The Cumberland Throw

Bumpers Up – June 25, 2021: Debuts And Acknowledgements

 

How do you feel about stand-alone Origin weekends?

When it’s a full representative weekend, I really enjoy it. Women’s Origin on Friday night, Pacific nations tests on Saturday, Origin on Sunday – my footy fix is satisfied.

The missing Saturday component this year can’t be helped. Yet strangely enough, that one missing day from the schedule has me noticing the absence of Parra from my weekend even more.

Of course, there’s still plenty to discuss on the Eels front. Even enough to get us through a two week hiatus.

Acknowledging the quality people associated with our club will be a big focus.

Pass me that ball – it’s Bumpers Up time!

Sean’s A Sure Thing

His NRL debut was definitely ahead of schedule, and he’s probably destined to drop back to NSW Cup in the next round, but Parra supporters will be watching plenty of Sean Russell in the years to come.

As far as debuts are concerned, the young Eels flyer did all that was expected of him. He held his wing in both attack and defence, and placed an exclamation point on the game with a late try double.

Sean Russell (image NRL.com)

After the match, he expressed his pride and his excitement about coming through the junior pathways to make his NRL debut in the Blue and Gold.

Sean’s early introduction to senior footy might be on the wing, but I reckon you’ll find him closer to the action as time goes by. He’s made a mark in juniors and school footy in the custodian role, and has been a member of the spine group receiving mentoring from Joey Johns.

It’s already been a massive year for NRL and club debuts at the Eels. Of the 26 players to take the field this season, new faces such as Isaiah Papali’i, Bryce Cartwright, Tom Opacic, Keegan Hipgrave, Nathaniel Roache and Joey Lussick have worn the Blue and Gold in the NRL for the first time. They’ve been joined by top grade debutants Wiremu Greig, Jake Arthur and Sean Russell.

How long will we have to wait for the next debut? Is your money on Will Penisini, Makehesi Makatoa or Elie El-Zakhem?

I reckon at least one of them will get a taste before the season is over.

 

Class Act From Roache

It would have been easy for Nathaniel Roache to rush off after Sunday’s game against the Bulldogs.

Nathaniel Roache (photo credit Eels media)

The joy of his first game of NRL since round 15 in 2019 would have been somewhat soured by a luckless knee injury midway through the second half.

However, after emerging from the sheds, the latest Eels debutant was told that a special supporter had been waiting to get his autograph. Roache was only too happy to meet and chat with this fan, sign his cards and take some photos.

It’s terrific when club recruits are both talented players and quality people.

On a side note, the smile on that supporter’s face was even bigger when premiership winning coach John Monie, and 1981 Eels fullback Steve McKenzie, also took some photos with him.

Good men, all of them!

 

Keegan The Key?

If you’re an Eels supporter who believes in good luck charms, then it’s likely that you’re already well aware of Keegan Hipgrave’s 2021 record.

Keegan Hipgrave

Since arriving in the golden west, the Queensland recruit is yet to lose an NRL game in Parra colours. That’s seven wins from seven starts.

Though he’s yet to notch up long minutes off the bench, Hipgrave has done everything asked of him in each one of those matches. He’s backed that up with strong performances as a starting forward when selected in NSW Cup.

The club recently took up its 2022 option on the versatile forward, extending his stay in the Blue and Gold for at least another 12 months.

Having depth and competition for places in the pack is proving to be the cornerstone of this Eels team.

It’s tremendous to see players like Keegan being locked in for next year.

 

The Riff Await

I’ve said it many times in the past, and I’ll repeat it again here, I’m more than happy for Parra to fly under the radar.

Despite sitting in the top four throughout this season, the Eels have rarely featured in serious discussions about title contenders. Sportsbet’s resident media tipster even publicly labelled the Blue and Golds “flat track bullies” during last week’s promos.

There’s no denying that the Panthers and the Storm have been in rare form this season. They are the gold standard.

What shouldn’t be overlooked, especially by Eels fans, is that those teams sit just one win ahead of Parra on the ladder.

The challenge begins next Friday at Penrith. The Panthers will be deserved favourites, but I rate our team as a genuine chance.

 

The Coach’s Century

Last weekend brought up 100 wins for Eels coach Brad Arthur.  When BA took the reins as head coach, that wooden spoon had been sitting not so proudly in the Eels trophy cabinet for the previous two years.

The Eels now sit on the verge of qualifying for their fourth finals series from the past five years. Arthur’s record over the last two and a half seasons sits at 42 wins and 21 losses, or roughly a 67% win rate.

If Arthur can maintain that winning percentage, the Eels will be well placed moving forward. By way of comparison, Trent Robinson’s career record at the Roosters sits at around 65%.

Brad Arthur

The recent struggles of the Dragons, Bulldogs, Tigers, Knights, Titans, and Broncos demonstrate that if your club finds itself regularly languishing in the bottom half of the table, that the climb back up the ladder is a long process.

Despite what some critics might argue, Parra has been transformed into one of the most consistent teams in the NRL. The Eels have not fallen out of the top 8 in any round since the first round of the 2019 season.

Our coach has been a driving force in this achievement.

 

Importance Of Family

Rugby league players often speak of the roles that their families play in their junior football days.

From transporting them to training and game days, to extra practice and simply being their greatest supporters, it’s now common to hear the stars acknowledge the importance of their loved ones.

And in the stadiums, or watching from home, are countless families for whom football and the team they follow is a family tradition.

Of course, in no way am I suggesting that family support is the exclusive domain of sport. However, like any other pursuit, having someone who is there for you can be critical in achieving goals.

Ice with his parents Jerry and Lorina after Sunday’s game

Fans have witnessed the friends and families of Eels debutants cheering from the stands. Players such as Jake Arthur, Keegan Hipgrave and Isaiah Papali’i have loved ones who have travelled from interstate or overseas to cheer them on.

As a football site that covers the Eels from Junior Reps to the NRL, The Cumberland Throw has been in a privileged position over many years to see that sort of support up close, and in turn, to see the value that our club increasingly places on family.

We’ve been fortunate to meet the families of players and staff, from pathways to NRL. It’s something that we are appreciative of and something that we will never take for granted.

Long may our club be a family one.

 

Chris Jurd

The Cumberland Throw was saddened to learn of the passing of PLC and Eels Life Member, Chris Jurd.

The former Director was a passionate supporter, historian and servant of the Football Club and the Leagues Club. Earlier this year, Chris was awarded Life Membership of PLC via membership vote. The “yes” return of just on 91% of voters was a measure of the respect in which he was held.

In recent years I had a number of conversations with Chris at Old Saleyards and at AGMs. That said, I prefer to leave the tributes to those who knew him better than I.

Some of those people have already been in touch with me to express how much he will be missed.

We extend our sympathies to Chris Jurd’s family and friends.

Eels forever!

Sixties

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12 thoughts on “Bumpers Up – June 25, 2021: Debuts And Acknowledgements

  1. Shaun

    BA said that his plan was that the team would not be playing its best footy till end of the season. While plenty of improvement left I reckon they can really take it to Penrith. A few more hoodoos to be vanquished before the season is over.

    1. sixties Post author

      Well said. Penrith will be difficult to beat on their home turf. Whether we win or lose, there’s still a long way to go in this comp.

  2. John Eel

    In today’s Telegraph, Penrith announced that all tickets sold to date, which I believe is a sellout, Will be refunded. A limited number of tickets will then be offered to Panthers members.

    Pretty disappointing.

    1. Anonymous

      Very unfortunate. I had been lucky enough to secure a box ticket via a mate. I assume that nobody will be attending now.

      1. John Eel

        A box may be different. Keep your fingers crossed. The 4 square metres rule will apply I think

  3. Dave Humphreys

    Great to hear about young Nathaniel Roache, hopefully the bruising on his knee doesn’t keep him out for long. Hearing these sort of stories make you want to see the young man excel in the Blue and Gold.

    On Sean Russell. I have seen him since Harold Matts where he started out as a goal-kicking centre. He’s been moved all around the backline and no matter the number on his back he always puts in massive amounts of effort. That determination and his natural talent will hopefully see him be a life-long Eel along with his other teammates from the Rouse Hill Rhinos. Keep going young fella, we’re all cheering for you.

    1. sixties Post author

      Well said mate. Spoke to some of the young Eels after the game – Loizou and Penisini. The first thing they wanted to talk about was Sean. They really do celebrate each other’s successes.

  4. BDon

    No prizes for this, Penrith will not be beaten by any team which goes into an error funk for 20 minutes. They run and tackle too hard and fast, plus Cleary’s decision making and kicking, to be gifted ball and territory. There’s the challenge, we’re up to it but have to start showing greater consistency at the caper.

    1. sixties Post author

      If Penrith maintain their high standards (forget their losses without Origin players) it will be a major achievement. How many teams play premiership winning, high energy footy for an entire season? If they do it, I’ll tip my hat to them.
      penrith and Parra have the toughest draws in the NRL. If either win, it will be well and truly earned.

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