The Tip Sheet - 2021 Ep. 51: Instant Reaction - Eels Truly Magnificent In Defeat

There are instant reactions and there are instant reactions. This is definitely the latter and this episode of The Tip Sheet truly hits different. Why? Because the Parramatta Eels have drawn the curtains on their 2021 campaign despite one of the most determined, desperate and whole-hearted team efforts seen by any club in a long, long time. Sixties and Forty20 convene for the final instant reaction of the year after the Penrith Panthers prevailed 8-6 in a game that was played in arguably the most intense and physical cauldron seen outside of a Grand Final or State Of Origin. The two teams absolutely hammered each other for 80-minutes of pure brutality. The boys can't help but feel of the effort they witnessed tonight and that drives the discussion for the entire podcast. Of course, there are some complaints about how the game was officiated at crucial moments and the show is even paused momentarily so Sixties and Forty20 can dip into Brad Arthur's post-match press conference. Parramatta's commander-in-chief takes the extraordinarily rare step (for him at least) of suggesting that Penrith's carry-on in the press over the last fortnite influenced the contest tonight and he certainly has room to be upset given a string of critical calls that were missed. After venting their frustrations the fellas make a point of focusing on the 17 players and the coaching staff that did themselves so proud and we hope that is the sentiment shared by fans following this loss. The Eels were all heart tonight. They were brilliant. They were courageous. Above that all though, they were desperately unlucky and that is sometimes just how it goes with sports.