Round 18 Drink of choice – Starward Wine Cask Single Malt (made in Melbourne as it would happen)
Melbourne has been an unforgiving venue for the Eels in most seasons gone by so any sort of win – even one over a depleted Storm outfit – is not to be taken for granted. The 22-6 victory catapults the Eels to 24 competition points once you factor the bye in and with 7 games still in hand they now not only have a real shot at the Top 8 but the Top 4 becomes a genuine possibility. The win was far from flawless but an explosive opening stanza which showcased our ridiculous attacking weapons and a gritty edge to defense throughout have me brimming with heady optimism. Join me as we tuck into a rather decent Australian drop and a rather decent win in the Bleak City.
Bellamy’s Backfire
It isn’t that often that you see a clear and premeditated tactical move blow up in the face of Craig Bellamy but that was certainly the case tonight. Right from the get-go the Storm made a pointed effort at bombing towards the edge of Semi Radradra. Looking back on it all it was objectively an excellent plan in a vacuum. Suliasi Vunivalu has produced some highlight reel aerial efforts in 2017 and Brodie Croft has shown plenty of deft touch off the boot. You are also robbing the Eels of a stack of go forward on the second tackle given that Semi is stuck playing the ball.
The minor issue with this near flawless stratagem is that you are of course kicking the ball to freaking Semi Radradra. We fans, and I dare say everyone involved with the NRL team, have gotten used to opposition teams sending the ball the way of Bevan French on the last tackle of any given set. It certainly came as a surprise that Melbourne felt that could exploit some sort of mismatch between Radradra and Vunivalu and boy did Semi make them pay with two sensational kick returns.
In a season where Jordan Rapana has stamped his claim as the game’s premier winger – Radradra is now starting to show the NRL why he too should once more be at the fore front of that conversation. There was a misstep tonight mind you. He did not need to race in off his flank to allow Vunivalu a free run down the sideline which in turn lead to Melbourne’s sole try. That was the only blemish though and his 11 runs for 206m along with a first half try really speak to the ominous sort of form he is in.
Space For Two Kings In One Spine
At this risk of calling doom upon our wearied roster…are the Eels finally playing with the benefit of a settled spine? Mitchell Moses is going from strength to strength under the tutelage of Brad Arthur and how that he has the likes of Kenny Edwards, Michael Jennings and Bevan French at his disposal on the right edge he is starting to shine. Corey Norman is still yet to recapture the best of his own form following a MCL injury but he is looking increasingly confident in his ability to take on the line. Some ring-in called Clinton Gutherson is doing a serviceable job at fullback but in a spine featuring 3 genuinely high profile players it is Cameron King that is impressing me.
King has stepped in amidst a hooking crisis and he has hit the ground running. Crisp service, tidy defence and an increasingly impressive kicking repertoire along with ability to play a healthy opening stint have quickly made him invaluable to the Eels’ post-season push. He pulled the pants of the Storm down with a perfectly executed 40/20 and had the Eels humming in a dominant opening stand.
Just how far this wheeling and dealing quartet can carry the Eels over the next ~3 months will make for compelling viewing.
Eels Prevail In Mirror Matches
Blockbuster edge match-ups seem to occur so infrequently in the NRL these days because teams invariably end up fielding strong left edges which in turn never face each other. Tonight’s game was a pleasant reversal of that particular NRL trope whereby we not only saw two excellent edge match-ups but saw two mirror match-ups. I have already touched on the drubbing that Semi Radradra gave Suilasi Vunivalu but if that was a battle between two hulking hyper-athletes than on the other side of the field we saw a salivating battle between two of the genuine speedsters of the NRL in Josh Addo-Carr and Bevan French.
French ended up posting a near knock out victory after scoring the opening try, laying on the second try of the night for Mitchell Moses and nearly putting Clinton Gutherson over in the second half. Furthermore we got another glimpse at the ridiculous recovery speed that French possesses when he turned on a dime 10m out from his goal line in the second half to bundle Addo-Carr into touch. Never mind that the pass was called back on account of the ball travelling forwards but it was a phenomenal display of the freakish agility and acceleration that French possesses even when posted up against arguably the fastest player in the NRL.
Funnily enough, for what Bevan gives away in some other match-ups – he might be the nightmare match-up for Addo-Carr.
Recovery And Red Hot Form – Reinforcements Are Ready
It will be long fortnight for fans of the Eels given that all three grades have a bye in the coming week. The good news is that between troops returning from injury and some players catching fire in the Intrust Super Premiership – the Eels have some strike power waiting in the wings. Kirisome Auva’a returned from a knee injury in Wentworthville’s triumph over the Newtown Jets while the likes of Peni Terepo, Frank Pritchard and Josh Hoffman begin to enter calculations for a possible early return pending a strong recovery.
John Folau has relished a full-time move to the back row and has genuinely impressed me with the quality and consistency of his efforts there. Fellow ISP back rower Marata Niukore’s sizzling form has seen him on the cusp of a NRL debut while Troy Dargan is growing into a capable young half after seizing the reins at Wenty. George Jennings has barely put a foot wrong on the flanks and up front in the engine room Joseph Ualesi is starting to produce on the talent he has hinted at for some time now.
I am not telling you that any or all of these players will come in and star for the Eels but they are doing their jobs well in the ISP and are a large part of why the Magpies have righted the ship in recent rounds. Should injury or opportunity call they could be the difference for the Eels.
Bye Week Blues
I have some catch up work to do in the Film Room so keep an eye out for an extra episode or two there while Sixties and I will be working on a collaborative review of the Harold Matthews and SG Ball campaigns. The NRL itself will make for fascinating viewing given that a number of results keep the Eels right in the hunt for the Top 4 so all things considering it should be a pretty dang sweet week off for fans!
I totally agree with your analysis of Cameron King. Taking all aspects of a hookers responsibility into consideration, Kings game last night, by any standard, was fantastic. Being more specific and referencing only his service from dummy half, he was outstanding. I cannot recall better service from a Parramatta “9” in a long, long time.
Agree with regard to Cameron King it was very noticeable last night how good his service was from dummy half. His passes are quick and accurate and I do not remember anybody stretching to drag the passes in.
Last week in the win over the dogs, his pass to Mitchel Moses to kick the field goal was quick long and straight into Mitchel’s hands. That made his job a lot easier to deliver the knockout kick.
As a compulsive reader and first time responder, I must say this site is fantastic….from the pre-season training blogs to the ball by ball description of the NYC and ISP matches, this site has it all.
I doubt any other club followers enjoy what this site offers all of us rusted on Parra fans
Keep up the good work!
Now that you’ve broken the seal, you’ll have to keep responding Mr Strong. Thanks for the kind words too.
Ha your name is straight out of BA’s press conference. Happy with the start but wants to kee it that way.
Thanks for reading and now contributing.
Thanks mate. Much appreciated.
Credit to Forty in particular for another terrific Musings.
Great read Forty, love reading the musings following a win especially to see the whisky you recommend. I’ll start saving now for the finals, I think the whisky’s going to get dearer.
Storm got us at our weakest ,they only had 6 out we had ,scott,manu ,kaysa , peni,hoffy ,frank and avau , we still won despite thier unfair advantage !! Want to waste 10 mins of your life watch bellyaches whingeing presser .
Yes Chika, yes! Anyway, the record books will now show a 13+ victory at their home ground. I’ll take that, thank you.
Re king, no matter who we lose BA and staff find a way through
That 40/20 didn’t just happen. They were working with Kingy during extras, and didn’t he execute it perfectly.
The team is becoming more composed with more consistency.
Earlier in the year we faced a Titans team with more injuries and players out, a much weaker pack and poorer back up. We got early an lead and when pressured fell apart and got well and truely beaten. Last night we faced a team with more internationals then us on the field, but admittedly weakened by Origin, got an early lead and pressured again. This time we stood up.
Having 2 genuine playmakers makes such a difference. Bellamy targeted Norman, as most good coaches would, so Moses stepped up. Brilliant.
All you can ask for is improvement, good attitude and effort. We had that in bucket loads last night none more so then Brown and Gutho. What brilliant recruitment and valuable pick ups they have become.
On a side note, it is so pleasing to see Semi smiling again and in turn his footy skill and effort is returning.
A win over Melbourne in Melbourne , I will take it however it comes. I was there for the 64-4 flogging 6 years ago, so origin players out or not we won and won well. That’s good enough for me.
Quite interesting musings Mr Forty. I do enjoy the comprehensive analysis and the responses it stimulates from the bleaches. Chika’s point of order hit the nail right on the head. We are truly aiming up in the absence of many of our stars.
So refreshing to know that BA and his staff will come up with the right formula when introducing replacements for injured, suspended or even out of form troops. This would not be possible without the excellent recruitment happening at our club since BA was appointed.
We need Peni back. When we get into a bit of a slump, usually in second halves, we find it difficult. Let’s face it we get no penalties either.
The best thing for mine is the team set a goal to win these games before and between the byes and they did it. It will built momentum nicely.
Really looking forward to the Broncos game. I’m not a player so I don’t have to look forward one game at a time 😀
My heart is telling me that there is a possibility of an upset at ANZ against the Broncos. It will be more difficult if they are at full strength but not impossible. The most delicious match up of that night will be Brown and McGuire. Still remember the night McGuire decided to test out rookie Allgood, that was a mistake.
Like you Chris I am really looking forward to the return of Peni, love the way that he plays the game and I believe that we have really missed him this year. Having said that I thought Vave went well last night for first game back. Looks like he has dropped some weight in the last few weeks as well.
Spoke to one of the asst coaches when we first signed Cameron King, he said of it wasn’t for injuries he could be in the top 5 dummy halves in the NRL .
Said he can kick , pass crisply and defend well – had bypassed Rein at the Dragqueens comfortably and was expected to star in the NRL , was possibly the best on field in UK against their champions when he did his knee. The rest is history and we picked him up 3 years or so later, would be fantastic to see him prosper , injury free as he looks like a quality starting 9, which would enable Kaysa to resume his impact off the bench .
Interesting times to come for a number of our fringe players
Whilst I have not had a second look at the game yet but I thought that there should have been a penalty to Michael Jennings when chasing the kick on the last tackle of the set won by Cameron King from the forty twenty.
Not saying that it should have been a penalty try but certainly deserving of a penalty. What is it with us and second half penalty counts, we just can’t make it happen. Then again you see what was dished to Manly from Perenara and we did not do all that bad.
It was pleasing to win the last Qtr something we have not done that often this year. according to our stats review it is only the third time this season. Given that Melbourne are the competition leaders of the 4th Qtr it is a good achievement even with some of their players out.
Thanks for the great reading guys. Awesome win too.
So disappointed we keep missing out on post game grades…that’s 2 times now Mitch…..
It becomes very obvious as the game wears on that parra needs a big body or 2 in the ruck to get quick ptbs by bending the line and to help hold up the opposition big bodies and slow down their ptbs.
So often in 2nd half Melbourne’s big guys fell flat on their tummies and pushed a quick play. Too easy.
Even though Melbourne have advantage of size and international experience our pack of hard workers held them and helped us get the points.
A few observations: what happened to browny? He looked sick laying in goal. Hope he’s ok???
Getting so tired of yelling “KENNY NO!!!” Boy his work was quality after that but the silly errors are like an oil stain on a white silk shirt – you can’t help but notice 😬.
Semi is a beast. Bevan is a freak. Gutho is King. Brown is a machine.
How would Uaseli or Folau go in the David Gower/Vave role?
If we had to start alvaro and Matagi due to Mannah s constant HIA we would need a front rower on the bench. Peni will be back but there’s no guarantee with a peculiar injury…
What’s the procedure of we have more injury there?
Cam King – love His work. Better passing than KP, improved kicking but not as aggressive in D. I think it could be argued Kingy actually suits us better than KP but I’d love to see them play together!
All the best guys!
Mitch is on international duties I am sure the grades will return after the bye. Thanks for your note Sam.
Forty what happened to Joseph Ualesi, did he have injury problems, late maturity, has been around awhile.
He made his debut in 2013 according to the Eels website and I cant remember him playing FG since then. He is a big man and would be useful if he has some football in him. If he is getting close to selection that is good given the time the club has spent on him.
Injury mostly along with patches of inconsistency. He has just that one NRL game to his name way back in 2013. He has the sort of size and power you covet in a prop but he hasn’t been able to regularly find the sort of form that warrants a call up.
Ualesi bit rocks n diamonds like kelepi , not nrl quality for mine , rocks n diamonds describe his effort not ability .
Yeah the inconsistency of his efforts is the real knock on him isn’t it Chika? At times he looks like a man among kids in the ISP but then he disappears. Unlike Kelepi at least he possesses excellent size but maybe his psyche just isn’t there to play first grade.
I reckon i enjoy reading the comments of others just as much as write ups. The input from fans on this website is absolute quality!
So do we Hearndo. it’s the contributions of our readers that inspire us too! We enjoy being able to provide a website where Eels fans can just talk footy.
I read on the “other site” that it isn’t the case at all Hearndo.
It is so refreshing to read the comments of true Parra fans who, from time to time have expressed their grievances and honest opinions that may not always be complimentary, but I have never been offended nor been personally attacked here at TCT, never!
I have my own litmus test when discerning the appropriateness of reading material. Yes I would encourage my grand children to read TCT!
Great win from the eels – a lot of good performances and it was for 80 mins. Watched the games with some quality eels fans
Ha our friend of The Throw in Khao Lak – great to watch the game with you mate, and sit down for a bite afterwards. Will have to take in a game with you again soon.
Thanks 40/20 for another superb Whiskey Musings.
After 2 previous trips to AAMI Park only to see us get pumped on both occasions, it was great to be there on Saturday night. So good to see lots of Eels fans at the game, not only in the away supporters bay but a number in the top deck of the Easten Stand.
AAMI Park is a excellent stadium. Eels are growing into an excellent team but we really need a couple of injured forwards to return.
Sitting in the area behind Essendon cheer squad at the MCG a few hours earlier was certainly an entertaining experience but nothing could top watching the Eels win at AAMI Park.
I thought Vave made a difference when he came back back on in the second half. He also played strong at the start
Bellamy tried to say that they were in control for 50 minutes of the game. Whilst they had there moments they never reached the level that the Eels got to in the first half
Agree 100%