This post will briefly examine each Parramatta match up during the Auckland Nines Tournament. The post will be updated and edited after each game.

Match 1 vs Melbourne Storm

Eels 4 – Storm 14

Not a great start in a disjointed performance. The conditions were not conducive to open footy, but things started poorly when a rocket like kick off was fumbled by Moeroa. A superior kicking game by Melbourne, coupled with poor defensive choices out wide by the Eels, provided a scoreboard that accurately reflected the match – Storm 14 def Eels 4.

• The Good

Norman showed touches of class, including a nice pass for Ma’u to score out wide.

Semi tried to get very involved and threatened to open up the defence on occasion.

• Not So Good

Folau made some unfortunate choices in defence. This form of the game really exposes those types of decisions.

Penalties were given away allowing multiple sets, though I find the stripping penalties awarded thus far in the tournament to be confusing.

• Final Comment

Not the start that the fans would have desired. It was an ugly game but the conditions probably didn’t help. It would be great to see more of Bevan French around centre field next match.

#unbench-the-French

Sixties

 

Match 2 vs Roosters – The French was Unbenched!

Eels 14 – Roosters 11

Like clockwork, the fine conditions that had prevailed since Parramatta’s first match disappeared and the downpour returned. This match was a mixed bag from the team, but the not even a rarely taken field goal from veteran Braith Anasta could get the Roosters home. With a try double from French and a nice four pointer from Radradra, our boys scraped home.

• The Good

We called for it and Bevan French didn’t disappoint. As much as people might highlight his try, his chase on what looked like a certain try was crucial. A few brownie points earned there for certain.

Norman again excelled and the Nines format suits his skill set. Our fortunes really revolve around him. Semi was again heavily involved.

• The Not So Good

John Folau looked to have sustained a hamstring injury, continuing our bad luck at this venue.

A couple of missed opportunities could have been costly, but fortunately didn’t come back to bite us

• Final Comment

We were able to see some of French’s ability today and he made every post a winner. The win keeps the Eels in with a shot at qualifying for the finals.

Sixties

 

Match 3 vs Rabbitohs – The Usual Suspects

Eels 24 – Rabbitohs 11

The third game was a case of “I’ve seen this before” from the Parramatta Eels, both good and bad.

Corey Norman, Semi Radradra and Bevan French were once again our best three, despite a couple of errors from Corey. The team wide errors (particularly in the 2nd half), lazy choices and less than crisp backline passes took the shine off an otherwise impressive win.

The Eels started well with a Luke Kelly kick off allowing Semi to steal the ball from the Bunnies. Moments, later, in almost unbackably predictable odds, it was Norman to Semi to score out wide again, inside the first minute. To boot, Corey amazingly converted from the sideline. Eels 6-0

A Junior Paulo big hit on the subsequent set suggested the Eels were well on top, so much so that the Bunnies were in position to attempt a 40/20. The angle wasn’t right on the kick to go over over the sideline, but as your mate Vai Toutai circled the ball to run it back, Bryson Goodwin swooped in to score beneath him. Ridiculous. Conversion missed, yet the Eels lead was reduced to 2.

In early attacking probes, Semi got away a miraculous offload, and put his hand up early for player of the game. Almost as if to respond, seconds later Corey Norman also put his hat in the ring with a solo try from 10 out, stepping off his right foot past some Souths defence circa the 2011 Parra Eels.

After some relatively limp attack from the Bunnies, and a dreadful last tackle option in our attacking 20 from Luke Kelly, the Eels lit up again before half time struck. After juggling the ball, Toutai drew the defender, put an incredible left foot chip that bounced perfectly for the other usual suspect Bevan French to score again just inside halftime. Eels lead at the half, 14-4.

All the impressive aspects to start our first half were immediately reversed to start the second, with Junior Paulo’s seemingly minor choice not to bend down to catch the ball lead to the Bunnies stealing the possession and scoring a bonus try inside 60 seconds. At this point the Eels still hung on to the lead 14-11.

To compound issues, Norman then made an uncharacteristic mistake on the 2^nd tackle after the resumption of play, but thankfully John Sutton returned the favour seconds later.

In the resulting set, Cornish created space out wide, dished the ball to Ryan Morgan who delivered a questionable pass behind Toutai, who to his credit, managed to gather the ball and score out wide. Norman nailed the conversion from out wide again, giving the Eels a 20-11 lead.

After a penalty and a couple more dropped balls, the game finished the way it started with a Norman to Semi cut out pass, this time on the left wing. The Eels ended up winning their third pool game well at 24-11.

For mine, I’d split the MVPs between Norman, Semi and French.

Miatch

 

Quarter Final vs Knights – It’s a Game of Two Halves

Eels 12 – Knights 8

• The Good

The first half – I’m sorry to say it again, but Norman, Semi and Bevan French were terrific in the first half, having hands in and/or scoring our points. David Gower was also excellent in his typical no-nonsense role. As an aside, Pauli Pauli was a monster in attack for his new club. He was, however, still questionable moving across the wider spaces afforded by the Nines format in defence.

• The Not So Good

The second half – No disrespect to the Knights, but the Eels’ poor kick defence and execution in attack gifted the Knights their two tries. An inability to secure a Knight’s kick off after their second try saw Korbin Sims go within centimetres of tying the score. Cornish and Cody Nelson prevented this game from potentially going longer than the allocated time.

• Final Comment

Eels progress through to the Semis for the second year in a row. There’s a sentence I don’t get to write very often.

Hopefully we can put together two halves of football in our next game, even if they are only 9 minutes each.

Miatch

 

Semi Final vs Storm – You’ve Been French Kissed

Eels 17 – Storm 8

• The Good

Shaun Johnson and Corey Norman aside, Bevan French has got to be close to locking up Player of the Tournament. What a game. Some excellent set up work on two (TWO!) of his tries from Vai Toutai. Outstanding play from both players. In addition, there’s been some good strong defence from both sides in a much more typical NRL style game.

• The Not So Good

Middle third of the game we were pretty ordinary. Dropped balls, missed tackles and poor sets in possession in general. We looked gassed, but French’s effort got us home.

• Final Comment

A grand final appearance is a good reward for some of the blokes who have been really putting in at training. The tournament has been an opportunity for these blokes to show their value, and have proved BA’s faith in them true. Big wraps for Cody Nelson, Mitch Cornish and Vai Toutai among others.

We’re off to the big dance.

Miatch and Sixties

 

Grand Final vs New Zealand Warriors – ‘Eel be right!

Eels 22 – Warriors 4

• The Good

We saved our most consistent effort for the big one. Barring a momentary lapse where Tanginoa got caught out one-on-one against Tuiavasa-Sheck, the Eels were masterful in their control of the pace of the game. Corey Norman, Bevan French and Semi Radradra had their customary moments while Tepai Moeroa was immense up the middle for the Blue and Gold. Luke Kelly also played a superb hand to set up French for the opening try and put Semi in prime position to score his second before our hulking winger dropped the ball over the line.

• The Not So Good

As above, it was our most comprehensive effort by far. A couple of handling errors are to be expected in this lightning fast format and the Eels stood up in this aspect of the game.

• Final Comment

After an extremely sluggish start to the tournament the Eels slowly built momentum into the finals. Corey Norman and Semi Radradra were brilliant, as expected on prior NRL and Nines form, while Bevan French stamped his name down as one to watch in the near future. With only a hamstring injury to John Folau and what seems to be a minor niggle to Manu Ma’u, this tournament went just about as perfectly as you could ask for. It all amounts to an amazing start to the pre-season and Brad Arthur will certainly be looking to build on this result as we count down to our Round 1 fixture against the Broncos.

Go the Eels!

Forty20

 

At The End Of The Day

Without doubt Corey Norman was central to so much of our attack, whilst French and Radradra posed a constant threat. However, defence was probably the key component, with both the line defence and scramble being very effective.

BA’s selection of players, particularly some of our hopefuls, who have excelled at training proved to be a great decision. These “fringe” players were able to enjoy the victory as well as showcase their talents. The confidence and camaraderie gained from the win will serve them well.

For Eels supporters, whilst it wasn’t a premiership title, it is brilliant to have a bit of a spring in the step for a few weeks. Titles have been scarce for far too long, so we’ll enjoy the moment.

The Cumberland Throw would like to apologise to some residents of North Rocks. Our gathering enjoyed each win and the noise reminded local residents that the Eels were having a big day. Hopefully more of these days to come!

Sixties

#Parra2K16

All images courtesy of Parramatta Eels and the NRL