Chris Sandow had his best game. Ever. Try assists, line breaks, a 40-20, repeat sets and eight goals from as many attempts, many of them from the sideline.
Not that it was any help to Parramatta, given the masterclass was put on for feeder team Wentworthville. Whether he would have been the difference between the Eels and Warriors will be something that will keep Brad Arthur awake for a week.
"He went really good, but he needs to at that level too," Arthur said.
"He needs to go back there and play above that level."
In the end it wasn't a playmaker but a backrower, an unlikely hero in Bodene Thompson, who was the difference when the game went into extra time. The former Tiger broke the defence and a 13-all deadlock, in the 85th minute to consign the home side to a share of bottom spot on the ladder.
"I knew I got there, you know when you score a try," Thompson said.
"I wasn't worried about the video ref."
With Sandow missing for the main event, the focus shifted to his replacement in the Parramatta No.7 jersey, Luke Kelly. Having witnessed his 28 previous appearances in the top grade for the Eels, we already knew we wouldn't see the chip kicks and cut-out balls that Sandow produced in the curtain-raiser. Nor did he resemble the Flash Harry that is his Warriors counterpart. In one mesmerising moment, Shaun Johnston - he of the Golden Boot and Kiwis Test jersey - sidestepped no less than four Eels to complete a movement he started.
But Kelly did make a big play, a pressure field goal, to send the game into extra point. Alas, it was not enough. In punishing Sandow for his inconsistency and going for a more tradesman-like playmaker, the Eels may have missed the spark required to conjure an unlikely victory.
"He helped Corey to control the game and defensively he was good," said Arthur, confirming he will stick with the same halves pairing against the Rabbitohs.
They say styles make fights and this was evident in the battle between Kelly and Johnston. Had the former slotted any of his three attempts at goal - granted two were from wide out - they may well have enjoyed a breakthrough win.
Instead it was Thompson and Chad Townsend, who with just five minutes left on the clock slotted a field goal of his own to make the difference.
The blue and golds emerged from yet another bi-annual election cycle and its associated madness with a united board, clearing the way for a period of stability and consistency. Coach Arthur was looking for the same on the field and hoped Kelly could provide it.
Kelly was working behind a well-beaten pack come the halftime break. The Warriors surged ahead 12-0 and it appeared Arthur had pulled the wrong rein. But this was a different Parramatta side upon the resumption. And it was Kelly's pinpoint kick which sparked the comeback, resulting in Anthony Watmough finally having a bright moment for his new side. It won't be enough to earn him another Blues jersey.
In a thrilling battle, the attrition rate was high. Ryan Hoffman lasted just three minutes before he was assisted off with concussion. As if Laurie Daley hasn't got enough problems already.
Hoffman, a certain selection for the Origin opener on May 27, said the head knock wouldn't keep him out of the series defence.
"I feel completely fine and feel there will be no problems," Hoffman said.
Both teams lost their hookers, Isaac De Gois to a fractured cheekbone and Thomas Leuluai to a likely season-ending ACL.
