Electric Eels post an upset to down the Broncos

The Parramatta Eels have turned around their wooden spoon form from the 2023 season to post an upset 22-10 win against the Broncos to launch their new season.

The Eels made the most of their opportunities to get the their time under new coach Steve Georgallis off to a winning start, with the experienced Rachael Pearson, Kennedy Cherrington and Elsie Albert helping set the platform with a strong showing throughout. 

The Broncos however started the better of the two teams when Julia Robinson plucked an intercept off a cross-kick from Eels halfback Pearson just off her own try line and ran the length of the field to post the opening points of the match. 

However, their poor discipline let the Eels back into the game, with the home side conceding seven penalties to one at half-time, with Parramatta using their 57 percent share of possession to post a 10-4 lead at the break with tries down their left-hand side to Zali Fay and Rory Owen on debut.

In the second half, the Eels were on the front foot again after the Broncos gave up another early penalty and the visitors continued to apply the pressure. They scored the first try of the half with some end-to-end football, this time going over on their right-hand side with winger Monique Donovan scoring to push the advantage to 14-4. 

However, momentum swung the other way momentarily when the Eels put in a kick that went dead to give the Broncos a seven-tackle set and they made it count, working their way up the field and eventually being rewarded with a try when Chelsea Lenarduzzi crashed over for Brisbane's second try of the match, proving too powerful to stop.

However, the Eels were able to steady the ship and keep the pressure on to post the upset victory, despite some frustrations spilling over late in the game.  

Next week, the Eels will play host to the Sharks at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, while the Broncos will follow on from that match and play against the Roosters.