Resilient. Tenacious. Tough. Methodical. Grinding. These adjectives come readily to mind in a game where the highlight was probably a spectacular 90 metre Semi Radradra try. Yet this victory over the Rabbitohs was a superb exemplar of the culture and attitude of this Parramatta Eels team. It was a win built on a group of blokes working hard for each other – which is why the young blokes in the Eels, like Tepai Moeroa, will be the beneficiaries of the 2016 season.

The last time that these two sides met, straight after the Eels had their salary cap penalty announced, was possibly the most physical game that Parramatta had played this season. Let’s be honest. Although the Eels were only beaten by some last minute Inglis magic, the Souths forwards basically bashed up the Parra pack with tactics that walked a fine line between tough and grubby. As I walked into ANZ Stadium, I was expecting more of the same tactics. Surprisingly, I was wrong.

Apart from two great set pieces, both resulting in tries, Souths rarely threatened the Eels defence. Of course I wouldn’t ignore the absence of both Inglis and Reynolds from the Souths line up. As the incumbent halves combination, it’s a big loss. Countering that was the inclusion of Keary, Walker and Sutton – players who have actually spent time as preferred options in the halves. Additionally, the Rabbitohs had the advantage of opposing a second rower in Kenny Edwards – forced to fill in at five- eighth due to the Eels injury crisis.

So, apart from some missing players in both teams, what has changed in just a few rounds?

For Souths, that last encounter was probably their most intense of the season. They are just a shadow of their former physically imposing selves. There’s plenty of reasons behind why that has happened that are being speculated in rugby league circles. Given the recent extension of coach Maguire’s contract, the club itself obviously find no fault in his methods. Rumours and disgruntled former players would have you believe otherwise. That’s for the Rabbitoh to sort through.

For the Eels, I believe that little has changed. What we saw in this match was simply more of what we have seen all year. This is a team which competes for 80 minutes every week. The forwards, led superbly by Beau Scott, work tough and cohesively as a unit. Teams have been forced to go to the wings to get around the Eels defence. The defensive statistics from this season point to a team excelling in this aspect. The Eels attack has never quite clicked all year, yet it has managed to execute sufficiently enough to earn some great victories.

The Eels – playing for each other, their coach the jersey and the fans.

So it was that last night Parramatta provided their fans with a carbon copy performance of many of their other efforts this year. The key word being “effort”. If ever a team had ready-made excuses to throw in the towel, it would be the 2016 Eels. However, the new found culture of playing hard and tough for each other, the coach and the jersey keeps churning out the wins.

The solid defence combined with well-executed plays, much the same as it has all year. French’s speed was the exclamation point on crisp set moves bringing up two four-pointers at important times. Gutherson’s game sense and pure ability continues to emerge on a weekly basis and again put him in position to field a kick on the fly in crossing under the posts. Then we have Radradra. What a player! To be present for that moment when he toyed with the Rabbitohs defence over 90 minutes for a spectacular try was something for any Eels fan in attendance to savour.

Now to my post heading – Tepai Moeroa.

In a game where I have extolled the virtues of the team ethos of these Eels players, I find myself needing to single out Moeroa for special mention. This bloke’s youth is easily forgotten. Here is a young player, who excelled as a free running centre or second rower in junior representative and rugby union teams, transitioning into a middle forward. The metres become harder and grinding. The defensive workload non-stop. Last night Tepai was close to the best on the field. He stood tall and tough against a big pack, hitting the ball up powerfully  and punishing the Bunnies with great defensive hits.

Tepai – learning the craft of being a middle forward.

Last year was a massive learning curve for Moeroa. Much like Watmough, he endured niggling and painful injuries to take the field busted. Fast forward to 2016 and his education as an NRL middle forward has continued. For those regretting the loss of Junior Paulo to the Raiders, take faith from the development of a great young player like Tepai Moeroa. He is a credit to the club both on and off the field.

To the tens of thousands of Eels fans out there, the message is clear. This team is continuing to do this jersey proud. They deserve to play in front of stadiums filled with blue and gold faithful. They deserved to have more in attendance last night. They deserve your support. Get to the game.

Eels forever!

Sixties

Images courtesy of the Parramatta Eels and the NRL

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