The Cumberland Throw

It Isn’t Adding Up For The Eels – The Sum of The Parts Is Less Than The Whole

After six consecutive losses for Parra, this will be short and not so sweet.

No need to question the Eels effort.

No need to single out individuals.

No need to attack the coaches.

However, the obvious conclusion after six rounds is that the Eels have ceased to function as a team. The sum of the parts is not making a whole.

When the attack has become such a disorganised rabble, it’s obvious that the players taking the field have lost their cohesion as a unit.

This is not to say that they have lost ability as players.

Some of the players who are currently in the worst form for the Eels you’d never usually consider dropping from the team. But they have lost the capacity to extract the best performance from themselves or the players around them in their present configuration.

So what is needed?

CHANGE!

You cannot keep doing the same thing and expect to get a different result. It won’t be fixed with hard work. The machine has broken down and parts need replacing – parts that are preventing the other parts from performing at their maximum.

As a generally optimistic supporter, I don’t say this lightly: This is not just a losing habit that needs to be broken. It’s a (expletive deleted) deep hole.

Confidences are shattered. I would argue that there are players in the team right now who would benefit psychologically from changes being made around them. The vision of a distressed Mitch Moses sitting in the dressing room highlighted the damage of six consecutive losses. The body language out on the field is just as concerning.

This is where Brad Arthur, Joey Grima and Steve Murphy need to be at their best.

They won’t be making changes based on effort. They won’t be making changes based on ability or potential to produce in the game. They need to replace the players who are hindering the optimum performance of the team.

Whether the changes consider issues such as discipline, defensive choices, poor options with ball in hand is up for them to debate.

What is surely on the table is whether some players have completely lost all game sense. If anything, some of those players are now trying so hard that their errors are becoming worse. They over chase in defence or charge out of the line and take a player that’s not theirs, only to leave spaces. They overthink their attack rather than play their natural game. Premeditated plays replace playing what’s in front of them.

These are the players who have talent but need to find themselves again, find their “footballing happy place”, at a less intense level of football.

We must acknowledge that, if we field exactly the same team next week, we can probably expect the same result and a group of players in an even darker psychological hole.

Supporters themselves are in that same hole. They don’t deserve to watch a team who are literally running in circles when possession finally comes our way. We deserve to be able to stand on our feet with excitement when attacks are launched.

Ultimately, both the players and supporters need to see that change will be coming. It’s no longer possible to justify staying with an unchanged line up.

Let’s change the parts, make us whole and get out of that hole.

Eels forever!

Sixties

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44 thoughts on “It Isn’t Adding Up For The Eels – The Sum of The Parts Is Less Than The Whole

  1. Offside

    Nice article but as far im concerned the season is done and if BA wants to keep his job he needs to make some tough calls.
    Tonught you saw a couple of players actually give up and thats not good enough.

    1. Colin Hussey

      If two players actually gave up, I believe they should be the first to go. Replace with players that want to be given a go.

  2. Butters

    0-6 this season. 8 losses in a row since 2017. We have no discipline and are showing no improvement. Changes needed to be made 3 weeks ago. No one is being held accountable. A few weeks ago BA banged on about the need for improved discipline or there would be changes. Our discipline hasn’t improved and he has done nothing. Empty threats.

    Kaysa Pritchard, Peni Terepo, Kane Evans, Corey Norman and Bevan French should all be at Ringrose Oval next week

  3. Anonymous

    Agree with the comments in you piece “doing the same thing and expecting a different result is a sign of insanity” or something along those lines.
    The positive out of today is Gutho, his energy levels and constantly being there are amazing. He may have been guilty of trying too hard tonight and I may have been guilty of expecting too much from him after a 9 month spell. Welcome back King.

  4. Rowdy

    We also don’t need to make undisciplined comments about coaches and individual players without offering well reasoned alternatives to what we actually are or are not currently doing and with whom we might arrest the problems.

    I will now give my opinion in a following post of who might assist a turnaround in the team who are currently not in the team addressing the main points that Sixties has made including some subtle perspectives around the psycological makeup of the team.

  5. Michael

    The main problem arouse from retirement and retention. Our forwards lack size meaning we have to play more than well to make up for the disadvantages. It was obvious how big and strong the raiders we’re.
    Congratulations to Ricky for building a strong young and formidable Roster which is more than i can say here.

    The hole will be hard to fill if we’re hoping Wentworthville have some answers in the way of replacements

  6. Rowdy

    Firstly, I would suggest we inject 4 players into the forward rotation. they are:
    Matagi: Other than Browny, he brings, fierce aggressive carries and defense.
    Gower: An honest toiler with an offload and reliable defense.
    Marata: A young fella who has size, strength and can break the line.
    Stoney: Give the kid an opportunity to play a very aggressive style like Browny
    Nathan Brown: Enough said!
    Secondly, I would suggest that the only forwards who are safe are:
    Mannah: Disciplined, consistent, with strong carries and no missed tackles.
    Trex: Surprisingly confident and strong in his carries, pretty good defensively.
    Kedwards: brings enthusiasm off bench with some variety good defense.

    1. sixties Post author

      Hard to disagree mate, though I’m sure Stone isn’t eligible. You might note that I didn’t go into who needs to be dropped (or moved) or even rested.
      The reason being is that I suspect that the element has become psychological.
      The body language was showing that the fight has become too difficult for some. Others are bereft of ideas or lost all game sense. It requires a judgement about who is bringing something positive to the team and who is inhibiting the performances – even with attitude.

  7. Loudstrat

    But who goes? We get ok field position, conceding 14 points in 2 games is pretty good actually. Is it the playmakers? Or the chasers? The attack is non existent and there’s no enthusiasm from the halves or backs. That’s ehere the shake up is needed. Will Smith to half, Gutho to pivot, Norman to fullback. Moses to bench

    1. Rowdy

      Read my comments on Hayne and our backs below Loudstrat. We don’t need more disruptive positional changes that’s what got us into this mess in the first place. I’d be interested to know what you think about my observations my friend and fellow frustrated fan?

  8. Rowdy

    Now the backs: This is where psychologically we are suffering, because the forwards are not laying a confident platform in attack or defense to inspire our halves to continue the trajectory that was there last season but alas is not there this year!
    Unfortunately the great expectations that were around the return of Hayne have only contributed to our continued downward spiral imo. Here’s why:
    Hayne in the centers was the most disruptive move because it put pressure on our halves to “give Hayne the football” which he did very little with to setup his outside men or fullback, nor did he break the line because the defense always knew he was going to get the footy? When the halves used Hayne as foil and cut him out we scored at will against Newcastle and Penrith until Mitch was sinned binned and went off for HIA. Hayne to centre also meant moving Taka to secondrow both of these positional changes completely changes our established and successful structures around those positions. It also contributed to undermining our halves who had built a strong relationship with each other and our three-quarters who made numerous breaks and all scored many tries outside them (not just Semi)! Onto Semi: He’s not here anymore!

    No-one we have played on the wing has got near doing what Semi did, right? Play Hayne on the left wing, he can do what Semi has done for us, give him a license to roam with instruction not to overcall our halves but to work with them, they’ll give him plenty of opportunity.

    Now that Gutho, at fullback and Bevan right wing are back, I’d bring Taka back on the right, move Jennings back to the left and let them do successfully what they already know how to do, it’s not rocket science!
    Those are not disruptive positional changes. They are established structures

    Now for the coaches? I’m not telling them anything they don’t already know. They just need to swallow their pride and work out who needs to be rested or dropped from our forward rotation to give our backs an instant confidence booster. Corey and Mitch will keep trying their hearts out they just need to have confidence in the coaches having the balls to admit their mistakes!

    1. Fletch

      YESSSSS!
      I have been saying the same thing. If Hayne can win player of the series in Origin from a wing position, why wouldn’t we just let him replace Semi? The only change I would make to your suggestion is to leave Taka inside Hayne. Taka fed Semi the quality ball that led to his top try scoring honours two years in a row. Put Jenko inside French again. It was successful last year and he bolsters the defense inside the smaller Bev.
      These are the types of comments that are worth reading. Put some thought into suggestions to fix things. Any fool can scream, swear and name call and/or shout for scalps.

      1. Parramatta Tragic

        Absolutely. Both myself and Poppa were saying this before a ball was kicked this year. Gutherson, Hayne, Takarangi, Jennings, French. Last chance saloon. We need to rebuild our entire forward pack

  9. Gazzamatta

    Norman accredited with 9 missed tackles. Wow. Poor Yeah/Na is in a very deep hole. How few hit ups were undertaken by our wingers? Was this a plan to provide an even greater work load on our forwards? If Bevo wasnt fit why did he play?
    Would somebody please show our hookers a tape of Cam Smith and explain to them how to engage the defence even just a little?
    Our performances are beyond belief. Something has to change and soon.
    Worrying times indeed.

    1. sixties Post author

      Rowdy and Gazza – our left side defence was awful. Corey and Auva’a do not work as a combination. There’s my first pointed call on who doesn’t function together. Both first tries should never have been scored.
      Austin scores off a dummy. Every first grade player realises that Austin throws a dummy.

      1. MattL

        Agree. Auva’a is a real liability in the defensive line. Much like Taka last year.
        Not many replacement options though. Is Dane Aukafolau eligible, worth trying out at this point?

  10. Fathead

    Unfortunately that’s EXACTLY what Brad Arthur will do. – nothing.
    He mysteriously believes that one day.. Maybe next week or next month – like a fairy tale it will all work out.
    He has lost an amazing amount of support – not so much because we are losing but due to his iron clad persistence to stay loyal to the team, no matter what.
    He just HAS to do something or otherwise we can say goodbye to Brad… And he will deserve it.

  11. Shelley

    I demand to see some leadership on and off the field- Gutho having to yell at our lazy forwards to get to the scrum with 10 to go was terrible. First game back and he is having to tell them not to be lazy. What was unforgiveable was the fact they still walked, just ignored him. Well I say keep walking all the way to Wenty. BA make them accountable, no talk, no promises drop our so called props and non running secondrowers. Give our backs and our fans something to be hopeful about.

    Discipline won’t come until we can get momentum, not the football, as we had plenty last week and in the first half this week, but actually dominate and move a team’s defensive line back and around. Put Ben Hunt and Widdop behind that pack and they get steamrolled.

    We lack discipline because we can not get or stop momentum in the forwards. Our forwards continually get left on the ground in defense, we are left with one or sometimes no markers. Quick play the ball,defensive line retreating, penalities ensure and so on it goes. why do I know this? Because I see it every week, we all do. With all due respect the backs from Manly, Penrith, Tigers and Raiders again tonight out powered our forwards. They ran over the top of them. Our forwards can not stop backs from running over them, not around them, over them. I was not even shocked, embarrassed or angry tonight , I just laughed, it’s like watching a really bad sequel over and over again. Brown missing tonight only served to highlight this weakness. No aggression or intimidation in the pack. None. Our captains did plenty of complaining to the referees. They really need to look in the mirror. They are not leading. I don’t care how nice they are, or how good they are as blokes, this clubs needs leaders on the field desperately and they are not that. Once or twice is bad,but it is no longer one problem it is the problem. Bring in any back you want, drop Moses, Norman, French etc but the result will be the same. We can not judge any back until they have some sort of platform to work off. We need go forward. Is the solution in the club? I don’t know but it was not on the park tonight. Don’t ‘rest’ then make them play for Wenty.

    BA needs to find out if the solution is Stone , Marata, Vave , Gower etc. If not then at least we know and then we can blow up this forward pack and build it around some forwards who actually understand, are willing too and still are capable of doing the job- that is to go forward and push the other team back.

    If the same team is picked next week, if the same props and non runnning secondrowers are picked I will not go. Not because I am sulking but because I can’t sit and watch this club and team being destroyed. Being destroyed because of misplaced loyalty.

    I admire and respect BA but enough is enough. Stop being loyal to forwards who either can’t anymore or won’t do their job. If he doesn’t it will cost him his job.

    1. DDay

      Touche Shelley, misplaced loyalty is killing us. I don’t like using Ricky as a role model but his soft comments and dropping Austin has lifted the Raiders out of their rut. Time for some tough love rather than protecting the players from the reality.

    2. The Captain

      100% agree Shelley! The only on-field passion I’ve seen this season has come from either Gutho, Brown, Moses or Edwards. The rest seem to be resigned to losing every single game before we start. It’s dead set embarrassing.

        1. The Captain

          That’s true actually mitch. Alvaro gets a pass mark too.

          I know poor Mannah cops some serious criticism, a lot of it underserved (his metres were huge in this game). But I think he’s simply got to lose the captaincy now. He’s a great Eels stalwart and will always be, but he’s simply not a great on field captain.

          For my mind whilst there needs to be a host of changes this week one of them needs to be shifting the co-captaincy to Gutho and Brown. They’re the new on field leaders, so give them the title to suit.

    3. Anonymous

      i agree .a coach can only prepare the team so much,it,s up to the TEAM on the field,to play the game hard in defence and attack ,a simple game of promoting the play up field,with a combination of hard runs ,ball off loads to support play,team work and heart

    1. The Captain

      At this stage – who cares? We can’t do much worse.

      Give some from the lower grades a chance to step up. If we honestly can’t fill a first grade side with somewhat competitive players then it’s time for those responsible for recruitment and development to put their hands up and be counted.

      At this stage I’d at least prefer we lost with some new faces in the lineup than losing with the same old dejected hands-on-hips faces running around.

      This isn’t a matter of who needs to be promoted to first grade, it’s a matter of who needs to be dropped. Lessons need to be learned, careers need to be turned around or a lot of them will be over by the seasons end.

  12. Colin Hussey

    I am still numb this morning, I have no emotion at all, in fact as I read this post from 60’s while I totally agree, I am still feeling the same as I did when I read the scoreline at the end of the game last night. I did not listen, nor watch or really even looked at live score updates, a premonition perhaps but there is no doubt that the team as it is needs a real move, that is even dare I suggest a RS roast, not a damp spray, each player has to be told their shortcommings and what they have to do to overcome this downhill avalanche.

    Changes yes, some younger players in vital spots, its been too long in coming but sooner rather than later is where we are at now.

    Our coach needs a win so do the players, our coach is doing what he can but its now up to those who run out on the paddock.

    1. mitch

      A little more passion from the blokes on the field would help. As mentioned above; Brown, Moses, Gutho, Kenny, Alvaro are the only ones showing a bit of passion out there.

    2. John Eel

      What is the story with Vave. Last week I read where he had a good game with Wenty. The off season photos seem to show that he lost his gut.

      Is there a reason he is not being picked at the moment. He is a big body at least.

      Also definitely would like to see Marata get a run.

  13. Trouser Eel

    It’s been a while since I’ve felt this way about Parra. I’ll be wearing my jersey like it’s a dunce hat – a punishment for being stupid.

    1. Rowdy

      I’m already getting unsolicited txt msg’s from mates who either follow or have played for other Sydney clubs, nothing directly attributing my support for Parra to stupidity yet!

  14. Tad

    Hi Thought I would take some relief from the other site . Some of the comments here seem closer to where my head is at. Very disappointing to see how our players were at mentally yesterday .Pretty obvious that when players are in that kind of headspace you do lack strength and can easily fall apart when your attack doesn,t work,ref calls go against you through frustration. The point I want to make players lack of commitment is not by choice.They have little control over the emotional head space they are in. Bit like depression —you can be okay but when things turn against you you fall apart quickly. Subjecting players to abuse etc makes things much worse. That,s what I think we saw yesterday. The remedy from my perspective is basically time out– some respite for some players. Our substitute player options don,t seem to be great—but thats where I think we need to go. Hard road ahead for us and I can,t see an easy turnaround. You need to get some specialist type services involved to facilitate a group getting togetherness and build up mutual support. the alternative is relieving frustrations against team mates which will destroy the joint. Their is a difference between the type of team discussion that can be held— Often people simply don,t know what is going wrong and you need good facilitation to discover what is going wrong. I don,t know whether it will help but for me trying to offer something to look at. I am floundering with this like many seem to be. If we don,t handle this well it will be soul destroying You have to ask why have we gone so badly when the only loss we have had from last year is Semi..

    1. Rowdy

      I tend to agree with your perspective here Tad and it ring true with what Sixties is proposing also.

  15. Parrastew

    My amateur analysis is that we prepared for a season where our small and mobile forwards would run circles around big and tired opposition forwards in a fast flowing game. We have walked into a season that play is stopping every 3 minutes for a penalty giving rest and advantage to the big boppers, speed and agility get smashed out of you pretty quick as we have seen.
    If next season the interchange gets lowered or as this season progresses the penalty rate significantly lowers our pack will fit the right mound ( maybe add 1 big boy).
    Are we one season too early? it depends on where the NRL is trying to take the game.

    1. Glenn

      Actually think we are one season too late. Need two big boppers up front, Paulo’s mate Boyd should be the next we poach from them.

  16. Glenn

    Well Ma’u has been regressing last year and getting worse this. That first try may not have happened had he listened to Gennings yelling at him. Is there some division where players are ignoring others to the detriment of the team?

  17. West Coast Eel

    It’s obvious changes need to be made, but I don’t know if we have that much depth to do it. Maybe Gower, Nuikore, Matagi. Hoffman deserves another chance. King…… maybe. Takaraingi and Hayne will be back shortly too. Will these changes make the team any better?
    I’m a massive fan and these losses are hurting! The expectations of this year are making it worse. I’m sick of Parra being the laughing stock of the league. I hate watching team after team win the comp. I can’t sleep when we lose and I’m miserable all week. It’s getting to a stage where I’m taping the games and watching them in fast forward. Really hard to watch at the moment. I’ll stick solid (I’ve been doing that since I started supporting them in 1987), but I’m doing it tough!

  18. Michael

    A major rebuild is what’s needed, and that would be understandable if a coach’s first season but not it’s 5th

    Player’s like vave scott matagi gower willams and next year mannah hoffman and mau – 8 players would probably have to be replaced – but with who.

    That’s the real situation we find ourselves in and it’s totally unacceptable in my opinion.

    And if possible move Evans on as well.

    What do you others think ?

  19. Parramatta Tragic

    Remember that wonderful movie about John Glenn called “The Right Stuff”? That was the simple requirement for the Astronaut program. It’s a simple and terrific philosophy. Who in our team has The Right Stuff? Gutherson, Brown, Moses and that’s about it. Alvaro has lost so much weight he is not so much The Polar Bear as The Pole Dancer. The team needs an enema otherwise the new stadium will be a ghost town.

  20. shane(norman is the best)

    Enjoyed the views and agree with some of them but I don’t think it is only the forwards that are the problem. People seem to give Moses a lot of credit, but it was not the forwards kicking on the 2nd tackle when attacking the line and to make it worse he kicked straight to the winger giving no chance to our chasers. I am not just going by this as a lot of his kicks and I mean a big percentage of them goes to either the fullback or winger on the full and most of his runs attacking the line are side ways and runs the outside players out of room. A lot of his involment to me seems selfish and as though he has no football IQ what so ever. Yes we have attitude problems but I do not believe that it is all because of the forwards and no I am not totally blaming Moses just using this as 1 example as there ar other things going on as well.

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