The Sharks now own the biggest victory ever recorded in the NRLW after powering to a 56-6 win over the Eels on Sunday at GIO Stadium.
The margin easily eclipsed the previous mark set by the Roosters in a 48-10 win over the Wests Tigers earlier this season, with powerhouse centre Annessa Biddle, prop Ellie Johnston and wing Georgia Ravics all securing personal doubles in the rout of bottom-placed Parra.
It saw the Sharks become the first NRLW side ever to hit 50 points in a game, while halfback Tayla Preston's 20-point haul – which came from a try and eight conversions – took her past former Bronco Chelsea Baker's record for most points in a single game.
A horror start meant the Eels were never in the contest, after they found themselves down 12-0 before they had even touched the ball, with the Sharks showing no mercy as they went on to rack up a 34-0 lead at the break.
Tegan Dymock Try
In a team full of standouts, Biddle was in a class of her own with ball in hand, breaking the line four times and terrorising the Eels with her carries, which saw her end the day with 264 metres in running.
Tries to Preston and Tegan Dymock rocked Parra inside the first five minutes, before Johnston crossed and Cassie Staples scooted away down the left edge.
Right-side wing Ravics was next, before Biddle celebrated her first try in the NRLW.
Georgia Ravics Try
Further four-pointers to Chloe Saunders and seconds for Johnston, Biddle and Ravics capped off a memorable day for Cronulla-Sutherland, who finished their first season with four wins to their name.
Monique Donovan scored a late try for the Eels which at least stopped them from being blanked on the scoreboard, with Rachael Pearson nailing the conversion from out wide.
Match: Eels v Sharks
Round 9 -
home Team
Eels
10th Position
away Team
Sharks
6th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Match Snapshot
- The win was a record for the NRLW competition and the Sharks became the first team ever to score 50 points in a game.
Kapua hits hard
- Tayla Preston became the record holder for most points in a single game with 20.
- Amelia Mafi went on report for a Dangerous Tackle in the 25th minute.
- Eels winger Kimberly Hunt left the field with a suspected rib injury in the 58th minute, while fellow flyer Zali Fay suffered an ankle injury in the first half but was able to return for the closing exchanges.
- The Eels completed at just 44 percent, making errors on 14 of their 25 sets.
- Sharks front rower Tegan Dymock scored her first NRLW try in the win.
- Annessa Biddle had 10 tackle breaks in the first-half alone and finished with 12.
Annessa Biddle Try
- The Sharks missed 16 tackles compared to the Eels' 57.
- Parramatta have claimed the wooden spoon for the first time in their history as a NRLW club.
- Ellie Johnston finished the season as the Sharks' top try-scorer with six tries.
Play of the Game
After Georgia Ravics did remarkably well to pop the ball out as she was being hurled over the sideline, Annessa Biddle released a flick pass in traffic to fling the ball back, and from there Tayla Preston just wanted it more than the would-be tacklers on her way to the line.
Tayla Preston Try
What They Said
"We started poorly and it just got worse from there. We didn't do too many good things in that first half and it turned into being a very tough day of footy. We haven't got many answers, as a team I suppose there is a lot of things we don't do well, that's why we've been in the position we've been in all season. Today we probably did all those things pretty poorly." – Eels coach Dean Widders.
Eels: Round 9
"When the realisation came that we couldn't make the finals they could have kicked stones, and it did take us a day or two to get over that, but then they switched back on and we really wanted to finish the season well. It's a real credit to them the way they played today. I think we've been a success [this year]. We're disappointed that we're not in the finals and disappointed with the results, but we're not disappointed in what the girls have done and what they've put into it." – Sharks coach Tony Herman.
Sharks: Round 9
What's Next
The Sharks will find plenty of positives from their first season at NRLW level and consider themselves unlucky not to have been part of finals footy in 2023. Parramatta meanwhile will look back on a year in which they had to almost completely re-build their squad from the 2022 grand final group and will lament an injury toll which included star recruits Rachael Pearson and Elsie Albert missing plenty of action. The Eels have seven players selected in the Prime Minister's XIII to play in Port Moresby next weekend, while the Sharks have one.
