Player ratings for the Parramatta Eels team in their Telstra Premiership elimination final clash with the Newcastle Knights at Browne Park, Rockhampton.
1. Clint Gutherson: It was a rough start for The King, who put the opening kick off out on the full then looked to pick up an ankle injury which seemed to limit his impact. Battled on, throwing the last pass for Parra's first try and proving a safe pair of hands at the back before creating the game-winning try to go with almost 200 metres. 8/10
2. Haze Dunster: A steady presence on the left wing with most of the action on the other side. The young winger still passed 150 metres with four busts in a polished performance. 6.5
3. Will Penisini: Playing just his fourth NRL game but you'd be forgiven for thinking it was his fourth finals campaign. Anything but overawed, the teenager ran the ball with intent and produced a flick pass Matt Gidley would be jealous of to put Blake Ferguson over for a crucial try. 7
Bunker awards penalty try to Penisini
4. Waqa Blake: A good run for his side's opening try and a constant threat with ball in hand with five busts and over 160 metres. 6
5. Blake Ferguson: Spent time off with an ankle issue thanks to a dangerous crocodile roll tackle from Sauaso Sue. Scored two nice tries but was complicit in all three scored by his opposite man. 6
6. Dylan Brown: Missed a tough chance for the first try and missed a tackle for the Knights' second. Also had an off afternoon with his kicking game. 5
Moses floats a pass across for Ferguson to secure a double
7. Mitch Moses: Running game looked ominous right from the outset and broke the game open with a stunning solo try shortly before halftime. Produced some excellent kicks and threw a super long ball for Ferguson's second try. Best on ground. 9
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard: Took no time at all to get into things after an injury layoff. Made a huge statement early with some monstrous shots in defence and produced more of the same in his second stint. 8
9. Ray Stone: Parramatta's third-string hooker provided steady service out of dummy-half and brought his trademark defence with some big stops in a match-high 50 tackles. 7
10. Junior Paulo: Has a nervous wait for the match review committee charge sheet but immense in the middle otherwise, making a statement on both sides of the ball. 7.5
Penisini with some serious skill to set up Ferguson
11. Shaun Lane: Controversially held starting spot over Ryan Matterson and had a quiet game on the left edge with just 63 run metres but did plenty of tackling, making 38 with none missed. 5
12. Marata Niukore: Faces a nervous wait for the match review committee charge sheet but provided an intimidating presence on the right edge with some excellent defensive reads. 6.5
13. Nathan Brown: Great physicality early but didn't have his usual impact in attack, with one notable error and 70 metres to go with some hard-hitting defence. 6
Interchange
14. Will Smith: Added plenty of spark out of dummy half in a short spell either side of the break. 5
Textbook tackle from Stone on Clifford
15. Bryce Cartwright: Injected late and almost scored the game-breaking try before being held up; no other plays of note. 4
16. Isaiah Papali'i: Started a game off the interchange for the first time since round two but was on early, doing plenty of good stuff through the middle with almost 200 metres – the most of any player in the match. 8
17. Makahesi Makatoa: Perhaps strangely given just 13 minutes after an excellent big-minute stint a week earlier. 4
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