The equation is simple for the Parramatta Eels; win as many games as possible and avoid the wooden spoon and they did, beating the Gold Coast Titans.
Billed by some as Jarryd Hayne playing against his former club – even if the Eels are where his heart is – the utility back enjoyed some success.
The opening try of the game came from an unlikely source; Eels prop Tim Mannah.
Scoring just the sixth try of his career, Mannah celebrated and the Eels got off to the perfect start.
Conceding the try seemed to re-awaken the ailing Titans side as they scored a quick double.
Anthony Don got their first try scored on one side of the field before fellow winger Philip Sami scored on the other.
It was that man that stepped into the fore soon after, though, as Hayne stamped his authority on the match.
On the end of a slick back-line play, he powered past three defenders and planted the ball down through the legs of Titans defenders.
The Eels then scored their fourth try of the first half; winger George Jennings showing great hands to catch the ball one-handed and score.
The second half started somewhat slow but the Titans grabbed the upper hand with Anthony Don scoring his second.
That would be all she wrote for the Titans, though, as they were left to rue missed opportunities and a resolute Eels defence.
The final try was scored by Corey Norman, who recently was linked to the Titans before the club ruled out making a move for the five-eighth.
Putting in a grubber for himself, there was a Titans fumble and Norman pounced on the loose ball to score.
The Eels win was made sweeter by the fact that they went down to twelve men on the field when Tim Mannah was sin-binned.
Interestingly, Mannah, who had never been sin-binned in any grade of football he has ever played in, has now been sent to the bin twice in 2018.
Although it made no difference, the Titans also had a man sent to the bin late on in Moeaki Fotuaika.
The Titans inconsistent performances have left coach Garth Brennan scratching his head.
“If we were a race horse, there’d be a stewards’ inquiry after last week’s performance compared with this week,” Brennan said.
“We can’t sit here and blame the referees tonight.
“We were our own worst enemy.”
Although they have a tough run to end the season, Eels coach Brad Arthur has called on fans to get behind the team.
“Hopefully our supporters and fans can see the boys are still putting in and trying to play with a bit of pride for the jersey,” Arthur said.
“It would be nice to get a few more in numbers next week.”
Arthur knew that Jaeman Salmon wanted to play and the opportunity presented himself to give him that chance.
“I needed to get Jaeman on the field… he was that excited to play,” the Eels coach said.
“He helped design the new team song so I needed to give him a chance to taste victory.
“That’s what just worked out tonight.”
Player of the Game:
3. Nathan Brown
2. Jarryd Hayne
- Anthony Don