Parramatta Eels 0-3 nightmare after ‘absolutely bonkers’ scenes
The Eels made last years’ NRL Grand Final but 2023 has started horrifically with no signs of it getting better anytime soon.Andrew McMurtry
Parramatta’s horror start to the NRL season has continued, dropping to 0-3 after a 34-30 loss to the Manly Sea Eagles.
At a boiling hot 4 Pines Park where it was still 28 degrees at full-time, the Eels lost a third straight match by just four points to continue the side’s stunning fall from last years’ grand final.
While the Eels haven’t been too far from a first win of the year, the side could be last at the end of round three with matches against the Panthers and Roosters to come in the next two weeks. And all three will be coming off a bye.
It’s a schedule Matty Johns said on The Late Show with Matty Johns “Is a complete oversight as far as the draw is concerned … That should not happen”.
But at best for Eels fans it can be seen as an excuse.
Bryan Fletcher said the defence was “woeful” on the line, particularly for the Sea Eagles, who dominated the game.
It was a chaotic end to the match with four tries in five minutes as Parramatta stormed home from 28-16 down to just fall short after an intercept try to Haumole Olakau’atu sealed the result for the home side.
“A brain explosion from the Eels, forcing their hand from inside their own territory,” Warren Smith said as Olakau’atu snatched the ball from a J’Maine Hopgood offload and ran away 40m to score, making it 34-26 with three minutes remaining.
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