Parramatta Eels split over why shock loss to the Bulldogs

Parramatta’s leading names are divided over what contributed to their capitulation to Canterbury on Monday that handed the Bulldogs their biggest upset of the NRL season.

The Bulldogs played the Eels off the park on Monday to claim a 34-4 victory and lift themselves off bottom place on the table.

Former Parramatta assistant coach Mick Potter masterminded the win, securing his first victory as interim head coach of the Bulldogs to leave Eels boss Brad Arthur scratching his head.

The Eels have beaten competition heavyweights Penrith and Melbourne away this season, but also lost to the Wests Tigers on Easter Monday and the Bulldogs when both sides were at the bottom of the ladder.

“I think it’s an attitude thing, going into the game and thinking it’s going to come easily. Hopefully we’ve learned from our lessons,” said halfback Mitchell Moses.

“It’s more of an attitude thing and not trying to do individual things by yourself.

“When we play the top teams our 1 to 17 is on fire and against the teams everyone is expecting us to beat everyone is trying to do their own thing.”

Moses insists the Dogs didn’t get under Parramatta’s skin.

His comments were in contrast to hooker Reed Mahoney, who claimed the Eels fell apart because they weren’t willing to stay patient after having a try chalked off in the opening 10 minutes.

“It’s not an attitude problem, it just wasn’t our day and we didn’t turn up,” he said.

“It happened once before when we came up against the Tigers. The good thing is we have talked about it and we can put it away now.

“It’s things early in the game where we flow pretty quickly, we didn’t have intent or patience with the ball and they capitalised on it.

“I wouldn’t say any team is lower than us, we need to treat every team with respect and turn up.”

The Eels currently sit in sixth spot and face the Roosters at Commbank Stadium on Saturday.

“We’re excited, they’re a quality side and they got away from us at Suncorp Stadium,” Mahoney added. “You’ve got to start fast with them and do our team actions and the rest will come.”