EPISODE V: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

Not so long ago, in a Western Sydney suburb, not so far away…..

It is an exciting time for Parramatta fans, with the Eels returning to the finales series for the first time since 2009, in 2017. Trouble lurks around the corner however, as the remaining 15 now realise the threat from the golden west and will pursue them across the course of the 2018 season.

Following a gruelling pre-season, co-captains Tim Mannah and Beau Scott, prepare to lead the Eels into battle on the remote suburb of Penrith to take on the Panthers, with the aide of an old ally, Jarryd Hayne, as they await the return of their spiritual leader, Clint Gutherson.

All is not well out Penrith way, with General Phil Gould obsessed with finding a winning formula, recruiting renowned premiership winner, James Maloney and conducting training sessions with his troops alongside under siege coach, Anthony Griffin…

Last year I started the season Opposition Analysis articles by quoting Star Wars. 2017 was ‘A New Hope’. We finally cleaned the slate of our annus horriblis from the year prior and the found a way to stand up to the Empire to make our return to finals footy.

Make no mistake Eels fan – they know the Rebellion is here now and with that comes a target on our back – both from the media and our opposition.

The beauty of this is however, is that we’re prepared for it. The poise in which our team plays fills even our greatest critic with stilled confidence, however it will be our ability to do this for a sustained period across the season, when it counts, that will determine our 2018 destiny.

Our opposition began last season as premiership favourites, and despite the astute recruitment of renowned playmaker and multi-premiership winner, James Maloney, the Panthers enter 2018 having lost some of their favourite junior players and strike weapons to rival teams, and a coach that has reportedly created division in the playing group. It all spells one-word Eels fans – danger.

Big Name Recruit: James Maloney brings experience & attacking brilliance to the Panthers

Being lulled into a false sense of security and this classic rugby league narrative has been the achilles-heel of this club in years gone-by, but gradually under the tenure of coach Brad Arthur, it’s a tag we’ve slowly shed.

However, situations like this still present a challenge and it would be remiss of any fan to think the Panthers will be easy-beats this weekend, far from it. There is still plenty of strike and power in this side and the game will prove difficult for both sides, particularly with the forecasted heat at the foot of the mountains, come game day.

With that being said, let’s have a look at where Penrith’s major threats exist:

Penrith’s Threats

Josh Mansour: Could the sauce be heading out to Parramatta? We’ll find out in due course whether the rumours are true about Josh Mansour’s defection to the Eels, but as it stands at the moment, he is the enemy – and a damn good player too. His immense strength allows him to effortlessly ruck the ball out of the red zone and commence the Panthers sets on the front foot. Our wrestle on a player like Mansour will have to be on point, because if he gets a quick play-the-ball, the plethora of Panthers big men will roll up the field without batting an eye-lid.

Waqa Blake: I really like Waqa Blake as an outside back. His long, loping strides and underrated speed see him move gracefully across the field. Couple this with his ability to break tackles, Blake poses a threat from any part of the field. Hitting-and-sticking is imperative on a player like Blake, because if he breaks free of one tackle, he generally breaks free of another. Sort him out Manu.

Game Breaker: Tyrone Peachey has proved elusive to the Eels in the past

Tyrone Peachey: Why? Why? Why? Why is it whenever we play the Panthers, the elusive Tyrone Peachey finds a way to cause us headaches? His deceptively strong upper body often sees him break tackles, while his light feet allows him to open up his opposites. Hopefully his reported unhappiness and subsequent defection to the Titans keeps him distracted on Sunday, because when he’s focused and on, he’s a genuine, bona-fide threat.

James Maloney: It’s his first year at a new club, so history would suggest that a Grand Final appearance beckons for the Panthers this year – and there’s a reason that Maloney has this type of track record. A brilliant competitor with an underrated skillset, Maloney brings the presence, experience, grit and guile that’s required to unlock the Panthers backline and support the prestigious talent that is Nathan Cleary. Over time they will prove to become a formidable partnership, so it’s probably fortuitous we come up against them in their first official outing – not that that means anything – watch for a Maloney show and go and for him to play short balls to Issah Yeo all day. Our right edge must stay switched on.

Nathan Cleary: So incredibly composed for a player of his age, Nathan Cleary has continued to grow from strength to strength since his debut. Just what heights will he grow to with James Maloney by his side? I’m not sure at this stage, but what I do know is that his kicking game, coupled with the metre-eater game their middle is capable of, can spell sustained defensive pressure for our Eels. If we shut down his options, we shut him down – Beau Scott, you know what to do.

Peter Wallace: The wiley Peter Wallace has caused the Eels some trouble before, having caught out our marker defence in years gone-by. It’s interesting to note however, that the 17 Anthony Griffin has initially named would mean the Panthers have every intention of playing Peter Wallace for the 80 minutes. There’ll be questions on his ability to provide that same attacking threat over the course of a match and there may be opportunities to target him and other Panthers big men at the backend of each half.

RCG: A damaging ball-runner

Reagan Campbell-Gillard: Arguably the best young prop in the game, alleged 70s porn star, RCG is the middle man who can cause the most damage. He continually gets over the advantage line and possess an uncanny ability to offload and generate damaging second-phase play, our middle will have their work cut out for them. Fortunately for us, our middle is probably one of the best in the business and well-placed to handle the threat his possess, we just have to bring it when it counts.

Viliame Kikau: The Fijian international gets a long awaited NRL start in his preferred position and has the ability to steamroll his opponents. However, what he has with the ball in-hand is still very much developing on the other side of the ball. Opportunities may present themselves around Kikau who was often found planting his feet when under fatigue throughout the 2017 World Cup. A well-timed Mitchell Moses or Michael Jennings step against the Panthers big man could prove a game-breaker.

Isaah Yeo: One of the most improved and underrated backrowers in the game, Issah Yeo is as much a running threat when he hits the line, as he is a defensive talisman – a threat that will only improve with the acquisition of James Maloney. Our right edge must stay focused as Maloney will like to pass and kick in behind the line for Yeo all-day. Ass-to-grass and under the rib-cage, boys.

Trent Merrin: Trent Merrin is one of the forgotten men of the Panthers pack, but is still an offloading machine, and a man the Eels will have to shut down. A looming Dylan Edwards, Tyrone Peachey or Waqa Blake could be the beneficiaries of a Merrin generated second-phase play.

How’ll They’ll Play It & What We Will Have To Do

The combination of their big men and the referee’s intention of policing the play-the-ball, the Panthers will naturally try to play this game through the middle before Cleary and Maloney try to unleash their second-rowers. The challenge will be for our middle to do has they have done throughout the 2017 NRL season – be in the face of bigger forward packs to aggravate, wrestle and frustrate them out of the contest.

Equally so there’ll be an opportunity for us to up the tempo in the middle third when our bench comes onto the field. The trial form of Kane Evans was encouraging and a prop like Suaia Matagi could have the footwork and leg speed to cause some of the bigger Panthers men some trouble when they’re under fatigue.

Fast-man: Bevan French could be the man to break open the Eels-Panthers clash

Our kicking game will have to be on point and the easiest way to fatigue the Panthers pack on a hot day is to generate repeat defensive efforts. I look to the likes of both Corey Norman and Mitchell Moses to try and roll the ball in behind the line as much as possible throughout the opening 50-60 minutes and to strike when we can – much like we did to the Sea-Eagles in round 1 last year.

Dry conditions should lend themselves to plenty of ball movement and points will be on offer so long as we’re patient, the key for us will be to earn them instead of trying to force them. As it will also be for the Panthers.

Closing Thoughts

An 80-minute performance will be required to topple Penrith this Sunday afternoon, particularly in front of a parochial Panthers home crowd. One of the most important things to do in the opening rounds of any season is to play with composure and given the developed combinations that exist in our side, we possess the upper hand here, but one must not underestimate the strike and power players that exist in the Penrith line-up. A tight and potentially high-scoring affair looms, with the stronger defensive team likely to be the victor.

May the force be with us, Eels fans.

Clint

All images courtesy of the Parramatta Eels, NRL.com and Getty Images.

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