Only the most loyal Parramatta Eels fans held onto some hope that their side could beat the Brisbane Broncos, an NRLW powerhouse but it happened.
Asserting their dominance for large chunks of the game with key players stepping up when it mattered, the Eels ran away with 22-10 win at home against the Broncos.
Icing their opportunities when it mattered and defending their line through sheer will and good sliding defence, the Steve Georgallis-led era began with a bang.
It would be the Broncos, however, who would open the scoring as a crossfield kick from Rachel Pearson was caught by Julia Robinson, and the Broncos winger did the rest, running 90m to score the first try.
The two teams entered a back and forth period of plays thereafter before the Eels got their first points.
On the back of an Elsie Albert line-break that then resulted in a penalty, it would be winger Zali Fay who got the try.
Switching it left, Cassey Tohi-Hiku evaded a tackler, found Mahalia Murphy and the back-rower fired a pass to Fay who feigned to pass right, confused the defender and hit the jets to score.
Tohi-Hiku would then turn provider herself for the Eels’ second in quick succession, finding debutant Rory Owen who backed herself near the line and was able to power over.
At 10-4 at the break, the Eels were flying high and they were the first to score in the second half as well, this down via the right side.
Kennedy Cherrington found some space before quick hands from Rosie Kelly put Monique Donovan over in the corner.
The Broncos are never a team to die wondering and they dug their heels in and were rewarded when Chelsea Lenarduzzi crashed over from close range.
The Eels would then go on the attack again to reassert their dominance and bigger lead and were helped when Pearson kicked a 40/30.
And it paid off as Pearson grubbered on the last tackle and found Kennedy Cherrington who won the race to the ball to score.
Both sides would finish the game off with 12 on the field after Cherrington and Annetta Nu’uausala were sent off their roles in a biff that saw punches.
The upset win gives the Eels plenty of confidence moving forward as the Broncos lick their wounds from an opening round loss.
Eels coach Steve Georgallis was stoked with the overall effort and commitment from his side.
“Yeah, can’t wipe the smile off my face,” said Georgallis gleefully.
“Just great effort all round from the team, our players, and there were some moments there where they came up with last-ditch tackles.”
Broncos coach Scott Prince was not so much disappointed but knows that his side were out-controlled by the Eels in a few facets.
“The weight of possession that Parramatta had in the first half was almost double and that continued on into the second half,” Prince said.
“I think for our girls, we defended well in patches but right from the get-go, we were slipping off tackles.”
Ricky’s Player of the Match
3. Elsie Albert (PAR)
2. Cassey Tohi-Hiku (PAR)
1. Julia Robinson (BRO)