With my paying gig as a teacher, I’ve been writing plenty of reports lately. Half yearly reports are standard practice, so why not apply them to the footy team we all love so much. With Parramatta out of action this weekend courtesy of the bye, it’s an ideal time to score the Eels on their efforts thus far.

Attack 6.5/10

Parramatta are placed in the bottom four teams for attack (210), indicating a team that has struggled to click into gear. However, with early season matches against top of the table teams and recent matches without a regular halves pairing, this statistic is somewhat misleading.

Without being spectacular, the Eels attack has been effective enough to win seven of their twelve matches. No doubt it is an aspect of their play which requires development. The centre/wing combinations are still developing an understanding, with Jennings and Radradra showing the best signs of gelling. Gutherson is probably better suited to fullback or centre and his future may yet lay there.

Given the problems surrounding the halves, I’m not expecting great improvement in the Eels attack during the second half of the season.

Defence 8/10

In contrast to their attack, the Eels defence is statistically one of the best in the premiership, conceding only 177 points in twelve rounds. This is a remarkable change from previous seasons. The forwards keep the middle strong, with our dummy halves providing great line speed. Undoubtedly the inclusion of Beau Scott has provided not only a physical starch but also an attitudinal readjustment. Parramatta has also defended much better against attacking kicks. The positional play of Michael Gordon has shored up what was previously a shaky aspect of the Eels game.

Teams find it difficult to score through the ruck against our defence and the Eels now scramble far better than in previous seasons. Most teams now try to get around the compact Eels defence line, and this has been problematic for Parramatta in their “red zone”.

We need to look for better defensive decisions out wide from our centre and wing positions.

Beau Scott has Added genuine steel to the Eels defence.

Forwards – 7/10

Undoubtedly, the Eels probably need one or two dominant props to be able to truly challenge for a premiership. Picture Junior Paulo at his best, but on a far more consistent basis, and you begin to visualise what we need. This has been Parramatta’s Achilles Heel in some losses this year. Against teams such as Souths and Melbourne, Paulo did not stand up and deliver when needed. With his departure, the search is now on for a prop or two who can bend the line in every match.

The rest of the pack have performed admirably. Our back rowers, led by the impressive Beau Scott and ably supported by Ma’u and Edwards, are skilful, mobile and uncompromising in defence. Our middle forwards – Moeroa, Mannah, Wicks, Terepo, Gower and Alvaro – are workhorses who ensure that the defence is a far cry from previous years. Without doubt the Eels will miss the high energy of Peats in the second half of the year. It remains to be seen whether De Gois and Pritchard can consistently match the high numbers produced by Peats in the early rounds.

For the most part, the forwards have held their own. They just need to take that extra step of dominating the opposition and regularly busting through the advantage line. Hence the need for a rampaging prop or two.

Backs 7/10

This score is probably more of a reflection of the re-shuffles around Foran than the quality of the players. The regular presence of a class half is essential to the success of any team and unfortunately we have not just missed Foran in matches, we have also missed him on the training paddock.

Foran’s latest setback has been compounded by the long term/season ending injuries to both back-up halves (Kelly and Cornish). The impact that this will have going forward cannot be underestimated. With Takairangi also on the sidelines, team selections become a nightmare. All of our eggs are now in the Corey Norman basket (and it’s not as if he hasn’t had his dramas). The coaches will be praying that no further injuries are added to the backline as the options are truly limited. Furthermore, preparations are now badly hampered as opposed sessions are compromised through a lack of halves in the Wentworthville side.

The disjointed preparation has definitely impacted the effectiveness of the backline this season. At no stage has the attack ever fully kicked into gear. Additionally, the changing combinations has also affected the defence out wide, especially within Parramatta’s quarter. No doubt the team is defending much better than previous years. However, the wingers and centres have been guilty of jamming in at the wrong times close to the line. It’s just a matter of improving the communication and decision making. There’s plenty of class in those positions.

The instability around the halves has been compounded by the long term injury to Foran.

Attitude/Resilience 9.5/10

What a remarkable opening 13 rounds we have seen from this team! Even prior to the season proper, the players have been subjected to incessant speculation about the outcome of the NRL investigation into the salary cap. At no stage has the team ever given less than 100% in effort out on the field.

Let’s not mince words. To suggest that the players would not be mentally affected by the loss of competition points would be ludicrous. To suggest that they are not impacted by the departure of team mates is equally absurd. Nonetheless, these blokes are continuing to compete in every match and are doing the jersey proud.

As a fan who has criticised the resilience of our team in recent seasons, I could not be happier with where we are at. The victories under duress against the Bulldogs and the Knights are prime examples of that new mindset.

Coaching 10/10

This is a ridiculously high score and probably one that Brad Arthur himself would disagree with. He is constantly looking at ways of improving and a perfect score does not provide scope for growth. It is therefore essential to elaborate, and I will do so with a question.

How many other coaches would have been capable of holding the team, indeed the whole club, together under the circumstances of 2016?

To produce the consistent team performances of this season, to address the media on behalf of the club, to protect the players from the incessant scrutiny, a bloke has to be both outstanding in his profession and have a genuine passion for the Eels. Brad Arthur qualifies on both counts. Naturally, he has been greatly supported by great staff such as Devlin, Gentle, Murphy, Sultana, Grima, Burt Beutel, Stewart, Wade and others. If Arthur and his staff are not locked in long term and soon, then this club has learnt nothing!

Brad Arthur – a tower of strength in tumultuous times.

Overall Grade 7.5/10

Without the off-field dramas, this was a team destined to play finals football. The draw has been a tough one and the current points standing (without deductions) is indicative of a team well positioned for a strong run home. Unfortunately, the second half of the season has now been shaped by the impending points loss, the release of key players and long term injuries to others.

History will judge the role that forces outside of the football department have had on this campaign. For the first half of the season, the team have given me more cause to cheer than in many recent years. And that is probably the best way to summarise the season thus far.

Eels forever

Sixties

All images courtesy of Parramatta Eels

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