Trip down memory lane is up Eels' alley
http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/trip-down-memory-lane-is-up-eels-alley/2006/08/04/1154198335344.html
Jacquelin Magnay
August 5, 2006
THE nostalgics loved it, this re-match of 1970s foes the Dragons and the Eels, which marked Parramatta's 20 years at Parramatta Stadium. It was even more of a celebration for the reinvigorated home side, who extended their winning streak to seven successive games.
The two young guns that could be the cornerstone to the fortunes of both clubs in the run-in to the finals weren't even born during the time of the grand final clashes - and certainly not when the first match between the two clubs opened the western Sydney facility in March 1986.
In a direct match-up, exciting young wingers Jarryd Hayne, of the Eels, and St George Illawarra's Brett Morris faced off against each other.
In the first half, Morris, born in August 1986, showed the pace, but Hayne, born in February 1988, showed the smarts, ankle-tapping the Dragon flyer in a desperate lunge that brought him to his knees and slid him into touch on the greasy rain-sodden ground just centimetres from the try line. One up for Hayne.
And then, just before the break, in a fiercely contested bomb soaring high above the Parramatta try line, Morris leapt higher but Hayne had the better positioning, snatching the ball, twisting but then losing it momentarily, a blade of grass's length from scoring. All square.
But as the match progressed, Hayne had the benefit of being on the winning side and the luxury of being able to inject himself without risk into the attack.
A jinking run late in the second half, with two Dragons hanging off his back, was an indication of his pure strength.
Certainly, the match contained a host of old-time features - the constant penalties from referee Steve Clark; the classic Eels jerseys; the canteen menu of pies, hot dogs and spring rolls.
Even PJ Marsh's harsh words to Clark that resulted in a reprimand were of the old no-holds barred style. Clark pulled over Eels captain Nathan Cayless and told him: "I will not tolerate this bloke [Marsh] in my ear nor in the manner he is saying things - now you control him."
The Dragons reverted to a tight, red soccer-style jersey that has been brought out only twice before this season and was modelled on the old Illawarra Steelers jumper. But, as an old-time Dragons supporter muttered when the team, adorned in an unfamiliar block of red, ran onto the field: "Any time the team doesn't wear the red V spells disaster."
By the critical period just before half-time, when Parramatta had three goes at the try line - two of which were disallowed before they scored in the corner through Eric Grothe - the Dragons faithful were shaking their heads. For them, the sense of history repeating itself is tangible. Once again, the Dragons started clear favourites, only to handle the wet conditions poorly.
