Eels star Mitchell Moses delivered a masterclass performance that sealed a 34-12 over the Bulldogs — and should all but win him NSW’s No.7 jersey for Origin II.
Meanwhile, skipper Clint Gutherson lived up to his ‘King’ nickname on the King’s birthday, scoring a first-half hat-trick and also setting up a try.
But it was Moses that stole the show, setting up two of Gutherson’s tries, controlling the tempo with his kicking game and coming up with some big tackles.
The Bulldogs got a sniff 15 minutes in when 18-year-old Karl Oloapu pushed off four Eels players before setting up Matt Burton but their joy was short-lived when Gutherson scored two of his tries in two minutes.
Bailey Simonsson then crossed to extend the Eels’ lead after club debutant Daejarn Asi broke through some flimsy defence and set up his centre.
The Eels started the second half with the same intent as Will Penisini bounced over in the 50th minute, but the Bulldogs hit back through Hayze Perham, who zipped through two defenders and charged for the line.
Maika Sivo later cruised over for the final try of the game and it was none other than the Eels’ hat-trick hero throwing the pass to set him up.
MOSES NAILS ORIGIN AUDITION
With the NSW No.7 jersey up for grabs all eyes were on Mitchell Moses — and he delivered a performance that should all but lock him in for Origin II.
Moses was reportedly in the box seat heading into Monday’s game and the pressure didn’t spook him at all. In fact he was looked very relaxed in a pre-game interview.
It took him just four minutes to make his mark on the game, with a deft kick forcing a Bulldogs dropout. Not long after he set up skipper Clint Gutherson and then set him up again after running around Tevita Pangai Junior and straight through the Dogs’ defensive line.
The intent from the star halfback came as no surprise though to Fox League expert Michael Ennis.
“I go back to the moment he walked out and was interviewed, he had an air of confidence about him and he has brought it to the field,” he said.
“He’s been absolutely outstanding, he’s terrorised Pangai Junior a number of times. Mitch Moses is turning on an absolute clinic today.
“The story today is Moses. When asked to stand up and deliver for that Origin jersey, the opening 40 minutes, (NSW coach) Brad Fittler must be sitting there ‘hell.’ He is turning it on today.”
Queensland legend Cooper Cronk had nothing but praise for Moses too.
“He’s been outstanding. Normally when you’ve got a big Origin game ahead, you probably play in a dinner suit but he’s taken to this contest,” he said.
“Congratulations to Mitch because in moments like this you can withdraw and stay out of the contest but he’s up and about.”
‘KING’ GUTHO RISES TO THE OCCASION AS EELS FILL BROWN VOID
It was quite fitting that Clint Gutherson scored a hat-trick in the annual King’s birthday clash with the Bulldogs. He has been given the nickname ‘King Gutho’ after all.
The skipper was at his best, setting up a try to go with his three scored, while also getting two linebreaks, a linebreak assist, eight tackle busts and 185 running metres.
Moses was the story of the game but he had glowing praise
“He was outstanding. We know what we’re going to get out of him every week — it’s just energy and he competes. He probably saved three tries for us today,” Moses said after the game.
“I love playing with him, that’s why he’s our captain. He leads by example with his actions.”
Still on the Eels’ spine and it looks as though the club has found a solution to the Dylan Brown dilemma.
Brad Arthur scrambled to find a new five-eighth this week after Dylan Brown was sidelined under the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy.
Jake Arthur would have been the next man up but he was released a few weeks ago to join Manly. That meant the Eels needed to dig a little deeper into their playmaker stocks and opted to give Daejarn Asi an opportunity – which he made the most of.
The 22-year-old set up the Eels’ first try with a cross-field kick and then another after he spotted space, broke through and passed to Bailey Simonsson.
Asi is expected to fill in for Brown for the next couple of weeks at least with the big-name Eel not due in court again over sexual touching allegations until June 28.
The versatile Asi joined the club this season and has spent time at fullback, five-eighth and in the centres in NSW Cup before making his club debut in the NRL on Monday.
DOGS FALL FLAT
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo hinted before kick-off that there was plan in place for the side’s attack, but whatever it was it didn’t work.
They went into the half-time break down 24-6 despite creating five linebreaks to Parramatta’s four, sparking Fox League expert Michael Ennis to question some of the decisions made at end of sets.
“The Bulldogs have had more chances but it’s Parramatta that’s been able to convert,” he said.
“Every time the Dogs have made a break, for some God-known reason they’re trying to kick the footy instead of just playing the long game — build pressure and stay in Parramatta’s half.”
Cooper Cronk added: “Ciraldo spoke earlier about chancing their hand, spreading the ball and they’ve definitely done that, but have let themselves down with some last-play options.”
Star halfback Matt Burton got involved early — as per the instruction of Ciraldo — with a try in the 15th minute to level up scores but it was all the Eels from then.
“We had a lot of linebreaks but were just doing silly things on the back of it... just shot ourselves in the foot,” he conceded to Fox League after the game.
While the Dogs couldn’t capitalise off opportunities in attack, you just know that the defensively-minded Ciraldo will be more concered about the 54 missed tackles.
