The Eels fought their way to a gritty 26-8 win over the Bulldogs at CommBank Stadium with Canterbury-Bankstown winger Josh Addo-Carr suffering a shoulder injury.
There's been plenty of excitement around Bulldogs new left-edge pairing of NSW Origin duo Stephen Crichton and Josh Addo-Carr but fans were left disappointed to see the star winger Addo-Carr ruled out with a shoulder injury at halftime.
Despite finishing the match, Eels halfback Mitch Moses could also be in doubt for Round 2 after carrying a groin injury for the majority of the match.
Kept scoreless at half time, the Bulldogs fought their way back to a 12-point deficit with ten minutes to play but in the end the Eels were rewarded for their discipline, having completed at 86 per cent and finishing with just five errors to their opponents' 13.
The home side capitalised on some early field possession (63 per cent) and a perfect completion rate when Dylan Brown punted the ball into the in-goal for Morgan Harper who crossed in his club debut in the 13th minute.
Morgan Harper Try
Bulldogs recruit Jaeman Salmon was penalised for a high shot on J'maine Hopgood in the 26th minute and Clint Gutherson knocked over the penalty goal to give the Eels an 8-0 lead. The fullback took over kicking duties with Mitch Moses looking to be struggling with a groin injury.
With a Kurt Mann infringement gifting the home side another repeated set, the Eels extended their lead 14-0 in the shadows of half time with Cartwright cruising over the line thanks to a quick ball from Joey Lussick.
With no sign of star winger Josh Addo-Carr (shoulder) after the break and two early penalties, the Bulldogs found themselves on the back foot again and Cartwright made it a double when he finished off some slick hands to the right. Gutherson converted to make it 20-0.
Bryce Cartwright Try
Come the 66th minute and this time the Eels are made to pay for an error with winger Blake Wilson finishing off a slick right side raid in the corner.
Four minutes later and the Bulldogs were right in the match with former Panthers duo Viliame Kikau and Stephen Crichton combining on the left edge to reduce the deficit 20-8.
But with less than four minutes on the clock young gun Bailey Simonsson sealed the win for the Eels, going over untouched to put the game to bed 26-8.
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Match Snapshot
- Eels backrower Bryce Cartwright was placed on report in the 8th minute for a high shot on Josh Addo-Carr.
- Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr was ruled out of the match after half time with a suspected AC joint.
- The Parramatta Faithful were out in full force for the season opener with 29 171 fans making for CommBank's biggest crowd for a regular season.
- Five-eighth Dylan Brown celebrated his 100th NRL game in style, setting up a try and running 109 metres with the ball.
- The Eels completed 40 from 46 sets compared to the Bulldogs' 24 from 43.
- Parramatta continued to dominate with their second phase play, offloading the ball on 17 occasions compared to the Bulldogs' 3.
- The Eels have won eight of their past nine games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs have won only two of their past 16 games at CommBank Stadium.
- The Bulldogs have opened with a win only once in the past eight years.
Play of the Game
Bailey Simonsson Try
What They Said
"We had a bit of a focus over the pre-season about trying to bring our fans a bit closer and connect with them and we did that by getting them here but we had to go and play physical and we needed them to want to come back. That was a starting point, there's plenty for us to improve but I'm happy with the start. They're tough, those two halves so I was never too concerned, I think they're both ok (Mitch Moses and Dylan Brown)." - Eels coach Brad Arthur
Eels: Round 1
"I couldn't be prouder of them. I thought we were really tough and gritty. In the first half, we had 60, 70 per cent of possession against us and I thought we handled it brilliantly. I couldn't be happier with their effort and commitment in defence. We killed ourselves at times with errors and penalties... but we're always going to be a little bit clunky in attack to start the season with a new team and new systems." - Bulldogs coach Camern Ciraldo
Bulldogs: Round 1
NRL Press Conference: Eels v Bulldogs - Round 1, 2024
What's Next
Both teams now have just a six-day turnaround, with the Eels heading to Penrith for the Battle of the West and the Bulldogs meeting Cronulla at Shark Park on Friday night.