Parramatta Eels 26
NQ Cowboys 6
The Good: |
Well we are back inside the Top 8. We won our third game in a row, defeating a North Queensland side who, despite losing Johnathan Thurston before kick off, were fancied to beat us on their home turf. In addition, for the second consecutive week, our first 40 minutes was stellar, completing 19 from our 21 sets as we dominated the Cows up the middle (we finished 33 from 40 for those playing along at home).
It’s a cliche, but only conceding 6 points is just as good (if not better) than our scoring 26. I’d also like to give a shout out to all of the Eels ‘fans’ tweeting and posting their absolute personal disgust with both Brad Arthur and the Eels players at about the 60th minute of the Tigers game – the fanbase has noticed you’ve collectively quieted down a little in recent weeks. Funny that. |
The Bad: |
Besides Kenny Edwards’ brain snap? Minutes 50 to 70 were pretty dreadful as we turned over ball, gave away penalties and stopped moving off our line in defence. During this period, not only did the Cowboys got on top, we once again showed we still aren’t an 80 minute side. Still, we only conceded 6 points, despite being reduced to 12 men for the final 10. |
X-Factor: |
Both sides were pretty injured coming into this one – think of the talent who otherwise would have been in a starting 17 tonight: Thurston, Scott, Granville, Coote, French, Taka, Frank Pritchard, Peni Terepo, and IDG. Granted, the Eels weren’t missing their Corey Norman and Tim Mannah, but you can only play the opposition in front of you, and we came away with the chocolates. At this point in the season I’ll take a win against a Thurston-less Cows over a close loss to a full strength team any day.
I’m also going to give bonus points to Tim Mannah’s strike against the scrum feed at a crucial point in the game. It was a smart, timely, fortunate break for the boys in Blue & Gold. Basically the exact opposite of Kenny Edwards’ key moment. |
The MVP: |
There was a lot of good things about Parra’s performance tonight, so I was torn and had to turn to Twitter (@EelsTCT if you’re not already all over it) to help decide tonight’s MVP. Honourable mentions to Clint Gutherson, Corey Norman and Nathan Brown (who, as an aside, have already won the honour in 2017), but tonight, for mine, it was Michael Jennings. I thought The Jet was not only solid in defence, but more obviously had a dominant hand in almost every try we scored tonight. Welcome to the winner’s circle Jenko, you’re tonight’s TCT MVP. |
The Starters
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1- Clinton GuthersonFullback, Parramatta Eels Did you see that first try? Our very own, lemon-flavoured Superman. You could make a case for giving him MVP in each game for the past few weeks, and will find himself rewarded with a well-deserved City jersey next week. Tonight he helped himself to 2 tries, 4 goals, 12 runs, 23 passes, 141 metres and 18 of our 26 points – what a crazy stat sheet from the Guthbus. With that said, that drop in the second half almost killed me. Gutho just keeps getting better, and is excelling for us at fullback. As you’re no doubt already aware, Gutho also has a really great head of hair. |
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2- Semi RadradraLeft Wing, Parramatta Eels I really, really don’t want to mention that tonight could actually have been Semi’s last game in the Blue & Gold (he’ll be back), but it was still a pretty solid effort from the big Fijian (although maybe not one of his best by his incredibly lofty standards). Semi had 12 runs and 135 running metres and 2 tackle breaks. Yet the try scoring machine didn’t even bother to cross the stripe tonight – lazy. Also a quick shout out for getting that one on one strip on Michael Morgan – anyone know the last time an Eels player had one of those? I know the NRL community generally frowns on contractual backflips Semi, but in this case we’d be all for it. |
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3- Michael JenningsLeft Centre, Parramatta Eels This performance has been building for a few weeks, but The Jet was borderline unstoppable tonight. Attacking at will against a tiring, retreating Cowboys defence, Jenko’s 11 runs for 130 running metres looked pretty sublime. When you also throw in his linebreak, linebreak assist, try assist and 4 tackle breaks, you can probably see why he gets the bickies tonight. You are in stellar form, Jenko. |
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4- Kirisome Auva’aRight Centre, Parramatta Eels Kirisome almost made 100 metres (95) from the centre position, without a linebreak. In a game where both teams showed signs of significant fatigue, that sort of offensive production is gold. The Va also went close to leading our team in post contact metres. Again, the 3 missed tackles is an area to improve, but I still really hope we can find a way to re-sign him for another season or two. Again, is it pronounced ‘a-ha-va’, ‘ah-va-ha’ ‘ah-vow’ or ‘ahh-va’? Anyone? |
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5- Josh HoffmanRight Wing, Parramatta Eels With only minimal kick return metres (10), Hoff still managed to crack 100 running metres (104) from his 11 hit ups. Joshua was also only one behind Jenko in tackle breaks (3) and had a clean sheet when it came to missed and ineffective tackles. Another terrific contribution from the world’s happiest winger. |
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6- Will SmithFive-Eighth, Parramatta Eels I know it sounds crazy but I’m actually going to avoid the obvious Fresh Prince, Men in Black, Bad Boys references and just talk about the footballer. I thought Smitty executed his role perfectly tonight, not least for his effort to back up for our first try of the second half. In general play, he didn’t overplay his hand, but just chimed in when needed with his 5 runs for 51 metres, throwing in a tackle break for good measure. If anything I thought Will would have featured more in the team’s kicking duties (2 kicks for 39 metres), but nonetheless he should be proud of his contribution to the win tonight. No, that’s it. I’m really not doing it. |
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7- Corey NormanHalfback, Parramatta Eels It’s hard not to love Corey’s game management, communication and control tonight. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – whatever we signed him for, we got a very, very good deal. I must admit I was a little surprised to hear BA to speak so openly in a post game interview that we just need to get the ball in Corey’s hands as often as possible. We obviously know that to be true, but for a coach like BA to say that on camera surely speaks volumes of the high regard he has for Corey’s game. One of those performances where the stats don’t tell the story. |
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8- Suaia MatagiProp, Parramatta Eels I don’t know if something as variable and potentially complex as a game of Rugby League should be so simplified as this, but here goes – when Matagi is playing well and making metres, the Eels win. This fact was again true tonight with 12 hit ups and 125 metres from the Cannonball, who also brought back some ferocious defence that the Cows will still be feeling when next week rolls around. |
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9- Kaysa PritchardHooker, Parramatta Eels The hit and stick defensive pattern is coming along nicely, but what I’ve noticed more so in recent weeks has been the evolution and emergence of Kaysa’s running game. To be fair, such opportunities are only possible when the forwards are making metres and creating quick play the balls, but it is heartening to see Kaysa so readily taking advantage of our pack’s stretches of dominance in recent weeks. However, I must note that once again Kaysa’s 34 tackle count is somewhat negated by his increasingly expected 5 misses. |
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10- Tim Mannah (c)Prop, Parramatta Eels Tim Mannah will never have a better two minute stretch than he did tonight – first striking the ball for a scrum win against the feed, and then crossing for only his 5th career try. I’ve resigned myself to simply let the haters continue to try justify why Mannah’s 104 metres and 25 tackles mean so little, while the rest of us continue to appreciate how much better we are as a team when Heaven Sent is on the park. A terrific 42 minute stint tonight. |
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11- Manu Ma’uBack Row, Parramatta Eels It was like a bad day in Baghdad for Manu out there tonight – head knocks, knee injuries, HIAs and what looks like a shot to the jaw. Had almost identical offensive numbers to Tep below with 10 hit ups and 90 running metres, as well as 29 tackles. |
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12- Tepai MoreoaBack Row, Parramatta Eels Tep went very close to player of the game calculations in only 39 minutes with his own 90 running metres from 10 hit ups, his disallowed try (please), and 20 tackles. Be great for him to be wearing a City jersey next week, but mostly just hoping he’s ok after that failed HIA. |
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13- Nathan BrownLock, Parramatta Eels How he is still standing after hitting the ball up 22 times for 186 metres and making 30 tackles, I’ll never know. What a monster. What a huge signing he has been for this club. Looking forward to seeing him in a City jersey next week. Shut it down, Nathan. Shut it down. |
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Interchange
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14- Beau Scott (c)Interchange, Parramatta Eels I’m not sure why Beau Scott was wearing a head gear tonight, when it is a well known fact that he doesn’t bleed, and that he’ll live forever.  Well he doesn’t, so you can’t. |
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6- Kenny EdwardsInterchange, Parramatta Eels I could barely be more filthy with him. What a ridiculous error at such a pivotal time. I’m sure plenty will disagree with me, but for mine, whatever good he did in the game (and there was plenty) was completely eradicated in that one moment. With that said, for those calling for Kenny to be dropped from the side for future matches, I couldn’t disagree more. His play, other than that ridiculous brain snap and subsequent reaction, has been stellar since his return. You’d think he’d have to learn from this, and BA will no doubt be letting Kenny know his thoughts. |
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17- Siosaia VaveInterchange, Parramatta Eels A game as big as his bared backside. For those not familiar, 137 metres from 10 hit ups is a ridiculously good performance, particularly when you team it with no missed or ineffective tackles on the defensive end. All in 28 minutes, too. I dare say tonight was Siosaia’s best game in the Blue & Gold, but I suspect that won’t be the last time I say that. |
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Above all else, a 3 game winning streak is the nicest of ways to enter rep round.
Go you Eels,
Mitch.
Photos courtesy of the Parramatta Eels. Stats courtesy of Champion Data.
Absolutely terrible behaviour from Kenny. Put that in the same basket as last week, where there was still 3 or 4 minutes to go, the Panthers made an error and he kicks the ball out in celebration which in turn stopped the clock. In what was a close game it was idiotic at best.
Needless to say that the same stupidity occurred tonight. Let’s be thankful that we forced an error not long after to take back the momentum. After watching the presser I think Kenny will be picking up pieces of rubbish during the next lunch break.
I was also pretty dirty with his response, walking slowly from the ground and then throwing a chair in anger. Just disappointing behaviour from one of my otherwise favourite players.
Still, we somehow didn’t concede any points during that final 10 minutes. Huge effort from the other 12 blokes.
Ps – Media are saying it was a slap, but it kinda looked like a weird punch to me.
Yep, the remaining 12 blokes did really well in that last 10 minutes. Cowboys were on a roll and we strangled the momentum back.
I thought Scott made some progress in getting back to his best. Although he still has that silly offload in his game.
Yeah both Brown and Vave had a similarly silly offload each at different points too. Corey gave Vave a spray too.
Thought Beau was really good last night. Seemed to have a lot more energy than he’s had in the first 5 or so rounds.
Kenny needs to go to the same psychiatrist that Brown is using. A small tweak will allow him to be his best.
I just hope he can learn from this experience. I assume he’s not going to be involved in any more urine swapping or any of his other previous misdemeanors again. I just hope it doesn’t get to the point where we need to sack him and some other team benefits from his brilliant play.
The last 3 weeks is a bit of a false dawn in my opinion weve beat a tigers team that beat themselves in the second half a out of form panthers team and a injury ravaged cowboys missing the best player in thr game.
Great that we have won 3 in a row but the test will be the next 2 games roosters and raifers will gice us a clear indication of where we are we are still yet to produce a full 80 mins.
I completely agree – it is good preparation to have those confidence building wins, but I suspect a team like the Roosters would have made us pay for that 20 minute lull tonight.
We are playing much better than we were, but we’re not world beaters, or even an 80 minute team just yet. Hopefully we can be at least the latter against the Chooks.
Whilst i do somewhat agree with this statement, at the end of the day you can only beat what is in front of you.
I agree that in the previous two wins we were quite fortunate as we had large lapses in concentration, which in turn resulted in absolutely terrible completion rates. That diddnt happen last night so at least you can say that they are improving. We were expected to make last nights opposition look like crap (Despite still fielding a competitive pack) and we did. You cant really ask for any more than that.
Absolutely spot on Daniel!
Well said Dan.
Have to agree with all you’ve written their miatch , very good.
Maybe if Arthur roomed Kenny with Brown in the future, Brown could give him a few pointers on how to exorcize those demons.
Vave another great recruit identified by Brad, is improving every week after coming back under done. I’m loving this attacking “predator”.
Thanks mate. As I said, I think it was Vave’s best game tonight.
Kenny needs to curb his enthusiasm in the aspect of his cuddles, make sure one does not have an opposition player in the cuddle. He retaliated to a open cuffed hand from Cooper, so why was Cooper not put out for the same offence as well as being a cause for the melle`?
While I am an unashamed fan of Kaysa, I am pleased to see his continual lift in his game play, the move he put on that allowed Tim to score his try was exceptional, but I guess because he is such a poor tackler that he needs to be replaced. He had some time off for a brief rest before returning, but correct me if I am wrong was the Cows try scored whlist Kaysa was off the field?
You would be correct, it certainly was whilst Kaysa was off the park. With that said, it was a chip over the top and probably exposed Gutho’s fullback positioning more than anything else. To be fair, it probably was more a case of just being a really great kick from John Asiata on the 3rd tackle.
Morgan looked to put in the chip the tackle prior but the defence was on him too quick. It was very obvious that was the Cows plan. Of cause on the very next tackle it was try time. Poorly read by Parra. Gutho made the goal line tackle 2 tackles prior. Im not sure it was his fault to be honest.
I watched Gutho closely last night. His energy behind play is amazing. Id love to see the kilometers he covers. Would also love to see a comparison as to how far he travels in a game compared to The Hayne Plane.
Yeah not blaming Gutho either, although like you said he probably could have been wiser to it when Morgan was pressured out of the same move on the play before. With that said, it was just a good play from the Cows.
Great to see the collective wisdom above in calling Kenny Edwards out for behaviour which is entirely self centered rather than team orientated. Of course there will be those who see it differently but Ken’s behaviour, especially in light of the fact that he has missed so many games suspended, shows his mind is NOT really on the job at hand…..a minor advantage is celebrated as though its full time in a winning grand final….he needs to look at the big picture and with respect, the coaching staff need to work a little harder in making this clear to a gifted footballer who could contribute so many positive skills to our team !
I think suggesting his mind is not on the job is a little misdirected – I think his mind was on the job just fine, it was just a poor decision on his behalf to continue to push the celebration with opposition players, and then act surprised when Cooper took exception. With that said, I completely agree with your reflections regarding Kenny’s need to look at the bigger picture.
Favourite moment of the night (other than the win) has to go to gutho. A few times we gave away penalties on our line and brown was ripping into the refs. Clint gave him a few kidney punches and berated him.
Was good stuff from Clint. Sign of maturity and further strengthens the quality of his on field coaching.
He took every opportunity to fire up his team, that talk and camaraderie that we noticed was missing throughout most of the Tigers game. I actually think talk like that has a really big impact on group performance.
Great summary and well and truly back up your comments about Edwards, beyond stupid. You can’t help but think he will have a moment in 10-20 years where he realises how much talent he wasted and what could have been.
The age old argument of who is of greater importance, backs or forwards, will be argued forever but no coincidence that when our forwards make yards and win the wrestle in the ruck, our backs do their thing. Brown was a standout but Mannah was also very good, hit the line and kept going forward. I am very happy to eat some humble pie regarding Kaysa, he has been much improved in the last two weeks.
On the other side, won’t Kaylan Ponga be some footballer in years to come, so good with just an inch of space.
Kaysa has really stood up in the last two weeks, completely different player than we saw in Rounds 3-7.
In my opinion forwards are the most important ingredient for a successful football side. It all starts with forwards – and if you have really great forwards, even average backs can do the job for you (see Souths in 2015). The stronger your forward base, the less pressure on your backs.
At the moment I would suggest Parra’s sterling backline is creating some opportunities themselves, but our forward pack is also starting to open up even more space for them. It’s a purple patch for us at the moment, where we have a nice balance.
Seems almost too obvious to point out, but as soon as we start to lower our completion rate, or start to lose the ruck, however, we’ll struggle.
Thought both Timmy & Kaysa brought their “A” games last night. No point debating what the result could of been had both teams been at full strength. You can only play what’s in front of you and apart from a 10 to 15 min spell in the 2nd half we pretty well controlled and dominated the match.
well said mate – agreed. We passed this test, let’s see what we can now do against some very handy competition in the Roosters and Raiders. Will be quite the litmus test for us.
Miatch, please let Sixties and Co. To give the coaching staff a few hints – the fans want Nathan Brown signed up long term .
Yes we know he’s signed for next year, but as the Dragons did with Vaughn, the smarter club’s don’t wait around to get these very good players done long term.
He’ll be worth big dollars at the end of 2018.
I think the coaching staff have got things under control, Chief.
I will add that I too think Nathan Brown has been exceptional. Great attitude and effort. The hit on Asiata to force a knock on when Eels were under pressure was next level stuff. Brilliant.
As for Kenny; everyone is being way too hard on the guy – both players should have been binned for “slapping” if that’s what you will call it as the Cowboys player was the aggressor in the altercation. Personally I hope Kenny doesn’t change a thing attitude wise – the slow walk, celebrating errors, cuddling opposition, cramping up. That’s the character the game misses and needs so badly. It’s a working class game after all. Besides, Cam Smith pesters the Refs, Gallen takes dives, Ennis was a menace. Kenny can do some cuddling and give abit of attitude if it fires up the team for sure.
Discipline is required though, His mistake was thinking no one would ever take exception to being man hugged by the opposition after an error. Don’t retaliate – get the penalty and celebrate some more!
Agreed re discipline. I didn’t have an issue with the hug, I actually think it’s funny. But surely he wouldn’t be silly enough to think an opposition player wouldn’t eventually object. As you mentioned, his response was the issue, and is what gets the F grade from me.
Kenny is actually my favourite player, but I couldn’t cop the play at such a time. We were lucky to get away with it. Imagine how much more filthy we’d be if we lost!
Good assessment Mitch. My only comment was that the Cows coach ought get a F- for his instructions on defending Michael Jennings. Who would think he could get away with a dummy???
To be fair to Paul Green, if we run the play right, the 3 man defence is choosing between Corey Norman, Clint Gutherson, Michael Jennings and Semi Radradra. Sometimes Manu is there for them too, just to add to the mayhem.
Evidently they let Corey and Jennings through for Gutho’s first two tries. When we get it right, it’s pick your poison for right side defenses playing us. Hopefully we can keep executing these plays.
If I were Green, I’d be more filthy with Will Smith’s try when Jennings ran from dummy half, straight through the middle of the team, before offloading to Brown.
Was fun to watch. I suspect we won’t have it so easy against the Roosters.