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The Eels’ chances of an upset in their qualifying final against the Panthers on Friday night ended the moment halfback Mitchell Moses went down in the second half.
The visitors trailed 13-8 when Moses was concussed in the 60th minute and it changed the game as Penrith went on to clinch a 27-8 victory.
Parrmatta’s back five made a whopping 12 errors between them and Waqa Blake will be having nightmares for years about Nathan Cleary’s bombs.
Read on for the Eels’ player ratings following their qualifying final against the Panthers.
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1. CLINT GUTHERSON – 4
Threw a forward pass, inside his own 30m line, searching for the big play while trailing 13-8 in the 58th minute and it cost his side a try. Ran for only 47 metres and made two errors.
2. MAIKA SIVO – 5.5
Had a chance to score his side’s first try but fell just short in the 13th minute. Fumbled a play-the-ball early in the second and was again stopped just short of scoring twice in the final 15 metres.
3. WILL PENISINI – 5
Looked like his night was over after getting up groggily in the 12th minute when he caught a swinging arm from Taylan May, who was binned over it. But passed his HIA and ran for 44 metres, made 13 tackles and made two errors.
4. TOM OPACIC – 5
A quiet night for the centre who, like the rest of the back five, had two mistakes to his name. Ran for 51 metres from eight carries and made 15 tackles.
5. WAQA BLAKE – 2
Had no idea how to diffuse Nathan Cleary’s towering bombs and dropped three, two of which led to tries. Finished with four errors while running for 68 metres from nine carries.
6. DYLAN BROWN – 4.5
The man who has caused the Panthers problems in the past barely fired a shot in attack. Ran for 44 metres from four carries and made 24 tackles while also conceding a penalty.
7. MITCHELL MOSES – 8
Sensational kicking early forced two dropouts in the opening seven minutes. Narrowly missed a field goal on the stroke of halftime but slotted a penalty in the 47th minute for an 8-7 lead. Was concussed in the 60th minute after getting his head in an awkward position while tackling Viliame Kikau.
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8. REAGAN CAMPBELL-GILLARD – 7.5
Took on Moses Leota with the first tackle of the game and inserted his physicality on the game all night. Ran for 100 metres in the first half but added just 34 in the second stanza from a total 19 carries. Made 26 tackles and was one of the better players in a beaten side.
9. REED MAHONEY – 7.5
Made 41 tackles including one which forced a knock on from Taylan May in the 28th minute that led to a try, which he set up with a sharp pass out of dummy-half to Oregon Kaufusi. Finished with a linebreak and try assist but also made an error and conceded a penalty.
10. JUNIOR PAULO – 8
Led the metres for his side with 145 from 18 carries which produced two tackle busts and three offloads. Put on some big hits early but knocked on in the seventh minute then contested it which cost his side their captain’s challenge.
11. SHAUN LANE – 6.5
Had some strong carries early but went off for an HIA in the 59th minute and didn’t come back on. Finished with 88 metres from 11 carries and made 27 tackles.
12. ISAIAH PAPALI’I – 6.5
Strong carries and took some punishment but still got through plenty of work, making 36 tackles and running for 91 metres from 15 carries.
17. MARATA NIUKORE 6
Started ahead of Ryan Matterson and was put on report in the 19th minute for a dangerous tackle. Ran for 97 metres from 12 carries and made 18 tackles.
13. RYAN MATTERSON – 8
The best Eels forward despite coming off the bench after initially being named to start. Forced a knock on with a crunching tackle on Taylan May which led to his side’s first try. Toiled hard all night running for 145 metres from 18 runs and made 29 tackles. But the fatigue showed when he put one down late.
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14. MAKAHESI MAKATOA – 4
Played just seven minutes off the bench. Ran for 14 metres and made two tackles.
15. JAKE ARTHUR – 3
Came on in the 65th after Mitchell Moses was concussed and struggled. Put a kick out on the full and knocked on in his short shift.
16. OREGON KAUFUSI – 7
Scored the opening try just two minutes after coming on by running a hard line and collecting a Reed Mahoney pass to crash over under the posts. Finished with 76 metres from nine carries and made 24 tackles.
PANTHERS RATINGS: Cleary drops jaws with perfect return as flyer gets back to best
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