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Post by Electric Eel on May 24, 2020 17:11:29 GMT 10
2009 Semi Final: Parramatta 27 d Gold Coast 2
By Josh Massoud
The Daily Telegraph
September 18, 2009
Eels win first semi-final
ONE team stands between Parramatta and perhaps the most remarkable Grand Final appearance in history.
The fact that team happens to be arch-rivals the Bulldogs virtually makes next Friday night's preliminary final at ANZ Stadium a decider in itself.
Riding the crest of a miraculous late-season surge that swamped Gold Coast 27-2 last night, Parramatta have booked a monumental clash against their mortal enemies capable of filling the 80,000-seat Homebush Bay venue.
And they did it with relative ease, cruising to their eighth win from their past nine starts to continue an incredible rise from second-last in late June.
Led again by another five-star contribution from Jarryd Hayne, the Eels boasted a team of star performers as they posted two tries in both halves to end the Titans' season before 28,524.
The only sour note was a hip-flexor injury to Daniel Mortimer in the fourth minute, ending the rookie pivot's night and putting him in doubt for next week's blockbuster.
Replacement utility Feleti Mateo shone in his absence, posting Parramatta's first try while Fuifui Moimoi, Nathan Hindmarsh, Todd Lowrie and rookie Jonathan Wright were also tremendous. Both sides lost a troop inside the first five minutes, with Gold Coast workhorse Ashley Harrison the first to leave on just the third tackle.
A head-clash with Eels opposite Todd Lowrie knocked the Maroons lock senseless, sending him wobbling up the tunnel for treatment.
But there was nothing unsteady about the Gold Coast's start, which received a boost when Mortimer was bowled over after a clearing kick.
The teenager was struck in the left hip by Titans hard man Sam Tagataese after booting the ball, and forced from the field soon afterwards despite trying to walk off his discomfort.
By the time he left the Titans had claimed the lead through a Prince penalty goal, and the outsiders were giving a thorough account of themselves through some stiff forward runs and tackling.
Replacement prop Michael Henderson twice hurled himself into the path of destruction - otherwise known to commentators as Fuifui Moimoi. The pair's twin collisions rocked the stadium, which quickly warmed to a high-standard contest that was error-free until the 15th minute.
Given the quality opening, Parramatta's first try was surprisingly soft. Receiving the ball one-off the ruck on the Titans' line, Mateo easily shrugged off former Test back-rower Anthony Laffranchi to put the Eels ahead after 20 minutes.
A string of penalties and favourable calls blessed Parramatta for the rest of the half, sending Titans coach John Cartwright into a justifiable lather upstairs. After conceding the game's first two penalties, the Eels were handed the next five straight - a stretch that put Gold Coast's defence under enormous pressure.
It almost cracked shortly before Harrison's 28th minute return, with the irrepressible Hayne going within an ace of bettering last Sunday's classic try against St George Illawarra.
With Parramatta's attack seemingly stalled, the game's No.1 player skirted nine defenders before almost exploding through Preston Campbell.
A Hayne field goal on the halftime siren gave his side a 13-2 lead, but Gold Coast had their own point to prove early in the second stanza after going to the sheds on the wrong end of some contentious calls.
With their season on the line, the Titans discarded the shackles to generate some exciting second-phase play that had them camped on Parramatta's goal mouth for 15 minutes.
Their best chance to drive a stake into the contest came midway through the onslaught, when prop Mat White crossed under the posts.
But thanks to some typical never-say-die harassment from Nathan Hindmarsh, he fumbled the grounding to leave the Eels clear breathing space.
Hindmarsh underpinned Parramatta's heroic defence, and fittingly jolted the ball free from Mark Minichiello in a play that finally allowed the hosts to escape downfield.
And they cut loose in breathtaking fashion on 60 minutes to seal the game. Rookie centre Jonathan Wright broke clear on the left, before feeding a perfectly timed pass to veteran flanker Luke Burt. The 28-year-old dashed 30m before floating a precision ball for replacement rake Kevin Kingston to sprint away to set up the mother of all preliminary finals.
By Josh Massoud
The Daily Telegraph
September 18, 2009
Eels win first semi-final
ONE team stands between Parramatta and perhaps the most remarkable Grand Final appearance in history.
The fact that team happens to be arch-rivals the Bulldogs virtually makes next Friday night's preliminary final at ANZ Stadium a decider in itself.
Riding the crest of a miraculous late-season surge that swamped Gold Coast 27-2 last night, Parramatta have booked a monumental clash against their mortal enemies capable of filling the 80,000-seat Homebush Bay venue.
And they did it with relative ease, cruising to their eighth win from their past nine starts to continue an incredible rise from second-last in late June.
Led again by another five-star contribution from Jarryd Hayne, the Eels boasted a team of star performers as they posted two tries in both halves to end the Titans' season before 28,524.
The only sour note was a hip-flexor injury to Daniel Mortimer in the fourth minute, ending the rookie pivot's night and putting him in doubt for next week's blockbuster.
Replacement utility Feleti Mateo shone in his absence, posting Parramatta's first try while Fuifui Moimoi, Nathan Hindmarsh, Todd Lowrie and rookie Jonathan Wright were also tremendous. Both sides lost a troop inside the first five minutes, with Gold Coast workhorse Ashley Harrison the first to leave on just the third tackle.
A head-clash with Eels opposite Todd Lowrie knocked the Maroons lock senseless, sending him wobbling up the tunnel for treatment.
But there was nothing unsteady about the Gold Coast's start, which received a boost when Mortimer was bowled over after a clearing kick.
The teenager was struck in the left hip by Titans hard man Sam Tagataese after booting the ball, and forced from the field soon afterwards despite trying to walk off his discomfort.
By the time he left the Titans had claimed the lead through a Prince penalty goal, and the outsiders were giving a thorough account of themselves through some stiff forward runs and tackling.
Replacement prop Michael Henderson twice hurled himself into the path of destruction - otherwise known to commentators as Fuifui Moimoi. The pair's twin collisions rocked the stadium, which quickly warmed to a high-standard contest that was error-free until the 15th minute.
Given the quality opening, Parramatta's first try was surprisingly soft. Receiving the ball one-off the ruck on the Titans' line, Mateo easily shrugged off former Test back-rower Anthony Laffranchi to put the Eels ahead after 20 minutes.
A string of penalties and favourable calls blessed Parramatta for the rest of the half, sending Titans coach John Cartwright into a justifiable lather upstairs. After conceding the game's first two penalties, the Eels were handed the next five straight - a stretch that put Gold Coast's defence under enormous pressure.
It almost cracked shortly before Harrison's 28th minute return, with the irrepressible Hayne going within an ace of bettering last Sunday's classic try against St George Illawarra.
With Parramatta's attack seemingly stalled, the game's No.1 player skirted nine defenders before almost exploding through Preston Campbell.
A Hayne field goal on the halftime siren gave his side a 13-2 lead, but Gold Coast had their own point to prove early in the second stanza after going to the sheds on the wrong end of some contentious calls.
With their season on the line, the Titans discarded the shackles to generate some exciting second-phase play that had them camped on Parramatta's goal mouth for 15 minutes.
Their best chance to drive a stake into the contest came midway through the onslaught, when prop Mat White crossed under the posts.
But thanks to some typical never-say-die harassment from Nathan Hindmarsh, he fumbled the grounding to leave the Eels clear breathing space.
Hindmarsh underpinned Parramatta's heroic defence, and fittingly jolted the ball free from Mark Minichiello in a play that finally allowed the hosts to escape downfield.
And they cut loose in breathtaking fashion on 60 minutes to seal the game. Rookie centre Jonathan Wright broke clear on the left, before feeding a perfectly timed pass to veteran flanker Luke Burt. The 28-year-old dashed 30m before floating a precision ball for replacement rake Kevin Kingston to sprint away to set up the mother of all preliminary finals.
