The Good:

Yes, obviously a win would have been better, and evidently every man and his dog are angry at the refs (I get it), but a two point loss is still very, very encouraging news for a team few expected to make the 8, let alone the Top 4, let alone take it to the Storm in Melbourne.

Not time to pat ourselves on the back, yet plenty of reasons for optimism.

Although I’m yet to watch it on TV, it didn’t seem that we were overawed by the moment either, and we’re all the better as many of our boys just played in their first ever Finals game (Cooper Cronk for the record, has played 30).

The natural disappointment of a loss? Sure.

But an encouraging 80 minutes? Definitely.

The Bad:

But in our own back yard, there’s still a bit to learn about our game management, and second half discipline. We also allowed 11 offloads to 2 for the game, and only had 4 dummy half runs to Melbourne’s 21. If you’re keen to divulge in referee abuse, I understand where you’re coming from, and Twitter has well and truly got you covered. But once you’re done, particularly during a Finals campaign, our only option is to then reflect on improving what we can control, take a deep breath and just move on to preparing for next week.

X-Factor:

We also gave away two 7 tackle sets by a combined distance of about a foot. But don’t let the result fool you – we should be proud of what our boys achieved in this game. Onwards, upwards and all that crap.

The MVP:

A team leading 146 running metres (from a ridiculous 17 hit ups), 3 tackle breaks, a line break and zero errors under a barrage of bombs.

Nice job there, William. You the MVP.

1- William Smith

Fullback, Parramatta Eels

As pointed out in the tweet below, I think a legitimate case could be made that William Smith outplayed his much celebrated namesake today.

I thought he looked dangerous in almost every one of our backline shifts (although I’d like to see him add some variety, utilising the pass option when it’s on). I think this game was clearly his best in the Blue & Gold, and hope it’s a sign of ongoing improvement, rather than hot cold inconsistency.

Based on today’s performance – He’s heating up.*

*Please read in the NBA Jam Announcer voice.

2- Semi Radradra

Left Wing, Parramatta Eels

With 7 tries in his previous two games, you just knew the Storm were going to do their best to deprive Semi of the ball, and give him absolutely no room to move when he went looking for it.

The result? A very unSemi-like 89 running metres from 12 hit ups. Bula did have a solitary tackle break, and finished off an amazing try in the 65th minute. It was probably fair to say that both sides contained the opposition Fijian superstar on the day.

3- Michael Jennings

Right Centre, Parramatta Eels

I almost sent out a search party mid way through the second half for my man Michael Jennings.

I continue to be a huge fan of his outstanding defensive work (18 tackles with only 1 miss), but he was evidently unable to involve himself with the ball in hand, and the team were poorer as a result.

4- Brad Takairangi

Left Centre, Parramatta Eels

Taka made a number of tough, aggressive charges coming out of our 20, and as such seemed to emit a “follow me” attitude to his team mates. Went on one of those magical, cross field journeys in the lead up to Semi’s final try, which would have added considerably to his running metre stats (6 for 46 metres), if they counted across field metres.

5- Kirisome Auva’a

Right Wing, Parramatta Eels

Herculean game from the bloke whose game I feared most. He was solid under the high ball, both composed and aggressive in defence (from memory only getting beat once by Addo-Carr on the outside), and had a huge, game defining 25 metre kick return in the first half. Overall, Somi’s titanic 130 running metres, 3 tackle breaks, 1 line break and 1 try game scream “pick me again next week”.

6- Corey Norman

Five-Eighth, Parramatta Eels

Some suggested his game was off today, and Melbourne did have his running game all wrapped up (6 shots for 48 metres), but I thought both he and The Prophet controlled the game well against easily the best defensive team in the comp. It seemed each time Corey broke a tackle (3 tackle breaks) there was a small army of Storm defenders there to shut down any advantage. His avoidance and subsequent last pass for Triple A’s try was the perfect play, and he was mostly solid in defence, too.

Corey was passionate about the officiating, and all afternoon seemed only three letters short of a full YMCA with his constant outstretched arm appeals.

7- Mitchell Moses

Halfback, Parramatta Eels

Yes, we saw it against the Titans, but The Prophet threw one of the best passes you will ever see for William’s try. I’ve watched the replay of that pass about 15 times, and I still don’t know how he maintains his balance, or manages to get it to travel backwards. Simply sublime.

Admittedly, Mitchell was a tiny bit of an issue in defence today (with 5 missed tackles), but to be honest that only became apparent to me when I looked at the stats, rather than watching the game. Each week, Moses is one of the keys to our performance, and he’ll be infinitely better having played his first Finals game.

8- Daniel Alvaro

Prop, Parramatta Eels

I love that in a team containing Beau Scott, Manu Mau, Suaia Matagi and Kenny Edwards, Daniel Alvaro became our elbow swinging, primary enforcer. Maybe all that time he’s been spending time with said bad boys is changing his look and behaviour – you know, like Sandy at the end of Grease.

I thought his commitment and contribution was greater than his 9 hit ups for 69 metres, but like each of his team high equalling 39 tackles, you just know Danny Boy gives his all for the jersey. Shine on, you crazy diamond. Shine on.

9- Cameron King

Hooker, Parramatta Eels

I thought Kingy had been shot by a sniper, and I’m so glad he’s apparently (hopefully) ok. Tying Polar Bear (above) with a team high 39 tackles is terrific, but the 5 missed are less than ideal. Although his Richie Benaud like run return (2 for 22) was an impressive dedication to the late legend, I only thought he missed an opportunity in this game to be aggressive and probing out of dummy half. Then again, you can only take what the marker defence gives you, and the Storm defenders spent so much time in the ruck they considered renovating.

If Kingy is forced to miss time, at least Kaysa is on hand if needed.

10- Tim Mannah (c)

Prop, Parramatta Eels

However you slice it, 6 hit ups for 46 metres isn’t a great knock for the Captain, particularly in a Final. Yes, two dozen tackles is a fair effort in defence (albeit with 3 missed), but Tepai almost matched Timmy’s attacking contribution in 15 minutes of game time. I mean, flaming heck Timmy, give us more than that.

11- Manu Ma’u

Back Row, Parramatta Eels

Hmm.

Hey, the 97 running metres is terrific, as are the 29 tackles. It’s the error and conceded penalties that get me down. That movement to knock down a chaser was a brain explosion, and completely unnecessary. As an aside, I can’t imagine he has a great deal to worry about at the judiciary regarding his second, more dubious penalty.

12- Tepai Moeroa

Back Row, Parramatta Eels

It’s a shame Tepai couldn’t come back from his HIA, because he was in brutal form to start the match. A ridiculous 42 running metres from only 3 hit ups, combined with some brutal hits in defence foreshadowed a massive game from Moeroa. Get well soon, mate.

13- Nathan Brown

Lock, Parramatta Eels

The bloke deadset must have a hydraulic heart. Cyborg got through another 130 metres today (from 15 hit ups) against a very aggressive Storm pack, also managing to make 35 tackles. Another terrific contribution from the 2017 Ken Thornett Medalist.

14- Beau Scott

Interchange, Parramatta Eels

Mr Evergreen (don’t call him that to his face, he’d hate it) had a terrific attacking contribution, with 79 metres from his 8 hit ups, and 23 tackles.

Now I don’t know if this is true, but I hear he sleeps upside down like a bat.

15- Kenny Edwards

Interchange, Parramatta Eels

For this game, on our biggest stage in recent memory, we got the good terrific Kenny Edwards.

Aggressive in defence (22 tackles), probing in attack (8 for 70 metres), this game was the best of Kenwa.

16- Siosaia Vave

Interchange, Parramatta Eels

In a game against one of the best packs in the NRL, surely getting more than 22 minutes and 44 metres from our big, bad prop would be helpful.

I love Viva la Vave as much as the next bloke, but I just want to see more of it.

17- Suaia Matagi

Interchange, Parramatta Eels

Simply outstanding game from Matagi – 10 hit ups for 105 metres. It’s not often a forward leads a pack from the bench, but in this game he did, and did so with vengeance. Throw in 20 tackles (only 1 miss) and 3 tackle breaks for a well rounded result for the big guy.

Poke. The. Bear.