Thursday rugby league AS IT HAPPENED: Clint Gutherson poleaxed as Eels fall to Broncos; Eels denied by 'horrendous' Bunker decision
Updated . First published at
Latest posts
Goodnight!
Thanks to everyone who followed Wide World of Sports' live blog of Thursday's rugby league news and NRL action.
The Eels were no match for the Broncos in a 36-14 defeat at Sydney's CommBank Stadium.
Pop back in for tomorrow's live blog as the Dragons meet the Sea Eagles and the Knights square off with the Roosters.
Goodnight.
Legends rip 'shame' after polarising Bunker call
The controversial Bunker left a stain on another game on Thursday night when the Eels were stripped of a try in their 36-14 defeat to the Broncos.
As the Eels attempted to reel in the Broncos in the second half at Sydney's CommBank Stadium, referee Gerard Sutton awarded a try to centre Waqa Blake on the left edge.
Parramatta vs Brisbane LIVE | Broncos triumph over lacklustre Eels
The Broncos are into the top four after thumping the Eels 36-14.
They dominated the first half, and while the second half was much more equal, the Eels were never in the hunt.
The Broncos were physical until the end - Jordan Pereira put a massive hit on Clint Gutherson that would've no doubt had the Eels fullback tasting his lunch again.
The Eels run home is tough - they have the Panthers next week, then Manly, South Sydney, the Bulldogs, the Broncos again, and then the Storm.
With the Bulldogs current form - and having already beaten them once this season - there is a real chance the Eels won't win another this season.
The Broncos on the other hand, they'll be full of confidence. Adam Reynolds was brilliant, Payne Haas was great as always, and Pat Carrigan had a hand in everything in that first half.
This performance will no doubt put them into the premiership conversation.
Parramatta vs Brisbane LIVE | Reynolds looks to seal Broncos win
There's a loose Steeden, and who's there to take advantage but Adam Reynolds.
Clint Gutherson takes the ball deep in his own half, and it's knocked out in the tackle.
Reynolds then kicks it out of his reach before running on and scoring.
He converts his own kick and barring a miracle, has sealed the Broncos win.
Parramatta vs Brisbane LIVE | Eels denied by dubious Bunker call
The Eels have been denied another try after a second dubious decision goes against Parramatta in a matter of minutes.
Waqa Blake looked to have scored, but the Bunker jumped in and ruled Adam Reynolds had been obstructed back in the middle of the park.
Reynolds looked to move in front of the decoy runner after the ball was released, but the Bunker ruled he had been taken out.
In commentary for Nine, Billy Slater was not impressed.
"I disagree with that, I disagree with that," he said.
Cameron Smith was in agreeance.
"I'm with you, Billy. You see the movement of Adam Reynolds. He stands squarely in front of the attacking player of Parramatta and he hits him square on ... that's a tough one for Parramatta."
Just a few minutes before, the Eels were close to going in again before a dubious knock-on call - or a lack of a call - saw the Broncos get out of trouble.
After having virtually no ball in the first half, the Eels have had most of the ball this second half.
Parramatta vs Brisbane LIVE | Sivo scores his second
A three-on-two on Maika Sivo's wing, the Broncos were no chance.
Dylan Brown, Clint Gutherson and Sivo are the three Eels who look the most threatening.
Billy Slater said Brown, Gutherson, Mitch Moses and Reed Mahoney need more ball if the Eels are going to come back.
Moses boot is a wayward again and the lead is 30-14.
Still plenty of time left, but considering the form Adam Reynolds is in with the boot, the Eels can't afford too many of them.
Parramatta vs Brisbane LIVE | Broncos score off Eels error
The Eels have monumentally stuffed up the kick-off. Nobody talked to each other, there was a collision, and the ball hits the deck.
Off the next set, the Broncos score again.
"That was a disastrous start ... you've got a player, Waqa Blake, coming back, Shaun Lane. there's no communication. What a dreadful start for Parramatta," Billy Slater said in commentary for Nine.
Reynold's boot is on fire tonight. He slots another and the Broncos lead 30-10.
Parramatta vs Brisbane LIVE | Half time
Two Eels tries bookended a fairly one-sided first half at CommBank Stadium.
For probably 25 minutes of that first half the Eels barely touched the ball.
The locals will need to come out firing in the second half of this game will get ugly quick.
Parramatta vs Brisbane LIVE | Eels hit back through Waqa Blake
They're a man down, and it's come off a Broncos error, but the Eels have hit back!
The Eels somehow make a big overlap on that left wing and Waqa Blake gets over.
Moses' kick is good, and the score is 24-10.
Parramatta vs Brisbane LIVE | Broncos extend lead as Penisini binned
The Broncos are in again!
It started back a little way earlier when Will Penisini was been sent to the sin-bin.
Adam Reynolds made a huge break, and in making the tackle, Penisini lay on the ruck way too long.
The Broncos have been running over the top of Parramatta with 13 men on the park, and with one less, Ezra Mam puts Kurt Capewell into the Will Penisini-sized hole in the Eels defence.
Reynolds again makes no error in the kick, and the Broncos lead 24-4.