Parramatta Eels 16
Canberra Raiders 22
The Good: |
Despite the injury toll continuing to mount (see The Bad), we were right in this contest. We are a young side who is building nicely. |
The Bad: |
The loss is bad but more upsetting are the injuries to Jennings and Brown. The bursting casualty ward is starting to bring our season down. Big time. |
X-Factor: |
The 26 missed tackles are unacceptable. For those reaching for their pitchforks, Moses only had 1 (Gutho and Tepai each had 5; Kaysa 4). |
The MVP: |
Special mention to Daniel Alvaro (who loves playing the Raiders), Manu Ma’u and Beau Scott, but it’d be wrong of me not to give it (again) to Bula. |
The Starters
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1- Bevan FrenchFullback, Parramatta Eels Welcome back Air France. I think the speed/weight ratio is still off for Bev and like every other armchair Parra coach, I’d like to see him put on a couple of kilos in the upper body. He also missed his only tackle attempt, which looks bad. Still, the 3 tackle breaks and 126 metres is pretty handy. French’s freakish speed went very close to scoring on that magic Jenko break, but it wasn’t to be. |
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2- Semi RadradraLeft Wing, Parramatta Eels A massive 197m (from 19 carries) but the stats don’t show the extent Semi was involved tonight (well I guess the 7 tackle breaks, 2 offloads and 2 line break assists do to a degree). Thoroughly deserves the MVP, and his set up for Jenko’s try was just silly. Much good, Semi. Much good. |
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3- Michael JenningsLeft Centre, Parramatta Eels Ugh. Get injured why don’t you? Was killing it the last couple of weeks, too. |
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4- Kirisome Auva’aRight Centre, Parramatta Eels Some strong carries (94m), but his lateral movements are like that of a cruise ship. |
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5- Josh HoffmanRight Wing, Parramatta Eels It will take me a while to forgive him for that miss on Cotric for the first try (his only miss for the match), but he did crack the 100m mark (104m) off his 10 carries. |
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6- Clinton GuthersonFive-Eighth, Parramatta Eels No one loves the Guth Bus more than I, but surely the half experiment is over. He’s a very talented, very versatile fullback or centre for mine. Despite an off night, Lemonade is still tying Brown and Corey for our best player this year. |
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21- Mitchell MosesHalfback, Parramatta Eels I thought he looked alright having only two training sessions and on his own out there with respect to halves (sorry Gutho and apparently Vave). He had a real dig tonight and both he and the team will be better for it. Tonight’s kicking game for Syndes Moses was either brilliant or pretty poor, thankfully it was mostly brilliant (the long range finding grass, grubber to force a late repeat set come to mind). Mitch also ran the ball 4 times (28 metres), and made 13 tackles (1 miss, 1 ineffective). To be honest, I’m holding off true judgement until he gets acquainted with Corey, but overall I was pretty pleased with his first (return) outing. |
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8- Suaia MatagiProp, Parramatta Eels Helped himself to 6 runs for 63 metres, and a massive 28 tackles (with 3 misses). Still, we need more metres and hit ups from our starting prop. |
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9- Kaysa PritchardHooker, Parramatta Eels Was dreadful, then average, then brilliant, then average. How would you grade that? What if I told you he made 48 tackles? Then mix in his 4 misses, and 2 ineffectives. Then throw in his try assist to Vave. The Kaysa riddle continues to baffle fans of the Blue and Gold, but you get the feeling he might be wearing the 14 jersey in 2018. |
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10- Tim Mannah (c)Prop, Parramatta Eels Someone alert the authorities – Tim Mannah is a deadset ninja. I do not recall him making 9 hitups, and I certainly don’t recall the 91 metres. Mannah Time also apparently make 31 tackles without a miss. Well, evidently that’s a pretty good game. |
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11- Manu Ma’uBack Row, Parramatta Eels A massive 133 metres from his 15 carries, and he brought that sort of running game agro he’s always hung his hat on (see his 3 tackle breaks). More of this, you magnificent bastard. |
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12- Tepai MoreoaBack Row, Parramatta Eels He’ll be sore tomorrow. |
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13- Nathan BrownLock, Parramatta Eels We thought we’d be ok when we lost IDG. But then the injury bug bit Pritchard and Peni Terepo. Suddenly French was out and Taka goes down. Now our big guns Corey, Browny, and Jenko have succumb. We’re actually close to having a better side on the sidelines then we do on the park. Here, I’ve decided to grade how I feel about all of these injuries. |
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Interchange
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14- Beau Scott (c)Interchange, Parramatta Eels Ridiculous throw back game from the Predator. A huge 97 metres from his 9 hit ups, and was unsurprisingly brutal in defence (16 tackles, no miss or ineffect). Easily his best game of the season, and I’m not even writing this in fear of my life. |
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15- Daniel AlvaroInterchange, Parramatta Eels Speaking of players having their best game of the season – 70 metres (7 hit ups) and 30 tackles. Some great post contact metres (that stat is so hot right now), and good, measured aggression in defence. Please sir, I want some more. |
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16- Kenny EdwardsInterchange, Parramatta Eels When he’s not making stupid plays (ok, I’m over it now), he really is a terrific footballer. The Ken Doll made 94 metres from his 9 hit ups, playing plenty of extra minutes once Natahn Brown shut-himself-down. Keds made 20 tackles, too. |
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17- Siosaia VaveInterchange, Parramatta Eels I thought he looked much better than his 93 metres from 12 carries suggests, and he scores a great line running try (the aforementioned assist to Kaysa). There are also several unconfirmed sightings of the world’s biggest dummy half out at ANZ Stadium tonight fitting this man’s description. |
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Yes we lost, but we aren’t far off the pace.
Go you Eels,
Mitch.
Photos courtesy of the Parramatta Eels and some sort of Bible image. Stats courtesy of Champion Data.
I’m not sure why you’re giving Auva’a and Hoffman Bs.
They definitely are not producing what is needed to win games. A winger ‘ job is to get the team onto the front foot from the back, and although Hoff tries, he hasn’t the strength to cause problems.
Auva’a is continually beaten on the outside and really don’t think he should be re-sign ed – maybe as a backup at best.
I think you raise a good question, and if attacking stats were lower, I’d agree with you. But 104 and 94 metres is pretty significant yardage.
I’ll give Hoff to a C+, mostly for that awful miss on Cotric, but the two you refer to only missed two tackles between them.
IMO the bad game you think Auva’a had just didn’t happen tonight. He plays like an extra forward coming out of our end.
Agree
What i learned from yesterday is that we still hsve a long way to go before we will achive anything. This shouldn’t be the case and if we miss tge 8 a review will need to happen.
you taking our ridiculous injury toll into account? as highlighted below, we’ve a very young spine, too.
We’re again currently the team hardest hit by injuries:
https://www.zerotackle.com/rugby-league/injuries-suspensions/
It may be the bias in me talking, I’ll have to try dig up the stats, but it feels like we’re always slammed with injuries.
Makes me wonder if there’s something with our injury/load management that’s not up to scratch with other teams…
Bit rough on Moeroa, thought he was close to our best
people often remember different little moments and that tends to reflect their thoughts. Tepai made some good carries (13), but missed 5 tackles, dropped the ball with a minute to go (not his fault, but unfortunate) and got smashed at least twice. I don’t think he was close to our best, but I might be being a little harsh though.
I thought Manu deserved the MoM award with his effort on effort and penetrating runs. His kick that lead to the try was a performance well above his pay grade or position in the team.
Love your grades all the same Mitch. Tough thing to do after a loss and is greatly appreciated
yeah he went really close to MoM – he just seems to fire himself at the line again like he once did.
thanks mate.
Glad I’m not in your class , these ratings and especially reasons miss a lot for mine , semi alone constantly out of position ( last try ) and runs into the thickest part of defence constantly and gets A. Auva was a defensive nightmare again but we all see it different I suppose ,the major ” the good ” everyone misses is the youth of our spine ,even latest member Moses is a kid , Moses and Corey will take us forward , gutho to 3 bevan and Kaysa and the youth coming through and the rebuild is nearly done ,it’s just those hardheaded props were chasing imo but as I said we all see it different ,ps , Alvaro wenty material as backup at best !!
ha gees I can’t win with Alvaro. when I hack on him people come at me, and the first time I thought he played alright I cop it too. which part about his 7 for 70 and 30 tackles with only 1 miss upset you though? I rarely give him wraps, but thought he did little wrong tonight.
Semi out of position on the last try? Yeah, Rapana got around him, but surely you could see he stayed inside to protect Manu (who was defending in the centres to cover Jennings’ position)? I blame Jennings’ injury created the uncertainty.
Avua’a’s comment reflects my thoughts on his defensive liabilities, but he made a lot of tough metres and played more of a forward than some of our forwards. I thought we were beaten in the middle again (see grades for Tep, Kaysa, Vave and Matagi), I can’t see why you’d be disappointed with Bula though, even if he’s running into the thick of the defence.
Yes to the hardheaded props, and surely a search for someone to wear the 9 jersey.
agreed re young spine – didn’t occur to me straight after the loss, was more focused on the gutting injury toll. added to the good.
Mitch my comments re semi reflect not just tonight ,he is repeatedly caught out through bad judgement and just plain ” not to bright ” I for one won’t miss him , sure he’s scored plenty that fades when you added how many he lets in and especially how many he misses , same Alvaro ,not bad last night but we can’t save him on that , nrl seasons are built on players consistent performances ,re where semi runs he’s a lot harder to handle for 1 or 2 defenders than running into thick ,hitting out of trouble yep but going looking for tackle breaks there’s more likelihood less defender , anyway just opinion , yours is a valid as mine mate
Much like you Anon I don’t have a very high opinion of Alvaro generally. Got absolutely smashed by Roosters last week but thought played a good game against another monster pack yesterday.
Yes we badly need a couple big, aggressive props as Matagi and Mannah just don’t provide the go forward we need any more. I’m worried that BA has purchased Evans and then put the cheque book back in the drawer. I mean Tigers in one month have purchased 3 good, big and aggressive forwards as well as strengthening the backline.
Just on Evans I’ll reserve judgement but imo is not the type of player we need.
Think you find cheque book still works but BA won’t pay overs again imo ,that’s how board demolished last season and cost us peats and junior so he has to build again with sensible buys , me I would rather buy 2 or 3 for price of one ,depth is paramount as 60,s pointed to never having full team on paddock , Willis Meehan mentioned in Tele and the days of fair players milking us are over underBA,s watch ,it’s been 3 seasons of rebuilding juniors properly by BA and Anthony field that’s nearly ready to kick in ,reckon BA is talking to many players but not many leaks nowadays and managers aren’t running our club anymore ,there was a lot to fix at this club and we were nearly there till the board destroyed it, put us back at least a season 2017 that is so by 2018 will be where 2016 was till destroyed ,people are working hard to fix it again but this time with supportive administration ,patience will be rewarded 18 imo
We were a deadset contender with our roster in 2016. We know what happened then.
Like every other team, we need our full roster (or at least our full compliment of key players) to make a mark this year. We need Norman, we need Jennings, we need Brown, we need Terepo. Yes, I regard Terepo as close to essential. He is our big body, bend the line prop. The loss of IDG was the biggest impact. I’ll go so far as to say that anyone who can’t see what Goisy brought to this team doesn’t understand footy.
So from here, our prospects depend on staying in touch and getting players back. I’m not writing off what we can achieve by any stretch, I’m a believer in looking at the now as well as the future. But we must have our full roster or close to it to get to the finals.
agreed on this comment Anon. looking forward to seeing what we can do with the remainder of 2017.
Given that I have been away I just managed to finish watching the game. I thought that Alvaro was especially effective in the game. He has always had a big motor and got thru a lot of work against the Raiders but also he was very effective. He made good metres and good post contact metres but also got a nice offload away when ambushed by the Canberra defence.
Yeah I thought so too, and Im not normally an Alvaro apologist (love the bloke, but just not consistently providing an impact).
Hopefully can string together some good performances on the back of this one.
all good anon, like I said as much as he tries, Alvaro’s not normally a favourite of mine, so I agree with your reflections on other games this year. but I thought he worked his ass off last night, AND was really effective. agree that consistent performances like that are more the issue, though.
re Bula, I think if he’s not topping our hit up count there’s cause for concern, but he did a lot of work last night, even if it wasn’t all brilliant. and yes, the defence on Rapana upset me but I put some of that down to Jennings not being there. all good mate. thanks for your comments.
Does anyone have any idea when we just might have all our players available ?
As for gutherson at 5/8 well it’s only a part time thing.
I heard the other night on triple M when brad Arthur was on telling them that his plan is to have Moses 7 norman 6 he was very clear on how he wants Norman back at 5/8 n using his running game.
He stated that with Moses playing his natural game but also playing how we did when we had foz.
I’m looking forward to seeing how norm n Mitch go as a running set of halfs. I think you will find Moses playing the same side as Norman but in saying that we can’t focus on our left edge attack. Go parra. Can’t wait to we are at full strength.
The players injured yesterday, I have no idea. Normz will miss the next 4 matches.
Well said Rev. looking forward to something resembling a full strength side too.
I thought that Manu was best on field, not just best for the Eels last night. Semi had a superb attacking game, but does make those carries from our own end harder with his lines. Unfortunately he again gave Rapana room on that try.
Kaysa had a mixed bag of a game. Sometimes I think I expect too much of a bloke in his first year running the team from dummy half. I’m not sold on Kaysa playing 80 minutes right now. The way he plays leaves him exhausted and he’s one of the fittest blokes in the club. I watched a lot of him off the ball last night and he had moments with nothing in the tank. I don’t have an answer other than playing another dummy half off the bench.
My concerns – an injury toll that now includes IDG, Norman, Terepo, F. Pritchard, Brown, Jennings, Takairangi (hopefully returning). We have not fielded our full strength team on any occasion this year.
I did not see the game, nor listened to it, this morning I read the various reports in the media along with this after match analysis, hard for me to comment much as a result, but I would have to say after reading them all, is that while we lost, the game was very evenly matched, certainly losing Brown so early really put a dent in the prospects of a win, thing I have yet to see is the scoreline when he went off, after what is said to be the 20 minute mark.
What I have found when comparing other reviews/reports and those on 1eyed and this one is how hard supporters are on the team, often even a win is cause to find any fault in players they want to.
(caveat) I am not having a go at you in this Mitch, rather its something that I witness a lot.
I do not like the idea of losing or the fact of it, and I have to say though that as bad as last year was I think this year is really a year that has as much drama as last. Looking at the Semi issue I think has had an affect across the team, players are not performing anywhere near their abilities, and that include Tim Mannah. The injuries have been as bad as the suspensions last year especially in the key players out, French, Norman, Taka, now Brown who has been the best forward we have had this year, also MJ more so since he has lifted (nothing to do with SOO?)
We have probably the youngest and really least experienced spine in the 1, 6, 7 & 9 spots, Moses his first game after barely 2 training runs, Pritchard getting roasted here yet on other reports his game shows improvements one dropped ball. The overall reports though suggest the eels were unlucky, I only believe in luck when its not used to hide poor reads, ball control and refs.
One thing though that from what I have seen so far in games I have watched, there are a couple of players that really need to look at themselves especially as they have longer term contracts, and whether they can fulfill those years remaining, which tells me also that while its good to bring in older and experienced? players, not all are showing their value.
All that aside, we sit just outside the 8, and with a full game under his belt and another week of training, Moses should be better for last nights run, nerves gone etc, the seasong is not lost yet, so still much to play for.
We could not make yesterday’s game so comments based on T.V coverage, but to me our glaring weakness is still shinning bright.
Our starting props are not intimidating and get smashed early in the game, every week. We always seem to be chasing to get momentum and or points back. Boy I miss watching Penni Terepo simply running straight and hard. Why are our props so bad this year and not last year? ( obviously Wicks is gone, but still they look terrible)
Enter the big problem with the team. We have Kaysa and not Degois at 9. This hurts us equally in defence (speed of line) and attack.
Kaysa :
Good kid-tick.
Tries hard- tick
Passionate about the club- tick
Good bench player- tick
However the props are getting terrible service from Kaysa- not quick enough or direct. He also cannot or does not pass from the ground, especially left to right and when in attacking field position. This puts our forwards and halves on the back foot, especially as the opposition move quickly from marker as they do not fear Kaysa’s non existent running from dummy half and are in our forwards/ or play makers faces quickly. Our players constantly look rushed because of this. We don’t make metres and end up defending our own line, which makes us tire quicker. It is the same story each week.
Finding a super creative dummy half is hard but I will settle for one who can actually make each play the ball after more then 10 minutes into the game and throw good, consistent and quick passes from the ground. Moses and Norman, when back, can do the creative stuff.
I love coach BA but he needs to fix this and see Kaysa is not the option if we want to build towards a premiership team in the next couple of years. At some point loyalty needs to be given to the fans as well as players. I know the players stuck by BA and the club last year but Kaysa has had a fair chance to grab the position and is simply not up to being a starting # 9. We need to give someone else a go this year as Kaysa is costing us games, so how much worse can it get with someone else, at least we as fans will know BA can see the problem and is trying to fix it. Look how much better the Cowboys are playing withGranville back, even with Thurston still out. # 9 is so important in the modern game.
Until this is fixed no ‘changes’ to other positions will work. I don’t care who comes in next year to play 9, as Peats is obviously not coming back- not unhappy really about this as I think he has developed a bit of an unhealthy ego . However anyone would have to be better then our current 9 as I genuinely believe we have the worst 9, skill wise, in the comp. Trying hard is not good enough anymore as Kaysa’s deficiencies in skill are not improving at all and more importantly the opposition teams are seeing this.
In saying that they all tried hard, much better effort then last week, sometimes that’s all you can ask.
We will be back at the game on Friday supporting them, supporters support all the time not just when times are good.
All sensible valid comments Shelley with reasoning, unfortunately you play with the hand your dealt and Kaysa does have lots of room for improvement but in his defence he was promoted by Ricky way to early and endured a horrific run of injurys that would have put most out of game but never gave up , may not be our first choice 2018 but all we have at moment, re peats his skills no better than kaysas but experienced , watch titans games jeez he misses some game changers , where’s the goissy knockers now , not on this site !! Enjoyed what you said though Shelley it does bear thought .
Good to see valuable and sensible contributions on tct from members of another site inc chief, col Hussey,Shelley ,and others because I’ve missed their sensible input but can’t deal with what comes with it elsewhere, I believe everything is up for discussion if done in correct manner ,cheers .
I really like the TCT site because it deals with footy and just footy and gives fans a voice and good information- the difference between this site and some others is I find the honesty refreshing, respectful and not agenda driven.
The BA hate on some of the other sites is simply ridiculous and I fear driven by some dislike of BA’s ‘honesty’ with the NRL last year.
All I ask is that a coach and other relevant staff recognise weaknesses in a squad and try to do something about it. BA knew we needed a half but waited to get the right one. He gave Gutho a chance but could see it was not a long term option. So he got Moses. Moses and Norman , given time, will be great together. Moses has a good and consistent long kicking game, our long kicking game last night was very good, short kicking not so. A consistent long kicking game is the exact thing Norman does not have, but he has a brilliant short kicking game. Moses is a wise choice by BA – much better option then Ben Hunt. Moses and Norman will make a great combination
I trust BA can see some other problems , the #9 and the absence of a big impactful no frills prop, but just like the half situation we need to trust BA and to be patient to find the best solution not simply panic buy, as I fear the Tigers are doing and what we have done in the past.
Shelley, I think that other sites and the vast number of fans there, I use the term fan rather than supporter is that a fan has to be moved to get any affect on oneself, applies to many of them. OTOH supporters are there thick and thin, win, lose or draw, would love nothing more than the first option than the other two though
As such I think those I refer to want instant and constant success, so would we all, but in that arena it allows for none of the non win situations which is really achievable in the whole scheme of things. To me if the team loses and all have put in, then I can wear the lose, not easy but I would hope the players as a whole would or should be dirty with themselves. In the same way the coach should also be dirty with them. I have watched all of BA’s post match media interviews and one can say that he gets pretty p’d at times, last night he was like that but a bit more reserved.
I personally think that there is now a point in the season where he has to seriously look at some changes, the problem of course is who should be dropped and who promoted, in some ways the form of the Wenty players do not present him with a lot of options, thing to me is that there are some players that are not showing up enough but were doing so in the first couple of rounds, one of them and this is only my view is Matagi, he has seriously dropped form in his impact running and defense. I think he needs to capture that against the bunnies or shake hands with Cayliss. Thing is who to bring in? If he was staying with us I would like to see Twal given a shot, but maybe O’Brien or Gower should come in to the team as starting prop.
I am hopeful of Taka being ok for the next round have him in the centres and Auva’a at wing, if he does not lift time for young Greg Leleisiuao to be given a shot on the wing. Many other coaches are prepared to take a risk in order to wake team members up, as they seem to look at loyalty being a two way street, I believe that our coach needs to look at that situation as well. Cannot hurt any more than what is happening now.
I agree totally regarding Matagi. He gets caught being lazy at marker way too much. Mannah and Matagi are too similar to both start, not aggressive enough to set a strong dominant platform or quickly get momentum back if lost. I think they would both benefit from being a tag team.
Of course you have to have the replacements to make changes. Don’t know if we do and will trust the coach but if he can not see the solutions in the squad we currently have to make changes now then I would hope he makes some changes, even if tough decisions have to be made in regards to players who have been loyal, in the off season with some new recruits.
I also don’t know the quality of the specific juniors coming through who are close to coming up without ruining them, so it is hard. Again I will trust the coaches with this.
There is much upside to our team but some fine tuining is needed.
Shelley – I think your comment regarding our recruitment (Moses and Norman, vs Norman and Hunt in particular) is spot on.
Really well said.
Pretty good marking Mitch, I also appreciate the encouraging words expressed for a number of players who did not “get it all right”.
We fans certainly all see the game from a different perspective though, as Anon has stated.
I thought the effort was fantastic especially to rally after being down 10 blot. At the game there was a feeling of expectation in the crowd that we were only a try away from resurrection as we initially held the Raiders after the first two tries and then gradually ground our way back into the contest.
In regard to our mounting injury toll? This may be the catalyst for a return to the siege mentality that BA used to ignite a one in all in never say die attitude that epitomized our character as a football team last year. We do have greater depth this season.
I believe the turn of events coincided with the enthusiasm Kenny E brought followed by the commitment of Alvaro and the leadership of Beau Scott who terrorized the Raiders forwards in both attack and defense> Beau was also very verbal which would have the effect of us going to a 16 – 10 lead while he was on the paddock.
Well said mate. Beau Scott went to another level tonight, thought he was terrific.
At the very least, we can blame our loss on the injury toll (Norman, IDG, Taka, Brown, Jennings, Peni, Fritchard) – yet who were the Raiders missing last night? Kato Ottio.
I don’t even know who that is.
Better days ahead.
Just a thought on Tep Moeroa – He is an absolute tower of strength in the middle – yes he has a few missed tackles but the efforts he makes are against the biggest hardest running players in the opposition.
There is a reason opposition packs target Tep – they are sick of him after 25 minutes. He hits hard and is the only different body shape we have – Mau/Scott the same – Mannah/Matagi the same vave/alvaro the same or similar.
I will argue that Teps contribution is undervalued. He is effectively doing Tim Mannah’s job. When Tep came off against the Cowboys, Mannah had his best game why? Moeroa wasn’t there to do the dirty work. Mannah had to step up.
Moeroa doesn’t get a 30 minute break either.
Mannah has no excuse for not making 130 M per game and 30 strong tackles he’s in the prime of life, fit, experienced and has the best footy upbringing arguably of the team – yet he performs well below what we have come to expect.
Tim was my favorite player for a long time because he led with his heart but the last 2 seasons and especially this year he looks more and more like a career footballer who turns up does the job n goes home. Great Tim – except it’s more than a job. Captain of the Eels, 350k plus a year, legacy of his brother and a team and fans who crave success. He should play like he means it every week – a man on fire. If he gave what Brownie or Tep give we’d win more rucks and collisions than we lose.
So all that said I’d rate tepai a solid B- for his efforts on Sunday and Tim….He easily gets the C+ if you are being generous.
As for Suaia Matagi…………
Good thoughts mate, well articulated. I think your points re Tep vs Mannah being on and off together is certainly worth keeping an eye out for in future games.
Like you, I love having Tepai on our team, and he’s still only young. Looking forward to his future in the Blue and Gold.