The Panthers have overwhelmed the Eels 22-16 within the pre-season grand remaining rematch with most stars sitting out the conflict.
However Parramatta star recruit Josh Hodgson stepped out in his first match for the membership and endured a horror begin in his membership debut.
The Eels had been pushing for a attempt when Hodgson threw an intercept to Penrith centre Tom Jenkins who ran 95 metres and scored within the twenty first minute.
“Hodgson out of dummyhalf and exhibiting the ball with two arms, they’d have scored in the event that they bought it on the surface there however (they didn’t),” Steve Roach stated.
However Eels captain Clint Gutherson backed Hodgson to make a huge effect on the membership in 2023.
“He’s been across the sport a very long time, a few years in the past he was top-of-the-line hookers within the sport and we’ve seen that in pre-season,” Gutherson stated.
“He needed to play tonight and he’ll go once more subsequent week.”
Hodgson missed nearly all of final season after rupturing his ACL simply six minutes into Spherical 1, however he survived the trial unscathed.
It was in the end removed from a real take a look at of what the season will carry for both aspect with so most of the stars sitting on the sidelines however the match confirmed the necessity for the Eels to hold on to Mitchell Moses.
Regardless of not taking part in a minute on Saturday night time, Moses worth was clear.
Jake Arthur continues to be within the infancy of his profession so comparisons to Moses are unfair however he regarded out of solutions alongside veteran Jordan Rankin within the halves.
Parramatta had extra possession and territory however merely couldn’t convert inside Penrith’s 20m line.
They conceded two length-of-the-field tries after coughing up the ball whereas urgent the Panthers’ line and it was largely as a result of indecision of their halves.
The collection of Arthur, son of coach Brad Arthur, ignited a barrage of criticism final season and his efficiency on Saturday will do nothing to quell it.
Moses is contracted till the tip of the season however must depart to earn his market worth because the membership has already re-signed five-eighth Dylan Brown.
Initially printed as Eels’ recruit endures horror debut amid halfback headache
