How good is it to be an Eels fan right now, Blue & Gold army?

6 wins in a row & we’re now contesting for a Top 4 spot. Hands up if you thought this at the start of the year? (I know I didn’t, I had us finishing 6th. Although my blurb about how we’ll win our games is surprisingly accurate). 

Following two ultra-impressive & controlled performances against the Broncos & Bulldogs respectively, our mighty Eels sit equal 3rd on the NRL ladder (5th on differential).

This week we face the ever-improving Newcastle Knights at ANZ Stadium for the first time since that fateful September night back in 2001 (ugh – the Knightmares!) & although it’s a vastly different set of circumstances this time round, no one, especially Parramatta, should be taking this game lightly.

It’s a rare occurrence over the past few years to say that you’re coming up against an in-form Newcastle side (or an in-form 16th place side for that matter), but that’s exactly what confronts the Eels this week.

With consecutive victories over the Dragons & Warriors respectively, the Knights have built some confidence heading into the game with our boys – and you better believe they have the attacking structure to upset us.

For those of you who haven’t watched any Newcastle games this year, the Knights have been very competitive in their opening halves of footy. They’ve played some beautiful direct footy at the line, having their edge forwards run off lovely short balls from their halves, as well as some very fluent interchanges of passing with their set plays.

To be perfectly honest, I’ve really enjoyed watching the Knights with the games I’ve seen them play this year. They are an incredibly well-coached side & anyone can see the tremendous work Nathan Brown has done to not only get them competitive, but now in a position to recruit some of the players they have for next year & beyond.

Parra Perfect: The Eels have been all smiles on the back of a 6 game winning streak

In fact this game marks the battle of two very well coached sides. The brand of footy both play is very exciting to watch & the first half of this match will go a long way to determining the winner.

If we can continue our strong starts to the match, we will be well positioned to beat a side that’s had some well-documented fade-aways in their second halves. However, if it stays competitive, don’t think the Knights won’t be willing to take their chances on any Hail Mary plays, after all, they have nothing to lose at this stage of the year.

The most important thing to do in these type of games is to respect the opposition. We saw only a few weeks ago against the Wests Tigers that failure to do so can almost result in defeat (thank you Corey Norman!). If you head into any match in the NRL thinking you’re going to blow your opposition off the park, you’re vastly mistaken. That’s how you set the tone for incomplete sets & making a winnable game frustratingly competitive.

That’s why discipline & patience are the most important aspects of our match this week. We need to replicate the efforts we’ve produced in the last two weeks to get the job done here (and to continue to practice so for September football).

We’ll have some hurdles to overcome before we do so however, so let’s have a look at where the Knights might be most lethal this Friday night:

Dane Gagai: He was a very deserved winner of the Wally Lewis Medal in the 2017 State of Origin series after some scintillating performances for the maroon of Queensland & like his club side, has been growing in confidence over the last few weeks, but will a change to fullback bring out the best in Dane Gagai? Eels fans will be hoping not, because he is a very dangerous runner of the ball on his day, breaking the tackle attempts of even the most resolute defenders. Although he’s not the Knights first choice for the number 1 jersey, don’t think for one second that this is a second rate decision. Gagai has played in the custodian role before & done so to effect. That being said, it would be wise to test out the lungs & positional play of a man who has spent most of the year defending on an edge, opposed to behind the play. The triumvirate of Moses, Norman & King just need to keep those resolute kicking games going to take advantage of the field position game!

Elusive: Dane Gagai poses an attacking threat to the Eels defensive line

Ken Sio & Shaun Kenny-Dowell:: The say it’s the ones that we  love the most that hurt us the most, & that’s always the case when we come up against an ex-Eel. Ken Sio was fantastic at rucking the ball out for us during his NRL tenure in the blue & gold (2012-2014) & it’s something he’s continued since his move to the Hunter via the Super League. It’s worth noting that Ken has had some uncharacteristic trouble under the high ball of late (note the kick-off to the Warriors game last week), so some Mitchell Moses torpedo’s wouldn’t go astray. So too for the man they call SKD. After a mid-season transfer from the Roosters, the International winger is still finding his feet in the Knight’s jersey, as well as getting his timing back. We know both of these players are quality finishers who do plenty of donkey work effectively & get their side’s sets started on the right foot. The key is to limit how much they do. The kick chase must be strong, as well as the defensive line speed on the ensuing opposition carries.

Brock Lamb: I’ve really loved how Brock Lamb has played at the line throughout certain parts of this year. He’s definitely a player of the future, however if we’re not careful, he can definitely hurt us in the present as well! Blessed with silky hands & a lovely short pass, Lamb has created a lot of line-break opportunities on the fringe of the ruck for his edge players. Whether he’s getting them over the advantage line & generating quick play-the-balls; or putting them directly into holes, there’s a lot to like about the way Brock Lamb plays. However, as is always the case with youth & inexperience at the top level, a rushed defensive line can pressure the man into error. Considering most of Newcastle’s point scoring opportunities will be generated off the back of split second decisions made by Brock Lamb, it is imperative that we don’t allow him to build into the game. Some timely shots from any one of our aggressive backrowers should rock his world – I’m looking at you, Manu.

Trent Hodkinson: The former NSW halfback has enjoyed a comeback of sorts in 2017, after initially being dropped to reserve grade, he has fought his way back into the top side & started to produce the controlled performances that earned him representative honours in the past. With the ability to generate a repeat set, come up with a well placed field position kick or just produce that composed, experienced play has been of great benefit to the likes of Lamb in recent weeks. However, as indicated by his injury history – the body ain’t what it used to be. Some angled running from our edge players at pace could find him wanting (or at least on the back foot) & dominance in the middle will remove him from the match all together. If we control the pace of the game, he won’t get a look in – and that’s the way we should be playing it.

Controlled: Trent Hodkinson brings experience & temperament to a youthful Knights side

Daniel Saifiti: Another player of the future who has really improved since coming into First Grade early last year. The big Fijian prop has been a handful throughout 2017, averaging 116 metres per game (146m across his last five games). He’s the go forward Newcastle rely on in the middle third & has started to push out bigger minutes as the Knights attempt to stay in the contest physically. With those increased minutes however, has come an increase in missed tackles & Saifiti is definitely a man our crafty halves & hooker can take advantage of. I really look to the likes of Cameron King & Mitch Moses to target this guy late in his first spell on the field. It has the potential to provide dividends for them & any player pushing up in support.

Sione Mata’utia: The one time Kangaroos representative has been really finding a home for himself in the second row. Given his experience in the outside backs, Sione knows how to run a great line, particularly against the grain. Throughout 2017 he has had some great success employing this tactic following a quick play-the-ball, running off Brock Lamb. Our A & B defenders either side of the ruck will have to work hard, because although he no longer plays in the backs, he still runs like one! Fortunately for us, he does still sometimes tackle like one too. Fighting fire with fire is the method to getting over the top of Mata’utia. Some precision running from Moeroa/Edwards could produce that little half break that turns into a full blown opportunity.

Edge Threat: Sione Mata’utia has hurt the Eels on the edges in the past

Lachlan Fitzgibbon: I like the cut of this kids jib. A big, tall backrower who has a knack of scoring tries in 2017 (4 in 10 games is pretty damn good for a rookie edge forward in the team coming last!). He’s sound defensively, can produce a damaging run & looks really comfortable in the top grade. Like Sione Mata’utia, our edge defenders must be on notice when this guy is close to our line. He may just produce the goods.

Mitch Barnett: The ever aggressive & hard running Mitch Barnett is one hell of a player. Salary cap pressure pending, I don’t know how the Raiders let this man go. He is a real goer & in the ilk of our own Nathan Brown. Speaking of which, the battle between these two should be an absolute cracker! For those of you who haven’t seen much of the U20s over the years, check out this heated exchange from a Tigers-Raiders clash in 2013! Round two, anyone?

No doubt we will have our hands full, Eels fans.

They may seem like no-namers at the moment, but so did some of the players who were in our 2013 squad, who have now gone on to become strong contributors to their respective NRL teams.

With their confidence high & nothing holding them back, the Knights will throw caution into the wind & the opening 20 minutes will be very telling. It’s up to us to control the pace of the game & to set the standard by completing our sets & continuing to kick for field position.

Title challengers, the Sydney Roosters, showed a few weeks ago how to manage a spirited Newcastle outfit & this game will require us to go set-for-set with them in the early exchanges. We just need to be patient & trust that an inexperienced team won’t be able to withstand the type of pressure that we applied to the Bulldogs in torrential conditions last week.

I will continue to look to the likes of Corey Norman & Mitchell Moses to manage the game in this respect. They have been near faultless the last couple of weeks & this game poses as a huge mental challenge for them. I dare say we will learn a lot about their development in the way that they approach this one.

Unearthed: The last time the Eels & Knights met, Bevan French scored on debut

Bevan French is a key out for us & although it’s sad he won’t be taking the field & have the opportunity to build his combinations with the rest of the spine leading into the finals, it’s a necessary precaution given the tightness in his hamstring. I have the utmost faith that <insert his replacement> will do a very serviceable job in his absence.

Our forwards have also been fantastic in recent weeks & we’ve been getting so much out of our bench. We need to continue to be relentless with our middle, as any dip in attitude could have a severe flow on effect in the context of the game (particularly this one!). There are a lot of opportunities in behind the ruck when playing Newcastle, so don’t be surprised to see Cameron King make the ball sing when in his hands & when bringing his forwards onto the ball (Hint: target Daniel Saifiti late in his first spell!). This will be key to establishing dominance in the play-the-ball.

The last thing we want is a repeat performance of the Tigers game from a few weeks back & given the hype we’ve generated, it would be very easy for us to rest on our laurels & expect a win to come to us.

We were fortunate that day that the Tigers didn’t pose much of an attacking threat outside of Tedesco. The Knights won’t be as forgiving & have far better attacking options at the moment, as well as the confidence that comes from back-to-back victories.

Patience will be a virtue Eels fans, but also a necessity.

Clint

All images courtesy of the Parramatta Eels, NRL.com & Getty Images.

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