You can’t script this stuff.
Playing against his former club, in a golden-point game, in which his coach could have been in the other coach’s box, after Clint Gutherson scored tries against Parramatta, Zac Lomax proved the difference.
Lomax’s first trick was nailing a 43-metre penalty goal to level the scores and send a game the Eels seemed destined to lose to extra time.
And then he did it again, this time from a field goal that split the posts and then the teams. On both occasions, the Steeden didn’t look like missing its intended target.
Ryles’ short career as a head coach has already been filled with drama, so this was an appropriate manner to win his first game. With his side down by 12 points, it looked like the search for that first, elusive win would continue for another week.
Particularly when Gutherson carved through a Parramatta defence that he had held together for so long to score, on two separate occasions. Thankfully, he didn’t bring out the ‘Guther-ino’.
Clint Gutherson scores for the Dragons.Credit: Getty Images
Like Christian Tuipulotu, who showed remarkable restraint after crossing for a try of his own, Gutherson didn’t want to rub it in the faces of Eels fans.
Upon touching the ball for the first time, both Gutherson and Lomax were met with a chorus of boos around CommBank Stadium. Both gave a crowd of 19,302 plenty of reasons to cheer as well.
For long periods, it appeared Gutherson would prove the difference. However, the man replacing him in the blue-and-gold No.1 jersey, Isaiah Iongi, also had his moments. The former Panther set up his side’s first try, with a jink and a cut-out pass. And then he scored the second, a solo effort showcasing his speed and evasion.
It seemed appropriate, when scores were level, that when Gutherson hit open space, it was Iongi who came up with the try-saver.
The Eels celebrate Zac Lomax’s match-winning field goal.Credit: Getty Images
It may come to pass that all parties may ultimately benefit from Parramatta’s decision to let Gutherson go.
Lomax’s levelling penalty goal cancelled out a contentious penalty goal that referee Gerard Sutton handed the Dragons for a non-contestable dropout. This match had it all.
There was even a return to form for Dylan Brown. The decision to run first paid off, resulting in his best game since committing to Newcastle.
