The Cumberland Throw

From The Stands – Penrith Reflections, Bulldogs Anticipation

Round 1 of the 2019 Premiership has just concluded and the return to on field action couldn’t come soon enough.

This season, From the Stands will examine key moments from each clash then look ahead to what the following round has in store.

In a massive change to last season in which the first six weeks of this post meant providing content in response to nothing but losses, the Eels opening round victory meant I could consider genuine positives.

Undoubtedly, beating our local rivals and getting the two points is pleasing, but the win meant much more. From the stands four moments stood out.

Those minutes either side of half time are often the time when the momentum of the game can change. With 3 minutes to go in the first half the Eels turned the ball over. My first thought was here we go again, we’re about to let them score just before half time.

That didn’t happen. The players dug in and turned them away for two sets. That spoke volumes about the Eels mindset and attitude in this game. It’s only round 1 but you’d much rather see this resilience than the capitulation evidenced at the start of the 2018 season.

Dylan Brown

The second pleasing moment was the beautiful try to seal the game. In isolation that try looks simple but it was set up in the previous 77 minutes. All day Dylan Brown went short to Lane but not this time. When the match was in the balance we delivered the knockout via an alternate play. We outsmarted them, with pure, well planned patience and it was wonderful to see.

My third moment was Mitchell Moses and his two cover tackles on Campbell-Gillard and Blake. In truth they were not his tackles to make, and yet they are. Helping your mates is the hallmark of good teams. Staying in the contest, in chases, in every moment, is what quality NRL players need to do. Moses found that when the team needed it most.

Finally the most pleasing moment for me came with 13:12 to go on the clock. Dylan Brown kicks to the corner, Jennings puts Dallin Watene-Zelezniak into touch. That play showed composure, skill and game smarts by a young man and it showed a great attitude and desire by one of our most senior and important players.

For me, the kick and its chase summed up the Eels match, from the moment we received the kick-off. In truth, it represented everything the Eels did not have last year.

After the Cowboys game at the end of last season, I wrote that no one automatically deserves to play in the Parra jersey. They have to earn it. On Sunday they did and I dare say Sunday was a reflection  on what they’ve done in the Pre Season.

Looking ahead to the Bulldogs this Sunday, we need Parra to produce another round of the same great attitude, especially in defence. That will be indicative of a deeper mindset rather than simply getting up for the opening match of the year.

Shaun Lane

But I most look forward to seeing our attack develop. Having attacking options on both the right and left edge, most notably with Lane and Marata, opens up the field for us. As our teamwork develops, which will take time, we will be less predictable in attack. From the stands, it will make “Parra footy” much more exciting and enjoyable.

Finally, I also cannot wait to see Junior Paulo back in our team. His departure did not sit well with me, and consequently I’m very happy he’s back home, in the blue and gold, where he belongs.

So bring on the Bulldogs – my favourite game of the year! It will be tough and willing, these games always are. But my family and I will go with renewed hope and faith in our team because they deserve it.

Shelley

 

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11 thoughts on “From The Stands – Penrith Reflections, Bulldogs Anticipation

  1. Matthew Sweeney

    This question is largely academic and is not to be construed as negativity . But I cant stop thinking that Dylans pass to lane and then lanes pass to Jennings were both forward. Any feedback appreciated.

    1. BDon

      Both flat for sure, but short passes done at speed, each player doing something creative to break what looked like tight, organised defence.
      I didn’t see any complaints from Panthers ( other than grounding), probably because they got done in a wink..’geez, what happened there?’ From memory only, the ball didn’t get thrown in front of Jennings, he turned sideways and fumbled, and Brown to Lane was so short, soft hands, in traffic, it just looked good.
      Shelley, great highlights, here’s to many more!

      1. Matthew Sweeney

        Thanks for that , flat and fast would account for it and as u say none of the panthers complained. Cheers.

        1. Shelley

          To be honest I was to happy to even consider the passes as being borderline. I guess because I didn’t see the Panthers complain I didn’t even think about it.

          1. sixties

            I hadn’t even considered it. Normally, if we get away with one, my immediate thought is “Geez we were lucky there.”
            I didn’t get that at all. Still don’t after replays.

  2. Trouser Eel

    It was a tough gig with your From The Stands articles last year. Let’s hope we get to read a good deal more like this. thanks

  3. Jim

    The Panthers made a lot of errors on the weekend, however the bulldogs had the best completion rate of any team so taking opportunities when presented must be taken. The Dogs would have put a lot of effort into their defence for the next game & they would be hurting after what happened last weekend. I hope we don’t take them lightly & if we get a run on I hope we show no mercy.

    1. shelley

      I agree absolutely. In some ways getting motivated for last week was easy, they had the entire off season to get ready for that game and to listen to everyone say how hopeless and pointless the team was. In the past these are the sort of games we struggle with. We often play ‘down’ to the level of the opposition. I sense this team has changed, this weekend will go some way towards saying if this is true. We have to be patient in attack. The Bulldogs will eventually make mistakes and misreads in defense, if we are willing to keep asking them questions.

      1. sixties

        I think you’ve nailed something there Shelley, and it’s another thing I might borrow for the match day discussion. Even in 2017, we had a tendency to play down to our opponents level. We can’t afford this.

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