Tio Stadium has been a home away from home for Parramatta. Having already established a fortress at CommBank Stadium, the Eels had won six of their previous seven matches in the Top End. However, the hot and sweaty conditions – it was 30 degrees at the time of kick-off – were more familiar to the men from Townsville. They soaked up everything Parramatta threw at them and completed 31 of 35 of their sets in a masterful display.
“They were too good for us,” Arthur said. “I thought they out-enthused us a bit as well.
“Maybe we got into a bit of a rut after we didn’t nail a couple of those opportunities we got. We dropped our heads a little bit, we just need to get back into the next job.
“That’s what happens when you put yourself up there. We need to match that level of intensity every week. I know it’s a long season, but that’s what our job is.”
This is North Queensland’s best start to a season since their grand final year. They now sit within the top four, a position they should consolidate against Newcastle next week if current form holds up. But after all three matches on Saturday resulted in upsets, nothing is a given.
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Jason Taumalolo was involved in a wonderful battle with Regan Campbell-Gillard as the forward packs tore into each other. However, the Cowboys playmakers took control when they cancelled each other out.
Drinkwater has been a revelation at fullback, Reece Robinson was effective in attack and defence and Reuben Cotter appears to bob up everywhere. Payten’s men were one of the favourites for the spoon but appear likely to finish closer to the other end of the ladder. This was their best win under his stewardship.
“It’s right up there, given we played a top-four team tonight in really tough conditions,” Payten said.
“We didn’t have a lot of ball in the first 20-minute period of the game and won the game on the back foot with our defence. I’m pretty pleased.”
Parramatta have some difficult decisions to make. Dylan Brown was in career-best form at five-eighth but has been forced into the centres after an injury crisis struck the Eels outside backs. Perhaps it is time to move him back.
The answers the Eels seek will need to be found quickly; their next assignment is Penrith in Penrith.
“We’ve got to find the same intensity that they are going to come out with,” Arthur said.
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Cowboys give Parramatta a touch-up in the Top End
Source: Philippines Alive
