Sunday, December 22, 2024

‘Poor, ineffective’: Greats lash ‘woeful’ Eels attack

Must read

The Titans have stitched together their third-straight win over a “woeful” Eels outfit on the Gold Coast.

The final 24-16 scoreline flattered an Eels side without Mitchell Moses and decimated by injuries.

For Fox Sports, league great Cooper Cronk said the Eels were “poor” and “ineffective”, while Mal Meninga said Parramatta’s attack was “woeful”.

FOLLOW LIVE: NRL Round 19 Saturday

FOLLOW LIVE: International Rugby – Wallabies v Wales

READ MORE: Djoker hints at Kyrgios return as ‘bromance’ flourishes

In match they needed a fast start more than anything, the Eels were slugglish, and Alofiana Khan-Pereira made the most of it to pick up a first-half double in the space of three minutes.

Eels players look on during their loss to the Titans. Chris Hyde via Getty Images

The Eels barely threatened in attack, and never looked like scoring even after at one stage forcing back-to-back-to-back sets on top of the Titans line.

They made several ball handling errors that either cost them a chance to score, or allowed the Titans to score off subsequent plays.

Returning from a hand injury, five-eighth Jayden Campbell starred for Gold Coast with three try assists.

Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now. 

Jayden Campbell and David Fifita celebrates a try by teammate Brian Kelly during the Titans' win over the Eels.

Jayden Campbell and David Fifita celebrates a try by teammate Brian Kelly during the Titans’ win over the Eels. Chris Hyde via Getty Images

After Khan-Pereira’s double, Phillip Sami capitalised from a Jake Tago error to further extent the lead.

When the Eels eventually got on the board on the half-hour mark, it was off the back of a massive error from AJ Brimson.

From dummy-half from the first tackle of the set, Brimson tried to throw a miracle pass but instead gave the ball straight to Blaize Talagi, who got it away to Luca Moretti to score.

Brian Kelly scored the Titans fourth of the night, before Will Penisini and Clint Gutherson crossed to give the Eels some hope of a fightback, but it was not to be.

Adding to the Eels’ woes, Charlie Guymer limped up the race with an ankle injury, Daejarn Asi came from the field prematurely and Penisini was ordered off the field by the independent doctor for a HIA.

The Titans will hold some concern for AJ Brimson who was put on report for an ugly hip-drop tackle on Brendan Hands in the 34th minute.

David Fifita left the field for HIA in the 61st minute after coming off second-best when laying a tackle on Penisini. He did not return but passed his assessment.

The Eels were elevated off the bottom of the ladder by the Tigers’ flogging at the hands of the Sharks on Friday night.

They have the bye next weekend, but then face a nightmare run of matches against the Storm, Warriors, Panthers, Roosters and Broncos.

Latest article