The Cumberland Throw

Post Game Grades – Round 7 vs Sea Eagles

  Parramatta Eels 44

 Manly Sea Eagles 10

The Good:
At last, eventually and ultimately the Eels have finally won a game in Season 2018. It’s been a long time coming.

When the Eels finally win again.

I obviously can’t stop there, as this wasn’t just a win, it was a triumphant blast back into attacking form. In order to overcome this disjointed Manly outfit whose minds seemed either entrenched in the week’s controversies or still immersed in a Gladstone strip club; the Eels didn’t just bring a gun to a knife fight, they brought a heavy duty tank.

The Eels completed at 89% (31 from 35 sets), brought back the flair and confidence in their attack and by golly they actually seemed to still be enjoying one another’s company. That latter point is particularly astounding if you choose to dwell and believe in the inevitable gutter gossip that seem to sprout like fungai when a team starts a season on a 6 game losing streak. In unrelated news, I’d like to give a shout out to both the Lurker and Dean Ritchie if they’re reading.

Our backs were good, but it was our forwards who really took the game to the northern beaches outfit, feasting on the carcass of Manly’s attack like a pack of hungry African hyenas.

Just quickly, the Eels ran for a total of 2275 metres, with Manly only running for a total of 1283. Furthermore, we made 238 tackles, missing only 12; whereas Manly made 325 tackles, missing 30 (with another 21 ineffective). Wowzers.

Oh and we also finally won in our new jersey design. Another monkey wrestled from our collective backs.

It was quite the day.

The Bad:
Although it was an amazing game to witness, particularly in context of our season, it certainly wasn’t perfect. Although Manly put on 10 points against us, I thought we were very lucky for them not to have 12-18 more points through the Joel Thompson obstruction, Shaun Lane’s (?) dropped ball over the line and Uate’s batting the ball up disallowed tries.

Again, it was a game worth celebrating but I’m sure these lapses won’t go unnoticed this week in the video review.

X-Factor:
The Eels aggressive, enthusiastic identity is back.

It finally felt like we got the bounce of the ball and rub of the green today, so here’s hoping we can ride this wave into the coming weeks. As Forty will tell you, our margin of error for making the Finals remains at 5 games, so this is no time to rest on our laurels.

In other news, this week it was revealed by James Hooper that the Eels have apparently re-signed and brought home Joseph Junior Paulo for 2019. I suspect there’ll be more names added to that list in the coming weeks and months.

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It’s a new day, so it’s time to throw away your cursed old Eels gear, replace it with a new piece of merch and support the work of The Cumberland Throw.

The MVP:

Special mention to Tim Mannah, Kaysa Pritchard and Manu Ma’u, but today belongs to our passionate number 7. The Prince of Egypt is very much back.

His 3 try assists were terrific, but it was his running game (highlight by a terrific break and offload to our new captain in the 67th minute) that most impressed me today (more on that below). Mitch’s 5 runs for 54 metres and 3 tackle breaks were also a very handy reward for his recent rebounded enthusiasm, even through our losses.

Good to see a big smile on the young bloke’s face, and I bet he’s even more ecstatic to be this week’s MVP. Whoever tells him, make sure he’s sitting down first; I’m sure he’ll be rapt.

1- Clint Gutherson (c)

Fullback, Parramatta Eels

What an auspicious return to the winner’s circle under the all powerful captaincy of Lord Gutherson. The Eels hierarchy apparently wanted Gutho’s promotion to galvanise the side and bring back and sway favour with the referees. Well, after a 7-1 first half penalty count to the Eels (finishing at 13-6 at the end of 80), and a dominant 34 point win over the club that dropped 54 points on us 5 weeks ago, I think it’s safe to call today’s first foray for our new captain a resounding success.

Clint’s individual numbers weren’t too shabby either, with 13 runs for 141 metres, 1 tackle break and a cracking finish to a terrific team try, long live the King and may his reign be eternal.

Find someone who looks at you the way Clint Gutherson looks after an Eels victory.

Finally, I just thought it was worth pointing out:

2- George Jennings

Right Wing, Parramatta Eels

You should be curious about this George no more. Personally, I grow fonder on the lesser Jennings with every passing week. I hope the last month of football earns him another contract with the Blue & Gold as he would be a strong, fast, dependable winger on a presumably modest contract; and those sort of signings are like gold in the modern salary cap era. Today’s 12 for 93 metres and 2 tackle breaks probably belies the quality of his game today, as Gennings often took those thankless hit ups from our red zone into an aggressively converging defensive line.

3- Michael Jennings

Right Centre, Parramatta Eels

If I’m honest I frequently found myself congratulating him in my head only to find it was his younger, less esteemed sibling. Nonetheless, Jet’s 8 runs for 73 metres, 1 tackle break, 1 offload and a “who cares what he did, we won” represent a solid, but not spectacular stat sheet.

4- Brad Takairangi

Left Centre, Parramatta Eels

Thought he was another to sit firmly in the ‘solid, but not spectacular’ basket, often taking tough hit ups, charging into a big bodied defensive line. He also led the team with 4 much needed offloads (part of a team season high 15).

Way to go, Idaho.

5- Jarryd Hayne

Left Wing, Parramatta Eels

I was legitimately so excited to see him back this week, particularly after hearing how angry he was at the rumours that BA had lost the dressing room. In his very short stint Jarryd ran for 42 metres from 5 hit ups and had a tackle break. Josh Hoffman was very good for Wenty today, so I suspect he will get the call up in Hayne’s spot. Nevertheless, get well soon, champ.

6- Corey Norman

Five-Eighth, Parramatta Eels

Yeah, nah, hell yes.

If you ever sit near me at the footy you will hear me wax lyrical about the importance of our halves straightening up the attack by taking the line on, at least in the early stages of the match. Otherwise it is all too easy for defences to sit back and watch halves run across field and pass, knowing there is no threat from the man with the ball (see Rounds 1-6). Today, Corey and Mitch spent the first 20 or so minutes doing exactly that – just running and taking the line on. Our 6 and 7 were subsequently rewarded in the final 60 with a continuum of space and time, thanks to the platform they laid in the early stages. Normy’s whopping 9 runs for 103 metres (that is not a misprint) and game high 6 tackle breaks and try assist show that he and Moses are far from a failed experiment and have plenty of life left in them.

That was one sweet try, too. Welcome back, Corey.

7- Mitchell Moses

Halfback, Parramatta Eels

Blow the dust off your 90’s CD collection and crank Dr Alban’s electronic gospel hit Sing Hallelujah – the Mitch Moses of old is very much back in Parramatta.

As touched on above, Moses was in everything today, and deservedly picked up the TCT PGG MVP for his efforts. I particularly encouraged his unheralded shoot-out-of-the-line, wrap up tackle on Jake Trbojevic in the 22nd minute.

Although they were both excellent and I don’t want to mess with a good thing, I think if I had to choose I’d nominate Moses as my preferred dominant half going forward, but feel free to tell me why you disagree in the comments below.

17- Daniel Alvaro

Prop, Parramatta Eels

The Polar Express also went off today, with 16 runs for a massive 143 metres, 2 offloads, a tackle break and 36 tackles with only one miss. It was so good today to see our forward pack not only win, but dominate the battle in the middle of the field, and Danny Boy was a big part of that.

Imagine this team but with more Nathan ‘Cyborg’ Brown added.

9- Kaysa Pritchard

Hooker, Parramatta Eels

Today was probably Kaysa’s best game in the Blue & Gold, ever. Outside of a weird pass into the backside of a retreating Eel, his service was pretty good today. More so, Kaysa’s willingness to not only engage the markers before passing but to run at them when we had the advantage made a world of difference to our game overall. A good 9 is like a rugby league chain reaction; when a rake gives good service, it gives the forwards a better chance to dominate the middle, leading to more space for rakes and halves to run. When it all clicks it is a thing of beauty, and today Kaysa was at the beginning of all that.

Despite giving him a lot of grief in recent weeks, I must admit Kaysa’s try in the 39th minute was probably my favourite play of the day.

Well said, Mr. Facts, and hats off to Kamikaze.

20- Suaia Matagi

Prop, Parramatta Eels

I thought Suaia (or ‘Takairangi’ as the commentators seem to know him as) was excellent today. Although the lesser heralded of the two, Matagi honed in on one of Manly’s most potent attacking weapons all afternoon, continuing their ongoing rivalry.

Statistically his 10 hit ups for 97 metres was also good to see.

Poke. The. Bear.

11- Manu Ma’u

Back Row, Parramatta Eels

THERE. HE. IS. The ferocious Manu, the aggressive Ma’u, the crash and bash Monster Mash. The Beast was running lines, busting heads and breaking Silvertail hearts all afternoon. Manu’s 13 runs for 139 metres and 21 tackles (with only one miss) were not nearly as impressive as the return of his aggressive line running and bad ass, Police Academy buzz cut.

Agreed, other Mitch.

12- Tony Williams

Back Row, Parramatta Eels

Once again the large coelurosaurian theropod was in excellent form today, showing both power and intelligent line running to put on 115 metres from his 12 bustling hit ups with 2 tackle breaks. Give the bloke another year, he’s earned it already.

13- Peni Terepo

Lock, Parramatta Eels

Peni looked a little scatterbrain out there today, like a kid hyped up on red cordial. Still 99 metres is a good return from a once off part-time lock, part-time Butcher, with a terrific 3 tackle breaks, 20 tackles and zero errors. Very good, Peni.

Interchange

10- Tim Mannah

Interchange, Parramatta Eels

Word around the traps is this interchanged Tim is the new Mannah, and it could not have gotten off to a better start. Only a shade away from taking home today’s MVP, Mannah Time went into overdrive today with 16 runs for a RIDICULOUS 191 metres, along with his 16 tackles (without a miss).

This week I once again look forward to droning idiots continuing their baseless mantra that the game has passed Timmy by. What a terrific game from the old horse.

14- Will Smith

Interchange, Parramatta Eels

So he’s not really a winger, but the fact that we had him available for Kaysa’s HIA and then didn’t have to put Manu in the centres when Jarryd went down makes me even more sure he belongs in our 17 each and every week. Sure he only had 3 runs (for 37 metres) but somehow managed a ridiculous 4 tackle breaks in that time. Not just a pretty face.

15- Kenny Edwards

Interchange, Parramatta Eels

Kenny had 8 runs for 73 metres, 3 offloads and a tackle break. He’s crazy as a cut snake but he certainly brings both energy and versatility to a team that seems to need both each week.

Kenny also scored an outstanding try, but almost destroyed our spine/Gutho’s knee with an over exuberant try celebration in the 39th minute.

16- David Gower

Interchange, Parramatta Eels

Honestly, today I was just expecting a “won’t let you down” sort of game from the Good Doctor Gower. He sure showed me up, shoving 11 runs and 115 running metres right in my face.

The Doctor will see you now.

We got our first win of the season, and against the Manly Silvertails, no less.

Oh, how sweet it is.

 

Anyways, these here are my grades. Enter your name below and tell me your thoughts.

Bring on the Tigers next week as the 2018 Revenge Tour rolls on.

Go you Eels,

Mitch.

 

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Photos courtesy of the Parramatta Eels. Stats courtesy of Champion Data.

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71 thoughts on “Post Game Grades – Round 7 vs Sea Eagles

  1. Gem KM

    How much more fun was this to write!! Look at all those tasty run metres 💯💯💯💯

    That’s how we know we can play, and I can’t wait to see it for the rest of the year

    1. mitch Post author

      Oh if only we had showed up like this 6 or so weeks ago. Still, it’s finally here and Manly were the ones to cop it. Can’t really complain.

      1. Colin Hussey

        Mitch, agree but a tiny bit late means we finally turned up and got on the bus, before it departed.

  2. JonBoy

    One of the most notable items for me today was how much talk there was on field and it wasn’t Moses swearing at people.

    There was still a little bit of “clunk” in the attack today but let’s hope that M&N grab that confidence boost they have needed with both hands and continue to “run” with it!

    Ma’u was a standout for me today and may have trumped Moses had I been in control of the grades, but the longer I reflect the more inclined I am to split the prize 17 ways as it really was the TEAM effort we knew we were capable of playing.

    1. mitch Post author

      Manu was something else today, where has that been? I think he deserves a lot of credit, but I think we’re a worse team today minus Moses than we would have been sans Ma’u (hence to nod).

      Still, can definitely see where you’re coming from. More of this next week hopefully.

  3. Trouser Eel

    I couldn’t agree more Mitch. I ‘m not sure about which half should be the dominant one – perhaps that needs to switch from game to game, or half to half (pardon the pun.) It’s definitely good to see them taking on the line though.

    1. Milo

      Trouser I expect Norman to be the main half but i see him as a bit inconsistent- his kicks at times are avg (chips). There were times today when he was not ready as first receiver but maybe Moses was also to blame. They did well though. Have to be better next wk

  4. Pou

    How good is it to win again. As for dominant halves, Norman has been playing a central role with Moses and the fullback of the week split right and left, respectively.

  5. Milo

    Good read mate; thanks. I had Matagi as our best fwd. IMO he took the first hit ups often and if the pack play like this most weeks we will make the 8. Not sure of his stats but his energy was superb.
    The bench was well managed imo.
    Halves v good; Moses was v good. Norman for me was good but needs to make his passes quick and execute better. He ran well.

  6. Tad

    Good to see most players playing closer to their potential. Good win as we haven,t had dominating type wins for a long time including last year. The only other dominant win I can remember was against Knights in the trial..We still have a way to go — and need to get into consistent good football. Hopefully some of the urgency into looking what needs to be done will stick and we can further improve with some consecutive wins. Confidence can still fall apart

  7. Colin Hussey

    Mitch, great report and loved the player ratings. PROBLEM, where will Nathan Brown fit next week? Replacement for the Hayne spot?

    A stellar roll out by the team especially the forwards makes next weeks team selections a huge puzzle, who deserves to be dropped, a big 0 I would suggest but how do you keep Brown out. I would imagine he would be very much P’D off in missing this win today and will be one angry ant next week, Oh! i forget what about Tepai?

    I was pleased to see Gower get a run and I never doubted he would make a good impression and play more than a stop gap roll – Thanks David.

    Love also to read about Kaysa, I hope his form today is a real showcase of his future at the club, he finally showed what he could do and capable of. well done MR, persistent & patient young hooker.

    No doubt though there will still be knives out for Kaysa and Tim, no matter how good they are they will never meet some peoples standards, not hard as those fans cannot even meet there own.

    Lastly, welcome back Manu, good to see you again doing what you know best.

    We have just begun to fight.

    1. Brian

      He’ll come into the starting side and I suspect that’ll either push Peni or Gower off the bench. Smith’s utility value is too strong IMO.

      The Tigers have a big pack so that may mean Gower goes, however his ability to find offloads gives us another dimension, so I’ll be happy if he stays.

      1. The rev aka Snedden

        Hoffman comes in be vans still injured n no Hayne n no avau’a. No brainier it’s Hoffman my son.

  8. Offside

    Agree all round. Its amazing what a bit of discipline can do. Still saw some weakness around our edges but overall a good game was really impressed with manu not just plsying on his edge but he did a good shift in the middle and it looked like it suited him.

    How important is it to have the fresh prince on the bench? He did a serviceable job on the flank and was pretty good in the middle before the forced move wide.

    1. mitch Post author

      Loved having not only his running game but the versatility to cover basically every spot in the back line in a pinch. Not to mention hooker.

  9. Kevin

    Terrific effort and execution from the mighty Eels. Once Trex runs as hard as the rest of the boys we’ll be on fire.

  10. BDon

    Our discipline was pretty good and allowed us to put together a decent game. We’ve had a 6 -blot taste of turning around and trudging back the 10, and no one likes it. And funny thing, I reckon Manly could have been pinged some more for holding down/slow release.
    Lots of good things happened because momentum didn’t continually fall apart. Pritchard was great, his ability matched his heart and showed us he can do it, Mau got into a groove and Moses/Norman got some time and space. If Tony Williams can stay fit, big upside coming there.
    Those 2 soft Manly tries looked like our defence out wide a couple of years back, no energy from the inside, thin and leaky on the outside.

    1. Lady Eel

      Agree with your comment re holding down by Manly, also at the game the talk on the field was loud and consistent the whole game, not quite so obvious watching the replay. Post try celebrations were wild and included the whole team. Long way to go but we have started the journey.

        1. mitch Post author

          You think the Eels played good defence on those two tries, Anon? Or Shaun Lane’s near miss or Joel Thompson’s obstruction?

  11. Rocket

    I think Gower needs to be in the side. His footwork just before the line makes a difference. They can’t all be bash and barge.

    1. mitch Post author

      I actually can’t believe how good he was. He’s one of our few players this year who has gone to another level. Was terrific yesterday.

  12. John Eel

    Mitch not much to add here and I am happy with the grading’s. More importantly happy with the result. I will have another look at the game later in the week.
    I sit just behind the bench and when Tim came off for the final time yesterday he received a warm round of applause from the grateful supporters for his effort. I think in part most supporters are sick of the carping about his ability and inclusion in the side by some ill informed people.
    Colin you have stuck solid with Kayser and your belief in him was justified today. That is the best game that I have seen him play.
    I worry about Corey running into cul-de-sacs, pirouetting and conceding the tackle. He used to run into holes and offload at the line. I like that better.

    What we talked about all preseason is about to hit BA in the face. Which forward to leave out when Browny returns and possibly Meoroa. Who would have thought that T Rex would have returned this good. I always secretly hoped but was never that confident. I think his best is yet to come. He is playing with commitment.

    1. Colin Hussey

      While I am pleased with the Kaysa play, and I hope to see the game next Sunday and him continue in the same vein even better if possible. I think a lot of it was confidence in being over injuries. Confidence also in being able to lift and perhaps BA has said to him play to your abilities and get involved.

      In the past, except towards the end when he got injured last year he really had a weight on his shoulders, King breathing down his neck, and the coaching staff wanting him to slow down, along with more often than not his limited time on the field. The game yesterday is his 21st birthday in the sense I think of him coming of age as a RL player, he just needs to take hold of that and wrap it up on his chest.

      Who to drop next week for Brown, gee its tough, give him another week off to ensure his knee is really mended, and he will explode at the very thought that he wont be playing. I believe that Will needs to stay, as a just in case for the backs, so the likely loser will be Peni. Lock to replace lock

      1. Tad

        Colin you have mentioned a couple of times now that you haven,t had a chance to see non televised games. Someone posted this free to Air Fox broadcast on this betting site you maybe interested in. I watched it on Sunday and it was great. You need to download a streaming site.I downloaded Sopcast and you can virtually see any sport from around the world for free. If interested
        http://livetv.sx/enx/allupcomingsports/17/

        1. Anonymous

          Thanks Tad, have set up an account and see how it goes, ATM can only do it on computer, but should move to new home sometime later this year and will be more set up into a so called smart home set up and TV, hopefully will be well and truly ready for next year.

          1. Tad

            If you have a problem let me know Colin -sometimes a bit tricky.The week before I managed to see about 70 % of the game with a bit of fiddle.Last week no issues

    2. mitch Post author

      Thanks for reading mate. Thought TRex and Mannah were both excellent and TBH didn’t notice us missing Tepai …

      1. Tad

        Mitch BA has coped alot of criticism as a coach but he did get Gutherson and also Williams as well as bringing French into grade as well. All great selections

      1. John Eel

        It has to be a confidence thing. 2016 he got the errors right out of his game. 2017 they came back until yesterday. Here’s hoping.

      2. BDon

        Mitch, I get sick of myself talking about errors/penalties, but this has been the Achilles heel of Brad Arthur’s Eels. He must wonder how you fix it. We had the Storm in the crosshairs finals 2017, and what happened? And you could make an argument that every loss of the 6 this year was the same recipe. Also some players are repeat offenders in defensive plays. My pet hate is the halves and forwards not pushing across, you never saw Ronnie Lynch or Ray Price flat footed, walking on the inside.
        A quick rap for Kenny Edwards, he has shown you can cut down errors…just hope he doesn’t read this and get nervous.

        1. mitch Post author

          Im sure none of the players read my assessment. And for that, I’m thankful.

          Particularly if Manu is having a rough trot.

      3. John Eel

        I thought from the opening tackle yesterday that there was a concerted effort by the Eels defenders to get off the tackled player and not concede a penalty. The discipline was there especially early in the game

        The other thing that I noticed in the second half was that the Manly defenders were jumping early before the ball had been played. the Eels were leading by so far at that point it made no difference. I think also that the referee may have been in “even up the penalty count” mode by that time.

  13. Anonymous

    As always a good read, so much better when winning.
    Timmy Mannah best game I’ve seen from him in a loooong time. Hope they all bottle that energy, intensity, enthusiasm for the remainder of the season. I’m calling it: based on the performance yesterday no other team would’ve beaten us this week not even Melbourne

    1. mitch Post author

      The last 60 we were very good, but Manly certainly helped by giving away plenty of penalties and possession.

      As I touched on above our defence was pretty woeful when Manly had attacking opportunities but the coaching staff will be all over that this week you’d think.

      1. Colin Hussey

        One would think mitch that the first day back to training and should Kidwell be on the job, he along with the other coaches would have gone over the game and picked the defence, as well as the discipline bits, to pieces.
        While there was a lot of great euphoria with the team and the win, its now dun n dusted, a new mantel piece comes up next Sunday that needs to be polished, any little bits of dust have to be cleaned off, and the lot reminded there is still xx number of games left in the year, and each one has to be approached with added bits of rubbing without let up.

        If the elbows get tired and the rubbing gets too hard to continue, then they will have the opposite to euphoria, = euthanasia by self infliction.

  14. Hamsammich

    Can’t say I agree on Moses being the dominant half yesterday. According to champion data, Norman had 64 touches whilst Moses only had 44 touches. It seemed like Norman was playing more in the middle of the field whilst Moses mainly stuck to the right.

    1. mitch Post author

      I wasn’t saying he was the dominant half, just suggesting that I think we play best when he is. A traditional 7 and 6 relationship rather than equal footing, if that makes sense.

      1. Hamsammich

        I get you now. I’m gonna go with Norman playing the dominant role. Yesterday, 20 more touches, 2 more kicks for 200 more kicking metres. Let Moses play a bit wider and play what he sees in front of him, he’s better off the cuff than Norman.

        1. Milo

          Ham for me if Norman can back it up with another good month of consistent footy ill be happy. He does some good things and some ave things at times. His little chips were not v effective but he ran the ball well.
          He and Moses have to again do this against wests after the fwds lead up front.

  15. DDay

    Great to see the win and the self-belief return as the game went on. I though Hayne was important today in breaking the malaise – his run followed by the ball he promoted to Manu for the 1st try changed the momentum.

    Tigers will be a good indicator of where we are at.

    1. John Eel

      Hayne had a good return for the minutes he was on. Five hitups, 42 metres, a tackle break and a try assist.

      Hate to see him injured while he is in this type of mood.

        1. Colin Hussey

          He has to stay away until the staff and he knows that the injury is fully recovered before returning. If not and another one happens, it will be a real blow to him and the team. Would hate to see him go out that way, better that he gets mended and even come back later to give value to the team and for himself.

  16. The rev aka Snedden

    Good write up Mitch.

    Like you n many other eel fans I’m a very happy gentleman today …well at full time I was over the moon. To me it felt like a GF win …

    I think George Jennings has earned another contract say 2 year deal. I’m liking the Jennings boys combo it’s starting to click I really like it. I think it can get even better n start to worry other teams. Update me on his try’s this year plz.

    I was not shock by the good doctors numbers Mitch.
    He might be getting old in the legs but his still young between the ears. His offloads help our game also.

    On the king awesome game … To have those numbers after only 1 game back from his 2nd acl it goes to show he has to be our only captain next year. I see him in eels colours for another 10 years.

    On Timmy mannah. Good .. ops .. outstanding numbers also coming from him off the bench. I think he needs to start from the bench from now on in.

    Manu mau … His hair cut reminds me of John candy in the movie. Stripes. With bill Murray. Strong carries n good defence n line running.

    Our halfs … So much for not getting on Hadley you fool of a person.
    Well done boys you both stood up when we really needed you both.

    Our spine. They clicked Awesome from the spine. I couldn’t be more prouder. More of the same boys.

    Our forwards. Out n out there best game as a pack. We’re has this been boys keep this coming. Aggressive hits n runs. More plz.

    To the coaching staff , BA , well done.

    #Eels4life#

    P’s sorry Mitch I could write up a comment on every player but at the end of the day we are all proud as punch.

    1. Colin Hussey

      Punch drunk? worth every ache, and I don’t dwink. Why didn’t ya mention my fav in Kaysa Bro?
      Good stuff.

      PS, I just watched the try that Kaysa scored, Gutho was up ready to go into dummy half and Kaysa came up and ran to the dummy half, you could see that he was watching the Manly defence as he came up, and grabbed the ball up, pushed the off side manly player out of the way as he went to the try line and scored.
      For the condemnation he cops, and if we really sat down and watched that effort along with the rest of his game, which I did not see, that play would have done the likes of Cameron Smith proud, but he is a poor reader of the game and needs to be punted and never play top squad again.
      He answered the critics with an Up your nose with a rubber nose!

      1. Tad

        Colin Kaysa has always looked good for me as you know from my posts on the other site-His work rate is high and is still learning the role in a vital position—at his age he could develop to be a top notch player-I struggle to understand the criticism often thrown at him considering his age and heavy work ethic. Mistakes always happen when you carry a dis proportionate workload when heavily involved in the ruck area

        1. Anonymous

          Tad, I don’t know what it was about him that I initially liked, still don’t but I have stuck solid even when he has been down, not just with the injuries but in play.

          On Sunday the Kaysa I had that initial liking to really stood up and showed he is a NRL player, he had shown a lot in the past especially last year, but his unfortunate injury really took any shine off the year.

          Now he’s back after a good off season, and is fit, the future really is at his feet, and he needs to grab it. I often read that the team around him love him owing to the enthusiasm he brings to the side. That in itself is something that should spur him on.

      2. The rev aka Snedden

        I could write up a comment on every player but at the end of the day we are all proud as punch.

  17. Shelley

    I agree with all the grades. Gutho needs a seperate grade each week simply because of his ability to get the best out of others. Suddenly our forward can offload- who would have thought? the difference this game to last week was it that Gutho was not the only support, Taka, Moses and Kaysa were there too supporting the forwards and encouraging offloads. Gutho has the potential to be a great leader.

    Our balance both in backs and forwards was so good. Gower and Kenny’s late footwork at the line caused trouble. Mannah, Terepo, Alvaro and Matagi ran so hard and straight- got quick play the balls. Williams is looking better each game. our pack was certainly not one dimensional yesterday.
    Putting Brown with some ball skills back in this pack can make it more dangerous.
    Taka offloading our wide is such as asset, plus his obvious pride and desire to win.
    Personally I would argue that best on field belonged to either Kaysa or Manu. As we have seen in the previous 6 weeks our backs, particularly Norman and Moses, do not have time to play if they are not operating behind go forward or with markers rushing them. Both Norman and Moses were disciplined but in different ways. Norman controlled the play , kicked brilliantly to keep Manly trapped and ran with purpose, really found our edge forwards with brilliant passes, while Moses was able to float around more and switch late to partner Norman at second receiver and use his brilliant natural skill and speed. Both were dominant just playing a different role. They complimented each other brilliantly just like last year.

    Kaysa engaged the markers wonderfully and Manu ran beautiful lines back behind the ruck as did Alvaro, which kept Manly in tight defensively and then our backline shifts started to work.
    It was the game I always hoped Kaysa had in him, but I was starting to doubt. Brilliant attack but controlled aggression in defense.

  18. MattL

    Still walking around with a big smile on my face. Happy daze.
    Shame about JH’s injury as he looked up for a big game on the wing. KP played better than I ever thought he could. Timmy may have found his mojo coming off the bench. Gutho is just unreal. JenningsX2 are very dangerous & the forwards were back to their brutal best!
    Bring on the Tigers… Go Eels!

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