Eels’ NRL season all but over after heavy loss to Rabbitohs
The Parramatta Eels extended their NRL losing streak to four games on Thursday evening, as they were on the receiving end of a South Sydney Rabbitohs hammering at the CommBank Stadium.
The Rabbitohs thrived in the wet conditions on their home turf and picked up an impressive 32-16 victory to keep alive their late push for a top-eight finish.
Trent Barrett, the interim Eels coach, set up an attacking approach in a desperate attempt to arrest his team’s slump, but his attackers struggled to breach the resolute Rabbitohs.
Mitchell Moses and Blaize Talagi produced some bright sparks for the visitors; however, the Eels lacked cohesion in the first half and trailed by 16-4 at the break.
The pouring rain made life even difficult for Eels players in the second half, and the home side took full advantage of it.
Latest NRL odds place Eels as wooden spoon contender
According to the latest NRL odds, the 2022 runners-up are now second favourite to get the undesirable wooden spoon this season.
Online bookies have the Eels at $2.88 to finish at the bottom of the standings. Only the Wests Tigers ($2.22) have shorter odds.
Having won only one out of the last 10 games, it’s virtually impossible for the Eels to make the finals now.
They languish at the bottom of the table and must overcome an eight-point deficit to make the top eight with 11 matches to go.
The uncertainty over the head coach position has not helped, with caretaker Barrett leading the team to only one win in the six matches he has managed.
Mitchell Moses drama continues
Eels halfback Moses has not been hiding his frustration as his team continues to struggle in the NRL.
The New South Wales representative made headlines for his post-match antics last week as he sprayed his teammates in agony following the loss to Raiders.
He cut a disgruntled figure on the pitch in the Rabbitohs game as well, culminating in a trip to the sin bin for a reckless foul in the dying embers.
“He’s frustrated at the moment,” Barrett said after the match.
“He’s frustrated with the performance tonight. The game was done and dusted by that stage but it boiled over for him at the end.”
