Just on 13 years ago the Vodafone Warriors picked up what was then their second win at home over the Parramatta Eels.
The 29-18 18th-round victory was another critical step at what was then Ericsson Stadium as the club headed towards its first taste of finals football.
That year the campaign ran 26 games with no byes. The win was the Vodafone Warriors’ eighth of the season alongside a draw and nine losses to that point; they went on to make it into the play-offs with 12 wins, two draws and 12 losses.
In the July 7 encounter with the Eels fullback Ivan Cleary collected 17 points from a try, six goals and a field goal.
July 7, 2001 | Ericsson Stadium, Auckland
Vodafone Warriors 29 (Ivan Cleary, Stacey Jones, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Shontayne Hape tries; Ivan Cleary six goals, field goal).
Parramatta Eels 18 (David Vaealiki, Ian Hindmarsh, David Solomona tries; Jason Taylor 3 goals).
Referee: Tony Archer.
Crowd: 10,554.
Vodafone Warriors: Ivan Cleary; Henry Fa’afili, Wairangi Koopu, Clinton Toopi, Francis Meli; Motu Tony, Stacey Jones (c); Iafeta Paleaaesina, Monty Betham, Ali Lauitiiti; Logan Swann, Awen Guttenbeil; Kevin Campion (c). Interchange: Jason Death, Richard Villasanti, Shontayne Hape.
Coach: Daniel Anderson.
Parramatta Eels: Brett Hodgson; Jason Moodie, Jamie Lyon, David Vaealiki, Luke Burt; Michael Buettner, Jason Taylor; Nathan Cayless (c), Brad Drew, Michael Vella; Nathan Hindmarsh, Ian Hindmarsh; Andrew Ryan. Interchange: PJ Marsh, Jason Cayless, David Solomona, Scott Donald.
Coach: Brian Smith.
