Eels shock Broncos with upset win at Suncorp

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Brisbane Broncos v Parramatta Eels

Parramatta has put a dent in Brisbane's Top 4 hopes with a stunning 22-20 win in a sensational game of Friday night football.

Mitchell Moses was fantastic for the home side, having a hand in two tries and controlling the game well with his strong kicking game and was ably supported by his Blues team mate Zac Lomax who crossed for two tries.

Brisbane had several chances in a see-sawing contest, which saw the lead exchange hands on several occasions but the Eels could not be denied in what will go down as a season highlight for the 15th placed Eels.

The loss was further soured for Brisbane with Payne Haas seen limping at fulltime in a clear indication that the Australian prop is not 100% fit after a brutal Origin campaign.

Parramatta came into the game as rank outsiders against Brisbane, but they were on the scoreboard first following a penalty against Xavier Willison for a below the knee tackle on Junior Paulo. Zac Lomax kicked the penalty goal to give his side an early lead.

The home side were quick to respond when Eels flyer Josh Addo-Carr was penalised for an escort on Kotoni Staggs. Adam Reynolds then took the opportunity to level up the scoreline at 2 all.

Parramatta then silenced the Suncorp Stadium crowd with the first try of the night, after Reece Walsh let a kick bounce on the last tackle. The ball then fell into the hands of Eels centre Sean Russell who then chipped over the top to regather and score a super try.

Brisbane responded through Adam Reynolds who snatched onto an intercept and then showed just enough pace to out run the cover defence to score.
The Broncos had their second try minutes later when Kobe Hetherington produced a barnstorming run through the middle to run 25 metres to score and extend the lead to 14-6.

Parramatta then had a chance just before halftime to hit back and they did so through a superb set play early in the tackle count. The returning star half Mitchell Moses showed his class when he provided a pin point kick to Zac Lomax who scored a sensational try to narrow the home side's lead to 14-12 at the break.

Zac Lomax has his second try following halftime and it was again Mitchell Moses who was involved with a quick shift to the left allowing Lomax to score in the corner and give the Eels the lead.

Brisbane really needed a play and they got it through Reece Walsh, who produced a slashing run to then find super sub Billy Walters in support to put the home side back in front at 20-18 with a quarter of the game remaining.

Parramatta then took back the lead again through winger Josh Addo-Carr who scored through some quick hands from Dean Hawkins and Sean Russell to set the veteran flyer down the left-hand side to score NRL try 150.

With minutes remaining, it looked like Reece Walsh has stolen victory at the death for the home side, when the fullback pounced on an error from rookie fullback Joash Papali'i, but the Video Referee correctly ruled Walsh offside from the kick and Parramatta held on for their best victory of 2025.

Parramatta now return home in Round 22, where they face Melbourne on Thursday night. Brisbane meanwhile will return to Suncorp Stadium where they welcome former coach Wayne Bennett and the Rabbitohs next Friday night.