Parramatta Eels 10
Brisbane Broncos 18
The Good: |
Man, remember when Post Game Grades were happy go lucky, full of fun times and laughter kinda read? After this many losses I feel like I’m trying to write jokes for a eulogy.
In many ways, tonight was just a continuation of everything that’s already gone wrong in 2018. We just have an incredible knack to drop the ball or end up on the wrong side of a 50/50 call at the most inopportune times. At least we didn’t get any more injuries.
However, you cannot tell me the players didn’t bust their guts trying to get a win. Sixties messaged me at full time and was able to concisely nail what I was thinking:
That sort of effort will win you more games than it’ll lose. So before you tell me the players don’t care, before you tell me they are not responding to Arthur’s coaching, take a look at how shattered they all were at full time tonight and then check some of our hit up stats in the notes below. We tried hard, but unfortunately trying hard doesn’t always win games of football. |
The Bad: |
This is blunt, but we need to face up to the fact that we are not executing very well. At all. We are coming last in attack across the NRL, and standard backline plays are fooling absolutely no one. That Jennings line, the Corey cut out, the second phase play, the scoots from dummy half? That’s Parra backing themselves; but that sort of confidence is just so tough to have consistently when you’re 2-10.
If you’ve been reading Grades for a while you’ll know I detest ref bashing, and I do not think fans are turning away in drives as a result of questionable calls. I think the Bunker generally gets calls right (despite the occasional howler), and outside of a couple of referees I think the vast majority do a good job under incredible pressure. But tonight, I think the balance was a bit off, and it did not favour the away team. To be clear, I know Norman’s pass was forward and Taka did step in front of Jordan Kahu. David Gower’s knock on was 50/50, as was the first Jennings no try. So I don’t actually mind the calls the refs are making, I just don’t think the Broncos conceded penalties in the same fashion as we did. That’s all I’ll say, I’m sure they’ll be plenty of comments below who take it a couple of steps further. However, please just keep it relatively civil as my mother reads these posts. Hey Mum. |
X-Factor: |
Shout out to all the people reminding me we’ve only won two games; thanks for that. It’s
Just quickly, I thought it was the right play to take the 2 when we were down by 8, and I thought we should have taken it again when we were down by 8 a second time. Don’t @ me. I don’t know what was happening with Anthony Milford’s kicking game tonight, but his gifting us two 7 tackle sets was very much appreciated. With that said, we lost the game so I’m sure he’s not losing sleep. Ok so we lost again, but in more pleasing news, this post is sponsored by the good people at: Welcome to this week’s Post Game Eels Deal. This round all readers of TCT can get absolutely anything for 20% off, site wide. TCT readers also get free shipping on all orders over $100. Just be sure to use the code ‘take20off’ at the Checkout. It’s win, win – treat yourself a huge discount on something nice; whether that be a polo, the new Indigenous jersey or a NSW Blues jersey, and support the work of The Cumberland Throw. Tell ’em Mitch sent you – I’m pretty certain it won’t make the slightest difference. |
The MVP:
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Despite yet another loss, this is actually a difficult decision. This is like choosing my favourite child (it’s my middle son Cooper, by the way).
Your mates Manu and Peni Terepo both once again had stellar games, but it was Alvaro’s crazy work rate on both sides of the ball that gave him the nod over the other two candidates for MVP this week. You the MVP Polar Bear, you the real MVP. Edit – At one point I did give this award to Ma’u, but was alerted to his poor miss for the Roberts try (I was putting my son to bed at that moment and didn’t want to see a replay). Manu still had a great game, but Alvaro edges him as a result of said moment. Whoever lets Manu know, let him down easy. |
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1- Corey NormanFullback, Parramatta Eels Yeah, I blurted this out on Tuesday and I’ll say it again – I liked the swapping move if it keeps Corey’s price up (assuming the rumours are true) and it gives one of our halves complete control. With that said, it unsettles me to think that our best kicking options and all our almost try assists came from Corey’s hand. We need more from Mitch (see below), and I was kinda hoping Corey would look disinterested tonight. He didn’t. His 15 runs (only 6 of these were kick returns), 167 metres, 4 tackle breaks were pretty on song. I’d be willing to give the swap another week at least. Ugh, this feels like it’s going to get messy. |
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2- Bevan FrenchLeft Wing, Parramatta Eels Good early scoot from a Taka offload and a great bootlaces tackle on the ever dangerous James Roberts, but was unfortunately outjumped by super rookie Jamayne Isaako for the Broncos opener. Bevan responded to last week’s tongue lashing from the fan base with a much more involved 10 runs for 108 metres, a tackle break and, well, 3 tackles. At least he didn’t miss any of them. I’d still like to see him take on some tired forward towards the back end of each half. Something to spark us. In conclusion, a much better game; please consider this par from now on Mr French. |
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3- Michael JenningsRight Centre, Parramatta Eels So the other Jet (as opposed to Jimmy the Jet Roberts) had a team season high 9 tackle breaks (those are crazy numbers) to go with his 12 runs for 126 metres and 20 tackles across the 80 minutes. Those alone are pretty great stats, Jenko. Actually they’re great stats. But … A sin binning and an (unfortunate) drop over the try line doesn’t make for a great first half, nor does a second drop over the other try line later in the night, or his 2 conceded penalties. One of those “statistics doesn’t show the quality of the game” games, tonight from Michael. You could argue his binning cost us a Broncos try, and his two drops costs us two of our own. That’s 12 points (not counting conversions) left out on the field for no good reason, or 8 if you give him the benefit of the doubt on one of those tries. I feel for you, but just don’t allow it to be stripped, Mike.
Jenko’s game in a nutshell. |
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4- Brad TakairangiLeft Centre, Parramatta Eels Taka has found himself as a quasi winger, taking those first and second carries after a kick reception, seemingly in Bevan French’s place. A tenacious 11 runs for 113 metres, 2 tackle breaks and a clean sheet 11 tackles without a miss is the statistical equivalent of a wholesome night out with a nice girl. Still Bradley, if I see you kick the ball whilst crabbing across the field one more time, I swear to the sweet heavens I will … well, to be honest I won’t do anything because you are like 6 foot 4. I will probably just resort to writing a strongly worded tweet. Consider yourself warned, gigantic footballer. |
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5- George JenningsRight Wing, Parramatta Eels An intercept certainly has its way of padding even the lamest of stats, but George’s game high 204 metres and 2 tackle breaks from his 13 carries is a terrific day at the office, however you slice it.
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6- Clint Gutherson (c)Five-Eighth, Parramatta Eels This cuts me up to say this, and it might be a case of his ridiculously high standards, but I thought Gutho was pretty quiet tonight. I don’t think I’ll ever fault his effort, or his statistical output (10 for 122m, 3 tackle breaks and 19 tackles), but he just didn’t spark the team like we know he can. I should probably cut the bloke some slack; he and his knee are not actually expected to be really 100% until the start of 2019. And he does have a terrific head of hair. |
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7- Mitchell MosesHalfback, Parramatta Eels I guess it’s a low bar when you’re the worst attacking team in the comp, but I thought our attack looked alright tonight, certainly better than it did last week. With that said, Mitch had both a good short kicking game to force a drop out when we were down a man, and a terrible tendency to bomb the ball for almost no reason or recallable result. There was also that mistimed 3rd tackle kick in our first set in the second half, combined with a couple of other head scratchers.
Seems some are back to searching for that week in, week out consistency from Mitch, but at the moment I’m much more interested in how well he can read a game for a full 80 minutes. Just kick it to the corners for starters, mate. Your name might be Moses, but Eels fans aren’t going to put up with a full 40 years of wandering in the desert, so you best figure it out soon, my son. |
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8- Daniel AlvaroProp, Parramatta Eels Another starting prop for the Eels goes off for a HIA – drink. Some great attacking charges early in the second half from The Polar Express and his end of game stats are pretty ridiculous from a bloke I’ve recently criticised for not producing running stats. A slap-in-my-face 128 running metres from only 11 carries, a tackle break and his run of the mill (stupefying) 48 tackles from the starting prop (with only 2 misses). Shut up Danny Boy, that’s crazy. |
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9- Cameron KingHooker, Parramatta Eels Kingy tried hard when he was out there, but he wasn’t really out there enough. |
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10- Sioaia VaveProp, Parramatta Eels This bloke has so much bulk they only stock him at Costco. Viva la Vave had a powerful 6 runs for 77 metres, had 2 tackle breaks and made 15 tackles without a miss. He also had the Eels’ only line break. A good effort from the big fella. |
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11- Manu Ma’uBack Row, Parramatta Eels Manu Ma’u went off for 16 runs, 172 running metres, a tackle break and 34 tackles, but did miss a crucial tackle for the James Roberts try. Here’s one for the scrapbook:
Manu is scary and sometimes works in mysterious ways. All I’m saying is that last week Manu winked at me and now my wife has the flu; you do the math. |
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12- Tepai MoroeaBack Row, Parramatta Eels Great cover tackle to knock the ball free from Kodi Nikorima’s grasp in the 25th minute. A very solid 9 runs for 90 metres, a tackle break, 41 tackles and no HIAs is the good; it’s just the 4 missed tackles that need to come down. Still, a much better showing from More or Less. |
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13- Peni TerepoLock, Parramatta Eels It’s easy to pick on the bloke for the dropped ball, “Yeah, we were going well, we were building pressure … and then Peni dropped it ..“, it’s the low hanging fruit in The Butcher’s game. But I tell you what, he is thriving in every other department over the past month. Another cracker statistically with 12 runs, 139 metres, 5 tackle busts and 33 tackles. That (above) was also his only error. I think he’s getting better with age, or something. My heart is black, except for Peni Terepo. He lights up my life. |
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Interchange
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14- Will SmithInterchange, Parramatta Eels Will Smith is a great back up dummy half, but rely on him too much and those accidental forward passes become all too common; as do the team high 5 missed tackles. To be clear, I’m very glad he’s our 14, but I think all and sundry (including the man himself) will agree he should never be our 9. |
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15- Suaia MatagiInterchange, Parramatta Eels Let me be clear, his stats were great. Matagi had 9 runs for a whopping 112 metres, 3 tackle breaks, and 16 tackles. Still, I can’t help but remember that early second half moment when we were building nicely only for The Bear to be the one to drop it cold. Team wide, these mistakes cannot keep happening, whether we are expecting the ball or not. Rocks, meet diamonds. |
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16- David GowerInterchange, Parramatta Eels Take your apple a day, but you won’t keep this doctor away. The good Dr Gower had 14 runs for 128 metres, a tackle break and 29 tackles this evening. More than we could ask for or expect from a veteran bench forward; he is very much doing the job for us during a shocking run of injuries. |
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17- Marata NiukoreInterchange, Parramatta Eels Had a terrific first hit up, but still working his way into NRL match fitness. In almost identical figures to last week (4 for 38 metres, 12 tackles), Hakuna Marata this week contributed 4 runs for 34 metres, and 12 tackles. Spooky. I’m not sure what the plan is for the big unit, but I hope it involves more minutes when his body is up to it; I like the look of his game. |
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I figure it’s easier to enjoy reading Post Game Grades if you simply lower your standards.
All we can do now is give the same effort (ideally better execution) in Round 13.
It’s back to ANZ next week as we take on the Newcastle Knights. See you then, sports fans.
Go you Eels,
Mitch.
Heal that hurt with some online retail therapy, make a discounted purchase from our sponsor Sportfirst Nambucca and support the work of The Cumberland Throw.
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Photos courtesy of the Parramatta Eels. Stats courtesy of Champion Data.
Stop reading this and go buy something from SportFirst – Nambucca, please and thank you.
Everything is such a mess so I’ll leave all that for the back of my brain for the coming months but all I know is Matagi needs to go. Been saying that since his one good game this year against Manly and after that game I said don’t be fooled by him turning up he will let you down 9 times out of 10. Also what’s everyones thoughts on French? We need him in the middle worrying tired defence but even then he can never just go forward and take the line on hopefully he’ll get over that. If Norman is going then I think Salmon must come in if the kid can kick because there’s no way in the world we can let Moses kick on his own (kick to the corners Mitch the bombs are weak)
The mid field bombs have got to go quicker than any player in our squad; they are killing me.
I think French either needs to become a contributing winger (or fullback, if that’s what he thinks he is) by finding ways to effectively run the ball back. Ben Barba wasn’t much bigger or any faster than Bev and deservedly won the Dally M doing such things.
If nothing else this season has exposed our weaknesses, fortunately we have the salary cap flexibility to hopefully respond to it.
I don’t like a lot of the reports saying that Bev is looking at options outside the club, he needs to gain a bit more confidence on the wing and then go to the back. IIRC the coach has said he sees Bev as the long term fullback and he needs to be reassured of that. He is a top winger but can be a better FB especially if he learns to read the game, he can learn that from the wing and chime in a bit more.
Matagi,s contract and parra career finishe end this season so yeah, french ,ive always said the game has to find french because he dosent go looking for it and i think the salmon will be in the water very soon .
That’s a nice little piece of creative writing there, Anon.
Mitch off topic can you explain why Bernie makes a big deal in changing our jerseys and we have already given up on the yellow striped away jersey not worn since rd 2.
I’ve never known a jersey to be on the scrap heap so soon why would eel fans consider buying this when Bernie who wanted it has ditched it by April.
It’s quite embarrassing after his big speech about identity in November at the jersey launch.
To be fair to Bernie, if what you suspect is true, he is simply responding to the fan base’s plea; the very thing many criticised him before initially. They were plenty who loved the new strip, and plenty who preferred the 80s heritage design.
Again, if what you say about the (incredibly well received) heritage jersey being our away strip is true, I think he’s just finding a happy medium. Might be worth confirming with the club, however.
We need a new design all together I’m sick of this heritage trash. 97-09 we had a fresh design every couple of years but the last 8 years we’ve been stuck in the past. Do something refreshing.
The jersey discussion is crap, there is nothing wrong with the original strip jersey, but perhaps if the shorts were changed to the ones worn last night (after washing) and at least be constant with those, have the jersey worn last night be our away version.
The big thing is probably the nay sayers got the chance to partition the club but was there a general opening for all supporters to have their say on the original style as Bernie brought in this year? Its one thing to say you listen to the supporter base but its another thing to only listen to part of it.
Thing is to keep them for some years, rather than if a cockroach sneezes and they have a special day to commemorate that event then we have another jersey for that match. How many different shades and types have we had this year so far?
One thing from last nights stripe that was good was our major sponsors name was not on a different background, looked and blended much better.
The sponsor integration is one of my favourite aspects of last night’s jersey, with that said I also really like the home jersey this year.
There are plenty at the games wearing the new Jersey.
The jerseys are confusing everybody. Bernie Gurr stated that these new jerseys were here to stay and now we only use the home jersey? How long before that’s also axed. Personally I like the striped jerseys but to give up on them after only 10 rounds is disappointing the sales must be poor.
I think we need a new design that has nothing to do with the past our look is so confusing now.
For older eels supporters like myself, the striped jersey introduced this year is very much part of our life as supporters, I personally was not fussed with the gold and blue strip which was to be the away jersey, the one played in last night I liked as I said above.
Its one to listen to what fans and supporters say, many of the former seemingly do not want anything to do with our history prior to the first Premiership in the 80’s, that is a very narrow mind set for me. Every club and that includes the eels have a history and while no first grade trophy came away we had successes in the minor grades also old junior comps, so we simply throw all of that out the window to look fashionable,?!!. That is to look pretty in this modern all about me world.
If some of the haters of that stripe think it means and meant nothing, they ought to go to the leagues club and have a look at the photo’s and the history there, players like Dick Thornett, brother Ken, Ron Lynch all great eels players sadly none raised a premiership trophy, but the certainly raised the crowds cheers on many of an occasion, do we through out our history and therefore our past? If that is what they want, then personally I feel I don’t want part of the selfish future that they want.
Colin i’m disappointed that Bernie has given up on the stripes so early on it makes the club look very bad and reactive. One certain eels site hates them and Bernie now gives in to the lynch mob.
I think this is poor leadership by Bernie and us eel members deserve to know why our away strip has been thrown in the bin.
I bought both striped jerseys from the club in March because this was our long term future look according to our CEO and now I feel like a total fool turning up to away games in my away jersey and they wear something else??
The whole marketing dept. needs a total overhaul
Bernie the members need a explanation as to why the away striped jersey is no longer used.
I wont be buying anymore merchandise until I get answers about the direction of our look on the field.
Its a mess even the touch footy team has the 86 design in the royal blue not marine blue????
What is going on Bernie?
I can’t understand how Moses’s kicking game was so amazing this time last year, particularly his long kicking game, but be so frustrating this year.
Kick to the corners. Chase hard and collectively. Build pressure. Repeat.
Preach it, Hearndo.
Brother it’s called confidence if you don’t have it anything n everything will n does go wrong in so many ways. I think it’s time we say good bye to Norman n say hello salmon. N shift gutherson back to fullback. N if French wants to sook then bye French. Bring in Hoffman until we get a new winger hooker n another prop. I’m hearing we are chasing sue n not the lady sue from the tigers. From what I’m told his not happy with the amount of game time his getting at Ivan’s bus depot. His the kid at the back of the bus when he wants to be the driver..
Can’t fault anyone’s effort tonight but nobody can tell me that BA has told Moses, just bomb the crap out of them, or told Norms to just lob it to the fullback. Aaaaagghh.
We were 2 dropped balls away from a win tonight. Or 2 better efforts by the refs. Or 7-8 better kicks.
I’m still looking forward to going to the Knights game.
Save me a seat, mate.
I have to agree. I am absolutely dumbfounded by our kicking game!!! I’ve been to Saleyards and watched Corey practice floaters. Mitch has it in his repottoiure (sic) so why…I plead, why are we still persisting with end over end and mid field bombs.
Yeah it’s not part of practice, and I can’t remember it working this year (it probably has, but none come to mind).
An improved effort and for greater minutes, a step forward and closer to the next win. The tries conceded were relatively soft and agree Mitch we had little luck with the 50/50 calls.
We should have Hayne back next week and that may help the attack – an injection of Hayne belief in the backline and maybe some of his magic might be the little lift required (remembering the cut-out ball to the winger against Manly sparked the team to a rare win in 2018).
The Eels are good chance for a win against the Knights if they can build on the effort from last night.
I agree. I haven’t tipped the Eels in quite some time, but I’ll be tipping them against the Knights.
No no no no no last time you did that my son we got hammered by them last year. Please pull out n tip the knights.
It’s just not our year. Very frustrating. We are never gonna get the 50/50 calls when we sit at the bottom of the ladder. We had a go last night. We play like that for the rest of the year and we’ll win more than we lose. That will at least get us off the bottom of the ladder, which is all we can hope for now.
Anything but the spoon. Thanks for contributing, mate.
Nothing makes me yell at the tele more then when moses gets the ball on the 5th tackle and bombs it 🤬
Agreed. Thought his long/medium kicking options were generally poor last night.
My biggest criticism all year has been that our forwards weren’t “laying a platform” for our halves to perform. Last night all of our big boys did a great job.
The view I have now is that our biggest problem is actually lacking creativity in the opposition 20. Who’s shoulders does that fall on? For me the halves aren’t creating opportunities. Even during prior games when oppositions have made mistakes and gifted us territory when our forwards were struggling we couldn’t capitalise.
I think to some extent BA takes some blame for this too. No doubt in my mind BA is a great motivator and man manager (hence the obvious effort and why the players rally around him) but I have serious doubts of his ability to coach tactically. In terms of an attacking game plan we look flat out lost most of the time.
I thought the forwards did an excellent job last night, but our attacking 20 options still look a little half paced.
Although I can’t imagine BA has gone from a great tactical coach last year to a sub par one this year. Maybe there’s a need to adapt the attacking gameplan? I know our set up is a little different at Parra, but at other clubs such plays are the realm of an attacking coordinator.
If nothing else, 2018 provides an excellent case study to improve on for next year.
His tactics set us up for four trys all of which were bombed , no blame there!
I have to agree with nearly everything said above and I actually liked the way we were playing. e.g. not so many dumb penalties, forwards having a real go, tackle breaks and running hard from the backs, relatively good defence for the majority of the game.
I actually think our forwards have been unfairly criticised in the past as for long periods of games we camp in the opposition’s 20 and come up with nothing. Not the forwards fault but a severe lack of creativity, execution and purpose from our halves. Yes the forwards may not be dominating other teams but generally are holding their own with a few exceptions.
Something that sums the team up at the moment is when Tepai force the mistake from Nikorima no one came over and back slapped him or congratulated him for forcing the mistake. There just seems like no team enthusiasm. I was more disappointed in that than some of the mistakes made on the night.
Thanks mate. I think one more forward to add to Paulo will completely change the narrative. With that said, I can’t think of too many of our players who have played well every time they’ve taken the field this year. Alvaro? Brown? Gutho? Plenty of inconsistency to be ironed out, but confidence does wonderful things to a football team.
Mitch overall I pretty much agree with all you said here, but for me while we deserve much better results than we are achieving, and we all see things differently I am of the belief that there is still a need for some changes in the team.
Norms had a better game than most of his others this year, but in some respects wasted at the back, we need him to get back to his abilities in line kicking especially the 40/20 ones.
Moses needs to be told if he wants to continue as the dominant half then he has to actually dominate, not just in runs but in variations of his kicking, if I could get into a ground with a target gun, I would treat his kicks as clay pieces and blow them out of the air, and I think I would be in the next olympics squad owing to the amount of them, but he would not even make the clay target operator that releases them from the machine. &&&& this is the half that was going to make a huge difference and take us forward? My big concern in his signing was his defence, but it picked up when he got here and his attack helped us. Head West MM and find the burning bush.
The no try to MJ over the line was a try, and the only ones not agreeing was the Klunk and and the bunker. Several replays showed a donks player knocking the ball our of his hands over the line and then Bev grounding it just short of the dead ball line. Watch the reaction of the Donks player as he showed sheer delight in the ball being knocked out.
Vave I thought added a bit and did some good work but gee how much better he could be with a bit of stomach muscle, one play the ball as he stood up his belly flab, was clear to see, Oohh.
If King has to go off for Smith to come on, we are not going to improve. The floater for a missed try from DH by Smith was not good, while the ball was passed relatively flat and therefore floated forward with the touchie ruling it forward shows we need someone else, to me the shine has gone off him. We need Pritchard back and perhaps King as the utitlity, after all he played 7 at Wenty, the two of them gives variety or bring Farah to the club.
I know I have said a bit of the above elsewhere but when looking at the scores you have given but also the other post game reports, my thinking is still the same. Hopefully we will see Hayne and Brown back next week but it would be good that Tim and Kaysa would be also back. Trouble is will Hayne really be fit enough and whose spot does he take?
Gower needs to stay and so does Marata, who should be getting a bit more match time each week.
For me, we are now a team in transition and if there is a goal to be achieved that is, still aim for a finals berth with a flawless run, or at worst make sure we are well off the spoon numbers.
Agree with your choice of word transition and i think we are very very close. 2019 cap and crap nearly fixed bar jennings , thats normy gone =$. Beau gone =$ jennings last stone around ba,s neck and fullspeed then colin , been hampered for 5seasons cleaing up everyones mistakes , might add odd 1 of his own .
Agreed. We need to get that spoon as far away from us as possible.
Returning recruits will help a lot you’d have to think.
Ideally we’d find a long term 9, although as you note Farah’s game might help Mahoney’s development.
Mitch, Farah is the ideal for the club at this time, the experience he brings to the side would be enormous, he not only would work well with our 9’s at training but as I said elsewhere interchange with Kaysa for the main 9 for this year and I believe next. Have him on a end of this year contract and eels favour option for 2019. We will need to have Kaysa as back up along with Mahoney and the two them fight out for the bench spot next year.
9 has been our problem area but Kaysa has responded well, his energy, general terrier tackling and enthusiasm is just what’s needed right now, I cannot see another player in the club that could do that at this time.
Do you think Norman is playing fullback temporarily to get his mojo back? I didn’t get to see the whole game, but from what I saw he looked like a 5/8 playing fullback, which is a good thing for him. He is first and foremost a fullback and likely feels more comfortable there, hence the reason for the shift to work on aspects of his game. I reckon he will play there another couple of games then shift back to 5/8. Thoughts?
I think it worked and BA will keep picking them in those positions until something else changes. I suspect the coach is just seeing what comes, and for mine the returns were good last night, despite the loss. But that’s me.
As they say, we re just not winning the big moments:
1) can’t believe the bunker couldn’t see a deliberate push to the back of the ball for Jennings near-try. Hard to justify’ loose carry/in the normal course of a tackle’ when the tacklers hand got it so perfect.
2)Morris to Morris v Bulldogs was a shorter pass but no different to Norman to French. Norman’s pass was dead set flat leaving his hands.
3)Manu Mau pushed across, stayed in the hunt after a strong set by Broncs forwards but went for a high grab and got palmed. He looked half a metre misjudged, maybe thinking a step back inside was coming. Broncs under the posts.
That’s football.
Agreed. That’s football. If it all comes out in the wash eventually I’d like to get all of our bad luck out of the way in 2018 if possible.
I think that Mitchels game last night was one of his worst for this season and Corey’s one of his best. For Corey it was almost as though he was auditioning for a new club.
Have to disagree with you Mitch (second time in 2 weeks) over the Jennings no try. It was played at by the Broncos defender so should have been play on, so therefore a try.
Hope he keeps the spine the same again next week, worked OK should work better second time around. Also Mitch can only improve on that lot.
All good John, as I said you can make a case for either, but you gotta hold onto the ball as you’re going over the line, any defender within range is only going to try to strip it.
I thought it would have been a try if sent up as one. All good mate.
I think the C given to both hookers is far too generous, neither them or Kaysa are good NRL standard and it is becoming glaringly apparent that it is a position that has so much influence on the game, and they basically have none.
Poor passes, little speed of play, no recognition when to run and no kicking game make tackling their only contribution. It’s critical that the club gets a 9 for next season, very difficult to see improvement with what we have. They wouldn’t make NRL at any other club, the forwards did well last night and still no spark from dummy half.
As before, BA and Bernie’s future is squarely on recruitment for 2019, they had better not forget a good 9. The teams competiveness and the employment of those employed at the top of our football department is placed squarely on signings, not targets and talking, but actual signings. Cap and roster numbers should work in their favour, does their ability to sell the club do the business.
Big Derek… I would like to see Mahoney given a shot, thing is like Marata he is still ISP quality, he certainly needs to continue to show his quality, Marata needs more time in the top side and he will improve, that means being selected and playing longer minutes.
Regarding Kaysa, He first game back in the 9 spot we lost, then he was in the teams we won, he gives much more to the team than King, King when he took over last year after his injury showed some good stuff, sadly to me he has lost it this year, slow, virtually no variation in his play, and Smith has dropped back as well.
I believe a good move for the eels is to bring Farah to the club for at least the remainder of this year with a club option for next year. He could well work off the bench with Kaysa which would provide experience and energy. Farah could also work well with both Mahoney and Kaysa if Kaysa is resigned for next year.
9 is our achilles heel ,weve got good fill ins ,kaysa ,smith etc but no leader , how i miss degoiss
I think each have shown the capacity (King the back end of last year, Kaysa the Tigers game in particular), but neither the consistency. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say our pack was on top last night and that is often contributed to the service from the relevant 9, but in regards to individual contributions none of our three really offer much. I’ll reiterate my seal of approval for Will Smith’s extension, but again he’s no 9.
Hooker is a funny position, I find it the most difficult to assess (other than the bright white obvious talent of someone like Damien Cook and his running game).
Cooke is a reall hooker, and no wonder Farah cannot get a look in. Still believe Kaysa is our best option currently able to play NRL, although hate repeating it we should go for Farah not just as the player but coach for the 9’s. We have the space and he would not cost a lot.
Mitch, in teams that win as the good coaches say consistently. The 9 needs to pass quickly and accurately off the ground. Be able to assess where gaps are, and if nothing is on, has the ability to scoot and hit the spaces.None of our 9s offer those traits, they don’t have a kicking game and Kaysa’s contribution is a ferocious desire to tackle.
We need to have a football manager or similar that can assist the coach in selection of troops and define the teams weaknesses.
I can just see BA saying, I will just work harder, I can do this.
It’s so import at as you can’t fill a stadium just because it’s new, a 9 brings organisation and speed of the ruck. I like all our 9s in a sense, but they should not be first choice in the NRL if we are intent on winning.
I thought we played well despite a few stuff ups–most teams have those –its part of the game–Bad luck was a big factor. Tepai and Alvaro probably played their best games I have seen them play. The significant changes with Gutho and Norman worked well and will improve a lot as the y adapt to new positional changes.
Where do we go for growth? Use your own unique talent but study and learn from the masters
1 Love French very dangerous–For him to get to his full potential as a fullback I would like to see him study the masters. Brett Stewart, Flash Gordon, Slater—His choice of timing runs and following kicks would improve his game. Develop his anticipation sensitivities–He has beautiful coordination, ball handling skills etc and when he gets his timing choices right he will be getting to his potential
2. I would like to see Moses study Lockyer,and Cronk in how these guys do their tactical kicking. Kicks are so much more effective when you have a fullback usually doing the follow through. Would like to see some players gell with Moses style of running and looking to feed a runner. We do that right and our attack will improve in a big way.
3 Our fullbacks seem not to be busy enough in attack—Gordon,s style of fullback play is missing
4 Supporting runners for Alvaros hit ups would help.
5 Gutho still has a lot on improvement in him–once again a study of Lockyer and maybe Cameron Smith would help him.
I think BA has done a wonderful job in having the players maintain the effort our players are putting in. Criticism of him is totally unwarranted…He will be a much better coach from what we have been through lately.
“I figure it’s easier to enjoy reading Post Game Grades if you simply lower your standards.”
Also an excellent recipe for marriage. The great Warren Buffet was once asked at a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting, a random question “what should I look for in a marriage partner?” The great man thought for a minute and replied “marry a woman who has low expectations”. That said, maybe we find a way to get French into playing dummy half in attack so he can scoot out at will. I think that would make him and us very dangerous indeed. He would need to be moved out wide in defence which may allow us to play an extra running forward to cover in the middle when he moves out wide. Just thinking out loud
PT, I like that idea with French, even if he did not go to DH he could be seen just browsing near the play rather than staying on the wing, he has the fleet feet to make a bust and score, initial and long run speed is something he does have.
If he does the unexpected could be great.
The team are playing their hearts out however some of the members are not pulling their weight.. We need to support the ball player with passing options, kicking for position not just up in the air and finally plan what we are going to do once we get into their 10 mtr zone.
Sorry but I thought he could do anything with a ball last season but now know Mitch Moses must improve his game and complete more tackles.
Always good to hear from you Big Pete. Thanks for reading mate.
Good write up Mitch. I agree with you on there ratings except gower his should be an A I think he is doing a outstanding job coming off the bench.
I think parra should give him another 1 yr contract. N I don’t mean just to play for Wenty.
Gennings …is it me or is G Jennings faster then Michael. The bronco’s players gave up the chase at the 50metre line. Like who stops chasing with 50 metres to go.
The polar bear. The commentary team gave him huge raps mainly joey johns.
I have to agree every time he took the ball up he changed direction. Good player I really like his progress.
Peni teripo his playing well at lock I think we should leave him there n use brown as a prop. Yes brown is better suited to lock but also good at prop.
#Eels4life#
Rev. Agree, Gower really is a key part of the playing group, he should be in the team somewhere even when we get some back from injuries, IM,Humble,O he is also worth another contract as well.
I was also surprised at Gennings speed, even Roberts gave up on him, I commented on this somewhere above also and for me why is he and Bev not getting the ball, much criticism of Bev not going in but this try from George show if you stay in your right spot you can score.
RE Alvaro I do not understand why he has only been given a single years extension. Give Peni some Velcro for his hands and would be like icing on the cake.
Rev, Colin I like your. Comments, Gower is one that I wrote off last year. Thought he had given his best but he has been good in every game he has played this year.
Have to say he may be worth another contract next year if he is willing. This however is on the proviso that others are let go. Still need to leave room for some newbys like Stone.
In 2016 he had a great year and since I have been a fan of Peni Terepo. Last year he was a bit ordinary but this year he looks fit and has his mojo back. He has a good motor and is aggressive.
Alvaro deserves Some longevity, extend his contract.
John, I agree and believe Gower may go round again, I doubt he will take a top spot and players like Stone will be the future, thing that Gower offers is real reliability, a perfect back up player when situations call for, and like we are in now. Players like him provide very good and affordable insurance in case of injury’s