Another match, another Eel in the injury ward.
This time it was hooker Ryley Smith, the latest casualty in his side’s 36-14 loss to the Warriors.
Parramatta finished the game with just one member of their first-choice spine configuration – Mitchell Moses – on the field.
Despite the latest setback, the blue and golds pushed the Warriors before fading in the final quarter. The ‘Wahs’, meanwhile, now sit in outright second spot on the ladder.
“I don’t think the scoreline reflected the fight and the effort we put in tonight,” said Eels coach Jason Ryles.
Smith, playing without his trademark headgear, managed just eight minutes before the latest drama. In attempting to halt the progress of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, he injured his sternum and played no further part in proceedings.
At that point, Parramatta led courtesy of a nifty try from Ronald Volkman. But with their starting dummy half watching on helplessly from the sideline, the advantage was soon relinquished and never regained.
The NRL presented statistics to concerned clubs during the week, which showed that perceptions that the game this year is faster, and less safe, were off the mark. In fact, the numbers showed the injury rate across the competition is actually down from last year.
However, the Eels have endured a disproportionate number in the casualty ward, effectively cruelling their campaign just as it began. Isaiah Iongi, J’Maine Hopgood, Bailey Simonsson, Matt Doorey, Sam Tuivati and Kitione Kautoga have another wounded soldier to keep them company.
Parramatta’s biggest off-season recruit, half Jonah Pezet, made his way back from a hamstring strain earlier in the day in the NSW Cup alongside fellow comeback kid Jordan Samrami (knee).
In Pezet’s case, he is no certainty to be back in first grade for Friday’s clash against the Cowboys. His understudy, Volkman, has been one of the Eels’ best. Playing against his former club, the pivot scored two tries and was clearly the most threatening Eel with ball in hand. His first showcased his running game, while the second was a reward for never giving up on a kick from halves partner Moses.
“Ronnie’s been great,” Ryles said. “He’s been very consistent with his effort, especially defensively, which is something that he’s not known for coming through the grades.
“He’s a really talented kid, he’s working on all of those little hard parts of the game.“
The Eels, plucky and unlucky, never really looked likely to steal the win. This was the Warriors’ fourth win in a row. They lost their own hooker, Wade Egan to concussion, but with the bye next week he may be back for the blockbuster clash against premiers Brisbane in a fortnight.
One of the top performers was Jackson Ford. An unexpected leader in the Dally M race, he played 72 minutes and again produced the sort of performance that would pique the interest of Blues coach Laurie Daley. Alofiana Khan-Pereira crossed for two tries, while kamikaze bench forward Demitric Vaimauga has taken the back-fence carry to a new level.
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