Twenty-year-old Eel Joash Papalii celebrates in style as 'bedraggled' Sea Eagles crumble
Updated . First published at
Joash Papalii did not waste his opportunity to make an immediate mark on the Eels as the young debutant fired over to ignite a 20-point victory over the Sea Eagles.
The 20-year-old talent was injected into the game after 90 seconds as Eels centre Will Penisini was ruled out of the match due to a category one concussion ruling.
It was a brutal blow for the hosts as Penisini stumbled back to his feet after clashing heads with Manly's Lehi Hopoate, but Papalii took on the challenge in style.
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With scores tied up, Dylan Walker split through Manly's defence before he flicked the ball to powering teammate Dean Hawkins to finish the job.
However, Hawkins was outpaced by two incoming defenders but managed to sling a pass out wide to Papalii as he fell to the ground 15 metres out from the line.
The impressive offload hit the turf just in front of the debutant, who picked up the ball and stepped four defenders to put his team in front.
"It wouldn't have mattered if there were six defenders, he would find a way," Phil Gould said on Nine.
"He would slip through the keyhole in your door."
Joash Papalii celebrates scoring a try on debut for the Parramatta Eels. Nine
Parramatta's lead was short-lived after Papalii's efforts as Hopoate put the youngster to the test and fired over the line to score his second of the match in the 29th minute.
"There have been at least three or four opportunities for Parramatta to score, but they just can't find that last pass," Andrew Johns said.
Gould replied: "It'll come. They are creating the space, it'll come".
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And just as Gould predicted, a Parramatta try-scoring onslaught ignited.
Jack Williams led the charge for Parramatta as he darted over to secure a six-point lead into the halftime break.
Manly's defence struggled to find their rhythm in the final 40 as Isiah Iongi and J'maine Hopgood powered over the line to add 12 points to the board.
Papalii continued to be put to the test by Hopgood on the left edge as the Manly winger attempted to dive over for a hat-trick in the 58th, but he was denied by the Bunker due to his forearm going into touch before he grounded the ball.
Jack Williams of the Eels is tackled by Manly defenders. Getty
"Manly looks bedraggled. They look like they just want to get on the bus and go home," Gould said.
"Parramatta look like they could play all night. They don't want to go home.
"This team is a long way away from the team that started at the start of the season."
Errors in the ruck combined with a strong Parramatta defence continued to derail Manly's campaign as Sean Russell sealed the result for the Eels with a penalty goal.
