Eels defeat Titans but lose Bevan French

In a week dominated by headlines surrounding the Eels' former No.1, Jarryd Hayne, it's the immediate future of their current custodian that matters most to the blue and gold.

French, who made his return from a hamstring injury for Thursday night's clash against Gold Coast at ANZ Stadium, lasted just 36 minutes before succumbing to the injury before half time.

With Clint Gutherson sidelined for the remainder of the season, the Eels will be hoping there are no lingering effects of the troublesome injury for French as they approach their first finals series in eight years.

French, who missed a number of games earlier in the year, told club medical staff he felt "a twinge" and the Eels took no precautions just a fortnight out from finals football.

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur, who accused his side of "looking for a soft win" against Newcastle last week, would have been far more pleased with the effort his side showed regardless of the quality of the opposition.

In the lead up to Thursday night, Corey Norman described the shock loss to Newcastle as the slap in the face they needed before their long awaited return to the finals.

Arthur wasn't happy with his halves last week. He let them know about it too.

But against a hapless Titans, Norman and halves partner Mitchell Moses played with the rhythm and potency that only two weeks ago had Eels fans believing they were a chance of winning silverware in October.

French's injury isn't the only concern for the Eels, with powerful backrower Manu Ma'u facing a nervous wait after a heavy shoulder charge on Titans halfback Ash Taylor.

However, the Eels' problems pale into insignificance in comparison to the drama unfolding north of the border on the Gold Coast.

Hayne, battling an ankle injury and a damaged reputation, didn't make the trek down to Sydney for the clash with his former club.

His coach, Neil Henry, came into the game as a dead man walking with Hayne's finger prints apparently all over the weapon.

If there was any doubt about Henry's demise, that was erased judging by the lacklustre performance of the team he once looked like transforming into competition heavyweights.

But the Titans, who gave a good account of itself in last year's finals series, are now a shadow of that football team.

In front of a disappointing crowd of 6,826, the Eels opened the account through Tepai Moeroa, who crashed over from close range after latching on to a short ball from Moses.

Then Daniel Alvaro, who has come of age in the back half of the year, showed his strength when he carried a couple of Titans defenders over the line to extend Parramatta's lead to 12 points.

Will Smith, who replaced French at fullback, brushed off some feeble defence to stroll over for the first of his two four-pointers to take Parramatta's advantage to three converted tries.

Parramatta's next score was smeared in controversy with Semi Radradra awarded a runaway try by the bunker despite replays showing he had dropped the ball in the lead up.

There was a similar incident later in the half, which again saw the winger run 90 metres only for the bunker to intervene with the correct decision.

Titans Fijian debutant Ben Nakubuwai, who has been likened to Petero Civoniceva, was the only feel good story on the night for the visitors, bagging his side's opening try before Will Zillman added the visitor's second late on.

Smith closed out the scoring, grabbing his second after a superb no-look pass from Moses, who then converted to make it a perfect five for five on the night.