Finally the Eels returned to the winners’ list.
There was no street parade.
No dancing in the streets.
In retrospect we should have taken our last opportunity to perform some sort of victory jig outside of our front doors, because we’ll be breaking curfew laws from here on in.
But I digress.
I reckon most of us simply breathed a sigh of relief after the Eels broke that run of five losses with victory over the Cowboys.
Nobody is glossing over the enormity of what lies ahead, especially with the Eels mounting injury toll.
The greatest challenge still stares us squarely in the face. And like always, there’s plenty to discuss.
It’s Bumpers Up time.
Stop The Presses – Proposed Rule Change
I cannot understate both my fury and frustration when reading this morning’s news.
The Sydney Morning Herald’s Adrian Proszenko has reported that a proposed and controversial rule change might be trialled in the final round of the premiership.
This rule is apparently the “brainchild” of legendary Balmain player Wayne Pearce. He proposes that deliberate kicks into touch should result in a seven tackle set. That’s right, finding touch with a kick – be it an unsuccessful 40/20 attempt or a kick for field position – will gift seven tackles to the opposition.
Is this part of a grand master plan to create a football code where the foot is not allowed to come into contact with the ball?
Tactical kicking is part of the fabric of rugby league. Kicking for field position, to slow the play or to get rests are all valid tactics. I cannot get my head around the removal of smart play from our game. Honestly, where is the code heading?
It’s bad enough that scrums from touch finders have been removed and replaced by robotic play the balls. Seven tackle sets from 20m restarts are already a huge advantage. How many kickers will be game to attempt 40/20s if the cost of failure is a seven tackle set from inside your own half?
I’m going to call it as it needs to be called. This is one of the dumbest proposed rule changes I’ve ever heard. Actually, it’s an insult to people who love the game.
Leave our game alone!
The Mindset Value Of Victory
How many of you let rip with an expletive laden rant when Nathan Brown dropped the ball in the first set of the match?
I’m holding up my hand.
Fortunately, the players’ heads didn’t drop. The body language stayed positive. The first test for some semblance of mental fortitude was passed.
When talking with Matty Johns on the Thursday night before the game, George Burgess viewed the encounter as a lose/lose scenario. The Eels weren’t going to get any credit from a victory, but the fall out from a loss would be catastrophic.
After the previous week’s disaster against Manly, Brad Arthur suggested that he might change things up during the next week of training. As it turned out, he lightened the load, freeing up the players with a day off.
It reminded me somewhat of the coaching team’s approach to training over the early years of BA’s tenure. The players weren’t in a good head space after back to back spoons, and the coaches looked for ways for the players to have fun at training. Different games would be played as they mixed things up. The result was the squad enjoying their training and each other’s company.
Gutho
Over recent seasons, I’ve watched the training load being adjusted in the back half of the season. Perhaps the players needed an extra freshen up this year – that’s impossible for me to say without being to witness it right now.
Regardless, there were a number of players, including Gutho, who had been playing like they had the weight of the world on their shoulders. From the opening whistle against the Cowboys, despite some early errors, the body language of the team was much better.
There’s much more needed going forward, but it was a good starting point for a team who was unquestionably struggling with a negative mindset.
The Spine Tapped In
Still on the Cowboy’s match, the input of the spine was worth a closer examination.
As much as each of those four players deserved criticism for their form in the previous week, so too should they be praised for their contributions in a victory.
The quality of the opposition aside, this victory was engineered by the four players that hold the team’s fortunes in their hands.
Clint Gutherson had his most involved game in over a month. In previous weeks, the King had failed to impose himself around the ruck – something that is his greatest strength. Against the Cows, he was continually pushing up through the middle, and the reward was the try off the Dunster centre kick.
Mitch Moses
For the first time since returning from injury, Mitch Moses ran the ball. The bloke is one of the fastest halves in the premiership, and when he runs the Eels ask far more questions of the defence. The line break which set up Will Penisini’s try was the perfect example of what he can deliver.
Dylan Brown’s game was closer to his best. I regarded it as one of his “busiest” performances of the season. In addition to his contribution in attack – not just possessions, but also “selling” potential involvement – Dylbags made 33 tackles without a miss and was rewarded with a try for a terrific kick chase.
Finally, Joey Lussick lifted his dummy half play. He asked questions with the occasional run, and mixed his passes. We saw evidence of him taking the ball forward before delivering to a runner – something that when well-timed engages the defence and creates space for the receiver.
If the Eels are to make a statement in the remainder of this premiership, we need to see these traits and more from our spine.
The Back Pack
This week, there is a definite back row appearance about the pack. The team goes into the match with the Storm with only two specialist props – Junior and Maka. A potential positive is that there is mobility and versatility with those named.
Does this mark a shift away from playing a power game?
Papa
Papa, and Brown (at his best) can still bring the impact from their charges. Laying that platform is remains essential.
However, a difference is possible with Marata on the edge, and what might hopefully be an earlier introduction of Carty via a shift from Lane to the middle as part of the interchange. These players could provide a different attack to be thrown at the Storm’s edges. I think that we saw some evidence of that in Marata’s performance against the Cowboys.
Bring on Saturday night.
A Maika Re-Set?
The ACL rupture suffered by Maika Sivo is one of the more serious leg injuries for any footballer. For a power athlete such as Sivo, the rehabilitation process will be a long and challenging one.
The big Fijian is still relatively new to the NRL. Of his three preseasons, he’s only enjoyed one that was uninterrupted. He won’t get this next one, and based on Clint Gutherson’s recovery time, we might not see Maika until the second half of 2022.
With that in mind, I’d propose that it’s time to reset his game, and that begins with his size.
Maika Sivo
Sivo has a frame that you’d expect for such a powerful footballer. It’s one that’s made him very difficult to stop when charging onto the ball within the opposition’s quarter. The cost of his muscular build is his endurance.
It’s no secret that Maika won’t win any marathons. It’s evident during preseason and it’s just as evident when he has to turn and chase kicks in matches. Fatigue prevents him from being as effective at carting the ball back as he is when charging at the try line.
Am I alone in wanting to see a less bulked up Sivo when he returns? I don’t believe that he needs to lose all of his power to achieve that, but a slightly lighter frame might help with his rehab and bring a different dimension to his game when he’s back on the field.
Regardless, we wish Maika all the best in his recovery.
The Recruitment Question
I’ve explored this in previous posts, but the Eels face a recruitment dilemma.
Firstly, the Eels must add to their roster moving forward. Every club looks to improve or offer something more each year, and adding new and targeted faces to the playing group is essential.
Recent speculation has focussed on finding a game breaker, especially as all of the other top 6 clubs feature at least one player from that elite category. An addition to the leadership group is another priority for mine.
There’s also the need to find at least one outside back. The probable departure of Fergo and the serious injury to Sivo make that essential.
Maybe there is a light on the horizon there, and it’s one that might not be popular with all fans or even fit with some of the Eels recruitment guidelines.
That player is Curtis Scott.
This young man has had some well-documented off-field issues. He has a talent that isn’t close to reaching its potential and that’s due to personal problems.
Why would we want him at the Eels?
Firstly, the Eels have a brilliant player welfare department. Blokes like Dean Feeney, George “The Rev” Dansey and David Gower are all in that space at the club and do a brilliant job. Under BA, the club has a recent history of providing second chances for footballers, and players such as Manu Ma’u and Danny Wicks justified that faith.
Secondly, the code has no shortage of players who made some extremely poor choices in their youth but went on to have celebrated careers. For some, incidents were covered up. For others, the successes from their mature years overshadowed the foolishness of their younger selves.
I’m not suggesting that the Eels should overlook the character component of their recruitment processes. However, there are individuals who can be helped, especially by a club with an outstanding Welfare Department.
Maybe Scott is one.
Kellyville Bushrangers
The “Everyone’s Welcome” club, Kellyville Bushrangers, featured in the most recent issue of Parramatta Stories.
Forty and I spoke with club secretary James Power and via that we were able to share details of the club’s growth, the importance of Oscar’s Memorial Day which raises funds for the Kids Cancer Project, and the success of their girls’ program.
I recommend checking out our feature story if you have not already done so. The Parramatta Stories series will continue to profile the terrific clubs that comprise the Parramatta District Junior Rugby League.
Look for our next issue, coming soon.
Parramatta Leagues Club
Meals donated to RMH
I’ve been giving Parra Leagues a mention on TCT’s social media recently, and for good reason.
Despite being closed for usual trading during the COVID lockdown, the club has remained strong in their support of the community.
In addition to welfare check phone calls to members (my own parents received such a call along with a grocery care package), we’ve seen them support Western Sydney’s homeless via the Vinnies Sleep Out.
Furthermore, after lockdown restrictions prevented Ronald McDonald House volunteers from cooking meals for the families, the Leagues Club stepped in with their chefs preparing and donating over 400 meals per week.
As for everyone else, you can still order meals from Parra Leagues via Menu Log and of course Jacks Pale Ale remains available for delivery.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Interesting comments as usual , but the elephant in the room remains. What does the team lack if we can’t recruit/produce an X factor player immediately, the answer is simply “ need for speed”.
The forwards are more than competitive, the halves are similar liar, the backs lack the top level speed we see across most teams. They are not slow , just lack what’s needed particularly with the new rules. Is there a concern that not everyone involved in building the team is on the same path, the lack of signings is a worry. The best practice in team sports is to recruit and turnover between 15/20% of the roster annually, something which doesn’t seem on the horizon.
Lets not miss the issue that we haven’t see the team evolve enough in the past 2/3 years, and that seems to be in coaching. Personally, I don’t believe it makes sense to move the Head Coach, but it’s necessary to bring in new faces , voices and structures with new assistants. Until that happens, it’s difficult to see the improvements needed.
The run till the end of the season is crucial for the team to be competitive, a poor run into the finals and a quick exit could see implications for membership renewals and media pressure for even bigger changes.
Its obviously not a bad season, but should have been more and to be honest, changes are needed as suggested to compete with the big boys.
All that needs to be said, imagine Jarryd Hayne playing behind this forward pack and halves. 🤔
Derek, just to your comments about lack of pace, where does it manifest? Many teams opt for a very fast fullback. That’s not Gutho. His strength is high involvement around the ruck. Would we consider changing Gutho’s role? I’d suggest only if somebody faster was available. Sean Russell is fast but probably another season or so from being a regular first grade option.
Where else? The wing. Sivo is not a fast winger. He won’t beat an opponent with pure speed. He won’t turn and run someone down. We don’t know the plans for replacing Fergo.
Centre? Tom O isn’t a Jenko, but Will Penisini is powerful and evasive. Waqa is fast in open field but rarely gets to show it. A shift to the wing is a definite option.
So, we need a couple of outside backs immediately. And depending on who is recruited might determine what position certain backs play next year.
It manifests when we rarely make breaks from our own half, sure we occasionally pass the ball wide and get somewhere, but the whole backline lacks top end speed. I don’t think that’s disputable, the point remains is that’s it’s a definite need which so far hasn’t been addressed . There have been a few players who have been on the market with speed which didn’t seem to be of interest to our recruitment people.
So the question remains, is that issue being addressed and is it something that all parties to recruitment have yet to agree on. A moot point, but will be of significant interest if additions to the roster are made.
Just read that Kidwell and Murphy have been extended , that’s a massive throw of the dice by the Head Coach, whats that curse “ may you live in interesting times”
Extension is for 1 year to bring them in line with the coach
Does that make it a good move, they haven’t provided a lot of confidence in the past 2/3 years, so can understand the disappointment .
Even the NQ Cowboys are showing that having speed in the backline works, something the recruitment hasn’t got on top of .
Whos making the final decisions , rumours are coach is being over ruled. by people with less to no footy nous !!
Bit vague there ,Which people involved in building the team do you believe are not on the same path derek ?? Interested with whom you think the problem lies .
Pearce doesn’t go far enough with the rule changes. Why not a random rule change every game that is only revealed to the teams and refs just before kick off? This will really revolutionise the game.
Yes Shaun! That’s true innovation. I needed that laugh mate.
Enjoyable article which I agree with mostly except the Curtis Scott. We need to reign in our recruitment and provide more opportunities to our juniors. Theres a long list of players we couldn’t or didn’t keep. Utokamoina was a recent loss. Secondly the clubs strong rehabilitation record with Mau and Wicks was used but ignored Kenny Edwards , Tony Williams and Kieran Foran. Its a lottery but someone like Makatoa or Papalii is perfect. Mature players coming knowing this is their last shot.
Thanks for the reply Kevin. Like you I’m a big supporter of our juniors and it’s ideal to provide opportunities for those you develop yourself. Parra does have outside back talent coming through as part of the top squad – eg Sean Russell and Samuel Loizou – but they are about two seasons away (physically) from being regular first graders.
As for being able to behaviourally rehab players, that does come down to individual circumstances. They literally did all they could for Foran, and I think we can all agree that he took some time to get his life in order and even longer to rebound in footy. Kenny Edwards was also assisted many times and it’s taken a move overseas to start making the right choices. Unfortunately for TRex, he began the season with a drink driving incident and he copped a 12 week drug ban at the end of the season. As a veteran player who was still battling significant injuries, he gave the club little choice.
Hey Sixties, what about Hayze Perham? I think he is a lot better than both Russel and Loizou.
Other than stefano Which players didnt we keep in recent times kevin , you cant go back before current coaches start , theyve actually blooded reed, dylan , haze ,ja , russell , penisini ,oregan ,etc last couple seasons . Name Long list current not pre decimal currency. All 3 you named were shown the door , they dont all work out but neither do juniors , its a juggle for all clubs .
Curtis scott does have form but some unwarranted , he was cleared of all charges and police were disciplined for wrongful arrest but the stigma has caused him mental stress which he hasnt handled well , the list of badly let down players in raiders system is on toilet rolls, dugan ,carney ,fergo , poms going home ,in fighting , i would like to think we might give him a chance to turn his life around with guidance and care , all clubs do it so why not us !!!! If we based all decisions on perception or behavior semi radradra would never have played a game for us , crikey theyre letting murderers and rapists out of prison every day for another chance at society and rebuilding their lives , this kids simply had alcohol issues , the sums up 75% of todays youth , give him a chance , if he stuffs up nrl will rub him out anyway , hes got tons of talent he just needs help not to waste it !!
To me, he is a potential solution to an outside back shortage (check the market). He’s not the superstar game breaker that we might want, and that must remain a target, but he does fit an identifiable need.
Curtis Scott makes terrible defensive reads. Trace through his last year at Melbourne and any game for Canberra. Steer well clear in my opinion.
I think that was evident during his recent Raiders time so I won’t argue there. But, he was a Sharks junior identified by the Storm and then recruited by the Raiders as a talent. He definitely lost his way on and off the field in the capital city. In my opinion he’s worth a serious look before making a decision.
Agree the win helps the mindset, I think resilience will be tested tomorrow. As you mention nbrowns drop in the 1st set was a micro test, the storm will be the real test
Interesting selections, backrowers galore. Given the eels were the last team to beat Melbourne could this be a plan…
Recruitment I’m happy to leave with O’Neill, he came up with a few surprises and did a good job this year. I’d like penisini to be given more time opportunities b4 we sign a project like Curtis Scott.
Hopefully tomorrow night is an expletives free effort
Cheers DDay. We got the value recruiting correct last year, and to that end, Scott would probably be able to be secured on a similar deal. That said, I think we need a game breaker and an addition to the leadership group that will involve finding some serious coin.
On the Maika losing weight upon his return. I think that would only work if he gained speed as a result and I think that is unlikely, especially after this injury.
You are probably correct when it comes to the impact of such an injury, but why make it even more of a challenge? We all see the aspects of Maika’s game that are his strengths, but likewise, nobody can deny that he struggles with fatigue. And believe me, they work hard on that. The man is a big physical specimen and I think that it might be something that our performance staff think about.
The proposed kick rule, is the 7 tackle re-start only when it is a failed kick, or any kick?
I don’t mind this pack (RCG would be good, good mobility and he also scrambles well for a prop).Niukore should start for rest of year as an edge forward.
I take your point on the spine, but I”ll be watching for our defending of wide shifts, this to me is the elephant in the room, the Storm will hit it from anywhere on the park.
Curtis Scott, have a professional psyche assessment of him and go from there. He would have to agree to behavioural-based goals linked to contract. He is an accomplished centre.
Cheers BDon. The proposal was any kick that looked like it was intended to find touch (ha!) that did so but wasn’t a successful 40/20.
i do like Marata on the edge. And yes, defending the shifts to the edge remains the test.
Thats ridiculous! (Not Marata, the kick proposal).
For me last week only enhanced or flat track bully rep time will tell if we have any kind of momentum and change in attitude.
Curtis Scott I’m 50/50 on yes he would improve the squad but is he worth the risk? Moses suli would of been a better option.
Overall I’m without any faith in this clubs future and have enjoyed a week away from ready about or checking in on the club.
Unfollwed the team on social media etc.. I’ll watch tonight I’ll suffer for 80 but I won’t be hurt because I no longer care.
I can tell you’re doing it tough Offside. We all are.
As for Suli, I would also have him on my list.
Actually I’m doing sweet me and the eels it’s like the end of a relationship but we’re still friends lol.
Finally the bunker has been called out at top but whats especially pleasing is perenara finally getting the criticism he deserves , the bunker has been a complete mockery this season and perenara an embarrassment to annesly and vlandys alike , good on trent robinson for speaking up , its farcical !!!!!!
It was hard to believe that it looked like there was going to be no on field consequence after that shot on a future Eel. Ok, wishful thinking about Manu but it was shockingly apparent that the hit was viciously high and a significant injury had resulted.
That shoulder charge by Mitchel is without doubt the worst I have seen. I saw a still photo on one of the League reports showing the hit, Mitchel had his right arm down to his right side, his shoulder was hunched up and caught Manu with a cocked shoulder.
He wont be playing this year again, and likely to miss some time next year as well.
In the old days/games I saw some hard coathangers but being honest this was the worst I have seen.
Always remember Junior got 8 weeks for flinging Matt Ballin to the ground by the jumper. Judged too rough, dangerous throw, when momentum played a big role. Mitchell should get 18 weeks, totally reckless, and you could say with some intent.
6 to 9 weeks and perenara missed it , not his fault though they wernt wearing blue and gold!
The dynamic duo strikes again , clown and henry , are there 2 worst officials in the game , grand final material under annesly
What a pairing!
Colin, BDon and Old Timer, it was one of the worst shots I’ve seen in the game. And as for Juniors suspension all those years ago – the only word is joke!
Sixties, seriously speaking I am really wondering where the game is heading?? I read where the two storm players Grant & Smith get away with fines, and Jnr gets 2 games suspended if he loses any apeal, or one if he pleads guilty, what on earth is the difference in them?
Watching todays game with the Riff, they have taken the game to a new level, & for me its not one that is upwards improving the game. While they may be very much the team in primary contention to win the comp, their speed and innovative areas of play, they very much play a game that really has many contradictions as to having fair and in many ways legal types of game plays.
Pulling arms/legs twisting them in different directions while on the ground and pinned by their defenders. They get tackled and jump up in a forward movement and push the markers out of the way, or on to their backs, play the ball and grab the marker or deflect him from moving, there was several play the balls, that had their players tackled at one spot and by the time they got up and went forward to play the ball they had advanced more than 2 metres & on one, it was 3 or more metres.
There were other areas that I consider was not pulled up in order to let the game flow, in their favour. The ref really is not to blame as much of it was carried out when he was pretty much unsighted in the plays.
I really think the game is getting, sadly very farcial in the way its played, & there is a big push to expand the game???? makes one wonder about it though.
It’s the way of the modern game isn’t it. Look to push the boundaries, see what will be penalised or not. One team starts it then others follow if it’s successful. Eg when Wrestle came into being, now giving six agains on early tackles.
Sad but true.
Great article –
Rule changes – please please please no more – especially ones that change the whole fabric of the game around strategy and game management
Mindset – any win always feels good. Hopefully that confidence boost that “you haven’t lost it” continues into the next month or so
The Spine – We need Gutho around the middle, and if Moses doesn’t run we can’t win
Maika – not sure how we will come back – if he loses more pace is there room for him?
Recruitment – agree – we do have the need for speed – interesting a few years ago – no one wanted Papenhuyzen, Tigers happy to let Addo Carr go….even the great Jack Gibson said “you cant coach speed” -Storm picked up some bargains and made them great players. Maybe we need to identify the 10-15 fastest players and see when contracts are up and start to chase them. Question – do we have proper sprint / speed coaches that can add a bit of speed to the backs?
Curtis Scott – maybe a trial and train like we did for Cartwright ? Good player, and has won a comp, but probably needs to prove that he wants it
Cheers Greg. As far as the sprint coaching is concerned, I’ve seen it covered as part of their running mechanics with various athletic performance staff, including Trent Elkin, but not a specialised sprint coach.
The player that we should have made a play for (in hindsight) was Saab.
And now let’s see what a difference that win over the Storm makes to our mindset. It looked so much more positive during the match, so what will we take forward?
Would BA want someone like Scott at the club? wouldn’t they be content with Waqa and Penisini with Opacic as a back-up sixites?
I would suggest that if they don’t recruit a winger, that you’d have Dunster and Waqa as the starting wingers, with Opacic and Penisini as the centres. Sivo won’t be back till 2nd half of the season at best. Basically no other NRL experienced outside backs to call on. I think we definitely need to recruit, and/or rethink Fergo decision.
What players who would have been in the CC team could fill or fit those positions?
And nothing on the market to really consider though unless you consider some diamonds in the rough like a Hiroti or Funa but even they could be a stretch, but to have while Sivo recovers could be an ok idea, who knows but I do think BA and O’Neill know what they want and are looking for. Fergo I think is the more likely option for 1 more year.