The Cumberland Throw

From The Stands – Delivering

I was probably like many Parra fans before the game on Sunday. According to the team list, the premiership table and form I knew we really should beat the Dragons, but as we know, what we should do and what actually happens is anything but predictable for our Eels.

It was not the prettiest win, but it showed a side to our team we have not often seen in the past 18 months.

Away from home, with calls going against us and giving up some cheap ball, we managed to win the big moments. We made the crucial tackles and most pleasingly, we showed the ability to turn momentum at the most opportune times.

The Eels delivered what they needed to do.

I have no doubt at all that we can score points against any team and on Sunday we showed some backbone defensively and it is certainly a platform to build from. We are not perfect, nor are we at the level of the top few teams yet, but we are becoming more reliable, with players staying in role and doing their job.

From the stands last Sunday it was obvious to see that, sometimes, a returning player does more for those around them. Michael Jennings’ return was obviously good for him, but the benefit for Dylan Brown and Sivo was obvious for all to see.

Jenko

Jennings must be extremely good with communication in defence, as a glaring weakness for us since his injury looked safe and secure once again. While Jennings will take time to get back into attacking form his defensive skill was very much welcomed.

The most pleasing aspect for me from the game was the ability to stay composed and play as a team. We saw players step up and meet the Dragons pack – Paulo and Evans in particular had strong games.

But in truth it is simply pleasing to see our boys playing as one. I have said it a few times this year, but the ability to reconnect and find our unity as a team this year is a credit to all the staff and players.

I personally look forward to this week as it will be the second game this year my grandfather will be attending. The last one was that amazing Easter Monday game. The trip up to Sydney is a big one for him but he loves league and his beloved Eels. My love for Parra and league comes from him and I am sure my family will be like many others this week in enjoying our day at the footy, watching three grades and simply being grateful that we are very much still in this competition as too often in our past Parra has been finished by this time of the season.

We are playing a team we normally struggle with. But this year we have begun to meet some of those struggles head on and I have faith this Saturday will be no different as we turn up to take on the Knights. This time however we can give the Knights an experience they normally give others, we will be the ones with a vocal home crowd getting behind the team.

Turn up in big numbers Parra fans, this team is showing us they deserve our support. Let’s deliver the noise.

Shelley

 

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5 thoughts on “From The Stands – Delivering

  1. Rob

    How sweet will be our revenge to deliver unto the Knights as they do unto us, ie a right hiding in front of, as you say, a parochial home crowd!? I always dread when we play the Knights, unlike teams like Manly or Bulldogs or even Panthers where we can look forward to those games knowing that Parra will dig in and almost always have a fair shot at winning, the Knights seem to have a power over us that we just can’t shake.

    Are we playing under Perineum, I mean Perenara this weekend? I read something about Newcastle having a terrible record under him, and I know he’s not our favourite either but the enemy of my enemy is my friend, you know?

    I reckon Parra should win this one comfortably and I’m a little scared that I’ve said that now.

    Parra forever!!!!!

    1. Rob

      Nah, I checked, it’s not Perenara refereeing this game. It is Adam Gee, Jon Stone, Liam Nicholls and Jeff Younis… I don’t know those refs.

    2. shelley

      We need to stop the Knights making ground around the marker and then we will be fine. They know how to play us and we need to counteract it. It is a good test, not because I think the Knights are good, but because we are playing a team with a style that worries us. If we want to grow and become better as a team both for the rest of this season and moving forward next year we need to learn to be able to adapt our game.

      I normally don’t have any confidence playing the Knights, even in the spoon years for them we lost, but surprisingly this week I am confident, I think the home crowd could make a difference. Stop them early, even if we give away a few penalties and we should be right. I would hope Terepo comes onto the bench because we have lacked some real punch the last few weeks when our starting middles have left the field.

  2. BDon

    Yes Shelley, the Knights will try the blitz again but i also think we’ll do better this time. They (and the Raiders) adapted to the no-whistle, let’s have a fast game regime, I don’t think the refs are as lenient now. Also,one of their star recruits has been publicly sledged by their admin ‘ there’s the door, just slip on through it…’. Not sure if that stuff works for team mojo, but they do have some serious players.

    1. Shelley

      I agree. History tells us we should be worried but I am strangely confident. The situation at the Knights is puzzling. There must be more to it, because no club can pick him up for the rest of this year so therefore deal with it after the season. The fact they sent him packing immediately tells me there is some player unrest. We know how bad that is for a team.

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