No field of dreams for Eels hero
By Steve Mascord
October 02, 2006 12:00
Article from:
</IMG>
Font size: + -
Send this article: Print Email
PARRAMATTA halfback Marcus Perenara kicked his second field goal to ruin Newtown's grand final fairytale last night ¿ and then faced up to the possibility of retirement at the age of 20.
The Jets went agonisingly close to wreaking revenge on the Eels for their 1981 grand final loss, but Kiwi Perenara followed up his two tries by booting his drop-goal from in front eight minutes into overtime to seal victory.
"For this to happen in my last game for Parramatta I'm overwhelmed," an emotional Perenara said.
"I am not signed with any club at the moment. I'm still looking. Hopefully this game might pick something up for me."
Even Parramatta captain, New Zealand international and brother of Marcus, Henry Perenara, is without a club next year.
"That good run of (Henry's) got a quick play-the-ball and set it up for me," the No. 7 said.
"I give him full credit for this game. He's worked his guts out all year. He's a very inspirational player to be with. I've looked up to him from day one and I still do."
In a clash that was compellingly nostalgic, Marcus seemed to give his side victory with a drop-goal six minutes from the end of regulation time.
But Jets five-eighth Josh Lewis landed his own one-pointer to send the game into overtime, with six unsuccessful attempts by Newtown clocked up before Perenara stepped up to glide the ball between the posts from in front, 25m out.
The Jets led 18-16 at halftime Henry Perenara lost the ball over the line in the 28th minute with the lead swapping repeatedly during an absorbing second half.
Sitting on the sideline and roaring on the Jets was club legend Tom Raudonikis, who played in the 1981 decider won 20-11 by Parramatta.
"I think the Jets played very, very well," Raudonikis said. "Josh Lewis what a sensation he is. Two kicks, 40-20s, unbelievable.
"He had a sensational game. I was a little bit disappointed with Jamie Soward. He took a few wrong options but apart from that they tried very, very gallantly and they tried their best.
"We've got to keep this tradition going in rugby league and we're losing that. Look at that Newtown blue jersey."
Marcus Perenara added: "We all said at halftime, if you want this bad enough you'll work hard for it."
PARRAMATTA 20 (M Perenara, 2, H Perenara tries; J Williams 2 goals; M Perenara 2 field goals) NEWTOWN 19 (A Kirk, C Tonga, T Malcolm tries; J Lewis 3 goals field goal).
Referee: Shayne Hayne.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20509583-5006066,00.html
By Steve Mascord
October 02, 2006 12:00
Article from:
</IMG>Font size: + -
Send this article: Print Email
PARRAMATTA halfback Marcus Perenara kicked his second field goal to ruin Newtown's grand final fairytale last night ¿ and then faced up to the possibility of retirement at the age of 20.
The Jets went agonisingly close to wreaking revenge on the Eels for their 1981 grand final loss, but Kiwi Perenara followed up his two tries by booting his drop-goal from in front eight minutes into overtime to seal victory.
"For this to happen in my last game for Parramatta I'm overwhelmed," an emotional Perenara said.
"I am not signed with any club at the moment. I'm still looking. Hopefully this game might pick something up for me."
Even Parramatta captain, New Zealand international and brother of Marcus, Henry Perenara, is without a club next year.
"That good run of (Henry's) got a quick play-the-ball and set it up for me," the No. 7 said.
"I give him full credit for this game. He's worked his guts out all year. He's a very inspirational player to be with. I've looked up to him from day one and I still do."
In a clash that was compellingly nostalgic, Marcus seemed to give his side victory with a drop-goal six minutes from the end of regulation time.
But Jets five-eighth Josh Lewis landed his own one-pointer to send the game into overtime, with six unsuccessful attempts by Newtown clocked up before Perenara stepped up to glide the ball between the posts from in front, 25m out.
The Jets led 18-16 at halftime Henry Perenara lost the ball over the line in the 28th minute with the lead swapping repeatedly during an absorbing second half.
Sitting on the sideline and roaring on the Jets was club legend Tom Raudonikis, who played in the 1981 decider won 20-11 by Parramatta.
"I think the Jets played very, very well," Raudonikis said. "Josh Lewis what a sensation he is. Two kicks, 40-20s, unbelievable.
"He had a sensational game. I was a little bit disappointed with Jamie Soward. He took a few wrong options but apart from that they tried very, very gallantly and they tried their best.
"We've got to keep this tradition going in rugby league and we're losing that. Look at that Newtown blue jersey."
Marcus Perenara added: "We all said at halftime, if you want this bad enough you'll work hard for it."
PARRAMATTA 20 (M Perenara, 2, H Perenara tries; J Williams 2 goals; M Perenara 2 field goals) NEWTOWN 19 (A Kirk, C Tonga, T Malcolm tries; J Lewis 3 goals field goal).
Referee: Shayne Hayne.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20509583-5006066,00.html
