Parramatta Eels 22 – Manly Sea Eagles 10 
The Good: |
Once again, our defensive presence was terrific. Manly have certainly turned a corner in attack the last couple of weeks and I secretly wonder how they’ll cope when their 10 million dollar man returns to the halves. Nonetheless, the Blue and Gold wall stuck solid only letting in a solitary try.
Dear front office, once you figure out which of you still has a job, re-sign BA at all costs. Sincerely, every Parra fan, ever. |
The Bad: |
I’m trying not to be one of those biased, idiot supporters, but I do have to say The Bunker was borderline comical tonight. I thought both teams were terrific, and the football product on display was outstanding. The Bunker controversy (x4) was the worst thing about the game. |
The X-Factor: |
Outside of Lewis Brown’s ludicrous versatility, and the fact I’ve already mentioned the ridiculous lottery-like nature a Bunker referral, I’ll again give credit to the coach and players’ collective ability to block out the current fiasco engulfing our club. I’ve never seen anything like it. |
The MVP: |
For the second week in a row – yeah, nah. Corey Norman was in absolutely everything last night. Lock him up now for 4 years at a minimum. If he wants 800k a season, I say he’s worth it. On par with Semi’s Dogs game for the second A+ game of the season.
Special mention to the newest addition to our family Cooper Clarke for timing his arrival to ensure his first ever Eels game was a win. Welcome to the Blue and Gold world, mate. |
The Starters
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1- Michael GordonFullback, Parramatta Eels He reminds me every week how great it is to have a fullback who can position himself for kick returns. Last night, both he and Brett Stewart showed the rest of the NRL how it is done. A cool 141 metres is another good showing. |
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2- Semi RadradraLeft Wing, Parramatta Eels The papers had him as our best, but I edge Corey ahead. As always he was constantly putting his hand up to bring the ball out of our end, and scored a terrific try running past our star back of times gone by – Jamie Lyon. How parabolic. Even if he hadn’t scored that try, 16 runs for 203 metres gets you pretty close to an A by itself. |
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3- Michael JenningsLeft Centre, Parramatta Eels The media darling with 2 tries for his 200th game. Another game with more than 100m shows he was willing to do the hard yards too. Another solid Jennings showing. |
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4- Brad TakairangiRight Centre, Parramatta Eels He was on side. Super game. |
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5- Clinton GuthersonRight Wing, Parramatta Eels Peppered him they did. However if your opposition ends up deciding they might have more luck kicking to Semi Radradra, you know you’re having a good game. Statistically sound too with 14 carries for 125 metres. |
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6- Corey NormanFive Eighth, Parramatta Eels Sublime game. |
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7- Kieran Foran (c)Halfback, Parramatta Eels He’s going well, really well. The only thing he really did wrong last night was happen to be the other half next to Corey Norman. He also admitted to driving into the home team carpark before the game. |
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8- Junior PauloProp, Parramatta Eels Hooray! He’s mortal. |
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9- Nathan PeatsHooker, Parramatta Eels A Magic 10 game from a hooker? Peats can (6 runs for 66 metres). Just a lazy, team high 43 tackles while he’s at it, too (only bettered game wide by the bigger Trbojevic brother’s 44). |
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10- Daniel AlvaroProp, Parramatta Eels Watching the game on TV (newborn life) I originally thought Alvaro was manhandled by the Sea Eagles impressive pack. The stats tell me otherwise – a Magic 10 game for The Polar Bear, 13 runs for 136 metres. I was wrong Danny, great game mate. |
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11- Manu MauBack Row, Parramatta Eels The photo floating around of Mau smiling has obviously been photoshopped – he wouldn’t dare be caught grinning at a camera. In fact, I’m told he wouldn’t dare be caught grinning at anything short of the solemn, battered corpse of his enemy. |
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12- Beau ScottBack Row, Parramatta Eels Earned this grade for the chase on Tom Trbojevic alone – it was Hindmarsh-esque. The battle for “Favourite Off Season Signing” continues to rage, as does my curiosity for who would win in a three way death match between he, Manu and Tep. |
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13- Tepai MoreoaLock, Parramatta Eels Was having a very solid outing until he went down. Hopefully fit for next week. |
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Interchange
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14- Isaac De GoisInterchange, Parramatta Eels Stole some good metres from dummy half and earned us a penalty that led to the try that closed the game out. Playing his role to a T. |
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15- Peni TerepoInterchange, Parramatta Eels Has been more dynamic in games gone by, but nonetheless played his part. Helped himself to 113 metres from 14 hit ups. |
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16- Danny WicksInterchange, Parramatta Eels Felt like he was a little off his game last night, but happened to come on the field when Manly had a lot of momentum. The 91 metres from 13 runs isn’t all that impressive, but the 30 tackles certainly is. Ps – You still owe me 50 bucks, Wicksy. |
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17- Kenny EdwardsInterchange, Parramatta Eels Still my favourite player for 2016, and the 2 offloads were nice, but wasn’t as effective last night against the ferocious Manly pack as he has been in previous weeks. One of only three Eels forwards with over 100 metres from his 12 carries. Hug a Kenny. |
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All photos courtesy of the Parramatta Eels.
NRL team logos courtesy of the NRL.
Great timing young Cooper Clarke!
Now to echo Miatch’s sentiments. Front office – either lock BA up for an extended period right now (the Broncos haven’t hesitated with locking Bennett up long term despite his age) or risk losing him to a club looking to rebuild that isn’t afraid to throw huge bucks at him. No team, no coach, has to prepare under the circumstances that Parra and BA are right now. He’s a true Parra boy but don’t take him for granted.
Even if the bloke himself won’t re-sign until the cap dramas are over, at least let him know your intent.
Brad Arthur is a well respected coach who has been around the block a few times…Couldn’t do much better than him…..
Hear, hear.
Congratulations on the arrival of Cooper and how fortunate for him that he’s been born into an eels household.
Thanks mate. Much appreciated.
Congrats to you and your wife Mitch, great to hear it all went well and little Cooper is healthy and happy, cheers
Thanks mate. Hope all is well with you too mate.
Congratulations to Miatch and Mrs Miatch and the whole Miatch family. Very Happy for all of you!!
Young CC has great timing, might be a future Eels half in the making there 🙂
Oh, and great job on the rankings – again!
Cheers mate..
Thanks mate x2
Have to catch a game together soon.
Hi Miatch what a day for you I am on top of the world with the 2 wins last night you must be in seventh heaven must catch up soon at the club pre or post match so I can help wet the babies head. Go you mighty eels. Great write up again miatch
Miatch congrats on new arrival, you must get Blue & Gold liners for him, start him off right. Fun now starts!.
Alvaro, I liked him before this match, have thought that along with the younger Twal that they could be the future main props for the eels. Funny though as I watched the game, in his first stint I thought he did little, seemed to be easily contained by the opposition & pushed back after being lifted by the defence. He picked up in the 2nd half stint but reading the stats that showed his metres utterly surprise me, I recorded the game last night so need to go back for another look.
Sixties, I am afraid that I am going to be pounding the BA resigning issue as much as I can, it has to happen soon, & for me it needs to be before the inquisition sentence is handed down, with the assurance we have BA into the future before it happens it will help the players immensely, its the perfect example of the old adage Actions speak louder than words. The club has to act now no questions asked.
You and I had a similar experience re Alvaro. I could barely believe the stats.
BA is the best coach we’ve had since who – Brian Smith (when he was good)? Or is it all the way back to Jack Gibson?
Sign the man up. He’s a safe bet.
Love your write ups Miatch, I hope the pressure of doing the post game marking doesn’t spoil the experience for you.
A bit harsh on Junior considering he was taken off with concussion, based on recent performances, I think he was in with a chance of scoring as Manly started to flag
Nah I love this little project. Good fun.
I actually don’t think about it until after the game in any case, and relied on the stats last night much more (as I was sitting in a maternity ward rather than a stadium seat) than I had in previous weeks.
Re Junior – Mortal stats, mortal head wounds. I’m just excited he isn’t without flaw seeing he’ll be wearing a different jersey next season.
He’s surely a dark horse for Eels leading try scorer this season.
… Very dark.