What a strange week.
It seems incongruous to report feeling frustrated in a week which delivered great results, but that’s exactly how the past seven days in PARRAdise impacted me.
The Eels club were scattered far and wide in their venues across the weekend – different locations, different days. My frustration as a supporter is one thing, the demands on staff trying to attend matches must be something else.
Without cloning technology, it’s just not feasible for supporters to dedicate the time required to attend three grades plus junior reps across multiple locations on different days. For staff, including passionate volunteers, it’s a huge ask, if not impossible.
What made the scheduling of this past round difficult to accept, was that the Flegg, Canterbury Cup and NRL teams were each playing Cronulla affiliated teams.
The weekend results put a smile on plenty of faces, but as the dust settled, the focus shifted to Eels contracts and a little unease began to kick in.
Wouldn’t it be nice to kick back, free from any concerns!
Enough of the grumpy old man.
Here’s how the past week has panned out.
Friday
The Eels conclude their preparations for the Sharks with a Captain’s Run at Old Saleyards. I leave training quite confident of victory.
Why?
Earlier in the week, my thoughts on the game had fluctuated. The record against the Sharks was poor and there was the risk of a psychological let down after the Roosters loss. I thought that the training earlier in the week was a little low in energy.
But the energy built as the week progressed and at the Captain’s run, the vibe was fantastic. The boys looked ready to go. Arthur and his staff had managed the team perfectly following the loss, building the team back up throughout the week.
Saturday
This was a huge day with matches across various venues. The Junior Reps were away to Newcastle in the final round of their competitions.
The Harold Matthews (28 to 6) and Tarsha Gale (48 to 4) teams suffered heavy defeats. The Matts poor differential proved costly, with the side failing to qualify for the finals. A much improved season for the Tarsha Gale girls sees them playing finals football next week.
Farewelling ANZ in style.
The SG Ball team ended their recent run of outs with a 24 to nil victory over the Knights confirming a top 4 placing. The young Eels take on a quality Sea Eagles team at Lottoland on Saturday. A number of players in both teams will be renewing the hostilities from the 2018 Matts Grand Final. It should be a top match
Unfortunately, the Jersey Flegg team suffered their third loss in getting thumped 38 to 4 by the top placed Sharks at McCredie Park in Guildford. Injuries, a sin bin and more dropped ball all contributed to a second half collapse as the young Eels turned in their worst result of 2019. I’m confident that the boys will commence a run of victories soon enough.
Winning the Jonny Mannah Cup
The Eels final home game at ANZ Stadium turned into a night of celebrations with a 24 to 12 victory in front of just over eleven thousand spectators.
The first half was played at a frenetic pace as the Eels carved up the Sharks defence line. Only determined scrambling from Cronulla prevented the score from blowing out. Indeed that fighting spirit from the Shire boys saw them draw level on the scoreboard just after half time.
In contrast, the second half became a demonstration of game management from Parra as Mitch Moses made maximum use of limited possession with an astute kicking display.
The victory ended a five game losing streak against the Sharks and kept the Eels in the Top 8 after round 4.
Sunday
Bevan French had an absolute day out as the Wenty Magpies turned on some magic at Ringrose Park, disposing the Newtown Jets 42 to 10. The Sharks feeder team had a few changes resulting from the top grade withdrawals whereas the Magpies were bolstered by the inclusion of Eels players not required for the NRL clash.
Ray Stone
A switch to the halves proved to be the catalyst for Bevan’s five star performance. The Eels speedster had the ball on a string with a kicking game which delivered two individual tries and a further three try assists.
All of the Wenty team turned in great games, with the Eels contracted players particularly impressive. The highlights can be viewed here. Ray Stone continued to remind Brad Arthur that he’s ready for a call up with a ferocious defensive display and two tries of his own. No doubt he wouldn’t let anybody down judging by his 2019 form.
In a bizarre mirroring of his brother’s recent misfortune, George Jennings found himself on report, in the sin bin and ultimately suspended after a tackle went horribly wrong. Has there been any other sin bins resulting from tackles this year apart from the Jennings brothers? I can’t recall any.
Monday
The media continue to turn up the heat on Eels management regarding the contracts of Brad Arthur and a host of Eels players.
Moses is one of the stars off contract at season’s end.
As usual, Arthur deflects the questions on his own situation, reiterating his passion for the club and emphasising that his focus is on his job, not on his contract. I’ve never wavered from my opinion that BA is the man to lead this club into the future. I trust that the club will confirm this in the coming weeks.
Just as important on the contract front are the signatures of Gutherson and Moses. Gutherson’s situation has received the most attention, with Eels management reportedly low balling the King with their early offers, and his agent declaring that the Parra captain might have to open himself up to outside offers in the near future.
Our own Shelley tackled the issue in her From The Stands post, writing that securing Gutherson to a new deal is non-negotiable. Undoubtedly, Eels fans want to see these matters settled and removed from media speculation so that we can just focus on the great start to the season.
Tuesday
Team list Tuesday sees the team remain unchanged for the trip to the ACT. In positive news, David Gower looks to have recovered from his injury and he’s named on an extended bench.
BankWest Stadium under lights.
Training begins in front of the gathered media at Saleyards, and the team move through skill drills and attacking structures. After the session concludes, a host of interviews are conducted by select players.
Later in the day, another media blitz at BankWest Stadium highlights it’s grandeur at night. Mainstream and social media are now abuzz with images from inside the venue, capturing the attention of the punters and the pundits alike.
Wednesday
How good is this jersey!
The Eels Indigenous jersey is unveiled. It’s a unique design, with Blake Ferguson, Josh Hoffman, Bevan French and Will Smith playing significant roles in the concept. Each of the four have their heritage represented on the jersey via the totems of their people. The Parramatta region is depicted with acknowledgement to the Dharug and local landmarks.
On the back of the impressive victory over the Sharks, seven Eels earn a spot in the NRL.com team of the week. Gutherson, Ferguson, Jennings and Moses were listed in the backline, with Niukore, Paulo and Mahoney named in the pack.
Thursday
The major training session of the week is completed with an opposed session being the feature. Injured Eels, Will Smith and Manu Ma’u were running in the rehab group, whilst Nathan Brown, his arm still in a sling, undertook more leisurely circuits of the field.
Only the Captain’s run remains in the countdown to the Raiders clash. The Eels have an abysmal record in the Nation’s capital and breaking the run of losses down south will be a significant achievement.
It will be a 6pm kick off on Sunday under what is predicted to be cloudy, wet conditions and a temperature of around 10 degrees. That said, footy is a winter sport and this looks like an early prelude.
Reminder
Don’t forget that you have two opportunities to view BankWest Stadium in the coming week. Sunday is the community open day, and it’s followed up by the open training session next Wednesday evening.
See you there.
Eels forever!
Sixties
I managed to swap shifts so that I’m working Sunday morning instead of Sunday evening just so I can be home with my iPad and NRL app to watch Parra play and hopefully beat the Raiders! I’m so excited. 4 out of 5 would be sensational!
I’m really confident this week, just trying to determine my margin for the preview post.
Good post overall sixties.
The season is getting exciting, and while my viewing is restricted to the box or streaming, at least I can see the game,
Again I am confident but not overly, an 8 point win should be fine for me. Reading the team sheet, would this be the first game of the year where the same team has been picked in a row?
It will be a huge game come Sunday, with the tigers winning at Suncorp tonight our new headquarters match will be a beauty, especially with two ex eels in the side and Twal playing big minutes and doing very well in the 70 odd minutes of the game.
Matterson also is settling in well there/
Actually Colin, there are four ex-Eels in the Tigers side, not just Matterson and Twal. Like those two, Eisenhuth and Aloiai both played lower grades for Parra before moving on.
They’ve all done well. But that said, I am happy with the players in the Eels pack and the players coming through. To give perspective, our current forwards are missing Brown and Ma’u, and Stone can’t force his way in at the moment and I really rate him. Add Stefano and Salesi who are future first graders and it’s a packed pack!
Of those Tigers players, I like Aloiai. He’s very aggressive. Eisenhuth is a testimony to never giving up and Twal has a good motor. Matterson became a better player after moving from Parra. His last year, which was at Wenty (straight out of NYC) was diabolical. He was a talent in NYC but looked like he didn’t adjust to playing senior footy. But some people thrive when they change clubs. Sometimes it’s a wake up call. Regardless, he has to be congratulated for taking his chances at the Roosters and now Wests.
As for our team sheet, I think you are correct. It’s a nice change.
I was sorry to see Twal go but he’s making a mark for the tigers and played big minutes. As you say I believe the players we have in the lower grades are our future, Stone is one but if he cannot force his way into the team, he could be another one lost to us – sadly
I’d like to think we’ll keep Stone Colin.
Morning mate
Thursday here – good recap of last week. I’m never confident abt Canberra but we have a good chance to sneak up on them; have to stay in the contest for the full 80.
It will be a huge test. But we can prevail.
I hope they are focussed and not already thinking abt the following game.
Yet again we are out of favour with the experts. I am happy with that of course. However with the fan poll it is Eels 1 to 10 as the favoured way.
Does this mean that the fans are better judges than the experts or the Eels just have a lot of supporters.
Bearing in mind that the experts have not been good this season picking winners in Eels games.
You cannot blame the experts for avoiding us. We were diabolical last year. But no longer. This team will stick out the 80 min. Till the last play. Even when down, like the maroon forward Price, hitting the line hard with 40 seconds to go and the blues up by something like 30 points. that is the mentality required.
Very proud of that change ten year. The key in this is the first 20. The Raiders love that period. Get over them or hold them there and you’re a big chance.
I noticed the same thing John. Of course the players don’t read polls – see this weekends results. The boys are a very happy group at the moment. Winning will do that.
Been off the air for a couple of days due to internet failure mate. Putting this reply up from my phone. We’ve looked focussed mate. Match day is where it counts.