Parramatta Eels 8 – Wests Tigers 0 
The Good: |
The second part of the scoreline – keeping the Tigers (an incredibly potent attacking side, mind you) to zero is always going to be a reason to smile. Winning ugly is always better than losing pretty. |
The Bad: |
Speaking of ugly – what a bludger of a game from Parra in attack. It seems the Tigers wanted to make a statement on the defensive side of the ball, but coming away with 8 points (on the back of a very questionable try in TCT’s collective opinion) tells the story – we were well off the pace in attack. Plenty to improve. |
The X-Factor: |
Injuries – Mannah, Paulo, Wicks and Kenny all had time on the sideline, with Timmy never returning. Injuries continue to test our depth, and will do so again next weekend. As an aside, James Tedesco deserves a sky blue jersey. How he stopped Semi and/or Jennings is beyond me. Best player on the park in my opinion. |
The MVP: |
Beau Scott. No disrespect to Foran, Gordon or Jennings but Beau has been the most consistently impressive new addition to our 2016 makeup. Season statistics – 125 tackles, 1 missed tackle. That is not a typo. Today was his best game yet. |
The Starters
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1- Michael GordonFullback, Parramatta Eels Social media seems to be raving about his game – did he look more impressive on TV? I thought it was probably his worst game of the year (5 errors anyone?), despite the half breaks and always classy positioning at the back. With that said, 219 metres is outstanding, fullback or not. Some very good plays mixed in with some moments he’d no doubt rather forget. |
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2- Semi RadradraLeft Wing, Parramatta Eels Not bad Semi – 13 runs for 141 metres. You can feel the crowd’s anticipation every time he touches the ball – it’s a great feeling to have another player like that in the Blue and Gold. Bonus points for putting his own finger back into joint. Get some Kava into it, she’ll be right for next week. |
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3- Michael JenningsLeft Centre, Parramatta Eels Went very close to finishing over Tedesco, but kudos to Teddy for the tackle. It feels to me that Jenko continues to ramp up his involvement as an Eel – still, I’d like him to have more than 9 runs in 80 minutes. |
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4- Brad TakairangiRight Centre, Parramatta Eels I was going to write ‘borderline invisible’ but he apparently had 10 runs for over 100 metres. Is that right? Can we get that checked? Great. Now I have “Borderline” by Madonna stuck in my head. |
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5- Clinton GuthersonRight Wing, Parramatta Eels Solid without being flashy. Seems to grow more comfortable each week. 124 metres – good. 3 errors – bad. |
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6- Corey NormanFive Eighth, Parramatta Eels Thought the Tigers did a good job of blunting his impact, and he and Kieran’s combination is still very much a work in progress. He needs to send Manu Mau flowers for tackling David Nofoaluma late in the second half after the Tigers winger intercepted Corey’s attempt to kick the ball out wide. Don’t do that again, Corey. By the way, I hear Manu likes pansies. I have no idea what his favourite flower is, however. |
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7 – Kieran Foran (c)Halfback, Parramatta Eels We’re still getting there with Kieran, although for the first time this season this game didn’t feel like a step forward for him as an Eel. We really need him to nail those kicks into the in goal in our red zone too. 21 tackles is a lot of work for a half, but you won’t hear him complain. But getting caught twice with the ball on the last tackle? Ouch. |
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8- Junior PauloProp, Parramatta Eels Enjoy Canberra you talented behemoth. Outstanding stats as usual (15 hit ups, 150 metres), and he can almost singlehandedly create a compressed opposition line with ball in hand. For what it’s worth – that was a no try in my book, but we’ll take it in lieu of some otherwise shoddy referee work. |
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9- Isaac De GoisHooker, Parramatta Eels The hit on Mitch Moses after the kick was my favourite moment in the game. IDG again helped me again to forget that Nathan Peats wasn’t on the field. In other news, he and Kaysa continue to compete for the most ridiculously aggressive playing style award. |
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10- Tim MannahProp, Parramatta Eels Incomplete game – BA described his injury as a “sore shoulder”. Here’s hoping he’s right. |
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11- Manu MauBack Row, Parramatta Eels I’d be very wary if I were sitting on the NRL Judiciary – Manu has already let you live once. He’d knife you in the back just so he can get you arrested for carrying a concealed weapon. Another week, another life preserving A grade for the scariest man in the world. |
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12- Beau ScottBack Row, Parramatta Eels Best player today wearing blue and gold in my opinion. At times it felt like there were three of him out there. |
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13- Tepai MoreoaLock, Parramatta Eels Made lots of tackles, but wasn’t particularly effective running the ball today. Still looking forward to that next breakout game. |
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Interchange
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14- Kaysa PritchardInterchange, Parramatta Eels Like a Blue and Gold missile. Continues to earn his stripes and his spot in BA’s rotation. Some huge hit ups too – 10 runs for 95 metres is impressive from a dummy half with a death wish. |
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16- Danny WicksInterchange, Parramatta Eels My father referred to him as a “1 Eyed Eel”, after his left eye swelled shut – nice one Pete. At half time he was our only forward averaging over the magic 10 metres per hit up ratio, and ended the game with a more than respectable 7 runs for 75 metres. Ps – You still owe me 50 bucks, Wicksy. |
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17- Kenny EdwardsInterchange, Parramatta Eels Still my favourite player for 2016. Always looks dangerous and 12 hit ups for 120 metres ticks all the right boxes. Took time out of his busy day to hug James Tedesco, too. |
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18- David GowerInterchange, Parramatta Eels Made a lot of tackles (33), and 13 important carries in a game where we were down 3 forwards at one point. Did his job today. |
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Photos courtesy of the Parramatta Eels.
Stats courtesy of Champion Data via the Sportsfan site.
De Gois, Paulo and Scott were my 3 best today. If I were a Tigers fan I’d be dirty with the Paulo try but they give so many like this when there is the slightest touch on the ball even though there was no control in my opinion. Our halves today we lacklustre and Foran being tackled twice on the sixth and an inept grubber supports your grading.
As for the refs I thought it was the wrong end of the pineapple for the eels today. The eels never seem to get the same penalties for being held down in the tackle.
Very pleased with how Edwards is going and a huge effort from Paulo today to make a nice end to the Easter weekend.
I am a fan of David Gower’s ability. Not flashy, just a ‘blue collar’ worker every team needs..
http://resources.newscdn.com.au/cs/foxtemp/video.fs/2.0.9/images/placeholder.jpg the link here shows a photo of Paulo with two of his fingers still on the rear top of the ball, that was just inside the goal area.
If photo does not show up go to http://www.foxsports.com.au & the following article NRL 2016: Eels record third straight win and keep disappointing Tigers scoreless
The old rule that applied for a try to be scored requiring a player to have control of the ball is a farce, but in the still photo in the report its clear that Paulo has 2 fingers on the ball,
Thought Gower was marked a bit too low, but pretty spot on mate. As for Michael Gordon, I thought his last half hour was outstanding.
Beau Scott – what an addition!
yeah I hear you, but I couldn’t believe the noise people were making about him after 5 errors. some were comparing it Semi’s game last week. anyways, no disrespect to him, love having him in the Blue and Gold.
Agree Miatch on Gordon, made a lot of errors but otherwise played strongly. Foran had a quite match by his standards but I thought for the first time this season his hamstring didn’t seem to bother him. Wicks, still not that impressed with him, as a defender you can guarantee that he will not pass the ball, just a big body you have to stop. Defence A, attack C-, a tough match to watch unless you supported either team. Best defence by any team (gee when was the last time you said that about Parra) but attack third worse. BA get the boys firing in attack!
yeah Foran did the most kicking he’s done all season yesterday (6 kicks in play), which shows he’s starting to develop greater confidence in his hamstring.
ha, maybe Wicksy is lulling the defence into a false sense of security.
I’ll take best defence over best attack any day of the week. particularly when you consider our backline. we’re well placed IMO.
The minute you start grading 1to10 like coaches and all experienced football personnel these gradings will make more sense mate but obviously your a good loyal supporter so i will say thanks allthough im a bit old for school .
Pretty fair scoring there mitch, only thing im confused with is Manu and Scotts grades, you said that Scott was best on park which is a fair call but you have graded him a A- and given Manu a grade higher with an A, i would have swapped those two grades around.
Also upped Gower to a B- and dropped Corey to a C+ with foz.
All in all this is your most consistent week Mitch, im giving your scores a A-
Ha Snake – for the last time, I give Manu an A every week regardless of how he performs. Move on from critiquing this grade.
No probs mate, i’ll just be positive in future and treat your blogs with the serious respect they deserve, no more joking around or gentle ribbing from me on TCT, i can see some are way to precious to take it.
Ok mate.
Watch out he doesn’t try to tempt you with an apple to change your view miatch. You know what those snakes are like….
Mitch has mentioned every week that he’ll give Mr Mau an A every week. Mitch is a teacher, so he ranks everything A-F.
Snake, I give you a C- you need to pay more attention in class. See your doctor, there’s wonderful medication for that kind of problem now. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.
D’oh. Spelt my name wrong
I personally don’t agree with any of it?
Dosent match the coaching staffs assesments , this aint school it real life football !!
Wests were not that bad. The Eels had to go FLAT OUT to keep them to NIL…
The Eels have given up one try in 160 minutes. There is a pride and steel in the defence which hasn’t been there for a long long time.
The have played four teams which are not ‘mugs’ when it comes to attacking play.
From what I witnessed, surely Mau has no case to answer for a ‘crusher tackle”. Didn’t even reckon it was a penalty!!!!!!!!.
I think the Monday games’ MRC rulings come out today. fingers crossed.
I thought you’ve underrated Gower who did well above his job. He made a lot of tackles, played big minutes and made big metres, particularly after hitting the line.
Also you stated that scott was our best, yet he got an A- whilst mau got an A. Is that a typo? regardless I agree that Scott was our best.
I thought Pritchards defence was incomplete again. He has good line speed and sticks well, but he never wins the wrestle and is driven back after first contact. He was a C+ for me as his attack made up for it. But still today emphasised the need for 4 forwards after the injuries we had.
With Gordon 2-3 of his errors were from a hospital ball he received from Foran, and one was a borderline shoulder charge so they are forgivable, especially considering all else he did.
Everything else I agree with though.
as mentioned above mate, I give Manu an A every week – he’s too scary to give him anything less than that. you make some good points re the quality of ball to Gordon, I think that’s a worthwhile thought.
appreciate the feedback mate. hope you’re enjoying the site.
Hi Mitch the mighty Manu was not charged, you bloody beauty. See you on sunday mate.
Nor should have he been….The penalty was not warranted..Was Scott charged?
Sadly you’re mistaken Joe – Manu Ma’u has been charged by the Match Review Committee and could miss 2 weeks: http://eels.co/1RM3Avc
29 March 1:00pm AEDT: Parramatta’s Manu Ma’u could miss two matches after a tackle on Wests Tigers’ Josh Aloiai saw him handed a Grade 1 Dangerous Contact (Head and Neck) charge by the NRL’s Match Review Committee. With loading for prior offences and carry-over points, Ma’u will miss two matches regardless if he enters an early guilty plea or unsuccessfully contests the grading….
Bloody joke…..imo….
Sorry about that I looked at the NRL web site and no mention of Manu being charged.I think that his spot will be filled by a able body.Was the Melb winger charged for the trip.