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Parramatta have exorcised their NRL finals demons to e-book a spot of their first preliminary closing in 13 years with a 40-4 win demolition of Canberra.
The Eels burst out of the blocks in entrance of a 29,134 robust crowd at Parramatta Stadium and by no means regarded again after registering a 22-point lead inside 25 minutes.
The Eels’ unflattering file beneath coach Brad Arthur – that they had received simply two of 9 finals video games in his tenure earlier than Friday evening’s recreation – had been a giant speaking level after their week-one loss to the Panthers.
However they confirmed no indicators of nerves with their premiership hopes on the road, reverting to their highly effective and direct operating recreation.
They may now journey to Townsville to tackle North Queensland subsequent Friday evening, chasing their first grand closing look since 2009.
The one slight concern for the Eels will likely be a head knock to Mitchell Moses, who was dominated out throughout final week’s loss to Penrith with a concussion.
Moses went off for a head damage evaluation within the second half however was given the all-clear to return and needs to be proper for the sport with the Cowboys.
The Eels hit the Raiders up the center and offloaded at will – that they had 20 offloads to the Raiders’ 10 – earlier than choosing holes in Canberra’s leaky edge defence.
Except for the lack of back-rower Corey Harawira-Naera to an early concussion, the Raiders had been architects of their very own downfall.
An error from winger Jordan Rapana allowed Parramatta centre Will Penisini to attain after simply seven minutes.
Not lengthy after, Raiders fullback Xavier Savage misjudged a bobbling grubberkick for Eels centre Tom Opacic to dive on the free ball to increase the house facet’s benefit.
Canberra misplaced the battle for territory and possession and the Eels punished them with ease.
Moses, who kicked 5 from seven conversions and added a late penalty purpose, despatched a spiralling cut-out move for Waqa Blake to waltz in untouched on the best flank.
Junior Paulo was subsequent to go over for the Eels and Canberra might rely themselves fortunate {that a} breakaway strive from Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson was chalked out by referee Ashley Klein for a ahead move from the vigorous Dylan Brown.
Maika Sivo additionally had a strive dominated out for a bobble as he tried to floor the ball, and the one comfort for Canberra was that a powerful Savage strive ensured they weren’t stored to nil.
Crew stats
Trailing 22-4 at halftime Canberra wanted to attain first in the event that they had been to have any likelihood of staging an unlikely comeback.
However that risk was quelled when Paulo put Moses into house simply 5 minutes after the break.
Paulo hit the Canberra line and produced one other offload to ship Moses racing away to the nook from 40 metres out.
With Moses off for a head damage evaluation, the Eels misplaced their approach with the ball in hand however they had been nonetheless capable of withhold every part Canberra threw at them.
Marata Niukore, who was filling in at centre after Opacic went off with a hamstring damage, scored a late double to seal the rout.
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