Round 1 Drink Of Choice – Lagavulin Single Malt 16YO
It wasn’t always pretty, although the Eels certainly played at times with a flair rarely seen in such conditions, but Brad Arthur and his band of warriors buried the demons of 2018 today with a gritty 20-12 victory over the Penrith Panthers.
Rookies, redemption-seekers and recruits alike were all well involved as the Eels out-ran, out-hit and out-enthused their Western Sydney rivals. The win did come at a heavy cost with inspirational lock-forward Nathan Brown set for an extended break on the sidelines with a biceps injury. Still, there is plenty of reason for excitement as we enter the first Whisky Musings of 2019, so pour a dram of your finest and join me for all the talking points from our victory.
Halves and halve nots
The mountain of important questions the Eels had to answer coming into this season was more akin to Everest than Kosciuszko but right up at the summit was how a new look halves combination of Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown would perform together. Flashes of brilliance from the two play-makers in the trials against Canberra and Penrith teased desperate fans, handing them the most fragile glimmers of hope for something greater. Claiming that it has all coalesced into a perfect partnership after just 80-minutes is nothing short of foolish but the signs were overwhelmingly positive as Moses and Brown calmly steered the Eels through a testing period in the second half following a contentious call to send Michael Jennings to the sin-bin.
Moses was in sensational touch with his short kicking with the opening try of the game coming (some what indirectly) from his cross-field bomb while Brown and Shaun Lane were both agonisingly close to scoring from his grubber kicks. Even more impressive though was his outstanding goal line defence in the second half. During a massive goal line stand, he saved the Eels through consecutive tackles, with his second tackle on Waqa Blake in particular worthy of the highest levels of praise. Despite giving up 8cm and 13kg, Moses somehow managed to get underneath the towering centre and force an improbable error when a try was all but certain. It was absolutely one of the tipping points in the match.
Meanwhile, Brown did a masterful job of convincing the rugby league world that he was anything but a rookie as he excelled on both sides of the ball. While his try assist ledger might read zero there is no doubt that he was the mastermind behind both of tries to Michael Jennings. Indeed, young Dylan has quickly forged strong partnerships with Jennings and Shaun Lane with the former also haring after a brilliantly weighted kick to earn an improbable scrum for the Eels while the latter was a constant threat running off Brown’s hip.
With the vast majority of the season left to play Brown will no doubt have his rookie moments but it was a damn strong debut game and it should be celebrated as such.
Eels reverse the curse
Up 14-0 with Michael Jennings in the sin-bin and the Panthers frothing at the mouth looking for a comeback. It looked to a genuine case of deja vu from Round 1 of 2018 and I can forgive any fan for momentary heart palpitations as the Panthers narrowed the gap to 12-14. Tepai Moeroa would go close to icing the game, only to be rebuffed by the video referee, while Michael Jennings’ second try of the day eventually sealed it but it was more about the manner in which the Eels rallied across the park that has me chomping at the bit.
It evoked memories of 2017 when Parramatta was able to consistently absorb shots from their opposition before leveling a knock-out counter blow. Backing up next week against the Canterbury Bulldogs is imperative for ‘BA’ and the boys as a second win sets them up for a blockbuster passage against the Roosters and Sharks.
The Line King (it is a Disney – not a NRL preseason – reference, damn it!)
Second-year starter Marata Niukore (aka Hakuna Marata, aka Simba) was one of Parramatta’s most impressive performers in the preseason trials and he has carried that form imperiously into the regular season as he tormented the left-edge of the Panthers with his aggression and power-running. 133m from just 12 runs and 4 tackle breaks stand just fine on their own merits but consider that nearly half (60m) of his metres came after contact and you appreciate the thorough working over he gave to the defence.
Impressively, Marata looks both bigger and faster this year but he also showed some deft hands in trying conditions when he scored the opening try of the game. The scoop and score effort down the right sideline had zero margin for error and Marata duly obliged, captured superbly by both the in-goals cameraman and the newly introduced corner-post camera.
Niukore’s brand of physical, hard-running footy always has a place in the NRL and if he can perfom consistently to this sort of level then expect both Mitchell Moses and Blake Ferguson to be significant beneficiaries in the coming rounds.
Forewarned, Penrith fail to be forearmed against Parramatta pack
Despite James Tamou’s insistence that Penrith didn’t show everything they had against the Eels when the two teams met two weeks ago, the Panthers had little answer to a motivated and aggressive Parramatta forward pack. Possession played a part in the matter but there is no arguing that the Eels played harder on both sides of the ball through the middle channel.
Even without strike weapons Junior Paulo and Manu Ma’u (while also losing Nathan Brown early in the piece) Parramatta out-gained Penrith 768m to 542m through the forwards. Alvaro (132m), Moeora (126m), Niukore (133m) and Mannah (139m) lead the way while Lane (99m) was no slouch either.
It was shades of 2017 as the Eels simply played with greater physicality through the middle than their opponents. One swallow does not make a Summer but it was an important outing for the forwards after spending a season getting battered and pushed around most weeks in 2018.
The King quietly returns to his throne
How often does someone have a quiet 204m, 1 linebreak assist, 1 try assist game? That was one Clinton Gutherson today as the talismanic fullback, affectionately dubbed ‘King Gutho’, put the official stamp on his return to full fitness from his ACL injury in 2017. Gutherson battled bravely last year to try and turn the a losing season around for the Eels but evidence consistently points to the second season as the turning point in recovery for these sort of injuries.
So we saw today with the King loping around the backfield freely to defuse any number of Nathan Cleary bombs and clearing kicks while also laying on the second try of the game for Michael Jennings. Gutherson is one of the players that is without doubt at the heart of this team and club. When he plays well, even when overshadowed like today, it is a good barometer for overall performance of the team.
Bigger is better, or so the ladies wingers tell me
The missive right from the end of 2018 was for the Eels to get bigger, faster and stronger on the flanks in a bid to augment their maligned forward pack. Blake Ferguson was the marquee addition to the backline in that regard and he performed as adverstised with 20 runs, 158m on the ground and a flawless afternoon under the high ball. Rookie Maika Sivo was slightly quieter with 111m from 13 carries but that belied the power that he ran with and the chops he showed in defence. With George Jennings scheduled to miss one more round, Parramatta’s newest Fijian flanker has a shot at locking down his place on the left wing with a strong encore showing against the Bulldogs.
Michael Jennings and that call
Perhaps no Eel had more to prove than Michael Jennings after a truly dismal 2018. The electric centre looked lethargic throughout Parramatta’s free-fall on the ladder and regularly squandered easy try-scoring situations. That wasn’t the case today though (although he did bobble the heck out of the ball in his first try!) as his two tries and 146m from 14 runs helped pave the way to victory for the Eels but it was his sin-binning for a high shot on Isaah Yeo that will certainly draw headlines on Monday.
Regardless of where you stand on the right or wrong call divide, all you can ask from the NRL is consistency in applying the precedent set today…and I have zero faith in their ability to do so. Watch this space I guess.
The Final Word
Every win is important in the NRL but it was doubly so for the Eels today as they exorcised the demons of 2018 with a competent and gritty 20-12 triumph. Now they look ahead to a Cantebury outfit that will be desperate to bounce back from a 40-6 humbling at the hands of the New Zealand Warriors. Parramatta will need to get used to life without Nathan Brown but with Junior Paulo set to return there is cause for optimism as the Eels look to improve their account to 2-0.
Not surprised after watching the trial game that we would come out and take control, what was even more pleasing was it was done without 3 probable starting forwards.
Having watched Dylan Brown come through the grades he looks as composed as ever, and we are yet to see his running game which will come in time. Thinking back to junior grades, his then partner in crime, Joe Taipari may prove to be as good. The pair were easily the best half pairing just a year ago, Joe had his ACL op in Christchurch but needed it cleaned up here in Sydney which put back his return to playing until June. A name to keep in mind as these juniors start to flourish.
The enthusiasm and will to compete was so refreshing after 2018. More please .
So much for annesly fixing the bunker,stupidity reigned supreme again today .
BJ, I thought the refs and the bunker were ok today, even getting a fair shake from Klein was wonderful indeed and very unusual from an eels perspective
Tepai ruling was ridiculous !! Come on col .
The positive – Klein was all over Maloney, and rightly so. The Panthers discipline is atrocious.
The negative – binning Jennings. If this is the new rule for a high tackle, why didn’t it happen elsewhere?
The bunker – the Tepai try went up as a try and was overturned when there was no definitive evidence to do so. Fortunately we scored soon after.
yes on all accounts re referees….but I did understand the Tep ruling ….which is just a bad and stupid rule…or was it a bad or stupid interpretation…..it’s like the “tap on” which is penalised in some cases when a try is scored but seems to have no relevance in general play.
Another example of a commonsense rule interpretation which basically means was the situation in the spirit of the game or was it deliberate cheating…
I think we understand that meaning.
On a positive note this was a wonderful result and it exorcised many of the demons that came with the same game last year. I do feel we should always take the points when presented with a penalty in front…..a bit of a “pet” with me that one!
I really noted amongst many very good performances a much more contolled power game from Tepai Moreoa…..I think he arrived to finally fulfill that potential we always new was there.
Thought not taking kicks was right option give score at time , personally you work hard to bring ball up field for 1 maybe 2 plays inside opp 20 , someones just handed you 6 i take them on most times , actually dont agree unless its giving you 8 point buffer , i like a team and a coach thats turned with enough self belief to play footy !!!!!!
Opinions Bob, but the two current best coaches in the game…”Take the points”
Cleary needs to tell Maloney to make his tackle then just get the hell out. His extras are no longer discrete, clever or in the team’s interests if he’s a leader.
The bunker made that decision BJ, Klein had called it a try,
Strong performance across the park. What an improvement; in defence, kicking with purpose and being patient in attack. There were instances where taking the 2 points seemed sensible but given the wet track the advantage of keeping the pressure on and maintaining field position paid off – there was a determinaton to “reverse the curse”. Great improvement in discipline too which is in stark contrast to last season. More of same required against the Bulldogs next week.
DDay, for me the aspect of a heavy pitch is more a reason to take the shot at goal, if it goes through, 2 points, if it misses you get the back to start your attack again. Different matter if the penalties are wide of the posts but when in front and up to half way to the sidelines, they are gift points.
It also gives our forwards a breather when often needed, it also does the same with the opposition but a quick decision means our players can be more prepared than the opposition.
Ever coached col , negativity creates negativity
No BJ; I’ve never coached but I have watched more than enough RL games over a span of more than 50 years to gain some insight into winning, which in so many cases does not always mean scoring tries will get that for you. Goal kicking is just as vital as tries, have seen many games win by kicking more goals than the opposition even some that were positive teams and won games 4-0 as a result.
Not being negative at all, I want to see my team win, and there are areas they could look at in that regard.
They did , win that is .
You need breathers when your defeding col not attacking mate
If you mean defending, BJ are you implying that they don’t need a spell even when attacking? From what I see of many teams, they find the goal kicks a good break to get their breath back, same reason many kicks across the sideline provide convenient breaks for both the defending and attacking teams as you only have to look at how slow the forwards go to form the scrum.
Anyway, you must be right so forget it.
Will do , but anyway thats always the defending teams forwards slow to the scrum colin , there the ones that are going to Be on the ropes for 6 , just my opinion mate you dont have to agree, no disrespect to your opinion
Thanks BJ
I think a good point is as well Col, when you have had a couple of attacking sets and then get a penalty and take the tap, that the defensive side gets into the rhythm of that attack and it becomes easier for them to read.
I also notice that the attacking side when taking the tap also seems to make an early error in the set.
I agree with you but only the gift points as you implied.
I hope Mahoney gets 80 minutes next week. I thought our dummy half service went down when Smith came on.
I regards to Michael Jennings sin-binning, i think the idea is on the right track. When a team lose a player due to an unsafe/illegal tackle i think it is only fair that the offending team has a larger penalty. I do however think that 10 minutes is way too much and think the NRL should consider a 5 minute sin binning for such instances. The same time frame could also be used for teams repeatedly giving away penalties whilst defending their try line.
Thoughts?
Totally agree on the right track, perhaps even a send off for high tackles to try to get them out of the game (very hard, but we need to). The point made in the article is when do see a sin binning for a head high, I truly cannot recall, a bit like hens teeth. I am all for this, like you state, the impacted team is a player down. Let hope for consistency.
Agreed, and in Michael Jennings situation he is pretty unfortunate as Yeo was falling and was unintentionally struck high. But we all saw the state Yeo was in and it’s fair that there be a substantial pentalty against the offending team. I just think that 5 minutes is enough. Better sides would be able to put on 2-3 tries when given 10 minutes against 12 players and that to me doesn’t seem to be fair.
This is more a question for sixties but relates to the send off/sin bin.
Have you notice at training Craig wether they have prepared to cover such a contingency…..I felt they looked lost with only 12 players but have seen other teams look after the situation much better.
In the older days of more outright send offs, I have seen teams with 12 players go over 70 minutes and win the game.
Interesting when you think Roosters largely won last years grand final with 12 players.
Phsycology may have had a lot to do with that but if our players believe they can win with 12 and are prepared that way, they can apply the same phsycology…….maybe.
I thought it was a great team performance all round and it was especially pleasing that all the new guys contributed in a positive way. Lane was great, Sivo was good without being too flashy and Dylan Brown did everything that could have been asked of him. I liked that Brown didn’t try anything too fancy but everything he did he did well.
Another guy I want to give a wrap is Gower. I can’t understand why he’s fallen so far down the pecking as far as our prop rotation is concerned. He always gives 100%, rarely makes mistakes and has some skill to go with his work ethic. I’d have him in the team in front of Terepo every day of the week.
anyones better than watching kenny edwards again, that bloke used to almost give me a stroke every game with some of the stupid shit he did
Great note on Gower. Although i’d probably still have Terepo ahead of him, he’s an unbelievably reliable player to call upon. Another game closer to 100 NRL appearances.
Totally agree with everything you said Clive
Great team effort for me; and very much 2017 like. Superb and they did themselves and the club very proud. Have to back it up and the confidence can build and grow.
As Sixties said if every ref follows suit in reference to high shots then bring it on…..but it won’t. Tep’s no try was laughable when they gave it as try……again a decision that could have cost us.
Another thing I didn’t miss from last year was the mid-field bombs.
Good write up 40\20. As you know no that MJ took the early guilty plea. I have watched his MJ shot on Yeo n lattrel Mitchell’s shot on big Sammy Burgess. For the life of me I can not tell the difference 🤔 yet MJ gets 1 week n Mitchell gets $1500 fine. Does MJ have carry over points if not then why do you think they Jennings n club didn’t fight the case ?
On the win it was great reminds me of 2017. If it is to be a repeat of 2017 I can only hope we go better in the finals.
#Eels4life#
It was interesting that on Inside NRL Jamie Soward apologised to the Eels be cause a week ago he picked them for the Wooden Spoon. He now believes that they will not get anywhere near the spoon.