Today’s encounter against the Raiders in the Nation’s capital was a difficult match to get a handle on. With a final score line of 28 to 18 in favour of the Raiders, the result should read as a comfortable and predictable result for the Green Machine. However, it was another case of the one that got away for the Eels. It’s become a familiar tale, but one that’s difficult to control given the circumstances that have unfolded this year. Here’s how it unfolded today.
The Impressive First Half
In spite of a whopping 8 errors, the Eels were dominant throughout this exciting first half. Tries to Jennings, Radradra and French took Parra to an imposing 18 to 4 lead at the break. With additional line breaks by Gutherson, Gordon and French, the Eels attack looked to be in top gear and the Raiders defence looked in tatters. If not for the impressive defence of fullback Jack Wighton and great scrambling from his team mates, the half time lead of the Eels may have been too great for Canberra to overcome.
The key to this first half was execution. With Gutherson and Robson only coming together as a halves pairing during the second half of the season, their role has been one of game management rather than game domination. As such you will see them direct the Eels play towards certain points in the field with the emphasis on early ball in attacking plays. Against the Raiders this opened up their defence out wide and on the edges.
During this first half, opportunities for long range tries were created, but only one was taken. But wasn’t it a beauty! With space created for Radradra around the halfway mark, Semi was able to use his pace to break into the open to find Bevan French looming up in support. Perhaps this was our crystal ball look into 2017.
Semi was a solid performer in his return.
When one team has all of the momentum in the first half, the worst thing that can happen is half time. This is especially true when the teams are evenly matched or when an upset is on the cards. The break does nothing but break the flow and provide the underperforming team important time to take stock. This was my greatest concern for an undermanned Eels team that was exceeding all expectations against the form team in the premiership.
The Inevitable?
For the Eels, what constitutes the inevitable? Is it a poor completion rate? Is it missing out in those tough 50/50 calls? Is it some inexplicable refereeing errors? Is it the atrocious misfortune that typifies season 2016? Or is it simply attempting to compete in matches without a host of stars? In the second half today it was probably all of the above.
If I go looking for excuses, I would undoubtedly pull out the inexplicable decision to not review the Raiders second try of the second half. It is beyond my comprehension that the referees would not check on a kick which struck Kenny Edwards in the head and then rebounded to an offside Papalii (not the only offside Raider). It was a crucial call at a crucial time. The alternative was the Eels deep in attack from a penalty and a halt to the Raiders momentum. Unfortunately for Parramatta, the bounce and the calls fell the Raiders way from that point forward.
Yet it would be foolish for any Eels fan to bury their head in the sand and say that the result was out of Parramatta’s control. Some of the turnovers and incomplete sets from the Eels today were diabolical. If any team completes 20 out of 32 sets, victory would be a difficult task. That is exactly what the Eels dished up today. Throw in the poor defensive decisions down Parramatta’s right side and you have a recipe for a loss. And a loss is exactly what we had to expect.
From a team perspective, aspects of our defence were far better than what was delivered against the Broncos. The hit and stick was executed far better in that middle third. Unfortunately, those key moments of poor defence on the right were costly and gave the Raiders the confidence to go on with the job.
The Best Performers
For the Raiders it was hard to go past the performances of Lee and Croker. Four tries in any match is a great achievement for any player and Lee had such a milestone today. The Raiders captain and centre, Croker, is in superlative form. Given that he’s probably only at the mid point in his career, it would not surprise if he eventually reaches the top of the all-time NRL point scorers list. Croker is both a leading player and a team leader. The Raiders are in great hands there.
For the Eels, French again added a couple of highlights to his season reel, whilst Radradra made a solid return from injury. In the forwards, De Gois was fearless in defence whilst Ma’u threatened the Raiders line with every carry.
Intimidating: Manu Ma’u was a constant menace to Canberra’s defence.
Looking Ahead
Speaking with Brad Takairangi yesterday, he spoke confidently about his availability for selection next week. We would also expect the return of both Beau Scott and Tepai Moeroa. These inclusions will help to provide both leadership and class to the Eels.
The next match against the Dragons marks the final match at Pirtek Stadium for the Parramatta Eels. In a nice symmetry, the first game at Parramatta Stadium was also against the Dragons. It promises to be a special night and a wonderful way to say goodbye. I hope to see a capacity crowd.
Eels Forever
Sixties
All images courtesy of the NRL and the Parramatta Eels
I watch some high lights n for mine we should have held a 20 point lead.
IDG pass to gutherson was perfect shame that next pass was forward to French.
I’m happy with the way we played.
But in saying that if we had Norman , moeroa , Scott n taka I’m more then confident we win that game. If taka plays they raiders don’t score 4 tries down that side. His defence is very good.
But I will look forward to 2017 with my eye’s wide open. 2016 is a year we can never look back on.
It’s a year we can say, should of could of but didn’t its the year our old board screwed us over n killed our dreams.
Parras second half “sleep time” was again evident reminiscent of past seasons. Of cause BA recognised this issue and bought leaders to our club to address this problem. Unfortunately Foran, Wattmough and Scott are not there so the old issues surface.
Yes we played hard and never gave up and its fair to say our cause was not helped by the men in the middle. I think our injurys and depth issues have really hurt us this year. Tautai is not an option ever. BA, without specifically saying it, hinted in his presser as to the efforts of Vai. Definitely not NRL level. Please God we must get some better back ups for next season.
I don’t care what anyone says, The refs took control of the game in the second half to get the win for the raiders. I heard 2 calls where the ref said, high tackle then off side in the same call. A try for the raiders when half of their team was off side. The Eels were well on top until the refs had a call from the NRL at half time. This wasn’t a second half fade out, it was cheating. They will have someone else to pick on next season so we will just have to wait until then.
Even with the events of this season, I’m looking forward to next week already. I was at the first game as an 8 yr old and will have my kids there for the last. I think for most of us its really the end of an era which has ended in chaos but I see this as a chance for a fresh new start for the Eels. The early signs are positive. I hope there is a capacity crowd for the final chapter. Goodbye Parramatta Stadium.
Great review Sixties. I thought Papalii was outstanding as well, though clearly offside on that kick.