Parramatta Eels 16
NQ Cowboys 24
The Good: |
From a broader perspective, we not only made the Finals in 2017, we finished Top 4 (more on this in the soon-to-be-released Post Game Grades – Season 2017). With that said, we also crashed out in straight sets; in one of those matches we gave credibility to those who thought we could go all the way, and in the other we delivered evidence for our knockers on a platter.
Last night we not only gained some much needed Finals experience, I suspect we also developed a bitter hunger that will drive us to go further in 2018. I can’t fault the effort and desire across the 80 minutes last night, but it’s difficult to escape the fact that it was a poor result for our boys – not only in the first, but even more so in the second half. |
The Bad: |
Whether it was a reflection of our poor execution, or credit to a solid Cowboys defensive wall, our attacking execution was patchy at best. As touched on in the tweet above, when you minus two runaway tries from kick receptions, the same side that put 9 tries on the Broncos at Suncorp managed zero attacking tries in the first 79 minutes of game time last night. Yes, runaway tries are still worth 4 points, but it was certainly concerning for those of us sitting there (Sixties, ParraTragic and I at least) that we couldn’t deliberately or strategically put anything together to the trouble the Cows’ defensive line.
We also had 0 line breaks, 0 line break assists and 0 try assists for the game. The horror show continued with 27 missed tackles and 13 errors (spread across a crazy 11 different players). As you might imagine, our completion rate subsequently suffered, with 74% in the first (compared to the Cows’ 94%), 68% in the second half (to the Cows’ 83%). Credit to the Cowboys, they did little wrong and played their asses off. Still, however you slice it – losing in front of 41,000 fans, on your home turf, against a side that were almost out of the race before the Finals even began, is a missed opportunity; and that’s The Bad in a nutshell. |
X-Factor: |
On that point, hats off to the Blue & Gold Army – unlike the final scoreboard, 41,287 people showing up at ANZ Stadium was an outstanding result and created terrific atmosphere – particularly during our first try. I’m told that outside of a Grand Final, it was the highest Sydney crowd for an interstate team in more than a decade.
Having such a huge audience no doubt makes the unfortunate result sting a little more for the players. Just add it to the motivation basket, boys. |
The MVP:
|
If I was impartial, I wouldn’t be able to go past Michael Morgan – what an incredible game from NQ’s Eminem.
But seeing this is an Eels supporter site, and this is my last chance for 2017 to award this per-game gong; I can’t go past the sheer determination and 80 minute performance from everyone’s favourite cyborg, Nathan Brown. A team high 3 tackle breaks in his 18 runs, 177 metres gained and an absolutely ridiculous 51 tackles without a miss. That is not a misprint. Another monstrous display, indicative of his all around monster season. You the MVP, Nathan. You the MVP. |
The Starters
Interchange
If you’re wondering what the asterisks means next to the players’ names above, it indicates that said player made at least one error last night. Looks pretty bad when you see it like that, right?
If for some reason you skipped everything above (why even read if you’re just going to skip to here? It doesn’t make any sense); here’s my summary of last night’s game:
Good effort – poor execution – missed opportunity.
On another note, from all of us here at The Throw, thanks for reading and posting plenty of comments this year. We appreciate all your support, tell your friends.
Look out for Post Game Grades – Season 2017 coming soon.
Go you Eels,
Mitch.
Photos courtesy of the Parramatta Eels. Stats courtesy of Champion Data.
I think most of the disappointment from fans is due to how criminally underrated the Cowboys were heading into the game. They had just ground the premiers out in an elimination game the week before. No matter how much a team limps into the top eight, it’s a new competition in the finals and the Cowboys had 12 premiership winners and another three players who had played finals before 2017. We had three premiership winners and only four others who had played finals before this year. That makes ten Eels from last night who were playing their first finals series.
So we came into the finals with only 38 finals matches in the team we named in Melbourne, and added 34 over the two games. Take away Radradra’s two and add Evans’ 5-7 finals games and we about double our finals experience next year.
Well said and spot on
Dont forget the players who played origin the toughest arena in sport , you cant coach that into anyone ,they are a battle hardened club and team , we need some time in the big arenas to fully develop , its not as easy as people think !!
They certainly had more experience as you so rightly point out, and it served them well on the night. They played no-frills football to nullify the absence of their most potent attacking weapon and fed on Parramatta’s errors. This worked out a treat for them, especially once they got ahead on the scoreboard. Moreover, they were vigilant in their defensive reads and didn’t seem to lose focus. And they didn’t need Thurston out there to defend well!
I completely agree. Whether we played poorly and then were stung by lack of big game experience, or our lack of big game experience caused us to play poorly (or a combination of both), either way we will be better equipped to handle it next year.
Souths took two to three years of Prelim Finals before breaking through to the GF, we might well have to travel a similar path.
Well said, Pou
Agreed Pou; Cows were underrated by media (or some) but not me I am afraid. Cows are a hardened finals team.
i watched the warm up and to me Parra looked ok but not gee’d up as they needed. I was also somewhat disappointed that our halves didn’t take more ownership of the game. We led at halftime (lucky to) and lets be honest we were in it up until the Cows scored that soft try off an inside ball.
Too many silly errors and to me we let this slip with silly errors. Hope the players do hurt and it makes them come back stronger mentally in 2018.
Thanks for seeing it through Mitch.
It’s hard to keep buoyant after such a deflating experience.
I can’t wait for next year where we can do it all over again, just a little bit better.
Hoping so mate. Thanks for reading.
No matter what I’m still proud of the club , players , coach n coaching staff.
To finish in the top 4 in the season proper is no mean feat.
We Eels fans should always be proud of our team no matter what.
Yes I know we as fans are hurting but just stop n think about the players 1 minute don’t you think they tried there best ?
Semi you have done the Fijian ppl n our club proud. From a true die hard fan who has supported our great club for 40 years we will miss you n also pray that you come back n finish what you have started come home in 2018 n win a (GF) with us semi.
From all of us hear at the Eels semi all the best in France.
#Eels4life#
Always proud, particularly of the Top 4 finish. Looking forward to 2018.
Mitch I’m happy to sit back n enjoy this year b4 next year even starts.
#Eels4life#
Thanks for all your posts this year, this would have been a tough one to write. We just fell short and can only hope we’re bigger, better and hungrier in 2018. Enjoy the off-season.
You too mate, thanks for reading.
Pou – experience or not, the second half was not up to standard, and any NRL team would have beaten us considering we handed them so much possession.
That’s got nothing to do with experience – it’s more game management and holding the lead with less risk in our own half.
Also, we went with a smaller bench, and once Alvaro went down, we really felt the effects with a lack of low risk go forward, and lack of space for the backline.
How badly did we miss Vave s go forward and to go with Kaysa – it was a major error. If king had issues, Brown could have substituted.
Overall Brad would get an A for the season, but for choosing Kaysa in the biggest game of the season – ba gets a C- for the match.
Overall, I’m very proud of the club’s overall improvement. Great job !
I think BA took a strategic risk, one that was severely impacted by Danny’s failed HIA inside 5 minutes. We’ll never know what the impact otherwise would have been, but as Forty detailed in his Musings, he was between a rock and a hard place with King’s injury.
I think you’re being too harsh on the decision.
And IMO game management in a semi final is a direct reflection of that big game experience. Such experience enables players like Morgan and Cronk to make plays and decisions to manage a game. Exactly what Pou is saying.
Well pointed out mitch , hindsight always ridicules foresight , the reasoning was sound but not the unforseen complication !
Thanks mal
I’ve only now been able to gather myself to read this. Thank you Mitch and everyone at TCT for making this season so enjoyable. To be able to enjoy the Eels success with like-minded people is truly great and i really appreciate all the work you guys do.
Can’t wait for the end of season grades and the pre-season blogs!
Thanks mate – really appreciate your support. It’s been a good year, particularly when you compare it to the horrors of 2016.
Come to think of it, I think I’d prefer 2016 (even with all its horrors) than years like 2013 though. At least we had hope, direction and BA last year.
Another great read Mitch. The experience issue I think was the major difference, which likely explains the poor ball control. As frustrating and disappointed as I am with the way this game played out, I’m wrapped that we got to see 26 games played this season and not the usual 24 of seasons past. Next year lets hope we see 27! (this does allow for the week off in case you were trying to work it out)
I’m glad you explained the asterix, because I scoured up and down a couple of times, wondering why they were there. Makes for interesting analysis. I’ve had some people mention Timmy Mannah in negative light since the game as not being an impact player. I’m not sure I agree, but one thing I did note, there was no asterix next to his name. This speaks volumes. I’m look forward to hopefully a more consistent 2018 and a solid shake of the finals series.
to be honest, he had a huge game. I wonder how BA will use him in 2018, and whether it will vary from this season.
thanks for reading mate.