EEL-ECTRIC: Parramatta off the mark following thrilling golden point win over Penrith

The Parramatta Eels have secured a drought-breaking win after a thrilling Western Derby that doubled as a 2022 Grand Final rematch. The Eels beat the Panthers 17-16 thanks to a Mitch Moses field goal, after Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary had sent the game to golden point with a stunning two-point field goal at the death.

The Eels were in the driver's seat for much of the contest, starting each half stronger than the defending premiers. They opened the scoring through former Panther Bryce Cartwright, who collected a grubber from Dylan Brown before showing his football IQ by waiting to plant the ball down amid a challenge from Dylan Edwards.

Though the Panthers were under pressure it rarely showed, and despite going down by eight after Moses converted a penalty attempt, they fought their way back into the contest in the final 10 minutes of the half.

They drew level in mere minutes, with some superb passing resulting in a try for Dylan Edwards before Cleary brought scores level with a penalty conversion of his own in the final minute of the half.

The second half followed an almost identical structure, with the Eels starting stronger and reasserting the lead after a try on NRL debut to young utility Brendan Hands. Just like in the first half, despite the home side possessing most of the momentum, the Panthers fought their way back with a try to new Panther Zac Hosking bringing them within two as the clock wound down.

The Eels looked to have held on, but a high shot from captain Junior Paulo gave the defending premiers one more chance to secure a result. With almost stunning ease, Cleary took the inbound ball from outside his own 40-metre line and launched a drop-goal attempt that sailed between the sticks, drawing the scores level and forcing extra time as Paulo left for the sin-bin.

"My bottom lip dropped for a second, watching it the whole way," Eels fullback Clint Gutherson said after the contest, per NRL.com.

"When he hits it like that you can't do much. He's just a great footy player, (it was a) clutch moment and he's done it all his career."

But such was the nature of the match, things once again balanced shortly after. In Penrith's first defensive set of the extra-time period, hooker Mitch Kenny gave away a penalty and sin-bin of his own. From there the Eels marched down the field and Moses slotted the field goal with ease to end an absorbing encounter.

The result was even sweeter for Moses - prior to the contest his protracted contract saga was finally revealed to have come to a close, with the star half signing a multi-million dollar five-year deal that will keep him at the Eels - along with Dylan Brown - for a few more seasons yet.

Despite the troubles the Panthers have endured to start the new season, Ivan Cleary - who coached his 400th NRL game - was far from a state of panic.

"We're not quite getting those close games which all add up. It's early days - we're playing well and it was a good game tonight.

"I was impressed by both teams - I liked how we fought back from eight points down twice."

Penrith's next challenge will come against the Canberra Raiders next Friday, while the Eels will travel to play the Roosters in next week's Thursday night game.

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