In vintage Radradra style, the bulldozing winger and fan-favourite Semi Radradra had the crowd rising as one when he opened the scoring for the Eels with a brilliant length of the field try after claiming a cross-field kick.
In what would be the Parramatta Eels last game of the season, an elimination Semi Final against the North-Queensland Cowboys, Blue & Gold winger Radradra gave Eels fans one final memory of what he can do on the football field.
The try, which had the entre Blue & Gold fanbase on their feet, was Radradra’s 22nd four pointer of the year and his ninth in the past four weeks.
It marked his 82nd try in 94 games over five seasons for Parramatta – putting him fifth on the all-time list for the Eels behind Luke Burt, Jarryd Hayne, Brett Kenny and Steve Ella.
In a 2017 season that saw Radradra deal with off-field distractions, the winger crossed for twenty-two tries in twenty-six games to go alongside his 24 line breaks for the season, five try assists.
Radradra finished with two four-try performances, against the Dragons in Round Two and the Broncos in Round 25, along with a triple try performance in Round 26 against the Rabbitohs.
The 25 year old prepares to head to France to play for rugby club Toulon but following the final game, Eels Head Coach Brad Arthur indiciated he did not want the clash against the Cowboys to be Radradra’s last game for the Club.
“It is disappointing for Semi that we are going out on those terms,” Arthur said.
“He has been great for our Club and has worked extremely hard to get himself to the footballer that he is right now and at some stage, we would like to have him back.”
“Semi is a special player and one of those guys you love having around as well.” Eels co-captain Tim Mannah echoed the Head Coach’s views..
“He will be missed but like Brad said, hopefully we get to see him in Blue & Gold colours again.”
“I wish him all the best.”
