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It is a brave new world for Sixties and Forty20 as they bring you this episode of The Tip Sheet on location at the home of the Eels – right from the green on Eels’ Lane! Just a precautionary word, brave new worlds come with plenty of gremlins in the system, so please excuse us for some issues with reverb this week.
This week features a packed ticket as the boys open up the show with a lengthy chat to Joey Grima as the club insider breaks down the triple homestand against the Steelers on the weekend. With a win in the Matts, a loss in the Tarsha Gale and a draw in the SG Ball there is plenty to discuss as Joey brings his footy acumen and nous to the table.
The fellas blitz through the results from the weekend before they are joined by another special guest in Mary Konstantopoulos. The founder of Ladies Who League and a dyed-in-the-wool Parra supporter drops by to chat with the boys. They talk about the rise and rise of LWL and just how reaching Mary’s impact has been across women’s sport. Mary’s interest in barracking for the underdog players is revealed and the trio discuss where that all stemmed from before they finish the discussion by assessing Parra’s prospects in 2021.
The show closes with various pieces of housekeeping, from a rumoured Mitchell Moses extension to an actual upgrade and extension to young centre Will Penisini. The Leagues Club elections are still running so be sure to vote before 5PM on March 10th and lastly – check out the new documentary by Adam Hawse and the NRL that just dropped on the Eels’ 1986 triumph!
Hey guys just a question if other clubs bring in players that train with nrl squad in sg ball. Why don’t they bring back Jacob Arthur. I’m not a fan of players moving within different teams they should keep certain players into there age bracket teams .
Jake is on a development contract. That means he is required to train full time with the NRL squad.
Great podcast Grima & Mary were good communicators and good listening.
I really like the way Jake Arthur looked in the first trial and think he’s the future.
Not sure what to make of the halves swapping sides. In my opinion Brown swapping to the right will make that side more of a threat as teams are putting more emphasis at stopping Sivo on the left. It’s more for a more balanced attacking line.
Thanks mate. I guess it will take a few rounds to see how the new combinations work, or rather if they do. I reckon a big part of the equation for Dylan’s side of the field is how well Shaun Lane adjusts.
Really enjoyed that podcastt 60s thank you, mate r u able to tell me why 29 listed contracted players weren’t announced on March 1 is it now or later date because today they have announced 28 players which includes Jennings what’s the story here it’s so confusing so Parramatta like at times
I believe that the NRL changed it to 28 players by that start of March.
Hasn’t the full thirty gone back to August. Previously it was June 30
Yes, a team can add to their squad up till then. Apparently it’s been met with widespread approval – does it open the door for insane last minute signings on minimal money eg Cam Smith?
Tks guys. A big thing from the trial was we didn’t seem all at sea when Penrith shifted wide, fingers crossed. A couple of back to back 6 agains late was the difference in first half. Apparently they went 5-0 against us in this half.
Guest speakers were great, my granddaughter knows Mary K and thinks she’s a force, and a nice person.
Thanks BDon. Let’s your grand daughter know she’ll be back for another appearance with us in a fortnight.
Yet another great listen guys. Sixties , you touched on our line speed or lack of it during the trial. I believe this is due to us not winning the wrestle. As much as we hate the wrestle, it is a part of the game however we have never really done it or be good at it. We have always tackled the ball carrier and allowed them to fall on Thier stomach which in turn allows a quick play the ball and makes it hard to generate any line speed. All of the top teams put the ball carrier on thier backs. I thought Penrith were also allowed to lay in the tackles a bit longer and were often off side or leaving early in defence. I also noticed last year and in the trial that when a ball carrier is within 10m of the side line, they don’t tackle them to the ground. They hold the ball carrier up and get a few guys in and carry them over the side line.
As a result I think there should be time during the week spent on studying the referee for that week. They all have different interpretations of the new rules and any advantage around this area could be the difference between a win and a loss.
Thanks guys
Thanks Sparky. I wish that we could consider that certain referees were consistent in their interpretations. Don’t you find it frustrating that one team in a match seems to be able to hold down in a tackle, whilst another is penalised quicker? Look at Klein last week. We observed the Panthers being faster in the play the ball, faster with their own line speed. Yet, guess which team was penalised in those areas? Those who wear sports ears have reported to me that they can hear refs speak differently to certain players or teams. If that is the case, are refs working on their own tip sheet in their preps? If so, is that appropriate?
It goes without saying that like all teams, the Eels work on the tackle/wrestle. I don’t think clubs like to call it a wrestle any more. No teams want to give away six agains, so it’s about having enough control for your players to get out of the tackle and into position, not allowing a rapid play the ball, but not giving away a penalty. As you note, some teams have more success. But when that happens – in my opinion – you often see them getting away with something that the ref has previously penalised.
I agree with you about how we stand there. I observed multiple times last year and reported it on TCT, that our average play the ball speed was significantly slower than the opposition – I reckon we were faster twice. Yet we were around neutral in six agains. In one game we were faster but got hammered in the calls. So despite being quite fast in getting off the tackle, we were still being penalised as much as the opposition. Maybe it’s a case of the answer is a pineapple?
I agree with both comments. On the panthers line speed, since Cleary has come back it is very noticeable that they play with a short 10m.
I am pretty sure that there has been a discussion on TCT previously about this and suggestions of kicking in behind them were put forward
Mitchell did it last year against the Tigers which resulted in a try
Yes, the Tigers tried to play that uptempo speed, especially with Harry Grant in their team. However, they would burn out in some games and you could get them. They were also susceptible to that kick behind as you pointed out. Will be interesting as to whether teams try it against the Riff.
Sparky and sixties. All of the above. My keyboard laziness stopped me from posting similar. I watch all games closely and I regularly feel like it’s more about the infringing that is not pulled up. You don’t have to watch the tape again to know the number of times the second last peel off Panther had taken 2 or 3 steps back to the D line before the last guy released. If the first half infringing was 5-0 against us, then we should have gotten 5 as well because the big picture look to me was that we were no way worse than the opposition. Klein just chose to raise his hand in the late fatigue window when defenders are squeezing the last out of their mind and body. I never saw any blatantly bad non-releases (think Felice Kaufusi Qld and Storm), they were hair trigger and paid no respect to last ditch effort.
Yes BDon, and it was very confusing, especially as there was no 6 again sound for the crowd. I think the Riff’s first try came on the back of about 15-16 tackles. If not, it felt that way! 😁
Don’t know if this has been mentioned elsewhere, but watching the tries of 2020, seemed the majority of them involved Jennings. As good as Opacic is defensively , here is obviously a major issue losing Jenko.
Still, that’s something a lot of teams have to overcome when an influential player retires/moves on, can only hope we have that covered as we move through the season.
Without question, Jenko was influential in both attack and defence. His poor form in 2018 was, I believe a contributing factor in our poor season, whilst his outstanding form of the past two seasons helped to lift our results. However we can only look forward and Opacic might prove to offer something different that is also influential for the team.
Hi Sixties the tigers looking strong in trials Do you think they will be above the Eels in the ladder. ??
I expect the Eels to play finals footy Jimbob. I can’t see the Tigers doing so.
I know it is a bit late but I finally caught up with the latest tip sheet and I enjoyed it as usual. Both guest speakers were quality and great to hear from them.
Voting complete. I just don’t see any need for change when we are getting good outcomes like we are.
The club I believe is in a good spot with the change in signing deadlines announced by the NRL.
While dealing with the MJ situation is complicated and puts us at a disadvantage, the signing of Will Penisini was a good outcome for both the team and supporters.
Having said that I can’t make up my mind if it was done to keep other clubs at bay or they think that they may use him in the NRL early in the season. I have to imagine there was interest from
other clubs.
Cheers John. I reckon it’s going to be a big year for the Tip Sheet and TCT. As for Penisini, I reckon it’s a case of both being a factor. An injury to Oldfield has dropped the Eels stocks in the outside backs. What would the Eels do if either Blake or Opacic are unavailable. If it’s early in the season, would they consider Will? I can’t answer that.
I get a sense that their hand has been forced a bit by the injury to Oldfield but I would not be surprised to learn that others were looking at him
Furthermore, the teams had to name 28-30 players on March 1. It was either sign someone they didn’t really want or secure a player of the future.