored in the corner after Penrith had shifted the ball quickly following Sivo’s knock-on from a rocket pass by Gutherson near the Eels line.
However, the Eels gained momentum before halftime and Moses sliced between two defenders to score in the 34th minute after Naden was penalised for impeding Ferguson from being able to contest a bomb.
The Panthers hit back after the halftime break when Mansour won the race for a grubber from five-eighth Matt Burton, who replaced Luai at the interval, to score in the 47th minute.
Cleary converted but Penrith’s 16-6 lead was short-lived after Moses chipped and regathered his own kick to score a stunning 50th minute individual try.
Eels hooker Ray Stone then levelled the scores when he dived on a fumbled in goal kick by Patrick Hollis to score in the 60th minute and Jai Field converted to put Parramatta ahead for the first time in the match.
However, Penrith rookie Brendan Hands regained the lead for his side in spectacular fashion five minutes later after bursting into space and standing up Eels fullback Will Smith.
With the clock winding down, Eels replacement Marata Niukore put John Fonua for a try with a late off-load and Field missed the conversion from the sideline.
|
|
1981 1982 1983 1986 
