Eels thrash Tigers in Spoon Bowl shootout as sell-out crowd cops ...

The Eels have handed the Wests Tigers their third straight wooden spoon after thumping them 60-26 in the Spoon Bowl at a sold-out Campbelltown Stadium on Friday night.

Parramatta would have finished last if they’d lost but the big win actually took them above the Rabbitohs and into 15th on the ladder thanks to points differential.

MATCH CENTRE: Wests Tigers v Parramatta Eels teams, stats, video

But the victory came at a big cost, with star No. 6 Dylan Brown suffering a suspected ACL tear which is scans confirm it will see him miss the start of next season.

It was ugly from the get-go on in Campbelltown as the struggling sides showed exactly why they have the two worst defensive records in 2024.

The heaving crowd of 17,311 - the third sellout in five games at Campbelltown this season - deserved better than was what was dished up.

Eels veteran prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard booting the first conversion of his NRL career summed up how seriously the clubs seemed to take this clash.

It looked like a game for the wooden spoon with both sides easily striding up field all match and refusing to get into any sort of grind.

In true Spoon Bowl form, in the first 15 minutes, both teams kicked out on the full off the kick off, dropped plenty of ball and lost both captain’s challenges.

The Eels went into halftime with a 22-10 lead and the second period got worse for the Tigers when Latu Fainu threw an intercept pass to Bryce Cartwright who took off before sending Will Penisini over for his second.

A Latu Fainu try gave Tigers fans some hope.

But it was dashed in the 51st minute when captain Api Koroisau was sin-binned for a lifting tackle on Clint Gutherson.

The Eels took advantage of the 12-man Tigers defence and ran in three tries to kill off the match.

Here are the biggest talking points out of the match.

BROWN’S BRUTAL END TO SEASON

Eels coach Trent Barrett said the win may have been soured by the news that five-eighth Dylan Brown may have ruptured his ACL, which would see him miss a large chunk of 2025.

“They’re a bit concerned so fingers crossed for Dylan because he’s been terrific,” Barrett said. “So yeah there’s a bit of concern but hopefully he’ll be ok, great young player and great young bloke.

“They think it might be an ACL but we’re hoping not. He’s a tough kid and he doesn’t come off.”

Centre Will Penisini also picked up a knee injury later in the second half, tackled awkwardly after making a big break down the right edge, though Barrett said he’s been cleared of serious injury.

The interim coach also revealed that skipper Clint Gutherson went into the match with three broken ribs and a torn quad muscle.

Gutherson said there was no way he was missing the game.

“A lot of players do a lot of things to get on the field each week,” he said.

“It’s just about playing with the team. We’re losing a lot of players next year.

“I knew I could do a role for this team and that’s why I played.”

It was a good win for the Eels, even if they were celebrating a little too much post-game.

“You only remember when you come last and we knew we had to come here and get it done,” Gutherson said.

“We’re celebrating like we won the comp.”

ONE-MAN SHOW

Lachlan Galvin has been the shining light for the Tigers this season and that’s part of the reason why his side ran last.

When a teenager is running the show and is expected to create all the points, you’re in big trouble.

Galvin, described by Phil Gould as the best teenage player he’s ever seen, was again doing all the creating for his team on Friday.

He grubbed early in the tackle count to deliver Josh Feledy a try in the 11th minute.

But it was his cut out ball to send winger Junior Tupou over in the 14th minute that was a work of art.

Andrew Johns would’ve been proud of the inch-perfect pass that gave the Tigers a four-point lead.

It was a shame that the Tigers could only complete at 68 per cent for their star five-eighth who would’ve felt helpless for much of the match.

And the Tigers as a club would want to get their act together next year.

A kid that good doesn’t stick around for too long if his side stays down the bottom of the ladder.

Jarome Luai’s addition next year is much needed for the youngster.

“We’re bringing in a guy who’s a winner and can control a footy team, like he’s shown at Penrith this whole season, and that’s only going to help Lachie,” Marshall said.

CLUBS HEADING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS

Despite the scoreline, the future looks brighter for the Tigers than Parramatta as this match was between two clubs at opposite ends of their roster cycles.

The Tigers are in the midst of a rebuild with rookie coach Benji Marshall blooding a host of exciting young players this season.

The Eels contested the 2022 grand final but have been in freefall ever since and the club;s bosses have tasked Jason Ryles with their rebuild after they sacked Brad Arthur halfway through this season.

Marshall became the first coach since Paul Langmack at Souths in 2003 to win the spoon in his debut head coaching season.

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