Rugby league basics. The Parramatta Eels are failing the simplest aspects of the game and it’s at the core of why the team sits at the bottom of the ladder.
This post is not written as criticism of the coaching. These fundamentals are drilled and reinforced with the team. Between training and match days, huge chunks of the team’s preparation seem discarded and it’s via failure in “Rugby League 101”.
It’s frustrating to watch the team train with enthusiasm, with skill, with purpose, and to then sit in the stands and witness what is delivered on match days.
When examined, it’s not the skill that missing. It’s not the effort. it’s the mindset of the players which appears to be central to the Eels woes in 2018.
Support Play
Let’s start with the ultimate difference between league and union. In union you need to support the tackled player. In league, you support the ball in play. So when the player is alive with the ball you support them. You don’t drop off in your support just because you think that the player is tackled.
Support produces the capacity for an offload and second phase play. A prime example was the try Manu Ma’u generated from a tap kick against the Tigers. Last night it was infuriating to see the lack of support as Gower looked to offload against the Dogs and worse still the lack of options for Moses and Jennings when they found themselves in space.
The Eels attack is one of the poorest in the competition and the players are doing themselves no favours when they fail to support the man with the ball.
Passing
Never pass the ball to a player in a worse position than yourself. This is the unwritten law for every player. The result is either a dropped ball or the receiver getting smashed.
In other words, don’t push the pass to a player already under pressure. This can be the result of a lack of patience (see later in this post) or just dumb football. There were multiple examples of this against the Dogs and it was costly.
Running
If you continue to run across field, you will rarely break the line. Forwards need to do what their title says – run forward and do so powerfully.
When the ball is shifted to the backs, somebody needs to straighten the attack. This is vital when attacking in the 20 metre area. Teams are now defending with the fullback in the line so the spaces are difficult to find. When backs simply shift sideways, the defence slides with them and the outside supports get pushed up against the sideline.
There needs to be bodies in motion. The team trains to have bodies in motion and options for who receives the ball. Unfortunately, supporters only get rare glimpses of this. The defending teams are the great beneficiaries as they have fewer decisions to make.
Kicking
There has to be a purpose to the kick. Aiming for the corners for long kicks is great for building pressure. It means that the opposition is bringing the ball back from a poor field position. Mid field bombs provide no territorial advantage and run the risk of a bad bounce putting the chase under pressure.
A kick is only as good as its chase. The lack of pressure on other teams has been through a combination of poor kicks and an ineffective kick chase. There’s a kick at the end of nearly every set in rugby league. Consider how badly the Eels are letting themselves down in a major aspect of the game.
Discipline and Concentration
There are ways to control some penalties. In defence, roll away from the ruck, don’t step through it or over the tackled player. Referees will look for this stuff every time.
Get to your kick after kick offs. How many times do we witness errors in contact or in the play the ball, after a kick off. They are from a lack of concentration. It’s a momentum killer in a code which is all about momentum.
Patience
I left this to last because lack of patience typifies the Eels in 2018. The team appear to become frustrated that they haven’t scored in periods of the game, so they push passes, kick poorly, lose discipline and ultimately drift away from match plans.
Top level NRL teams are capable of building pressure. The Eels have players capable of producing a try out of nothing, but the majority of NRL games are won by teams absorbing and delivering pressure. This means defending when things aren’t going well, and showing patience with the ball when the breaks aren’t coming.
For fans, this translates as not gifting multiple sets through penalties and errors and conversely earning repeat sets through field position, kicks and set completions.
The poor completion rates this year have created fatigue through defence, which in turn puts pressure on the players when in possession, which causes pushed passes or lack of support and poor field position and …… you see the vicious cycle in action.
It saddens me to write this, and I will still front up in my support, but until the Parramatta players execute the absolute fundamentals of football, wins will be very difficult to come by.
Eels forever!
Sixties
BA has failed to build a dominant forward pack. That’s the problem and everything else that sixties has mentioned feeds off the fact that our forwards getting completely dominated in both attack and defense.
It’s all retention & recruitment and we know who’s at fault there. Also, many of those i speak about are getting towards the end of their careers all at once, and whilst we should be supportive of losses of a team who is building towards the future, I’m afraid when you’re looking at our current top 20, there’s nothing…..
Also, it’s easy to look good on the training park as your pack isn’t getting completely dominated. You can’t create the same space without the right cattle
From your comment you’d think that I can’t differentiate the difference between training and match days. Mate, I’ve seen the team train well, I’ve seen them train poorly. Mostly it has correlated to match performance. Sometimes, and especially this year, it hasn’t. That fired up session that was referenced was one of the worst if ever witnessed until they got the shits with themselves.
But last night had nothing to do with the other team dominating our forwards and everything to do with rank stupid play. I’m not saying we don’t need to sign more forwards – we do. But we were beaten by a Dogs team who didn’t earn the win.
Training only provides you with skill accumulation and tackling technique ect, It can never simulate an nrl match.
Im saying Arthur recruited and retained poorly – hence the major reason we aren’t competitive.
You’re saying it’s just a matter of bringing what’s happening at training to the game.
That’s not the major problem. Sorry.
Do you think Parramatta are in a great position roster wise? Who’s going to replace the older guys? Gower, Beu, Williams, Vave, Matagi – who tell us ?
Man you have a simplistic idea of training. How wrong you can be. Skill accumulation and tackling technique!
I think you’ll see a big roster change next year. You want me to list our roster for 2019 in May of 2018?
That’s for the club to take care of, and yes I think there’s plenty of work to be done.
That’s what we want to hear.
Is there a reason the coaching staff have kept so many older players on ?
Are there big changes coming via recruitment?
Did we let a heap of Wenty players go and a couple of decent one’s because we’ve committed to providing new signings?
I know only of Paulo coming. If there’s going to wide spread changes particularly in the forwards maybe the fans could understand our current rosters lack of regeneration.
I can’t see major changes in one season, but im hopeful.
This question about signings wasn’t aimed at yourself either sixties. We all respect that the club would keep things private.
My question is to the coaching staff.
Is this situation all part of a master plan in which we envisaged a major roster change at this time ?
Or is it a case of yea, we thought this current crop would be good enough, and only needed the additional one or two recruits.
Judging by Arthur’s recruitment history, I’m gathering it’s the latter. One or two wont chance anything
My thoughts on why no news at this point of the year is that, any new signings from other clubs is wise to be kept quiet, unless the player/s have told their respective clubs of their decisions. Some clubs dump such signings to lower grades as well. Doesn’t help their confidence.
On the same score, it also is not good for home team players who read about new signings with more than half of they season to go, those under pressure to perform are likely also to turn it up as what point is there in going well. they cannot see any future in them performing. Dumb situation as it also is poor for them to attract offers from elsewhere.
Some of the 16 are worth keeping but how many? I have said around 5-7 at best unless some others really lift in what they are doing, I think all those on the off contract list will have an idea though of where they stand and future with the eels.
Sure it may seem good to give the supporters something to look forward to if new signings were announced, but we still have 14 games to play and I haven’t given up hope yet, rather work on what’s in front of me now.
We did that brother hussey with Evans ….lol
Cheif- BA has not denied that our pack lacks one or two big boppers. He has openly spoken about getting the right person and not just ANY player. Sounds like a pretty logical recruitment strategy doesn’t it?
Who was / is available in the current market for the current season that would have fit the bill?
Who from last years crop of ISP or NYC players are you putting forward as better propositions than we have?
Can you please find another topic instead of banging on with the same thing again and again.
Well said JonBoy. I believe that next year we will possibly see a transition in the roster. I think we will move from aiming for depth via experience to the inclusion of potential. Players like Stone, Salmon and Mahoney are likely to move from development contracts to Top 30 deals. We will probably see a young Wenty team.
Chiefy no point arguing with sixties on this.
But i honestly can’t see BA staying in any other club hed be under pressure simply put whats been done at training isnt working because we look to have no real game plan our squad doesn’t compete at NRL level.
I know u guys report on training and are fans of the staff but if you compare it to other clubs i wonder how we stack up.
I only say this as i was speaking with a recent former player who said how big a step up his new club is in preseason.
That’s something worth considering. What’d he say specifically Offside?
Mitch I’d say its burly.
No mate over last few years ive been lucky enough to work with and socialize with quite a few players not just at parra
It was more about attitude to the little things and been held accountable. The idea that each session counts every extra matters. That the moment you entered you were in competition with everyone else. This leads to how you go about things off field diet sleep etc..
That been said its down to the individual but my point is are we applying the right methods to training because our postion on the ladder whould at least warrent a review. I’m sure we made some mistakes to our support staff no kidwell is there he at least has had a real 1st grade career something our head coach and assistants haven’t. Then you have to ask questions about hiring a conditioner with a afl background and look at the dody shapes of our forwards and tgat needs a review.
Everything gets reviewed.
Hopefully objectively and hopefully the right changes are made.
60’s, as you mention reviews, is it possible to change the way replies are done in the site. Not the overall aspect of way things are done, but more so in the way that replies show up on the screen.
I have a 24″ wide screen monitor but as replies come in they end up being squeezed to the right hand side of the main page block to a maximum width of 50mm. One reply from the Rev. above had less space again and was not more than an inch wide, with the words scattered as a result.
Is it possible to change the page layout so the replies are all set to the same margins as the main post, allowing many of the replies to fit in a single line or not many.
Hey Colin. I’ve now limited the reply chain to 6 (for new articles I suspect), should limit this issue.
Thanks Mitch, see how it goes, should be better though.
Right on Sixties. I have followed Parra since 1964 so I’ve seen plenty of losses and I’m still as keen a fan as ever. What hurts this year is that the team is gifting wins through poor choices and dumb errors. Injuries to key players (notably Brown) doesn’t help however much of our problem stems from a lack of go forward up front. We desperately need some more muscle. I hope something miraculous occurs before June 30.
We’ve only got one spot. I feel such a signing will matter little. We need players back from injury.
A good astute buy would help if available. How was Beu’s injury, it didn’t look good on the box when he came off.
I honestly wonder if he can keep going and whether retirement is a real option, especially as a career ending injury means he gets his contract money and could serve somehow with the coaching staff. I would certainly not like to see him try to stay playing that would mean many could only see him as he is now rather than how he has played his heart out in several teams especially SOO.
BA continues to pick these players who push stupid passes, give away stupid penalties, fail to kick chase and fail to provide support for our runners. The players know that what ever happens they are safe.
Also BA refuses to take the 2 points from penalties when given the opportunity. It is not only the players who are making dumb decisions. The coach is too
Not taking the 2 and the fact that we only once tried a short restart after the game was out of reach was so maddening. Basically every other team this year have changed their tactics to regularly taking the two. Not us. It’s so odd because we’re a momentum team. The amount of times a team get on a confidence roll after taking the two and end up scoring again soon after blows my mind.
I agree mate, but see my reply above.
Who would you drop and then select? We had 22 fit players in our squad for this week, and probably next week as well. I don’t know about the call for the penalty. I wanted them to take the goal. Everyone around me at the game called for the tap each time. Little agreement it seems. Was that the call from the coach? The Dogs coach instructed them to take the tap before half time and they ignored it.
The cameras panned to our bench who signaled to take the tap. Stupidity
60’s mate, I’m with you all the way. Your age & devotion mirrors my own! Read the other day that Parra has used more players this year than anyone else. But the papers keep raving about the Panthers injury toll! – & I think it is 5 games where we have scored the same number of tries, but we give away stupid penalties in front of the posts & don’t take the opportunity when situation reversed? Flabbergasting!!
Butters did you even watch the game …?
Stupid passes mmm if they stick n we score are they still stupid ?
Do you just want the players to hold he ball n just run straight n get smashed each time …?
Have you heard of a offload if not google it …it does come off most times.
Do you make such a silly comment if we won …?
Look we lost so what life goes on.
As for BA not not taking the 2points if I was captain I would have went for the try also ….why you ask …. Well we were on a roll n could sniff blood. A try was only a set of 6 away if norman passes to French instead of going through the hands then French is in and we are up by 10 could have been 18/8 instead we stuff up. Know ppl want to hammer BA because we didn’t take the 2. Gee I’m not going to hammer him over 2 points. Who ever does is a deadset goose.
Rev, My view is that if you are a roll and there is a chance for at try, then go for it, If you get another penalty before said try, then go for the goal, two points. The way it went this game we had another 2, I think it was, or at least 1 more, before the poorly directed high pass to Bev even he could not take it down.
I have no worries in going for the try, but if it doesn’t happen then a goal is the option. We lost the game through giving penalty goals to the opposition, that is where we fail too many times. We would be one of the only few clubs who do not take the goal consistently, and we are paying for it. The opposition teams know we don’t take penalty shots, so they give away penalties. We give away two penalties on the goal line and get a warning, the next one binned for 10, do others? Rarely they may go to 4 before the bin is used.
Funny isn’t it about penalties how we give them for things the opposition can do without conceding any.
Sixties
I said elsewhere I was gutted over the loss last night, and here you present the very same feeling as I had and still have.
Over on the other site I have raised a couple of areas of the game, that are similar to what you are saying but I guess I held back slightly. Thing is that it seems to me and this is like reading Chinese from the bottom to top.
Patience. That’s something that is needed in every aspect of our life, and I admit to not having a lot at times. Patience is long suffering and aren’t we as supporters (in the main) good at with the eels. Patience breeds contentment as well. Sometimes all that’s needed is to take another option at that time. EG
after 3/4 consecutive penalties on the dogs line, no goal is attempted and the last pass is poor and Bev cannot reach it as it sails over his head. After the second penalty, take the goal, after all it gives your mind a breathing space, and better still 2 points.
Both teams scored 2 tries apiece, at least they were awarded, less said about them and the knock backs the better.
Training. I have to admit, and I did not raise this elsewhere nor anywhere before, but I am actually concerned about the training and the enthusiasm that you mention. Now, I am not advocating anything like taking it to the other end of the spectrum which is intensity, but I look at every training gallery set that comes up, and I look forward to them which shows the players in so many ways as really and thoroughly enjoying themselves, it looks like a kids playground with they way they are going about their business.
Sometimes you see them a bit more serious and looking at BA he’s often looking a bit more intense but at other times also enjoying things, they are interesting comparisons though. We read some time ago and know the effects of one Beau Scott and what he’s like at training with putting someone out, and I am not advocating that, but.! I actually wonder especially with the last gallery of the week being the Captains run, is if what I see in the gallery being a very very jovial and fun loving group of players not taking that training session in particular too lightly????? As I said good to enjoy training but there really is a line where the job in front is a bit more serious —- unless the gallery is a front or purpose show of a masquerade.
As for the game itself, I had hoped that Vave may have made a difference but, along with Matagi no real impact. The loss of Scott and him giving the away the first penalty of the match seriously tells me that we need better than those 3 in the forwards. Beau I’m afraid should really retire now that he has hurt his shoulder again, if he retires it will at least allow a younger player to come into the pack from the development squad, also BA needs to seriously look at and give Marata a shot at the top squad or let him go.
Apologies for this post but, I hope it makes sense. At least I had to get it off my chest, ps, I pushed for Vave to come in but now I am kicking myself.
Brother hussey I agree with you in some parts. Yes beau should call time. it’s time for ray stone to come in for scott. Vave big n strong but he needs to run onto the ball not catch it standing still. We all saw what he did when running on to the ball.
I like some think its time that brad starts blooding young blood. Our team like Nth Qld look tired n still playing like its 2017. Has to stop.
Ray Stone is currently outside the 30 Rev.
Ok thanks.
Colin, there is never any intensity in a caps run. It’s a light run done before match day. You look for enthusiasm, sharp play, confidence. But sometimes caps runs don’t last much longer than 30 minutes plus a few extras.
The opposed sessions are always intense.
Fair Nuff, thanks 60’s.
Sixties tell me son what do you think our chances are of making the semi’s ?
On last nights game watching the first couple of sets I notice the dogs were making ground with out the ball. That was not a good sign.
Will I blame the refs … Well lets just say they stuffed up G.jennings call that was in goal n should have been a 20metre re-start. The other 2 bad calls were the Mitch Moses break in the 2nd half the player who tackle him should have been binned for 10 minutes if that’s not a foul then I’m from mars. The other being the player who pushed Kenny over while playing the ball.
Look at the end of the night there’s no way we should have let the refs decide the out come.
The players had ample of opportunity to run away with the game. The pass that Norman did should have been a cut out pass n French has try #2 in stead it’s pass along the hands n French = no try.
Michael Jennings bombed try he scores that we are up by 10 18 / 8.
Michael Jennings again in open space no one in support n gets run down by a hooker Marshall king.
Norman he has to learn to pass n stop trying to run thru the line at the try line. Yes some times it works some times it doesn’t.
On our forwards vave after 1 good run making about 15/20 metres he wasn’t seen again.
I’m not going to use injuries as an excuse. We can’t …look at Penrith injuries by the truck loads n sit in 2nd spot. IMO I think we can still make the 8 but gone is the top 4. If we lose again next week vs warriors all I can say is we can look forward to 2019.
On gutherson at the end he will learn from that mistake.
#Eels4life#
Based on exposed form, we won’t get anywhere near top 8 Rev. We’ve hardly played any of the form teams mate.
They’ve just got no confidence at all. It’s obvious our forwards aren’t up to scratch. Yes injuries have contributed, but going into this season with no big bodies up front was always going to be a struggle (although I didn’t think we’d be this bad). I’m not sure where the team goes from here. Maybe bring up some young guys, but I don’t know who is eligible in our top 30. It pains me to say it, but the season is done for us. It’s sucks that it’s early May and I have to look forward to next year. I’ll support the boys week in week out; and now I guess it’s about getting off the bottom of the ladder. I can only imagine what the coaching staff are going through. I can’t sleep after a loss and I’m in a miserable mood for days after. Let’s just hope they can build some confidence in the last half of the year, notch up a few wins and prepare for 2019. As we Parra supporters always say – ‘there’s always next year’.
The confidence was there until? The change in tactics to try and dominate the dogs was where it went belly up, with the targeting of their right side being changed after the high impossible pass to French.
There’s still this year before next.
Colin, it was a collection of errors or wrong options for the majority of the match. We were exasperated up in the stands.
I can assure you there’s no joy in providing content for an Eels website in seasons like this. I strongly believe that the issue is in the heads of many players. As evidence, we had our best player taking the lazy, frustrated kick at the ball in goal. That was the game.
Fair call Sixties. For around 70 minutes the Bulldogs didn’t score a try, so it’s not like we are getting flogged(only that weird Manly 54 blot game). Within each game there has been some foundation to win, but we just self destruct. Errors, penalties, struggle to go forward, inconsistent kick/chase, patchy support play, red zone attack ineffective.Last night the Doggies probed and threatened but they’re not in great form either. After completing 100% in first half, and we led 12-10, the Dogs actually played a worse second half but we still managed to lose.
It’s not worth the effort to summarise, but a lot of bad or 50/50’s didn’t help, just when a leg up may have been the difference.The Dogs got theirs with the G Jennings catch ingoal call. Just shook my head at the very first penalty, Morris gets up, is not balanced, lurches forward then takes a 1 metre step into Scott who reactively puts his arm out, barely touches him but Morris just takes the invite, falls over and Klein obliges.Soft, soft,soft. Moeroa learned from Morris, tried it later in second half, in fact looked genuine,Klein ignores.
I agree with your ref assessment. I seriously cringe when I see Klein assigned to our matches. That said, your comment about self-destruction was the best assessment of the match.
Any one watching Wenty vs wyong ? It’s on channel 9 it’s on know.
Hope you don’t mind sixties but can I give score updates on Wenty plz.
Salmon try
Davis goal.
Roos 10 Wenty 6.
Salmon in for try # 2
Davis goal. Salmon on fire so far.
Wenty 12 / roos 10
Nice kick for touch from king.
10 to go in the 1st half.
Roos try n take back the lead
Roos 14 ktc
Goal successful
Roos 16 / Wenty 12
Mistake by the roos kick on the full. Chance for Wenty to take back the lead. N yet again come away with nothing roos got the ball.
Bad play by Wenty tackled with the ball in hand on the last.
And a try goes begging from the roos. Wenty with the re start.
Try to wenty rogers in the corner.
Ktc from Davis.
HT. roos 16 / Wenty 18.
Sixties what’s the story with karfusi ? His a big lad.
Sixties salmon looks good he takes the line on has a good short passing game. Look forward to watching the 2nd half. His our future 5/8
Blah blah blah blah you guys on this site will say anything except blame the coach because he lets you all watch the training sessions. Brad Arthur signed on at end of 2013 when we were wooden spooners & now we have come full circle & are back on the bottom. His record speaks for itself;
2014: Only had to beat either Knights or Raiders (both bottom 4) in the last two rounds to make the 8 yet FAILED.
2015: Rebuilding year with the departure of Hayne but fell into the trap of signing damaged goods Choc & Foran.
2016: A good season on the field despite off field dramas.
2017: Our top 4 finish papered over plenty of cracks. Lots of scrappy wins against out of sorts teams, mostly opportunist tries by Semi or Gutho got us home, beat Cowboys & Storm without their Origin stars. Our true colours were exposed in the semi final loss to Cows without JT & Scott.
2018: Signs an AFL trainer, our forwards are as skinny as basketballers, signs a busted Hayne when should have bought a decent prop or hooker. Look where we are. Our attack and shape is so predictable & boring it’s painful to watch. Teams that were struggling last year have improved yet we have become weaker.
The players love BA but imo he is too
loyal to them & if they are not doing on game day what they are doing at training either they don’t respect the coach enough or they are just too dumb. This squad has had their time so need to start blooding the next crop
starting next year or 2020 Salmon, Brown, Mahoney, Greg L, Kaufusi, Stone, Marata, Faainga, Schneider etc
Realistic eel. I have said time n time again we should be blooding at least 3/4 juniors per year. Last year n this year we have not done that …why well we have had players that are getting the job done. But this year to open the season with such high hopes n play like a under 6 side n get smashed by a hopeless manly outfit says a lot about us. Maybe the players thought all they had to do was play the same plays like last year. It’s not working so like u I say time to bleed our up n coming players.
Dribble, dribble, dribble Realistic Eel.
Disagree all you want but don’t go throwing crap about the motivations in what we write. On the contrary, I think I’ve been very critical in a number of posts this year and I don’t hide in anonymity when I front down at Saleyards. By the way, there’s no special treatment for me there. Plenty of others watch proceedings, so don’t start garbage like that.
I don’t believe that BA is above criticism and I am critical of Marata Niukore’s non selection.
However, your history lesson is skewed to the negative interpretation of each season. He inherited a spoon roster and overpriced signings (see the mess that Seward made of Foran & Watmough contract amounts and lengths) I really can’t be bothered replying further.
Yes skewed towards the negative…..results speak for themselves not matter how many excuses you want to make. We get served mediocitry year after year after year.
To be fair, out of all the players you mention, only Greg L and Marata are eligible for selection in the NRL. Salmon, Kaufusi, Stone, Marata and Mahoney are all mainstays in the Wenty side, the highest level outside Top 30 status allows.
I don’t think BA is above criticism, and I think 2018 has been a huge learning curve for squad and coaching staff alike. If it hasn’t it should be, it’s been a nightmare.
Mitch i wont commment on the people who carry on; but surely we have to be on the look for some replacements before June 30; we were one player down before season started weren’t we? As in only having a top 29; and now TREX has gone. Are we allowed to purchase two more players outside the top 29? And if so couldn’t one be from within the junior lot and one outside.?
I guess i am concerned we’ve had Marata on the bench and no show yet and while he wont change the losses to wins he is part of the future we hope.
Something has to be done with half of our halves……
I suspect Marata will get a run this week (he was held out of Wenty today) and was 18th man last night.
Despite TRex’s injury, we still only have 1 spot in our Top 30 to either recruit or promote someone. We have 21 available players by my count available this week, assuming/hoping Beau Scott was our only injury concern out of last night’s game.
Ok, thank you for that mate.
All good mate.
Maybe time to promote one of the development players into that last spot – we really gave up a lot of metres through the ruck last night, some youthful enthusiasm could be a circuit breaker at this stage.
Mitch, that’s good news re Marata and certainly hope he gets a call up next week, first time he has been 18th man as well. he would have been in the sheds after the match, which would make him somewhat determined.
I would think if Trex is out for the season the club is able to possibly replace him with a development player and perhaps the application has already gone in.
Its only a few weeks really before the cut off and the eels have to have a 30 man squad, maybe we get an import or a couple of the young players such as Stone and Salmon.
How has Beau pulled up. also Alvaro after his HIA?
Burley for the Salmon or get a bear to grab him for the half of our halves.
Mitch correct me if I’m wrong but has marata played NRL with the NZ mob ?
Rev. I understand that he did have a game in the top squad but he was told there were too many in front of him for his favoured positions, and why he was released, as the Warriors believed they had those positions covered. Its hard finding anything doing a web search, WIki does not show much on him. League unlimited has some info but I question it as it does not break down the level he played at.
http://leagueunlimited.com/people/show/marata-niukore
He played NYC and some ISP, but essentially he was an NYC graduate when he arrived at Parra.
Thanks 60’s I still remember the back page article about his signing, and I thought it said he had played one game in the top side, likely I’m wrong on that but the general gist of it was that the Warriors had other players in front of him before being considered.
I spoke to Marata quite a few times last year, not too often this year. He is a very humble bloke and spoke glowingly about what the coaching had done for him at Parra. I believe we should have played him earlier this year, and I trust that he’ll get a run now.
60’s I really cannot understand why he has not been given at least a bench spot this year.
With Scott injuring his shoulder again, I cannot see him playing again, and as I have said a couple of times that I would like to see him retire from playing, he could be used on the coaching side of the ledger rather than playing. If he is paid out, if I understand things correctly the money, what’s left it wont be against our cap.
On that score as well, I would imagine that Kenny won’t be playing this week and likely stood down pending the court case, and NRL making a call as well.
How many games has Kenny missed at the eels through injuries and suspensions?
If Marata doesn’t get a run this week then he is unlikely to get one at all with the eels. Thanks for your description of him as well. Sounds very much like the type of player we need and fits in.
We are really getting close to the dirty creek and no paddle with all this and injuries to boot.
I agree with your analysis Sixties but I’ve got to say I’m at a loss with this comment:
>This post is not written as criticism of the coaching.
You’ve pointed out that our players are ignoring the basics. Likewise one of the basics of being a coach is that you’ve got to find a way to get through to your players. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got the best training drills in the world, it doesn’t matter if you’ve got the most amazing tactics, it doesn’t matter if you’ve got amazing facilities, the bare basics for coaching staff is finding a way to ensure your troops are executing your plans on the day.
The fact that our clearly talented players aren’t executing the basics is as much on the team and man managers (eg coaches) as it is on the players. The fact that this is now a long term repeated issue that has yet to be resolved is IMO more on the coaches than the players.
I’m a massive BA fan for what he’s given to the club through these last years, but I still absolutely hold him and his staff responsible for not rectifying the issues you present above. More so than the players actually.
One-off bad games – that’s totally on the individual players. Many months of poor performances across the park and talented individuals ignoring the basics? That’s a team and man management issue. Whatever they’re doing to manage these players into a team isn’t working.
I’m all for not blaming the coach for everything, but at the same time I don’t think they should be treated as a protected species, especially when dealing with long term team wide deficiencies.
What do you do if the players don’t produce – you drop them.
What happens when you have no options because the squad is down to 22 players, and few options in key positions? So you continue to look for improved performance from the players at your disposal, you train to do the basics well, but how do you stop brain snaps of players literally throwing the ball away in a game, or your best player having an air swing trying to kick at a bouncing ball in goal? How can you blame a coach for moments like that!
>What do you do if the players don’t produce – you drop them.
Sure, that’s one option. But that’s ideally the last and most drastic option.
An analogy if I may. If you find one child in a class who does terribly on a maths test, that’s likely on the child. They should’ve applied themselves more. But if you find a whole class failing maths again and again, while other classes around them are succeeding – that’s on the teacher.
They’ve failed to reach the children. They’ve failed to deliver the knowledge. They’ve failed to bring out the best in the kids.
Likewise when I see a whole team of players acting uncharacteristically sloppy for a sustained period of time, I feel it’s at least an equal part failure of the coach.
So sure, BA can’t physically stop Gutho having an airswing (and this is probably a bad example because I think Gutho is a shining light with 99% of the things he does) – why did he feel that anything less than 100% commitment was an option? That’s for the teacher, that’s for the coach.
I’m not trying to absolve the players of responsibility, they’re definitely part of the problem and the solution. But IMO BA should definitely consider these issues within his control to solve. If you have a whole class of stupid students, the issue is the teacher.
As someone in education Capt some kids do have learning issues; you look at repeated effort etc and then see how you can teach or coach them a little different and yes add some support to things as in defence / halves coach maybe.
As a teacher Captain, your logic applies. I used assessments as an assessment of my own teaching in much the same way. If one or two kids made the same errors then they received extra attention. If the whole class performed poorly in certain questions, then I reviewed how I taught the concept.
However, football is not school, despite any similarities in teaching and learning which may exist. The skills, knowledge etc are present in the players. It’s the application in the games which has gone missing from last year. It’s become a mental issue. The errors apply to the full gamut of the basics listed above.
Do you think that they don’t train or plan to do the basics well?
That they set up match simulations?
That they change how they go about the processes each year to keep it fresh and relevant?
That they allow player input/feedback into reviews?
Yes, you do drop players when the team is playing poorly. It’s part of the fabric of rugby league. Certain players can impact the form of the players around them. I don’t want to get into the impact that one or two children can have on the behaviour of an entire class, but as you’ve drawn the analogy, the whole dynamic can change. The players decision making – or to draw the analogy again, their behaviour – is the issue.
To continue your analogy, others commenting on this post are pointing directly at the teacher for choosing bad students to put into his class. So let’s blame the teacher for everything.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not absolving the coaching. It’s their job to take responsibility. Ultimately they are charged with fixing the problems, through whatever means. The coaches have to constantly review not just the players, but their own methods.
Unfortunately there is little option for changing players when the roster is likely down to 21 players.
Just adding some light to this Sixties; we have some teaching spots up at my work if you need!
Wenty has defeated the wyong Roos 36/ 22.
Tries for Wenty. salmon 3, Hoffman 1, Davis 1 , Rogers 1.
Davis. goals 6/7.
Mom salmon.
Out standing game from salmon. sixties he runs at the line. I can see him making it in the NRL weather it’s with parra or not who knows but his got it all I think.
Rev, watched all of the 2nd half and around 10 of the first half before break,
From what I saw, Salmon is too good to be playing ISP by what he showed today, if we needed a real utility then he would fit the spot without doubt, his reading of the game from his running 6 spot and from dummy half as per the hookers role he was just as good.
King tried at least 3/4 tries from D/half without success was a bit above others in class but not in the same league as Salmon for mine, & I think he will be flat out getting a run in the top squad again.
Stone played very strongly and is a definite NRL player, Akafolou also did well with some hard runs and a few short breaks, worth keeping.
Davis, Enigma, the try he scored from broken play and the ball pick up was good and showed some pace but to me was not really trying, he could have got the try closer to the posts though. As for his energy in ordinary runs I don’t think in the time I saw him play do that much considering his size. Wasted player I think, was too puffed to convert his own try but had good numbers in his other kicks though.
Kafusi was ok in the time on the field as well
Brother hussey I watched 60 minutes of the game. I watched when it was roos 10 Wenty 0.
Salmon future 5/8 if Norman was to go to Canberra. Kafusi was running hard. Very strong game from him. Big n strong prop. Dan akafolua was good also but not at his best. Davis had strong carries. He looked slow running or jut my 40 year old eyes playing tricks.
I must have come in after you did Brother, score was 12-10 Wyong- Wenty.
Way I saw Salmon whip into the DH positions was brilliant both in his runs from there and passing. Tom he covers the primary 3 spine spots except Fullback.
Aka, looked good on some of his runs as he bent the line and took some stopping,
Davis, considering his size should be much more dominating from where he plays. His try score while good he seemed to not accelerate and get past the Wyong inside player who kept him away from the posts. He missed the goal as a result. I honestly do not see him as an NRL player based on what I saw of him today.
Of course he will. He’s a talent. He’s on a three year deal (pretty sure it’s 3 years) at Parra, with this year being a development contract year. He can’t play this year unless they upgrade him to the last roster spot by June 30.
Had the pleasure of meeting his father and grandfather a couple of weeks back. Good rugby league men.
I am ultra glad knowing he is on a 3 year contract and certainly shows his value now and based on what I saw today he will be very much a key player for the eels. The question though is what will his best position be? From what I saw today he fits both 6 & 9 spots, has Norms in front for the 6, and we have Mahoney in line for the 9 but maybe a bit more in to the future.
IMO brother hussey I’d put salmon at #6 n Mahoney # 9 but not yet there time will come. I notice on the other site brother hussey some clown has said BA has been sacked as we all know on this awesome site that its BS. Please mate don’t reply to them. They know you come on TCT n only make u feel bad. God bless you my friend.
Brother. That sort of blog does not interest me one bit. I have not even read it, but might have a look.
My aim in all the blogs I post especially over there is to at least try and stay calm and reasoned in my posts, again on both sites.
The best way to treat many of them is to simply ignore them and I do that when they comment about me being here. I have a fairly thick skin also, but sometimes I get upset and have a dig at some comments.
The Lord’s blessings to you also my Brother.
Could you imagine the reactions over there with both of using those words?
They would tare the joint down. Mainly two certain ppl. Teflon don. N Brett Stewart’s nick name if u know who I’m talking about. All we can do is pray for them. God bless you n amen
Smart move Col; stay calm and play the comments. Some have a bit of an insecurity issue imo
A bit?
Think about think what rimes with tank n pong n what’s Brett Stewart’s nick name ……lol for brother hussey …
I think Salmon can play fullback, centre, halves, second-row and dummy half if we needed him to. I think we could start him off the bench to start him off in first grade.
Ham, why I suggested him as a real value utility. What I saw of him today really impressed me.
Ham to me his only a half or hooker but IMO I see him more 5/8.
Soward n Cain said 3 yr del sixties.
I am overseas as I read all this and have still managed to watch the games and listen to all the rhetoric.
This site has identified good and sensible discussion, whereas the other site is a rabble of opinion, revenge and disgusting comments.
The positives here is that optimism is still the driver, I notice many post to both sites and Chief’s view’s are well known but he has discussed with much more aplomb than his postings over there.
His view is that the Coach should go and he makes a logical argument.
IMO where he lacks the integrity of the discussion is that no one is available to take his place and therefore it is not a case of making do with BA but hoping that BA understands where he has made mistakes and takes us forward, I can think of no coach that have Parramatta’s benefits at heart than he has and I refuse to accept the man is an idiot like he has been painted by some.
Finally there is an ongoing thread about the back office management that runs from incompetence to financial shortfalls.
It seems that many have forgotten where we have come from in such a short time.
IMO our back office is better than it has ever been in the history of the club. If people as smart as Max and Bernie continue to guide us, I will retain faith in their decisions with both coach and management.
I look forward to whatever positive moves are made and believe we will still be a force.
Finally it is a shame that when we do improve to our rightful position that some of the illiterate posters on the other site will share in our enjoyment. I don’t believe they deserve to.
Well said poppa
well put Pops. I think the other site is on the way out personally. I really doubt that there is a single blog of late that has not been turned into a hate session for whatever viewpoint they have or want to portray. I think of the heated up drunk show saloon bugs shown in old western movies being geed up into lynch mobs, and that’s what’s going on there.
Should we end up in the finals this year, how many will argue that all they were doing was to try and motivate the players and coach.
I’m a BA fan but I do think he has made a major error in judgement that is a key factor in our form slump, and it’s his inability to identify the strengths and abilities of the players. The easiest illustration of this is the mismanagement of Norman and Moses. When Moses came last year Norman was injured and when he returned played a secondary role as he was recovering from injury. There wasn’t time to integrate Moses into the existing systems that were built around Norman as the dominant half and so we were able to see Moses play his natural game. Moses wants to organise and call the plays, it’s the way he approached a game and it’s the role he wants. Norman plays as he sees it, is a reactive style of player but due to circumstances has had to take on an organising role … read sandow’s reaistence and short comings and Forans breakdown. Moses is the player that can liberate Norman but instead of liberating Norman and allowing Moses to be the dominant half that he craves to be BA has coached the team around Norman as the shot caller (Moses and Norman have said so in interviews that Norman is dominant And it’s obvious when watching the game). I think this failure to use players to their ability is the reason the team is so out of step with itself. I think this is more significant an issue than the poor recruitment of forwards and the lack of willingness to blood juniors. This is the first year BA had his fate in his own hands and unfortunately he has stuttered and failed. That said, he deserves another year to learn how to be an active coach rather than a reactive one… to go beyond being an ‘adversity’ defined coach.
Every problem that is in and with the eels is caused by BA? So, you have it that neither Moses and Norman are allowed to play what they see in front of them and it has to be one that’s dominant over the other?
So both have said in interviews that Norms is the dominant half, yet what I see is that when MM drops back a bit to allow Norms to go forward, he is basically lost in the maze of players. Being dominant is being that way on the side of the field you play in and as the ball flows that way, which is where the Dummy half also comes in to things.
Norms plays predominately to the left side while MM plays more to the right side, which on those points they would both be the dominating factor in the respective plays. They are I would suggest given a role by the coach and I have seen and heard BA say that his halves are told to play as they see it, thing is that both MM and Norms have also said the same thing,
The fate of BA has been more in line with who and at what price can the eels get players to come to the club. The cap and other issues that led up to 2016 really knocked the whole club as to who and at what cost could we sign enough quality players to go forward, and we are still suffering the affects of that, likewise with some players the off field drama’s seem to crop up too often, but then again that’s the cause of the coach???
We have how many players in what is supposed to be a game for mature people, same I would suggest with supporters, yet maturity is something I think at times is an oxymoron amongst the various fan bases that are instant noodle experts, just add a bit of whatever bile they want to a rumour or a lose and suddenly the package is all full, soft and ready to devour.
I am pretty sure that once the club and coach are in a position that there is adequate finances to bring in players, both imported and from within, then those signings will take place. Its also time to take the unneeded pressure off the coach and allow him to do the job he is paid for. Time as far as I am concerned is for fans, be they the blades or handles to start toughening up and stop the sooking, its as if they are the ones that have had their pride dented, whereas its the players who have to wear a lot of that.
Rather than the bagging, how about giving some consideration to those who are feeling the affects of losses on the field, but to many of the fans, they are just whipping boys and have no pride or passion, if you want to see something with that sort of thing in it go here and read the article on Gutho
http://todayspaper.smedia.com.au/smh/default.aspx
You might have to C&P the link in full.
When I read the rubbish that is dished out to the coach and players, it makes me sick to the point that I wonder at times is it worthwhile following the eels that I have done for over 50 years and my late parents before me, to me this continual berating is an insult to the all true and real eels supporters, rather than fans.
Fruitpicker, I don’t recall Norman or Moses saying that Norman was dominant. In fact, the quote from Norman this year was “we both are”.
For mine, the jury is still out as to whether one should be dominant. I’m leaning towards Moses.
As far as BA’s coaching of them, I’ve seen countless times at training when both Norman and Moses speak to BA and other players and go over ideas for plays, at their instigation.
Yes, I am must less concerned about their blending and dominance as much as the way the team doesn’t adjust (their) the game as played by each respectively. Moses plays at speed and construction, Norman plays a more deliberate game of reaction and does so at his pace. They are just two different styles and can be complimentary, the team has to read this…..my biggest criticism (of them individually) is their kicking mid field bombs and why? Last year they developed a wonderful combination of deep kicks into the corner and both kicked deftly into the in goal…..This year they have not done either, notwithstanding glimpses…..poor chases have been the other side of this coin and why are the whole team, not better prepared on tackles 4 and 5…..is this the price for a pack that competes but doesn’t dominate?
Poppa, I can 100% guarantee that mid field bombs aren’t part of the kicking strategy that they are sent out with.
Norman plays a more deliberate game of reaction and does so at his pace.
Love that Pops, says a lot about Normz ‘ole dozy!
Sixties from what I see on tv I indeed to agree with you looks like Moses is the Dom half.
Every single person has the right to an opinion, but any opinion is only worthwhile if there are some facts to support it.
Do we lack a dominating prop who can offload and bend the line back line back?
– yes
Do we need to buy one this year?
Yes
Can all the blame lay at the feet of BA?
No
In 2017 which props would you have bought to fix our forward pack in 2018?
Aaron Woods on 1 mill a season – no thanks
Russel Packer reportedly on $650 000 a year – he is 29 this year and got a contract with West Tigers until 2022.( player option 22) He will do at the Tigers what Beau Scott did at Parra. Great, beneficial work early but in the last couple of years ( he has another 4 yrs at the Tigers) he will be taking someone else’s spot. He is averaging 30 tackles and under 100 m a game. Good player but no different to Mannah and Alvaro- pass for me.
Ben Matulino- played under 50 minutes a game in 2017, chronic knee problems, terrible form at Warriors signed on early when Cleary went to West- loves Cleary was never going anywhere else.
James Graham- absolutely love him, but he is the not the prop we need. In the final year of his contract with the dragons he will be 35 to start the year. Pass for me. Beau Scott all over again.
Apart from these 4 who else was on the market for the 2018 season that would have fit our needs. So we went and got Evans, a poor investment at this stage yes, but he cost a lot less than the other four and this still enables us to go to the market in 2018/19 when props are off contract.
Critics also talk about recruitment in 2016 and always bring up Paul Vaughan. In 2016 we could not sign any player officially until mid August, until the Salary cap investigation was over. Junior got a deal in April we could not match and left. As soon as we could BA signed Danny Wicks for a further two years 2017-2018. I honestly ask would Paul Vaughan bring anything more to the team than Danny Wicks would have? Wicks retired suddenly, all the props had been signed and we were left stranded.
Look I get the criticism and believe me I get just as angry watching our lack of go forward but we need to be fair. If we finish this season and have signed no youngish good prop, like Junior or whoever, and BA will not promote some younger players into the squad at the expense of aging forwards I too will be calling for change. But you can only buy who is in the market. players have contracts, you can not just rip it up, move them out of the top 30 because you want to. As fans we could wish that to be the case but it simply isn’t.
Superb and factual comment. Pls cut and paste elsewhere. Packer and Woods are classic examples.
Thank you Shelley for bringing your factual, intelligent response, just what was needed. We are all disappointed with how the season has turned out, certainly not what any supporter would be happy with, but some supporters’ reactions are unbelievable!
Well said my daughter lady eel good bless you n Shelley for bringing a lady’s view on things.
The more we hear from you lady’s only makes this sit even more enjoyable …have a good n blessed day lady Eel
I think a lot of the criticism for this season has come from the weight of expectation that came from results last season.
We were Top 4 and completely blew all expectations out of the water last year. Coming into this year a lot of the pundits had us as Top 4 contenders and potentially even premiership candidates.
So we’ve gone from a year where most expected us to come around 12th and ending up 4th to a year where most in the media expected us to come around 2nd or 3rd and we’re sitting dead last.
Expectations vs reality. The further they are from each other, the stronger the reaction. If we were, as a team, expecting to still be impacted by the salary cap hangover I think it would’ve been good to temper the pre-season excitement with some of that talk. I’m not saying we should come out and say “We’re going to be terrible this year” but I think a few press releases saying “We’ve got a great team, but we are still being impacted by previous mismanagement of our cap, juniors and recruitment and this will take some years to fully fix. The message is, be excited for now, and remember that it’s going to keep getting better as we rebuild our team for a long sustainable and successful future”.
I try to always be brutally logical and i definitely got caught up in the pre-season hype and expected us to perform much better than we have.
Shelley a very well thought out and structured response as you sum up pretty well the facts of the last couple of years.
I am still gutted over the loss but am slowly getting over it, and look forward to next weeks game, eels to win and start the ladder climb, and that will include knocking others of the game board along with removing the obstacles of snakes.
Vaugn was available in 16 why didn’t we sign him. Why did lose Jnr.
Its because we had space taken up by the Watmoughs Scotts Gowers Vave ect.
Sorry, i dont buy your argument
Your kidding about Vaughan right chiefy ?
IMO I he was only in his 1st year in a 3year deal with Canberra. How can we chase him we would be in breach of the rules.
Yes we need to buy a quality prop who can bend the line back and offload and if BA does not seriously address this with a top quality starting prop and give some younger forwards a genuine go next year he will loose my support. No questions, he has got his forward rotation- squad wrong and he must address it.
But your argument with regards to Vaughan confuses me.
You criticise BA for not buying Vaughan at the end of 2016 and yet at the same time you regularly criticise BA for buying bench or reserve grade props/ forwards instead of big names. ( such as Evans)
– Junior signed with Canberra in April and the NRL would not allow us to sign anyone until mid August. We could not counter the offer from Canberra because we had no idea what the end result for the salary cap would be. Remember Edwards, Taka, Wicks, Norman, Manu etc all could not be re-signed until August, until the final salary cap decision and money available was made by the NRL
– we signed Vave for the 2017 in August 2016 after Junior had already left and before Vaughan was even on the market as he was not given permission to look around until October. At this stage we also had Wicks as one of our props.
I’m sorry but your argument is so coloured and selective because of your obvious hatred of BA.
Facts-
1)Vaughan had 2 years to go with his contract at Canberra and was given permission after the season to look at options and signed with dragons mid October for $600 000. By this stage we had re-signed Danny Wicks and had no reason to believe he would not be us until the end of 2018.
2) Danny Wicks was and had been playing first grade all year and was playing outstanding, much better stats than Vaughan and same body type. Paul Vaughan was playing reserve grade for Canberra. He could not make the team, even the bench, and only played 4 first grade games for Canberra once Junior arrived and only when players missed a game by injury.
You can’t criticise BA for not buying established first grade starting props and in the same breath criticise him for not spending big $ on a reserve grade prop- Vaughan. It is hypocritical. Recruitment is a real time decision making process that you will get some right and wrong. We can all make the right decision after the fact. I bet the Rabbits would want back Brown, or Manly -Gutho. Do the Tigers regret spending $500 000 on Chris McQueen to play reserve grade or $700 000 on Josh Reynolds with 4 more years left on his contract? What about Bennet and his money on Bird, good investment? Cartwright at the Titans and Eastwood at the Dogs. Cowboys letting Ponga go to keep Coote. I could go through every team and talk about recruitment issues, the fact is all coaches make mistakes.
BA made a big mistake with thinking Evans was the answer. But if we sacked coaches based on a error with recruitment we would have many coaches out of a job.
I will give BA a chance to fix it before I call for his removal.
I’m not an insider, so couldn’t come up with a blog like this, and my attention span on a key board is dodgy, but Shelley love your work! I’m one of those poor fools who don’t take football that seriously that character assassination and obsession take over.
Justin Poore, the 3 W’s (Webb, Whatiura,Walker)plus countless others were pre-Arthur, then came Hopoate, Foran, Watmough. I can see a case for each of those. I can see still see Watmough chasing a winger while the rest of the pack watched from 30 metres infield. We had no mongrel but unfortunately our old warrior choice folded. In the background we had ruptured admin with no one running spread sheets. Jack Gibson’s front office theory was howling at us.
To me, Jr Paulo, Peats, Mau and Moeroa,started to look like a nucleus that a year with Watmough would benefit. Peats and Mau we’re competing for the most bruises trophy and Paulo had thrown Matt Ballin to Argyle St, but come 2016, the mess was deep.
How do you turn all this around and win a comp by 2018?
I read this morning that Klemmer is in play, hope Brad Arthur has his phone number, because i also believe our recruiting and junior development is ringing bells in Brad Arthur’s head, and those reminding him of it have a good case.
Superb reply Shelley. Plenty of retrospective criticism out there, and we’re all guilty of it because hindsight is so beneficial to us. But your reply puts plenty of decisions into perspective.
Shelley that’s game set and match i think..
I can elaborate. He was playing reserve grade for Canberra at the time. We made him an extremely good offer. Extremely good. The Dragons paid what was at the time massive overs. As it has transpired, two years down the track, it’s a good purchase. That’s footy, but don’t think we didn’t try to sign him, because we did.
Shelley I think that the only Prop you missed for 2018 was MacLean who went to the Cowboys for a reported $750,000. He is a NSW country boy who said that he did not want to live in Sydney.
Agree about the basics; Manu dropped the ball in the 1st set, penalty against the Eels in the 2nd set, penalty against the Eels in the 4th set which is converted into 2 points and once again we’re playing catch-up football.
In 2017 the Eels had a habit of starting strong, getting into the grind, building pressure, doing the basics well and in many games had control by half time.
In 2018 the Eels scored first against Pen (Rd 1) and Manly (Rd 8 win). We’ve conceded 1st points in the other 8 games; no building of pressure, no getting into the grind but rather playing catch-up right from the get go.
To my way of thinking BA has been too loyal and dropping a player who didn’t execute the basics back to ISP early in the season may have set an example. We are now in the unfortunate position of being down on troops and options and the standard from say Matagi in the past 3 weeks; carries of 42m, 60m, 39m – would he be in the run on squad in any other NRL team?
I’m sure we’ll win a share of our games from here and finish mid-table but we need to do the basics right from the kick-off and get into the grind and BA has to take a stand to set the standard.
They might need a sports psychologist to address the losing and failing attitude. As you mentioned, they need to be patient and build pressure. They are not expected to score a try everytime they are within the 20.
I think this makes sense, at the very least it is an apt reflection of our play.
Honestly BA can’t keep up with a changing game. Old school football isn’t going to get you anything. Look at our reluctance to take the two. If the interchange goes down to 6 god help yus because we used 4-5 in the first half yesterday and we apparently have Paulo coming next year.
Paulo averages 50 or so minutes a game
i agree it’s just heartbreaking to see the same mistakes made time after time
how many times have we cramped the winger right on the sideline with no room to move then thrown him the ball and watched him go into touch?
Gus’s comments about Parra were spot on after the game imo. He said Parra play as individuals they don’t play like a TEAM. The coach has failed us we never seem to have a game plan for 80 mins.
If Ricky or SK was coaching us this season with these results everyone would be screaming to sack the coach but because BA is like a Parramatta son he gets more slack.
We are not last because of bad luck we are last because of poor tactics this season.
We didn’t even show up for the first 6 weeks of the comp.
But hey lets keep Brad for another 5 years because he loves parra and does not make excuses.
We need a tactical coach like Brian Smith was.
Anyway lets enjoy another poor season as long the players love brad that’s all the matters.
The problem Charlie is that the game plan isn’t being followed. BA has the job because of how he’s performed as a coach.
Some people have rose coloured glasses with Brian Smith. He had some very ordinary years in his ten year tenure with the club. Ten years. He also underachieved with very talented rosters which he then dismantled to “rebuild”.
I’m not saying that he wasn’t a decent coach, but he had some major man management issues and was certainly no messiah.
Here’s a comparison, seeing as though Smith has been raised.
Let’s compare the last 5 years of Smith’s contract with the Eels 2002 to 2006 to BA 2014 to 2018.
Smith had a team that he took to the grand final in 2001 as the starting point for 2002.
BA started with wooden spoon team from previous two years.
Both have 108 games over this period including finals matches.
Smith 49 wins for 45% win.
BA 52 wins for 48% wins
And Smith never had his roster dismantled by a Cap scandal.
Smith was a good coach and had a good record up to 2001, but apart from 2005, post 2001 was very ordinary.
Post 01 when unlimited interchange was taken out we struggled as we simply didn’t have the right squad to compete we then adjusted our squad at the end of 04 tahu Morrison riddell pj marsh chad Robinson stringer and the rookie of the year tim smith. Unfortunately it was yet another false dawn
60’s, that is something sense regarding your post and on Smith. No one can deny his ability and certainly his years as coach he was ok and as a club there was respectability that we had for most of his tenure. But he certainly had his crook years as well, his final year was a classic as far showing how far he had dropped from his best.
The big thing really that he had was a relatively stable club and support from the back office, nothing like BA has had to endure in his time as eels coach.
Point is, why not criticise as so many are prepared to do, when its far easier than trying to be realistic and look for positives in what is going on. Always the smooth and easy path is seen as being beyond the scope of the critics.
Well said Colin.
Of all the good rosters that Smith had at Dragons, Eels and Roosters he never won a GF. That is an indictment of his coaching
BA has always had a patch work quilt for a roster
& the stitching would have had $1.00 shop quality.
Good write up n totally agree. I didn’t catch the game, only the highlights so my comment here is general in nature.. guess I’m channeling Ruan Sims here… but the key areas I look at in order: meterage, possession flow/completion, discipline. On all counts we lost. Nothing shits me more than dumb penalties after an error. That’s not first grade, and you clearly aren’t playing for the 12 others on the park. The game may have evolved a fair bit, but the fundamentals haven’t and players need to get this right. Who would be the first eels player you would move on? For me: Scott, Evans
Is there any player grades this week?
I don’t think so this week.
Like most of us, Mitch was too devastated to grade that performance.