Parramatta Eels 32
New Zealand Warriors 24
The Good: |
Well that was simply an incredibly brave win. Just think back to the Broncos game without their stars vs Warriors last week. They were missing Anthony Milford, Corey Oates, Darius Boyd, Josh McGuire, Matt Gillett and Sam Thaiday (6 of their best players), and they understandably lost 28-10. Last night Gower went down late, and Hoff still had half a game, but we were without Corey Norman, Tim Mannah, Michael Jennings, IDG, Frank Pritchard, Siosaia Vave, Peni Terepo and Kaysa Pritchard for 70 minutes, and ended up without a bench.
Oh, and we won. This team is worth than your support. Not unlike last year, this team is something to be incredibly proud of again. |
The Bad: |
To quickly change tact, both our middle and right edge defence was poor last night (we had 21 missed tackles and a further 19 ineffective), but I’m going to let that pass this week. Also, it’s not an excuse in itself, but there were so many new and different combinations out there it might as well have been Round 1.
Also, I’m pretty sure the refs mixed up Tepai and Brad Taka at the end of the first half, but hey – Rugby League, you guys. |
X-Factor: |
I saw on BBC this morning that our 2017 injury toll officially has more casualties than the Napoleonic War. We are deadset busted.
Brad Arthur must have deadset broken a mirror over the back of a black cat whilst standing under a ladder. Still, we somehow still managed to take home the two points. Surely the mostly healthy teams we’re beating (Warriors, Souths, Penrith) and the teams we’ve gone close to beating (Raiders) are all going much worse than us. That’s a good feeling. |
The MVP: |
I couldn’t go past King Gutho (could you?) – what an incredible performance.
I’d also love to interview anyone who called for BA’s head in recent weeks. |
The Starters
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1- Bevan FrenchFullback, Parramatta Eels He’s warming up. Saw bits of pieces of his brilliance last night (and he started just running at the defensive line from the back), particularly his flick to set up our second try. Bev was also a lot more vocal in defence this week. I’m know I’m going to jinx him with this comment, but I don’t remember Bevan French ever dropping a bomb, do you? A solid 131m (from 13 runs), a try assist and 2 tackle breaks. Overall, a very nice contribution from French Fries. |
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2- Semi RadradraLeft Wing, Parramatta Eels There a few prettier things in Rugby League than seeing Semi in full flight for a length of the field try. I remarked at the time I wish I enjoyed it more, but I was sure RTS was going to round him up – what a shocking miss and a incredibly timely try against the run of play. Over 200 metres (205 from 13), 3 offloads and 3 tackle breaks is another vintage Bula performance. Come back soon, Semi. |
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3- Brad TakairangiLeft Centre, Parramatta Eels Wasn’t outlandishly good, but certainly wasn’t bad – and hey, based on the game last night, bonus points for not getting injured. Taka had 81 metres (from 9), a tackle break and no missed or ineffective tackles. It’s also pretty good to have so many players like Taka who are so darn versatile. |
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4- Kirisome Auva’aRight Centre, Parramatta Eels Similarly to Taka, thought he was pretty solid in attack (although that right side defence was shot to bits all night). Another good try for Kirisome, 2 tackle breaks, and only 1 missed tackle. BA also said in his presser after the game that he thought Kirisome would be right for next week which bodes well for our chances to be able to name 17 players. |
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5- Josh HoffmanRight Wing, Parramatta Eels One tackle break, no missed tackles and no right knee. Hopefully back sooner rather than later – was playing well. |
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6- Clinton GuthersonFive-Eighth, Parramatta Eels The stats might only say a tackle break, a try assist and try of his own; but the footage will tell you this man was best on ground by a large margin. What an absolutely stellar effort and an equally ridiculous post try celebration. It was worth noting how many touches he, and not Mitchell Moses, had in the last 20 minutes. Sydnes Moses wasn’t poor with his touches, but at the end of the day, it was Gutho that got us home. He’s now firmly in the conversation for the best player on our team, and has probably been there for a while. All I can think is thank goodness we locked him up to start the season. Also had 16 points with a try and perfect 6/6 from the boot. Best on ground, and maybe the best performance by an Eel this season. |
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7- Mitchell MosesHalfback, Parramatta Eels Wasn’t a great outing, maybe was playing busted – 1 error, 1 conceded penalty and a missed tackle (although to be honest, it doesn’t count if you don’t attempt it – NRL.com had him with 5). To be fair, he 26 touches to Gutho’s 31, so it wasn’t as lopsided as some (me, above) have made out. It’s worth remembering that Corey at 22 wasn’t all that crash hot, and at 22, Thurston was in his first season for the Cowboys. Moses will come good – keep the faith. |
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8- Suaia MatagiProp, Parramatta Eels A throwback game for Suaia – a huge 146 metres from 14 carries. He also made 17 tackles (2 misses), and had maybe the shortest sideline stint I’ve ever seen in the second half (I had it at about 1 minute 20). In a very shorthanded side against a very big Warriors pack, Matagi had very good game when we needed it most. |
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9- Kaysa PritchardHooker, Parramatta Eels Pretty tough to grade a player who was gone for the night before some traffic affected fans were able to take their seats. Regarding stats, umm .. he made 6 tackles? Hoping he’s right for next week or we are very, very thin in the hooking stakes. |
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15- Daniel AlvaroProp, Parramatta Eels Admittedly it took him 15 hit ups to get his 120 metres, but it’s another good innings from a bloke playing a position that has been ravaged by injuries this week. Danny also made a huge 34 tackles (2 missed, 1 ineffective) which was second only to Nathan Brown’s 38. |
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11- Manu Ma’uBack Row, Parramatta Eels A very solid 7 runs for 76 metres, 24 tackles (2 missed, 2 ineffective) and the full 80 minutes. Also didn’t murder anyone with his eyes last night, so that’s good for his prospects to play next week. |
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12- Tepai MoreoaBack Row, Parramatta Eels He’s suddenly a try scoring machine with his second try in as many weeks. The 30 tackles were great, although he did slip off a couple (well, 3 actually with 3 further ineffective), but like Ma’u and Browny, Tep played the full 80 minutes. Also:
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13- Nathan BrownLock, Parramatta Eels BA said several times in post game interviews that this bloke shouldn’t have played with his busted ribs, but insisted on kitting up nonetheless. As an Eels fan, thank goodness he did as we needed every one of his 158 metres (from 18), the deft pass to set up our first try, and his team high 38 tackles. Oh, and he also played all 80 minutes. |
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Interchange
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14- Beau Scott (c)Interchange, Parramatta Eels What a second half from Killer. His terrific 9 runs for 102 metres and 2 tackle breaks had me wondering what year it was. Throw in his standard 26 tackles and 1 conceded penalty (which knowing Beau was probably deliberate and strategic), wraps up another incredible performance from yet another player in Blue & Gold. |
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16- Kenny EdwardsInterchange, Parramatta Eels In recent weeks Kenny has been rocks, diamonds, rocks, diamonds. When he dropped the ball early in the game, I figured it was another rocks game. From this point on, however I thought he had a much, much better second half. It wasn’t a coincidence that this was when he just tucked it under his arm and ran hard at the opposition. The result? A huge 141 metres from 13 carries, 16 tackles (1 miss) and no further errors. People will remember the mistake, but Kenny was a huge part of our win tonight. |
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18- David GowerInterchange, Parramatta Eels A very, very good game for Gowie – the bloke’s just a smart player. Made a much needed 69 metres from his 6 runs and a crucial offload for Semi’s runaway try. It was good to have him back, but apparently it’s a broken hand so it’ll probably be a while before we see him again. There’s rumours Beau Scott called him soft for going off with a broken hand. Apparently, Beau denied this and then howled like a coyote. |
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19- Will SmithInterchange, Parramatta Eels Was asked to play almost 70 minutes, when he probably expected to play 15. A huge effort and you could see he could barely walk when he was subbed off in the last few minutes. A massive 41 tackles (2 missed, 2 ineffective), one tackle break, and a huge line break which subsequently led to one of his one errors. Imagine the sort of game we would have had if we didn’t have a second rake on the bench. It’s still early days, but this was William’s best game in the Blue & Gold. |
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Thought for the day:
Incredibly brave win and we’re back in the 8. You could barely ask for more from our boys.
Go you Eels,
Mitch.
Photos courtesy of the Parramatta Eels and I also used some sort of image from a film about Moses. Stats courtesy of Champion Data.
Good tough win from the boys.
They all put in which was good.
Next week hopefully we get norms back n Jennings. Eels for life go boys.
Well said. Re next week: Jennings is a very long shot, Corey more likely (but still far from guaranteed).
Brown A ++++++++++
Agreed. Upon watching the tape, I upped him to an A proper for you mate. The fact that he played at all deserves praise.
Good miatch
So proud of the boys, I didn’t expect the win but they humbled me and I’m so proud of them!
Really wish we were working with a bye next week. But our depth filling in and turning up to play.
I couldn’t tip against them next week. It’s going to be another great game!
We’ve never lost at TIO Stadium, hopefully that trend continues.
Can’t argue with any of your gradings Mitch. Wonderful effort by the boys. Definitely a lot playing busted, including Moses. That’s probably why he did’nt run as much as last week as well as the injuries he got during the game.
Jumped off the lounge when that penalty was awarded with the Tepai/Taka mixup. It’s a known fact many of the game officials have their eyes painted on. Been proven time and time again since Adam was a boy.
I know where you can find lots of candidates for your “Sack BA” interviews LOL
Ha – and those same posters are just as happy to claim the win, I noticed.
Yep Scott and Edwards were immense after the break. Kenny made 119 metres in the second half alone!
Killer second half – much needed too.
I did a rib cartilage once (back in the Dark Ages when I played). Took me 4 weeks to get back and I was tentative for 3 more. Nathan Brown is a machine
Is the best value player in the NRL?
Gutherson, Brown…..fantastic recruits……love watching them play, and I am a huge fan of David Gower….he has amazing skills….
Those two buys alone have gone a long way to turning our club around. Love them both.
Proud of my team.
Played with so much heart. Moses will get better. Hard to develop when people around you change. Looked much better with Kenny inside him defending, Matagi a little slow to help him. Teams spotting the small half in the 10 minutes in not new. Cleary, Pearce etc etc etc all get targeted. Normans defence has improved under BA and Moses will as well. We need his long kicking game, have to give him time and trust BA.
Scott, Edwards, Brown and Teps outstanding and tough. Bevan getting confidence back and Gutho, well he was Gutho- we need to send Manly a thank you card.
So proud of my team.
Well picked regarding Matagi and Moses. Moses made a bad read, they all do at some stage, but Matagi did’nt help him at all. Warriors just played it to perfection.
Agreed. Will likely have a whole different group of players to get used to defending beside again next week. All part of the learning process.
You can now see why BA was so excited when we secured his signature. Outstanding talent.
Plus Tep got caught as third marker
Great stuff Mitch but what have you got against Tep that’s the smallest photo I have ever seen and no grade mark don’t tell me he owes you money and won’t pay like Wicks last year
Ha no money owed – Tepai has both a grade and a normal sized photo mate. Might be your computer settings?
Yeah, well graded again Mitch. Matagi was outstanding with his hit-ups and defence. He hit Gavet when both of them were at full speed and stopped him in his tracks. As Shelley said though, he needed to react quicker when Moses laid off Mannering…you won’t see the Storm players do that. Just my thoughts, but I think Will Smith deserved an A. His defence was great. He has good technique when tackling low, and, did well,most of the time, when needing to prevent offloads. He has good line speed and covers well also. He backs that up with a very slick passing game and speed out of dummy half. He is also a clever attacking player. If you go back to the Tepai try you will see he passes to Brown and then gets himself into position to receive the ball to continue the play, which he does by promoting on to Scott. He continues the movement by promoting onto Tepai. If the ball dies with the tackle, he is there as dummy half. Although he isn’t back to top speed yet, he is still quick enough to cause a lot of problems for the defence. I think he could turn out to be the perfect super sub as he can play any position in the back line as well as hooker. He also plays tough…doesn’t shirk the hard work. Gee Gowie has never let the side down when ever he has been picked…runs hard, offloads, tackles everything that comes his way and chases those that don’t. He was part of that side that fought hard for the full 80 minutes last year and he is still good enough to be there this year. I do wonder how we are going to fare when we face the Storm and the Broncs if we keep suffering bad luck on the injury front, although it’s always interesting to see who the next player is to step up to the plate. Cheers, Trev.
Thanks mate – let me go back and look at the tape re Smith. Looking forward to playing the Storm only once this year in the regular season – and minus their Origin stars! Hopefully we get to test ourselves against them full strength in the finals …
Great blog and ratings and nothing to disagree with. I see this team now ready to play to win no matter the adversity. The way they played overall deserved the 2 points but the best part is the way they lifted overall.
Sorta had a chuckle when you rated Kaysa who was like a yappy dog at the ankles of intruders before he went off, although when I got to Will Smitths stats, it readily linked with the performances that Kaysa has produced, top job.
It was a great win but im still not convinced we are anywhere close to being a top 8 contender Mitchell Moses i wasn’t convinced before we signed him and im still not. The right edge will continue be a problem that needs fixing.
I disagree. How on earth have we won 2 out of the 3 games since Corey went down? Wait until we have them both on the park.
Great report Mitch. I like how this team is now playing for each other and Brad
Big Pete
thanks mate. hopefully it keeps up – everyone loves an Eels win.
What an effort & what a great team performance. The Eels had plenty of excuses to give as to why to just give up but they didn’t. Go the mighty Eels.
agreed mate – that’s the sort of team the fans come to see – one that never stops fighting
When they play like that and leave nothing in the tank it makes you want to come and see them play. I love the attitude.
I new Kenny played well in the second half he played a lot straighter but 119 metres, did not realise it was as good as it was.
Yeah I was pleasantly surprised. A seriously good half of football.
We just can’t lose that momentum we’re developing. Although Round 13 wasn’t his best game, surely more than just I can see we’ve seemed a different team since MM joined us. Can’t wait to see a few games with he and Corey together.
Trivic gradings Mitch, although I’m assuming the across the board “high scoring” has as much to do with the grit as the gifts displayed by all the boys.
I would, in that case think that Mitch was worthy of at least a B- as he played with a crook right arm and shoulder from the run on which was targeted (early in the 1st half) from Issac Luke with a deliberate high and late shot on that same shoulder when he had relaxed after completing his play.
I also thought Matagi made a devastating contribution (as your grading reflects) in attack from the get go to cart the ball up twice in many of the early sets with quick PTB laying the platform for Brown and Tep to follow. I IMO he was just out of juice when he failed to cover on the inside of MM for the Warriors first try. BA obviously concurred by taking him off immediately following that play.
Once again Mitch your assessment took on a perspective that allows for “credit where credit is due” where the value of a good attitude to commitment in the face of relentless adversity is rated above mere ability.
Rowdy, good pick up re the Luke tackle on Moses and its a question I have asked as to why it was not a penalty at least, also being found ok (so it seems by the match review mob) or is it that Luke is being looked at as the back up for Cameron Smith for SOO 2 owing to doubt on him (Smith) playing?
Yeah it was pretty dodgy, but I suspect we’d be rolling our eyes if Beau Scott got cited for the same offence. Swings and roundabouts.
Swings and roudabouts? love that, The old playground maple swings indeed. Had a good one in the smalll park corner Kliens and Beamish st when I was a kid, really got to swing outward on that one.
Thanks mate – I take your point re Mitch, but I guess when I wrote them I wasn’t sure the extent of his injury. It’s another factor that I should consider. And yes, I was so impressed with the collective effort and win that I think the entire team deserved a boost. Eg Tepai’s stats alone weren’t worth the grade he received but he (I spotted at the time I graded, unlike Moses) was playing busted.
The collective attitude though was outstanding. Hopefully we can replicate it Saturday. I suspect Thurston will play.