Parramatta have started the season the way Brisbane ended the previous one.
The Broncos left the Top End on top of the league world, courtesy of a 26-16 win at Darwin’s TIO Stadium on Friday night. This was the Eels’ first foray out of Sydney all year, to host an opponent they had seemingly mastered, at a ground that has been a stronghold. Yet they were never really in it.
Competing in the tropics – the temperature at kick-off was 28 degrees – off a five-day turnaround, may have played some part in the result. However, due credit must go to a Broncos outfit that mastered the conditions and their adversary to rocket two wins clear of their nearest rivals on top of the NRL ladder.
The platform was set by one of the most impressive packs in the game. Middle forwards Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan and Thomas Flegler are as formidable a triumvirate as any in the game. By the time Haas was given a spell, after half-an-hour of toil and as the rain came down, the game was already decided. At that stage, he had already run for 144 metres against a vaunted pack containing Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo.
No prop has ever won the Dally M Medal but, if history is made, then no one will be more deserving. Whether it’s playing for Kevin Walters or Eddie Jones, this is a man who can command a seven-figure per-annum salary.
Behind such a platform, with possession in their favour to the tune of 55 per cent, Brisbane’s strike weapons proved unstoppable. Halves Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam tried to outdo each other, both crossing for tries and orchestrating several others. Most came off the boot of Reynolds; one of his grubbers was so inch-perfect even Clint Gutherson didn’t know what to do with it. On another occasion, the boot of the former Rabbitoh teased Maiko Sivo and ended up in the grateful hands of Kotoni Staggs.
Kotoni Staggs scores a try in Darwin.Credit: Getty Images
But the best trick shot of all belonged to Mam. The pivot broke through the defence and, while travelling at full speed, produced a brilliant flick pass to put his halves partner under the posts.
Little went Parramatta’s way. Campbell-Gillard, who has a history of groin injuries, suffered a recurrence when forced into an awkward carry in the second half. And Bailey Simmonsen, having just returned from a two-game suspension for a high tackle, will be spending more time on the sidelines. The centre copped a category-one concussion that will rule him out of next week’s clash with Newcastle. J’maine Hopgood spent 10 minutes off the field for an alleged hip-drop tackle, with the match review committee to determine whether he needs more time off to ponder his challenge on Cory Paix. Mam will also come under scrutiny after being binned for the most contentious tackle in the game.
Despite it all, last year’s grand finalists threatened to make a game of it. They scored the only two tries of the second half and another thrilling finish looked likely, only for a third try to be disallowed when Mitchell Moses threw a forward pass to Sean Russell.
The Eels have played the majority of the top sides, dropping games to most of them, during the opening quarter of the season. Time will tell whether the tough start proves a blessing or curse. It means there is little room for error as the blue and golds face the teams they are expected to beat.
The Broncos, meanwhile, prepare for another blockbuster. They take on South Sydney on Friday night.
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