The wash-up: More magic from Moses, but Eels unable to break losing spell
By Christian Nicolussi
Mitchell Moses was unable to work his magic twice in a week, with Parramatta remaining bottom of the ladder following another loss to Newcastle.
In one of the most entertaining games of the season, Bradman Best scored two long-range tries from Eels errors late in the game to seal a 34-26 victory on Saturday night.
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A sold-out McDonald Jones Stadium celebrated as Best made his way down the field for his second. Moses scored two tries and did his best in attack to spark an Eels comeback.
Is there another player NSW coach Michael Maguire cannot afford to lose more in the next week than Moses? Who would wear the No. 7 if Moses went down on Thursday against a resurgent Rabbitohs?
Eels back-rower Bryce Cartwright flicked the ball off the ground to Junior Paulo to get the margin back to two in the final five minutes.
But the Knights and Best had other ideas.
Parramatta fans will bemoan Greg Marzhew’s try before half-time, when Clint Gutherson appeared to be obstructed by referee Peter Gough.
Will Pryce celebrates a try against the Eels.Getty Images
Gutherson got to Marzhew as he crossed in the left corner, but was hindered by Gough in back play. He even asked Gough, who shook his head and pointed to the spot.
It would have been interesting had it been a Knights player that impeded Gutherson, which would have forced the bunker to take a peek.
Winger Blaize Talagi, who looks more at home in first grade each week, was also denied a try in the second half when he appeared to put the ball on the line.
Interim coach Trent Barrett thought Talagi had scored.
“The bunker was involved in a lot of things tonight, and we couldn’t really get one,” Barrett said.
Gutherson said of the obstruction: “He [Gough] said it was ‘unlucky’. I asked what the go was, I could have got there a step earlier and maybe made the tackle. It was one of those things. I was trying my best to get to the corner and make a tackle.”
The Knights, however, could have argued a kick-off never sailed 10 metres late in the game, which led to Paulo’s try.
Will Pryce, with Bradford legend and father Leon in the stands, made his debut for the Knights. He was given an old-fashioned palm by Maika Sivo early in the game, but showed some nice moves and looked energetic.
Pryce dropped the F-bomb during the post-match interview when describing Best as “my f---ing best mate”, then apologised for swearing.
Parramatta handed a first start to Matt Arthur, whose father Brad, the club’s head coach just five weeks ago, was in the stands for the occasion.
Arthur looked poised to score before the break, but was unable to grasp a ball on the ground.
Sivo finished the game with a hamstring complaint, and was denied tries three times in the first half, despite claiming all three of them.
79 min: Best picks up another loose ball after a desperate attacking raid by the Eels and runs 80 metres to win it for the Knights. Hastings adds the extras. Knights 34-26
7.27pm on Jun 29, 2024
Eels set up thrilling finish
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76 min: The Eels trail by only two again after Paulo scores and Moses converts. What a heart-stopper! Knights 28-26
73 min: Best picks up a spilt pass from Talagi, who might have scored had he held it, and races 90 metres to score. Hastings converts to give the Knights an eight-point lead as the clock winds down. Knights 28-20
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7.11pm on Jun 29, 2024
Tries are coming thick and fast in Newcastle
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65 min: Tuala scores after the Eels fumble a Gagai kick. The crowd roars with delight as Hastings converts from the sideline. Hasn’t this game had some twists and turns. Knights 22-20
61 min: Moses now has a double, scorching past Gagai from a scrum win again, and the Eels are back in front. Eels 20-16
7.03pm on Jun 29, 2024
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6.57pm on Jun 29, 2024
Eels strike back
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52 min: Parra level the scores after a Moses bomb results in a second try to Talagi, his eighth in 11 games in his rookie season. Moses misses the kick. 16-16