The Eels produced 20 seconds of incredible scrambling defence early in their semi-final clash with the Panthers that had Storm legend Billy Slater raving.
The highlight of the frantic passage of play saw Parramatta five-eighth Dylan Brown pull off an exceptional chase-down tackle on Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary.
Panthers hooker Apisai Koroisau burst through the Eels defence from dummy-half 35 metres out and linked with Cleary, who appeared to be certain to cross for the opening try of the game in the seventh minute.
But Brown launched himself at Cleary’s legs and brought him to ground just centimetres from the try line.
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“Anywhere else but North Queensland that’s a try, he slides over,” Slater said on Nine’s coverage of the Stadium Mackay clash.
The Eels’ remarkable scrambling defence continued in the following play, as the Panthers spread the footy to their left edge.
The 2020 grand finalists looked ominous as they shifted the ball through the hands of Jarome Luai, Koroisau and Matt Burton, but Blake Ferguson, Clint Gutherson and Will Penisini gang-tackled Burton into touch to deny Penrith again.
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“Wow,” Slater said.
“What about the desperation from the Parramatta Eels.
“It finished with Blake Ferguson throwing Matt Burton over the sideline.
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“Api Koroisau gets out of dummy-half, little bit of footwork and creates an opportunity. Nathan Cleary does well. And then Dylan Brown with a try-saving tackle.
“And then just watch the Parramatta Eels jerseys in the picture here. Will Penisini, Clint Gutherson the captain. That’s desperation.”