Parramatta Eels 20 – NQ Cowboys 16 
The Good: |
The savagery of our defence. Brutal might be the most apt description. Other nominees for the descriptive award include punishing; rushing; aggressive; consistent and murderous. It would have been great to watch on TV, but it was even better being there watching the Cowboys try to swim against the battering tide of our forward pack. |
The Bad: |
Let’s be honest – the attack wasn’t up to scratch. Two of our three try scorers (Peats and Edwards) basically did it all themselves. The Cowboys ill discipline (penalties and errors) gave us a lot of opportunity too. We’ll need to be better in the coming weeks. |
The X-Factor: |
A 9-4 penalty count to the Eels. Some of those penalties (for both sides) completely changed the narrative. Kudos to a very vocal Pirtek Stadium for their role in nabbing a few for the good guys.
Question: When was the last time the Eels won a penalty count / a game when Jarred Maxwell was refereeing? Answer: 1904. |
The MVP: |
Junior Paulo. I hate to say it, but he was something else tonight. Solid in attack but absolutely ridiculous in defence. I enjoy how props throughout the league have slimmed down, but Junior looks as big as ever. |
The Starters
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1- Michael GordonFullback, Parramatta Eels As we were walking to our car I head someone remark how refreshing it is to have a legitimate fullback again. I couldn’t agree more – he just feels safe. 10 tackles is very high for a fullback – just shows you how many times he saved us. On the other side of the coin, I thought the attack seemed to stop on several occasions when he got the ball in the first half. As such in attack, when it comes to the Michaels, I’d like less Gordon and more Jennings. |
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2- Semi RadradraLeft Wing, Parramatta Eels It was obvious the Cows didn’t want anything to do with Semi bringing the ball back from kicks, but he still of course managed over 100 metres (108) from his 10 hit ups. Even though he’s still somehow without a try for 2016, he was very classy, particularly in defence. It feels odd that I’m enjoying the defensive presence of the left hand side more than their attack. |
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3- Michael JenningsLeft Centre, Parramatta Eels Seems to still be warming to the Blue and Gold, but thought he was noticeably better than Round 1. Didn’t do anything second rate tonight, just want more of him. Very good in defence. Normie and Foran need to find a way to get the ball to the left hand side in some good space. |
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4- Brad TakairangiRight Centre, Parramatta Eels The two legged Taka experience for this season lasted about 95 minutes. We thought it was a cork (can anyone confirm this?), and he did manage what turned out to be the match winning try in any case. Collectively, the right hand side defence was much improved from Round 1. A good show. |
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5- Clinton GuthersonRight Wing, Parramatta Eels I thought he looked out of place out there tonight. Shaky under the high ball and was pretty pedestrian in his offerings in attack. Great kicking from Thurston ensured that Guthers caught the ball millimetres out from the line twice, only to be bundled back into the in goal on both occasions. He’ll be better next week. |
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6- Corey NormanFive Eighth, Parramatta Eels His kicking game was consistent and he and Foran seem to be working together well in leading the team around the park. As mentioned above, the attacking structures are still a work in progress, but it’ll come. Another solid showing from Normie. |
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7 – Kieran Foran (c)Halfback, Parramatta Eels If nothing else, it was just magic to see him out there in the Blue and Gold. Again, the attack wasn’t there, but at least his hamstrings still are. Loving his leadership – BA said he gave the team a pep talk before they ran out for halftime, and it obviously did the trick. I felt he was holding back a little tonight, and we’ll see more of him in the coming weeks. Very solid in defence too. |
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8- Junior PauloProp, Parramatta Eels A workhorse in attack (15 runs for a team high 127 metres) and unbelievable defence. A very handy try assist next to his name too. Regardless of the cost, he’ll be a presence we’ll need to replace come next year. Outstanding game. |
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9- Nathan PeatsHooker, Parramatta Eels Another sneaky try from dummy half, and a team high 39 tackles. However also missed a team high 4 tackles. Hopefully the elbow is ok, as Peatsy often sets our defensive tone. |
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10- Tim MannahProp, Parramatta Eels Another no-nonsense performance with quality run (12), metre (114) and tackle (25) numbers. Played strong, done good. |
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11- Manu MauBack Row, Parramatta Eels I actually thought he was going to eat Johnathan Thurston at one point – he is deadset terrifying. Giving him an A each week regardless of his performance would hold more weight if he wasn’t playing so well – another 16 runs tonight for 125 metres. |
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12- Beau ScottBack Row, Parramatta Eels I’m pretty sure he hates everyone; great footy player though. Was particularly tough in defence this evening. My favourite part of the game was when JT thought he’d go himself, and chose to run between Beau and Tepai. Needless to say, it didn’t work out particularly well for him. Beau needs to get those errors out of his game, though. |
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13- Tepai MoreoaLock, Parramatta Eels Had some better touches tonight, but tied Peatsy for most missed tackles on the team (4). Hoping it’s a case of building confidence in his shoulders, because this kid could be something special. |
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Interchange
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14- Kaysa PritchardInterchange, Parramatta Eels Again BA took his time to inject the little bloke into the game, but Kaysa caused some problems for the Cows when he did. Kaysa’s play in short stints gives me reason for optimism even if Peats is not fit for Round 3. My learned colleague informs me this current 2 game playing streak is a personal best for Kaysa – joy. |
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15- Peni TerepoInterchange, Parramatta Eels Speaking of streaks, Terepo’s streak ended with his first handling error, but it’s always good to see some of his trademark cannonball runs into the opposition defensive line. BA’s surprise selection for 2016 continues to impress. |
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16- Danny WicksInterchange, Parramatta Eels Good to see him return to the top grade. With that said, he didn’t stand out for either good or bad. 12 runs for 104 metres is a nice game’s work, mind you. Ps – You still owe me 50 bucks, Wicksy. |
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17- Kenny EdwardsInterchange, Parramatta Eels Errors (3) aside, the love affair continues. 13 runs for 119 metres. That try before halftime should be Track 3 on The Very Best Of Kenny Edwards. A wonderful footballer, and still my favourite player of 2016. Bonus points to Kenny for trying to get JT involved in our post try celebrations after Taka scored (credit to Phil Mann, below). Find a replay and watch it – hilarious. This is only bettered by Darcy Lussick deliberately binding in the opposition scrum as they tried to stop the clock a couple of seasons back. |
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Photos courtesy of the Parramatta Eels.
Stats courtesy of Champion Data via the Sportsfan site.
Interesting about Pritchard’s two game streak. If Gutherson plays next week it’ll be his personal best for consecutive games as well.
Credit to forty20, full credit to the boys.
Nice write up miatch. What would you grade the refs tonight? B+ for me.
I never thought maxwell would move beyond the Cs, but B+ seems about right. I actually think the reffing standard has been very good this season.
I’d agree with the referee grading, and it’s difficult to be upset with such a favourable penalty count. I did have an issue when we were penalised late in the match on around the 4th tackle after we were absolutely brutalising them in their own quarter.
What about a grade for the crowd? The 12K there sounded much louder (and looked looked more like 14K to me). I think the noise lifted the players at crucial moments.
I would have guessed 14k, I thought the crowd was almost as big as last week.
As you said though – very vocal. Great fun.
17000 thursday night. 12000 saturday night ,what happened to the other 5000 loyal supporters ???? Anyone see sharp or issa or for that matter any of the board out there talking to fans,whats been done to BA ,staff and players this week is disgusting , anyway the board hid in thier corpora te box all night ,i saw them myself !!!!!!
I am stunned to hear that the crowd was only 12,000. I would have thought at least the same as the broncos game. Looking at the stands (I was in the Thornet stand) they all looked tightly packed. 12,000 means that the ground was only at 60% capacity, I find that hard to believe.
I guess it is what it is. I did find it easier to get through the crowd on Saturday night heading to the station, I figured that was just a matter of timing.
Loved the game though
What a game, new side, new feel and a great outcome for the eels vs the premiers!
Defence is definitely there and we won either though the attack is yet to come. You’d have to think that we can match it with the best, we just need to be consistent defensively week to week.
The attack was rusty for sure but on the positive side of things opportunities were created even though none of the half chances came off but with more time they will. The defence was brutal towards the back end of the game. How long has it been that an eels team leading late in the game playing a heavyweight have got home on the back of their D?
With Semi in the team Gutherson is always going to get a lot of work and I thought he showed plenty of heart and courage and is worth the perseverance at this point.
Yeah he shouldn’t be dropped by any stretch but I think he’s a little below expectations at this stage.
On the other side of the coin – Kenny, Corey, Peni and Manu are all playing better than expected, so I think it’s just as important for us that they continue their momentum as it is for others like Guthers to improve.
Another good read Miatch. Last nights game again showed why I think we need to hang on to Jnr. He is the one frontrower in the team that can mix it up physically with the best in the game. By the time Jnr is 25 he is going to be an incredible player and I really don’t get why the club has’nt tried to get close to the raiders offer. I know people are saying the raiders offer is silly money but is it, or is it what the going rate for props is going to be? What would Hargreaves, tamou, Scott or james Graham cost us? The next crop of guys like Klemmer, Napa, Kane Evans etc are going to be on close to what Jnr is being offered. Not only that we are already one big dynamic prop short of being a real force in the competition because we have too many workhorses and not enough guys that can really bend the line.
Horse has bolted mate unfortunately. I hear what you’re saying but I’m afraid his price went beyond what we were willing to pay.
On the positive, it’s good to support a club that has limits to their negotiations, no?
Agree with write up, thanks; won the game on defence, attack was ok with room for improvement.
Great to have a proper fullback and equally to have a top line goal kicker. We won a game last night that we couldn’t have won in recent years – discipline, 4/5 conversions (3 tries a piece but Gordon out kicked Thurston) and we maintained the intensity for 80 minutes. It’s a very different style to the flamboyance we’ve relied on in recent years but more likely to be reproducible week to week. BA & the team would welcome the win, the media circus should now have a different focus.
Ha don’t bet on it. Watch this space.
I think you have your left and right mixed up. Semi & Jennings are on the left. Taka and Gutho on the right.
youre right. you would have noticed i typed in their positions correctly, but their respective descriptions had the wrong side. nonetheless, I’d corrected the descriptions now. thanks mate.
Did anyone see the aftermath of Taka’s try? As the team all ran together for the group celebratory hug and high fives, Kenny Edwards grabbed hold of Thurston dragged him into the celebrations and wouldn’t let him out. Very funny.
Miatch, Kenny should have his mark upgraded to a B+ for that effort.
I will be reviewing the tape. Sounds amazing.