LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
In a pre-season showdown between the Parramatta Eels and the Gold Coast Titans, the Eels emerged victorious with a 26-16 scoreline.
The Eels showcased their dominance during the first 40 minutes, tallying an impressive 20 points.
Led by their hard-hitting pack, the Eels created a solid foundation for their attacking plays.
J'maine Hopgood took center stage, accumulating an impressive 226 run meters and even bagging a try.
Not to be outdone, Junior Paulo and Bryce Cartwright also left their mark on the game, providing excellent support for Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown.
Additionally, captain Clint Gutherson made a triumphant return from injury.
Unfortunately for the Titans, their loss was not the only concern as their center, AJ Brimson, suffered a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) in the second half after enduring a couple of tough knocks.
Despite early tries from Will Penisini and Phillip Sami, the Eels took control of the game, scoring three unanswered tries to secure a commanding halftime lead of 20-4.
Maika Sivo showcased his agility by scoring out wide, while Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Cartwright, the big boys of the team, also made their presence felt with well-executed strikes.