Parramatta Eels bounced back in style with a first-half blitz which set up their 38-10 victory in front of 16,854 fans at Parramatta Stadium tonight.
In 2019, the Eels have been a Jekyl and Hyde team, where they have put on scintilating displays at home but were thumped back at Magic Weekend. Tonight, it was the Electrifying Eels, as they ran in five tries in the first half followed by a pair in the second half to put themselves back in eighth position.
Brisbane came back to earth with a thud. After their recent upswing in form, things looked rosy at Red Hill, despite their derby loss. Tonight, the Broncos were soft, listless and only came to life once the contest was gone in the second half. Corey Oates and Matt Gillett ran in a pair of tries for scant consolation as the season continues to slip away for one of the storied sides in the National Rugby League.
From the opening whistle, the Eels looked on tonight. Mitchell Moses was involved in everything, partnered with Jaemon Salmon for the first time in a month, everything clicked again for another huge win at a new stadium which has gained a quick reputation for high-scoring contests.
Junior Paulo, Josh Hoffman, try-scoring machine Mika Sivo, Michael Jennings and the unassuming David Gower all crossed in a first-half where the Eels waded through the Broncos defense with ease and for the errant goalkicking of Moses, the scoreline might've been harsher viewing for those north of the border.
At Parramatta Stadium, the Eels have averaged 38 points in their five games at the new digs. A confidence ripples through their line-up, buoyed by a crowd right on their shoulders cheering everything positive for those in blue-and-gold.
Tonight, there were some flashes of brillance from Moses in his kicking for Hoffman's four-pointer then some sublime left to right shifts that opened up the space for cult hero Sivo, who has been scoring tries for fun this season.
The second half was more of an after party after the electric first stanza. The Broncos showed a bit more bite, Tavita Pangai Junior in a roaming role created more but the Broncos were left with two tries - Corey Oates touching down in the corner and a Gillett grubber catch - that masked another anemic attacking display from the visitors, as the season looks like it lurching to another crisis.
Everything was all blue-and-gold tonight. Eels racked up their seventh win of the season, scored 38 points and moved back into the top eight. The only downside might be a potential serious injury to double-scorer Hoffman but things have turned around in Eels country.