Parramatta powers past Magpies in season opener
The Parramatta Eels made a confident start to their season with a 20-10 win over the Western Suburbs Magpies, claiming victory at a scorching Ringrose Park.
Parramatta took control early and never lost their lead, with the Western Suburbs unable to mount a successful comeback after halftime.
The game opened with multiple penalties, setting the tone for a scrappy contest. But the Eels capitalised early. Joash Papalii broke through on the right edge, charging 50 metres downfield and earning his side a repeat set, setting up Haze Dunster in the corner (9') 4-0
Just one set later, Parramatta struck again. A well-orchestrated play by Josh Lynn, with Bryce Cartwright heavily involved, saw them cross the line for another unconverted try, extending the lead to 8-0.
The Eels dominance through the middle kept them in control, while the Magpies struggled to execute.
Western Suburbs fought back with multiple attacking sets on Parramatta's line, but deep kicks and solid defensive pressure from the Eels forced errors.
The Magpies finally hit back in the 27th minute, with Alex Lobb cutting the deficit scoring out wide, but a missed conversion left them trailing 8-4. Soon after, Charlie Guymer was forced off for an HIA in the 25th minute
Parramatta quickly regained momentum, with Dean Hawkins barging over. Joash Papalii slotted the only successful conversion of the half, extending the lead to 14-4.
Fatigue set in under the heat. The final minutes became an arm-wrestle, with both sides pressuring the try-line but unable to break through before halftime.
The Eels had momentum early in the second half with everything going their way, gifting them opportunities on the Magpies' line, but Western Suburbs' defence stood firm. Parramatta centre Josh Feledy nearly broke through but was pulled down just metres from the line.
With the 38-degree heat taking its toll, the game slowed, but the Magpies found their second wind through winger Alex Lobb. He proved a constant threat with safe hands under the high ball and multiple line-breaks. Centre Solomona Faataape burst through the middle, only for a wayward pass to cause a missed try-scoring chance.
With 10 minutes remaining, the Magpies built pressure, forcing errors from a tiring Eels side. They finally capitalised when hooker Tristan Hope took advantage of a slow-moving ruck, powering over on the left edge to bring the Magpies within one converted try of a comeback. Lobb added the extras, making it 14-10.
As both teams dug deep for a final push, Heath Mason nearly sealed it for the Magpies, but a last-ditch tackle denied him. The Eels responded with their best attacking set of the half, forcing a goal-line dropout. The Magpies kicked long, but Meni Luke iced the game with a buzzer-beating try left of the posts. Joash Papalii’s conversion secured a 20-10 win for Parramatta.
Talking points
Key moment
A crucial break from the Eels' fullback, Joash Papalii, ignited the game early. He burst through on the right edge, charging 50 metres downfield and earning his side a repeat set. This momentum shift led to Haze Dunster finishing off the play in the corner just minutes later, putting the Eels ahead 4-0 in the ninth minute.
What's next?
The Magpies will now turn their attention to their next match against North Sydney Bears at Lidcombe Oval on Saturday 22 March. With both teams looking to make up ground on the ladder, this clash is set to be a crucial encounter for the Magpies (13th) and the Bears (10th).
