The Good:

Despite a complete lack of possession in the second half, the Eels managed to turn away wave after wave of the Titans attack. Gold Coast spent a whopping 15 minutes in our attacking 20 in the second half – take a moment to consider that statistic. Eventually a near drop from Titans forward Nakubuwa (of course I was able to spell that without looking it up) caused the slightest of hesitations in the Eels defensive line, which allowed the debutant to crash over for his first try in the top grade. Still, it ended an 8 minute period which would have warmed the hearts of the Eels fans and coaching staff alike, displaying a much stronger resolve than we showed in any of the 80 minutes last week.

Happy 100th birthday BA!

The Bad:

Another concern? The crowd.

Yes it was Thursday night, yes we were pretty poor last week. But this Eels team is now in the Top 4 and yet more people will read this sentence than were at the game last night. In short, I hope we absolutely pack the stadium Friday week for our final home game against the Bunnies.

X-Factor:

The referee performance spectacle last night was something else. If the Bunker were a player I’d deadset drop him to NSW Cup.

It’s been well publicised, but in the 53rd minute, Semi Radradra knocked the ball on three times in three seconds, and then proceeded to physically assault a valiantly chasing Ash Taylor. How on earth the video ref possibly awarded that as a try is actually beyond my understanding. I guess now we’re all square for Sio-gate from last week, though.

Nonetheless Rugby League is a poorer product as a result of such decisions, and I don’t want to imagine the ways in which such haphazard officiating will cost a team come September.

In other news, if you’ve got a spare moment and haven’t watched the Titans presser yet, do yourself a favour. It certainly makes for some compelling viewing, particularly in 2017 when the Eels wouldn’t even make the Finals for most dysfunctional club, let alone secure back-to-back premierships.

The MVP:

I know this award is becoming a Moses/Nathan Brown lovefest, but the game tape doesn’t lie, kids. So much of what Moses did last night was miles above anyone else on the park.

The Prophet had a ridiculous 5 line break assists last night, and 3 more try assists. Those are silly numbers.

He also had a perfect 5 from 5 from the boot and restored the Eels faith in the quality of his game management. Some of his passes were plain freakish, not least the last pass of the game.

1- Bevan French

Fullback, Parramatta Eels

The Good News: Bevan didn’t actually reinjure his hamstring, it apparently was a case of merely tightening up on him. BA told the presser last night he just wanted to get French Fries off the field, rather than continue to risk further damage.

The Bad News: I’m guessing there’s a 90% chance he won’t play next week. Josh Hoffman wasn’t mentioned as a possible replacement, so I suspect William Smith will start in the 1 in his stead.

2- Semi Radradra

Left Wing, Parramatta Eels

When you consider the fact that he was called back for his second ‘try’ (which, like the first, also wasn’t a try), Semi’s 255 running metres is something to savour. Semi also had 3 tackle breaks and 3 errors (although, that number obviously does not include the aforementioned Bunker Gate). Semi’s cover defence was also pleasing last night. Good, Bula. Good.

3- Michael Jennings

Right Centre, Parramatta Eels

Sure he only had 40 running metres (from 4) last night, but once again Jenko proved his up and in defensive timing is world class.

A huge 21 tackles tells the Jennings story here, with the next closest Eels backline player only being asked to make 10. This man is more than just a cog in the Eels defensive machine, he is the machine.

4- Brad Takairangi

Left Centre, Parramatta Eels

Hey, Brad.

5- Kirisome Auva’a

Right Wing, Parramatta Eels

Thanks to some bloke called Mitchell Moses, Auva’a had more breaks last night than an overweight council worker. Now, I won’t hold the first ‘missed’ try against him, it was actually only a few centimetres short of a miraculous 4 pointer.

But the result of Triple A’s break in the second half was a little less forgivable. If Kirisome’s pass in said 4 on 1 situation were a cricket shot, you’d be applauding him for somehow finding the grass.

Nonetheless, he’s filled in admirably for us in an unfamiliar position in recent weeks, and he ran for a ridiculous 170 metres last night (from 12 hit ups) with 2 tackle breaks, and a terrific first half try saver in the corner. If you can forget the pass, it was actually another very good performance from Kirisome.

6- Corey Norman

Five-Eighth, Parramatta Eels

It must be a good feeling for Corey to not have to do all the heavy lifting for the Eels any more. The combination with Mitchell is very good, but I still have the feeling Corey’s best is yet to come. Corey and Mitch once again handled the passing duties evenly, Corey only just edging his halves partner with 23 passes to 21. A understated, but still very effective performance from Normy – which is all we needed from him tonight.

Despite some reports of a groin concern, if you believe what BA said after the game, there is no actual injury concern with Corey, he was merely being rested. Overall, it doesn’t seem like a big issue and I expect him to play against the Broncos. Then again, what would I know?

7- Mitchell Moses

Halfback, Parramatta Eels

Almost everything but his first kick of the night was class. Along with the bloke wearing the 6, you’d have to think this man makes us a legitimate premiership threat for years to come.

Simply sublime.

14- Daniel Alvaro

Prop, Parramatta Eels

Well, hasn’t this bloke come a long way in our past ten games? Suddenly we have another ever reliable defender in the middle (a massive 40 tackles with 3 missed), and evidently an up and coming try scoring machine (2 tries in 3 weeks).

Who doesn’t love a Danny Alvaro barge over try?

Ok well, the Titans for one.

9- Cameron King

Hooker, Parramatta Eels

Thanks to Bevan’s tight hamstring, the respite never came for Kingy last night. Nonetheless he managed no errors in his 84 dummy half passes, and a very robust 46 tackle count to boot. Kingy once again provided good, quality service and continues to be a reliable defender in the middle of the park.

Kaysa, King and if need be Smith sounds like a cracking hooker rotation for 2018.

10- Tim Mannah (c)

Prop, Parramatta Eels

Just the 30 minute performance last night, racking up 69 metres from his 6 hit ups, and 18 tackles without a miss. Yeah, that’ll do Timmy.

11- Manu Ma’u

Back Row, Parramatta Eels

I heard that after every game, Manu sheds his skin like a snake.

Monster Mash might be in a bit of trouble with the MRC. Forty suggests no charge, I’m calling a Grade 2 and will miss a week with early plea.

Update:

Theory: You can tell how up for a game the Eels are by how hard Manu is hitting the line, and last night’s stats of 131 metres from 12 hit ups speak volumes. We’ll miss him next week.

12- Tepai Moeroa

Back Row, Parramatta Eels

Another try from the right hip of Mitchell Moses, and another consistently brutal defensive effort. A solid 27 tackles, 3 tackle breaks and a meat pie is all in a day’s work for Mr. Moeroa.

13- Nathan Brown

Lock, Parramatta Eels

Nathan Brown has been given a permit that allows him to be aggressive, and he alone is the violence on many sides. On many sides.

Remember at the beginning of 2017, Nathan Brown was a relatively obscure forward? His incredibly consistent, 80 minute form has ensured that is no longer the case. Last night Browny worked through another 16 hit ups resulting in 123 more metres and add 36 more tackles to his ever growing season tally.

15- Kenny Edwards

Interchange, Parramatta Eels

Kedwards seemed to trouble the Titans’ defence more than his 57 metres (from 6) would suggest, but he made 23 important tackles during the aforementioned energy sapping 8 minute raid on our line.

With that said, two of those sets came after Kenny attempted another mistimed intercept; not a play we needed at that time. Looks like we’ll need an 80 minute performance from him next week.

Just run, Kenny. Just run.

16- Suaia Matagi

Interchange, Parramatta Eels

Poke. The. Bear.

17- Peni Terepo

Interchange, Parramatta Eels

He was particularly efficient in his meterage last night (4 for 41m), but Peni Terepo (or “Tear-ay-poh” as our ground announcer called him) still looked a little off to me throughout the game. He did end up post game with a large amount of strapping around his quad, so that might explain it. Hopefully it’s nothing serious.

Bring back The Butcher.

19- William Smith

Interchange, Parramatta Eels

You know he’s becoming so familiar I’m actually forgetting there’s a famous actor with the same name.

Last night, William’s piercing eyes runs left the Titans defence more out of joint than poor John Olive’s left elbow.

He had a ludicrous 8 (yes, eight) tackle breaks last night. That is mental.

He was the scorer of two tries, and if some bloke called Bevan scored his first tonight in his place, the Rugby League community would be falling over themselves with replays. Where is the love? (As an aside – if you watch the replay, Kane Elgey actually manages to miss the tackle on William twice in one play.)

Still, the couple of mistakes at the back were regrettable, as was his tendency to run across field; but in my opinion Will certainly still deserves first shot at the vacant number 1 jersey come next Thursday night.