“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford
Back in 2016, when off-field dramas had many believing that the world was caving in on the Parramatta club, the on-field performances of the football team gave supporters hope for the future.
This season, the Eels needed to deliver with a finals appearance, or risk the previous year being labelled a false dawn.
For the majority of the NRL public, Parramatta probably overachieved in 2017. A top 4 finish via a 16/8 season record both emphasised and consolidated the growth achieved under Brad Arthur’s coaching. The foundations are now well and truly set. It’s time to take flight.
Here’s how I saw the season:
Highlights
* Broncos X 2 – Parra couldn’t have been any more impressive in their two victories over Brisbane. A disciplined defensive 28 to 14 Round 21 result featured a second half shut out of a side littered with offensive talent. In contrast, the Eels unleashed their own attacking arsenal in the Round 25 encounter, running out victors to the tune of 52 to 34.
* Bulldogs Round 17 – How does a one point (golden point) win over a team that failed to qualify for the finals register as a highlight?
Winning in golden point via Mitch Moses.
For mine, the ability to win ugly has been sadly lacking for the blue and golds. On that scale, this was a delicious monstrosity. And wasn’t that field goal from Moses so damned sweet!
* Consecutive Years Of Resilience – Season 2016 saw the league world acknowledge the Eels football department (players and staff) for their ability to perform in spite of the off-field dramas. Yet all of that would have meant little had the team not displayed the same on-field resilience in 2017. With a raft of significant injuries, and precious little advantage given (see penalties section below), a top 4 finish was testimony to a club establishing a new identity.
* Young Talent – Take a bow Brad Arthur, Anthony Field and Joey Grima. Without ignoring the contributions of all of the coaches, (especially Luke Burt, Scott Jones and their staff) BA, Grima and Field have significantly changed the talent identification and development systems at the club. The SG Ball and 18’s National Title were the exclamation points in a season which also included a Harold Matts Grand Final Qualifier and an NYC Grand Final appearance. The establishment of the JETS program overseen by Joey Grima, and involving BA, Steve Murphy and Peter Gentle took the club to new levels of junior investment this year.
Lowlights
* Rounds 3 to 6 – Consecutive losses to the Titans, the Sharks, the Warriors and the Raiders had the fans worried about how or when the club would turn their season around. There were few positives to be found in these matches.
* Round 10 vs Roosters – Almost every KPI was shown little respect in this embarrassing 48 to 10 loss. Plenty of lessons were learned.
* Semi-final vs Cowboys – It’s a shame to include the final game as a lowlight but Brad Arthur said it best – “we didn’t get to finish the season on our own terms. The second half was our worst half of the year.”
Gutho is already working on 2018.
* Round 20 injury to Clint Gutherson – Despite the fine form displayed by Bevan French, then Will Smith, there remains little doubt in my mind that the injury to Clint Gutherson was ultimately a crucial blow to the Eels Premiership chances. We were very good in his absence, so consider how much better we would have been with his involvement.
Big Ticks
* Nathan Brown – This bloke was undoubtedly the buy of season. Relentless in his carries. Brutal and workaholic in defence. There were no quizzical faces when Brown claimed the Ken Thornett Medal for 2017.
Brown’s big season was predicted in this pre-season training report.
* Mitch Moses – His addition to the roster in Round 11 was arguably the springboard into a successful back end to the season. The richly talented half will only improve with a full pre-season under his belt. I’m looking forward to more imperious passes in 2018.
* Cameron King – With Isaac De Gois playing no part in the season, the Round 15 injury to Kaysa Pritchard opened the door for Cameron King’s debut in the Blue and Gold. The talented rake quickly established a reputation for faultless delivery of the football and professional 80 minute displays. Formerly a highly decorated junior star, King is now getting the opportunity to fulfill his potential.
Concerns
* Replacing Semi Radradra – Semi is a unique talent and few players are capable of those 100 metre tries. The result of his departure will impact our experience on match days.
Semi – a unique talent.
Supporters will be more sedentary next year, with fewer reasons to suddenly jump to their feet. However, a winger will take his place, and plenty of tries will still be generated by those on the inside. I expect Semi’s replacement will still feature on the top try scorers list.
* Wenty – When you have a top 8 for a 12 team competition, you have to be travelling pretty ordinarily to not qualify for the finals. Unfortunately this was the case for Parramatta’s feeder team. I lost count of the number of formidable leads given up by the Magpies in the last 20 minutes of matches throughout the season – none more frustrating than their season-defining penultimate match against Newcastle. When called up to first grade, the players performed admirably. But for Parramatta’s resilient club culture to be fully realised, the Wenty team needs to step up to the plate in 2018.
Penalties
Originally, I was including this under the concerns section. However, given the enormous impact that discipline plays in match results, it necessitated a section of its own.
The raw data speaks for itself. Across the season proper and the finals series, the Eels won the penalties on 9 occasions. The greatest differential in the team’s favour (+3) came from a 9/6 penalty count in the Round 21 clash against the Broncos. One count was drawn.
In contrast, the penalty count was lost on 16 occasions, with the greatest differential (-8) ironically coming from a 2/10 count in the return clash against the Broncos in Round 25. Significantly, 8 matches featured a minus 3 or worse differential.
In total, the Eels received 147 penalties, and conceded 179.
The concern for the Eels does not lie with the penalties conceded, as this averages out to less than 7 per match. In these days of referees “managing” matches in preference to enforcing rules, the counts are generally low.
However, alarm bells ring when penalties awarded comes under analysis.
In 5 halves of football, the opposition were considered perfect with the Eels failing to receive a single penalty. (Parramatta were adjudged without fault on one occasion – the second half of the finals loss to the Cowboys! Go figure…) In a further 9 halves of football, the opposition conceded only 1 penalty.
With just on 27% of their season halves of football featuring opposition teams considered to be virtually free of indiscretions, the Eels coaching staff obviously face the challenge of finding ways to earn penalties in 2018.
Wish List
Kane Evans – Confirmed 2018 signing
* Impact Prop – Parramatta are well served with great toilers in the prop position – most significantly through the likes of Tim Mannah, Danny Alvaro and David Gower. Players like Suaia Matagi and Siosaia Vave have added impact moments throughout the season, but the addition of a game breaker would bolster the Eels Premiership credentials. Peni Terepo has always threatened to be that prop, but injury greatly impacted his season this year. Perhaps Kane Evans will fill the bill, but I’d feel more comfortable with a block-busting inclusion to the pack.
* X Factor – At the risk of heavy criticism, I would consider the return of the prodigal son – Jarryd Hayne. I was appalled by his rejection of the club in 2016 and his subsequent comments. I also believe that this Eels team has grown immeasurably without him. Do the Eels need him? No. Could he add to Parra’s prospects next season? Consider this – the Eels have lost their X factor in Semi. They will do fine without him, but they won’t have anyone who could single-handedly produce a game changing moment. That person is a man who has been lost away from the Eels. Hayne has a legacy to repair and he could only do that in one place. I’d take the risk.
2018
Without disrespecting any player who took the field in the preliminary final against Melbourne, if Bevan French and Clint Gutherson were part of that clash, the Eels arguably get the result. But what-could-have-beens don’t win you matches and a bloke like Will Smith produced a career high performance to almost get the team across the line. Accordingly, supporters would be buoyed by the development of the whole squad and the return of quality players for 2018.
At this stage, Kane Evans remains the only addition to the club’s roster for next season. As only Jeff Robson and Isaac DeGois are confirmed as departures, a 30 man squad should see a couple of signings announced post season.
I remain confident of the Eels capacity to play finals football again next year. I’ll save any grander predictions for the pre-season.
Personal Highlights
This has been a massive year for me. I’ve had the opportunity to witness the Eels journey from the first day of pre-season training, through to virtually every field session of 2017, and all bar a couple of away fixtures.
It’s difficult to top the trip to Melbourne for the preliminary final. To be a part of an incredible Eels presence in another state, then to watch the team leave nothing on the park in their quest to overcome the might of the Storm, was definitely the highlight (despite the result and poor officiating).
TCT has ventured into new territory with our “Tip Sheet” interview series and I’m proud of the trust placed in our site by Eels staff. We are in a privileged position to be able to share great insights from the football department with fellow Eels supporters and will continue to do so. The players, coaches and staff have been very generous with their time this year. It’s indicative of the value they place on members and fans.
Thanks to all of my fellow TCT contributors. It’s a big task to produce original content for the entire year, not just a season, and to do so for passion not pay.
My gratitude also to our readers, including those who’ve shared their opinions on our posts. Your replies are not only the basis for further discussion, they often prompt ideas for future posts.
Make sure you keep following us here at The Throw. There’s no off season for us as we strive to provide Blue and Gold news 52 weeks a year.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Thanks fir the outstanding review.
Sixties I will certainly keep following TCT, checking the site each day just in case!
Thanks mate. Little rest for the wicked here.
Great review just like they have all been. A massive massive No from me about Hayne. There is no one in our team I would give their spot to him. I think is too slow and would cost too much to play wing.
Appreciate the feedback Michael, and completely understand your opinion about Hayne. The bloke is a fish out of water away from Parra. His best days are probably behind him, but I’d take a punt. If he is still good enough, he’d repay the faith. If he wasn’t, Ringrose would have a frequent flyer!
By the way, this is only a passing thought in the post. It’s certainly not meant for serious consideration.
Sixties, excellent review as usual and thanks to the whole TCT yeam for their excellent coverage during 2017.
Looling at big forwards is Willis Meehan on the books in 2018?
Thanks
Thanks Peter. I’m not sure that they’ve taken up an option for his services in 2018. It appeared that his time at Saleyards ended when Wenty finished their season.
We will definately miss Semi but I remember thst said about Fat Hayne and we survived and thrived since.
It was a great ride. I experienced things this year that I never thought would be in the realm of possibility. It was a disappointing end but after such shining performances throughout the year, it’d be a hard marker who’d complain.
Thanks for your commitment and that of the TCT team. I’ve enjoyed your comments and insight all year.
Many thanks mate. Looking forward to next year and thanks as always for your support.
I agree it was a great season and I’m filled with confidence for the future. 2018 can’t get here quick enough.
Indeed Pou. Rather than saying, “there’s always next year”, we are truly saying “Bring it on!”
I disagree with the comment that we don’t have a ‘gamebreaker’. I consider Gutherson to be that player every day of the week. Also, on his day, so can Bevan French be.
I wouldn’t call Gutho so much a game changer as a game energiser. His success lies is being ultra competitive for the entire 80 minutes. He’ll constantly place himself around the action, ready to back up, to chase, to compete for everything. He’ll drive his team mates to give their all and set high standards. For that reason, I want Gutho in the spine.
I’ll agree that Bev can have game changing moments, and though I think he can be a fullback in the long term, I still see his immediate future on the wing as that’s where he excels.
Agreed sixties. Gutherson is quality, and heavily involved and very consistent, bit not a game breaker. Game breakers in next year’s squad are French and Moses. Norman has also shown this ability in the past.
Good points Pou. It will be interesting to see Mitch with a pre-season to hone his combinations.
Ahh great read Sixties; its a little deflating still tbh. But the off season will rekindle this. Agreed about the sentiments and i am somewhat waiting for the teams to settle and hope like hell we get a big prop. We need one if not two. I am concerned about the size and have been for a while but we played v well this year but still lacked forward impact at times.
We have to improve the roster, and that’s it. You cannot rely on the forwards being as consistent as to me an injury here or there and we would be in strife i.e. Tepai / brown…..i always think retention needs to be good and hope they have someone in mind.
As for Hayne, i will reserve judgement as he has not shown he bought into the titans and who is to say he would with us…..and BA to me would not have him back, unless maybe contracts were written particularly way.
NYC boys did v well. I do not see anyone coming into the NRL except Stone (maybe); and the props i was really hoping to see more but Keppie is the only one i saw who could come into NRL top squad in time.
Is there a chance you fellows can explain how the wonderful NRL system of NO NYC will work next season…..?
Thank you TCT and no doubt look forward to more reads over the next few months….
Thanks mate, no off-season here. We’ll bring you facts and opinion, not ….
As we understand it, the under 20s will be a state based comp with Knights, Warriors and Raiders (Mounties?) joining the Sydney clubs over 22 rounds. The way I see it, the Qld clubs, including Storm, will not get the same level of competition, though travel costs will be reduced.
Thanks mate
Guess my question to NRL is will the comp be better for not having NYC…..? I have little faith in the nrl….they are a political group to me now. They never get on the front foot; and seem more intent on waffling on and becoming the new ‘grey’. Sad times and no leadership.
Mitchy, your comments are reflective of the opinions of many followers of the NRL. You’d hope that the powers that be aren’t oblivious to it.
It was an impressive year and well worth the wait. The club is in good hands now and I look forward to bigger and better things to come. If you had told me in the beginning of the year that Parramatta would make it to the second week of the semi-finals, I would have been incredibly stoked. Of course, once there I was expecting nothing less than a Grand Final victory – selfish and inconsiderate fan that I am!
Oh, and don’t worry about Semi. I am putting together a Semi Radradra Retrieval Squad (SRRS). I picture it as a navy seals / glam rock unit of the best and most talented person recovery experts out there. Just don’t put a karaoke bar in its way! (…) Or maybe I should arrange for a large wooden horse to be sent into Toulon instead…
Maybe you could add a picture of this SRRS. The uniform must be amazing. I reckon we’ll all salute them if their mission is successful!
I’m thinking military fatigues modelled on the retro Parramatta jersey. But not the white shorts. Our enemies will die laughing at us!
Further expanding on this person recovery theme, you mentioned Jarryd Hayne. It was quite obvious from the outset that he and the Gold Coast were not a good match. You just had to watch THAT press conference to announce his signing. I called it a shotgun marriage at the time; I’m calling it a loveless marriage now. I have no doubt that Jarryd would be back playing his best footy in Parramatta colours. But this is something for the club to sanction. I’m perfectly comfortable with whatever decision it makes. Is it making such a decision?
This is simply my thoughts around finding another X factor. The club is pretty good at keeping negotiations with players under wraps. If something was happening, I don’t think we’d hear about it anyway.
Outstanding review Sixties. The TCT team have gone far and beyond as always to bring the supporter base such an in depth coverage of our great club and all that goes on in such a passionate and more importantly professional manner.
With 2016 now a distant memory, we can all look forward to reaching some amazing heights in 2018 and beyond as the leaders of our club look to build on the great work that was achieved in 2017. Looking forward to the fact our 6 and 7 are going to have a full pre season under their belt which no doubt will greatly improve their cohesion on the field in 2018.
On a personal note although our year ended in heartbreak , I will never forget the sea of blue and gold jerseys at Sydney airport as the army ventured into Mexico to take on the storm as a game I can only describe as “The one that got away” and secondly the gathering at the Precinct hotel before the storm semi as the beer garden erupted with the roar of the Parra chant as the Melbourne storm past players held a function in another function room.
BRING ON 2018
Thanks mate. We are passionate about our support for the Eels and it drives everything that we do.
Plenty to look forward to when the team gets into their preps for next year. Our spine combinations will only benefit from a full pre-season.
I agree about the Precinct Hotel. What an atmosphere!
TCT content was and is outstanding. As an Eels fan for 53 years I must say 2017 season was one of my favourites. Yes the footy was good but the daily commentry provided from sites such as TCT has provided so much more than just the game experience.
I cant wait for next season. Thanks to everyone involved.
PS. No to Hayne from me.
Thanks Gazza. Commentary, news, insights – that’s what we aim for, so it’s incredibly vindicating to receive compliments and thanks from yourself and others.
Without wishing my life away, next season certainly can’t come soon enough.
Just as a point of interest. We played two losing games in the finals series against the two GF teams. Worst of all we had the GF winner nailed really.
I accepted the loss to the Cowboys. We were completely outplayed. However, we were subjected to appalling officiating in the Storm match.
Great season wrap up Sixties, agree with everything you have said including your comments on Hayne. I honestly believe he can return to his best if he was back at his beloved Eels! BA would not allow him to undo the change in culture at the club and I think Hayne will embrace the opportunity to win a premiership at the club he loves!
I can’t wait for next year already and look forward to seeing the team grow even more than this year.
Also, think we we will pick up a few of unexpected signings in the off season.
Enjoy the off season and I look forward to catching up with you soon.
Thanks for letting me know that this was you Jason. There is a lot more noise happening about Hayne now. Whether it comes to fruition remains to be seen, but I think if it does it will be a different Hayne than the one we’ve seen at the Titans.
Nice wrap up Lads, as I have said previously I love your work, be it via the website or interacting via Twitter. As others have said, if you gave us a Top 4 finish at the start of the year we would have been ecstatic, however the exit from the finals certainly left a bitter taste. To borrow a boxing analogy, styles make fights and I think we had the style to trouble the Storm, granted they are a much better side than we are but funnier things have happened, maybe an opportunity lost, a great year nonetheless.
Looking forward, we are building the blocks to once again be a powerhouse club. The front office is in check, bar a couple of Leagues Club issues that will eventually be passed, we have a new stadium on the way, a revamped Leagues club coming, a good and improving first grade side and a wealth of juniors coming through, the future is bright. In my eyes,the last piece of our game play that needs to come is to play to our level irrespective of who we play, we need to start blowing away some teams. As mentioned above, I was also impressed by how many close games we won, in the last couple of years I have lost count of how many games we lost in the last 5-10 mins, via poor ball security, poor decisions and/or a drop in intensity. I thought the win against the Warriors was brilliant, it was the game that I thought defined our season and the coming of the new Eels.
I agree we are missing a big bopper upfront, our forwards were great but their is no substitute for size. Re: Hayne, it is a no for me, I think we have moved on and I never thought I would say that. I agree he has the X-Factor and his form is not a great issue because he is a “mind player” if his head is in the right space, whatever that is, he turns it on in an instant. The big issue for me is his attitude, you bring back older players because they lead from the front and provide a great example to juniors to watch and emulate, he does not do that. Love him or hate him, he brings an aura with him and the kids at the club will look up to him and copy, we need the kids to emulate the Beau Scott’s of the club not Hayne.
Bring on 2018….
We hold our heads up high as Eels fans and importantly have earned the respect of our opposition.
Great response Jimmy. It’s difficult to argue with your reasoning about Hayne. Should he return, I’d like to see a confident but humble man – and that’s what we have with a young man like Bevan French. I think the Eels culture is now strong enough to set standards that all players will follow, regardless of their name. BA has seen to that.
In regards to Hayne, i’d like to see the club take him at the right price and play him on the wing. I think having Gutho at fullback with Hayne and French on the wings would be a formidible backline with plenty of X-factor. I’ve been a bit hesitant to support the return of Hayne, but Semi’s absence opens for his return. Hopefully he wants to play for Parra enough that it ignites his form again.
There’s plenty of rumours but nothing confirmed about Hayne. If the planets aligned you’d assume that Parra are convinced that he’s in the right head space.
Thanks for a tremendous year.
Re. Hayne: I wouldn’t sign him, but if BA thinks he can get value, you’ve got to back that decision as he doesn’t muck around.
Thanks for the reply mate. I simply proposed his signature, and although there are some rumours around, the club has made no comment.
Like you, were it to happen, I’d trust BA.
Great season review Sixties and plenty of interesting comments to digest too.
I agree 100% with Hearndo. Gutho at fullback, Bevan French on the right wing and Jarryd Hayne on the left wing. That’s strike power unequaled in the NRL and bucket loads of X factor!
Imagine the options for Corey and Mitch when they take the ball to the line knowing these three are looking for a good ball to just blow the game apart with skill, speed or strength. It would make it very difficult for opposing teams to mark up more than one on one on either edge. Our centres and edge forwards would have a field day with unlimited opportunities.
Working between our halves and these back three!
It makes for a compelling argument – with incredible versatlity amongst them all!