Twenty-six rounds, twenty-five matches – this year of drama seems like it’s gone on forever. Yet, as I write this review, it’s hard to believe that it will be approximately five months till the Eels play their first trial of 2017. For Parramatta supporters, finishing with a convincing victory over the Warriors was probably the best possible springboard into the next season. Let’s examine how this final match unfolded.
The Horror Start
When Michael Gordon fumbled a Warriors’ clearing kick after the first set of the match, the stage was set for the perfect start for the Kiwis. A Vatuvai try off a kick into the in-goal was quickly followed by a try to Mannering. The Warriors were well ahead of the clock with a 12 nil score line and after 8 minutes they were yet to make a tackle. The Eels were struggling to contain an on-fire Isaac Luke and the defensive decisions around the ruck were causing me concern.
Eels teams of the recent past would roll over and surrender the match at this point. However, if 2016 has taught us anything, we’ve learned that the current Eels squad is made of sterner stuff. They fight and scrap with the best teams. With this characteristic, combined with the Warriors’ capacity for self destruction, a twelve point deficit was not going to be insurmountable for the Eels.
So it was that a brace of Warriors errors led to a brace of tries for veteran Eels hooker, Isaac De Gois. For a bloke that consistently leads the line speed in defence, scoring tries that resulted from his defensive presence was a just reward.
Isaac felt the love before the game – inspiration?
A well-constructed try to Radradra via a Clint Gutherson cut-out pass put the Eels ahead, 16 to 12, and though the Warriors regained the lead through Mannerings second four-pointer, Parra went to the break in front after a long distance special. Semi had been put into space down the wing on his own side of half-way and with a collection of Eels players in support, his perfect pass found the ever present Bevan French who went on to cross for the first try in his hat-trick.
A half time score of 22 to 18 had seemed unlikely after the horror start, but the Eels thoroughly deserved their lead.
Parra Take Control
The obvious statement is that French stamped his mark by completing his hat trick. Certainly his individual effort to begin the second half underlined his game sense. However, to focus on just one player would be to undersell an Eels team that held their line in defence and threatened in attack in difficult conditions.
The Parramatta players were totally dominant throughout the second half, and when the scoring was finished by a dynamic surge from Jennings and a spectacular conversion from Radradra, it became impossible to ignore what had been achieved. From the 8th minute the Eels had out scored the Warriors 40 points to 6. This was the true reflection of their superiority.
Proof of Semi practising his kicking skills.
The improved kicking game of Clint Gutherson had engineered multiple line drop-outs from the Warriors, and Parramatta totally controlled the field position. The Eels defence forced errors and poor decisions from their Kiwi opposition and barely gave them a sniff of getting into the match. It was a performance normally associated with semi-finalists, and the team can feel proud of maintaining their own high standards.
Arthur Takes To The Sideline
In an unusual sight, Brad Arthur moved to the sideline in this match. When questioned after the match he indicated that it was his show of solidarity with the players who were competing in some atrocious weather. I wondered whether he was turning the clock back to the start of the year when he orchestrated the Auckland 9s victory from beside the field.
Wasn’t it great to see Brad in such a buoyant mood after full-time! He spoke about some well-deserved time off, but if last year is anything to go by, he’ll be chomping at the bit to launch into preparations for 2017. Given that there will be no points penalty or investigation hanging over their heads next year, you can understand Arthur’s optimism and eagerness. Factor in a stable roster strengthened by the acquisition of a couple of fiery forwards, and the recipe is there for a finals appearance next year.
Brad Arthur agrees to stay till 2019 – and don’t the fans love it!
A Final Reflection
From the moment that the points penalty was pronounced on the Eels, the season became a challenge greater than any team has ever faced. Board dramas became the focus of media calls and a player exodus was followed by injuries and suspensions. Yet the Eels adjusted and pressed on with a level of determination and resilience rarely seen in recent seasons. The encounter against the Warriors was another indication of this attitude.
With every game played using makeshift halves pairing Gutherson and Robson, the combinations and execution improved. This team was salary cap compliant and was deserving of a finals appearance. They are certainly in much better form than a few of the teams that will take part in this year’s series.
From the Cumberland Throw’s perspective, it’s incredible to think that we have just completed our first season of reporting on our beloved Eels. In our wildest dreams we could not have imagined covering such a tumultuous year. The constant feature in our reports has been the pride that we have felt in supporting a team that has given its all every week.
We trust that our feeling is similar to yours.
Damn that off season.
Bring on 2017!
Eels forever
Sixties
Great wrap up Sixties.
A massive thanks to you, Mitch and the rest of the crew on your insight, opinions and coverage this year!
Thanks Brad. We’ll continue to bring you Eels news through the off season so keep checking in.
no worries mate. appreciate the support
Thank you for a fantastic coverage ALL season.
TCT has been, without a doubt, a valuable addition and an asset to being a supporter of the Parramatta Eels.
It is without peer, the best coverage of any Rugby League Club in the NRL.
Well researched, written from the heart, and targetted at the ADULT supporters….
The many many hours of hard work the ‘team’ has put into TCT is much appreciated by all who love the Club.
Thanks for your mighty effort….Looking forward to 2017….
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Thanks Pete. It was our aim to privide a supporter site with a difference. We’d like to think that we’ve delivered on that goal. It has been said to me by a number of readers that I’ve met, that there’s been a quality and respect in the responses posted by supporters. In my opinion that has also been crucial.
In the coming week, I’ll be writing a thank you to our contributing authors, without whom this site would not have been possible.
Another great piece Sixties. There was a certain melancholic feeling that grew as I got closer to your last paragraph, knowing it will be a long time before I read another game review.
What a year! For the Parra team and the TCT group. Both should be proud of their efforts. I’m sure the real fans appreciated every part of it.
Well done.
Thanks mate. I had a similar feeling as I came closer to the finish of writing the review. It has been a long but rewarding year!
Excellent effort from all the crew. All your articles are insightful and informative and I look forward to seeing reports throughout the looooong off season. Once again many thanks to you all.
Thanks Glenn. This time last year we were in the planning stage for our site. We’ve come a long way in a short time.
Thanks Sixties, With the media not letting the truth get in the way of a story TCT has been the place I could go to get good news articles regarding our beloved Eels & after a season like this we need a happy place to go to. I look forward to 2017 as I guess all Eels fans would now that the board issues are done with. Lets see some good signings over the next couple of months but even if we don’t sign another player I believe the Eels are going to be very hard to get over next season. The player’s we have at the moment know very well how to ignore off field issues & get on with playing good tough footy so this should serve us well going forward & the fact that these guy’s not only stuck with us but played in a way that could only make us proud makes them deserving of their spot in our team.
IN BRAD WE TRUST
Well said Jim. Basically, Gordon will be our only player loss from this final round. Add in Norman, Brown, Vave to the team and possibly a couple more (including George Jennings) to the squad and its full steam ahead. This year, as painful as it’s been, will stand us in good stead.
Well written big fella as usual. Mate that game by Clint on sunday was a game that a seasoned first grader would have been proud of, his kicking along withTaka’s and causing repeat sets is something I will watch over and over again, again sixties and the rest of the TCT crew well done and thanks. See you all at the Ken Thornett medal night.
Joe I watched the game again this morning. He had a very good game, was more dominant than Robbo which is a good sign. Playing beside CN next year he could turn into something special. Also the conversion of Semi for the last try was very good. According to the commentators he spent time with Luke Burt practicing his kicking. That may have already been said on here.
As always great write-up by yourself and the other boys. I don’t always comment on each article but I definitely read all of them and appreciate them.
Off season won’t be too long mate, will only be a couple of months before we have pre-season training as well as junior rep trials.
Plus I imagine there’ll be a few signings and re-signings to talk about.
Yet another good read Sixties!
Thanks very much to you, Miatch, DK and the rest of the crew for a excellent first season in providing such a consistent positive and passionate perspective in what was a roller coaster of a year. I particularly enjoyed the interviews with 80’s legends and hope that time allows for more and perhaps you can turn your attention to some of the 60’s & 70’s greats while the opportunity exists.
cheers
Well done 60s maitch DK 40/20 and all others involved sorry if left anyone out moresand dunes runsin the pre seaons gents