Another Sivo treble sees Eels smash Brisbane

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Parramatta Eels v Brisbane Broncos

Maika Sivo's first minute try was a precursor of what was to come on an awful night for Brisbane, with Parramatta thumping last year's wooden spooners 46-6 at TIO Stadium in Darwin tonight.

A Xavier Coates drop-ball from the kickoff delivered the Eels gift footy in the opening moments of tonight's contest in a hot, sweaty Northern Territory capital, and with Sivo scoring out wide at the end of that first set, they took full advantage early.

After Brisbane retaliated through Tevita Pangai Junior at the tenth minute, the first half tussle went back-and-forward before a blitz from the Eels starting in the 28th minute blew Brisbane off the park.

Sivo picked up his second at that point to push the home side four points clear, and was soon backed up by Isaiah Papali'i who continued his impressive tryscoring record this season after running well in support play from a Oregon Kaufusi offload which found Mahoney onto Papali'i.

Kaufusi added one more before the halftime siren would sound, pushing the lead to 22-6; a penalty goal in the shadows of the break ensuring a full three converted try advantage for Parramatta as the teams retired to the sheds.

While coach Kevin Walters managed to stir his troops last week to compete with ladder leaders Penrith during his halftime address last week, there was no success with any words this week as the Eels continued on their merry way in the second half of this week's contest. Fresh Eels Tom Opacic and Bryce Cartwright - both signings from Queensland clubs new this season - picked up tries in the fifteen minutes following the halftime break.

The lead stretched to 36-6 and the game looked ready to wind down until Sivo bagged his third try ten minutes from time, followed by a later effort from Clint Gutherson, set up by a superb risky sideline kick from Mitch Moses who kept his body in to set it up for the Eels' fullback.

The margin sent the Parramatta differential beyond that of the Rabbitohs and into second place as the chasing pack aims to run down the undefeated Panthers; and they'll get another chance for a for-and-against boost next Saturday when they head to Sydney Olympic Park to meet Canterbury.

Meanwhile, Brisbane will not be looking forward to a clash with the Gold Coast Titans at home next Friday, with their visitors next week keen to shake off some poor losses over the last fortnight. Kevvy Walters has his work cut out for him.