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You fell victim to one of the classic blunders! The most famous of which is “never get involved in a land war in Asia,” but only slightly less well-known is this: Never go in against the Eels when a streak is on the line!
A fortnight can be forever in the realms of professional sports, particularly in rugby league. This time two weeks ago the Eels were reeling out of a catastrophic loss to the Manly Sea Eagles and the pundits were piling it on thick and heavy. Would they win another game this year? Who should be the new head coach? Should they just tear it all down and rebuild again?
A stunning 22-10 victory over the Melbourne Storm on a night layered with history has completely changed the 2021 script and Sixties and Forty20 and practically bouncing off the walls to break this one down. Missing Reed Mahoney, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Ryan Matterson and Maika Sivo coming into the contest and then losing Shaun Lane, Marata Niukore and Clinton Gutherson through the game, the Parramatta Eels had no right to win this.
And yet they did. The Eels fanned the sparks of victory over the Cowboys into a raging inferno that saw them physically dominate the game’s premier club in a nigh unseen manner. In claiming the win, Parramatta brought an end to Melbourne’s historic 19-game winning streak while simultaneously ending their 30-game streak in Queensland while ALSO achieving a rare 2-game set sweep in the regulation season over Craig Bellamy.
There is PLENTY to talk about this week so tune in and join the conversation as the boys coming in off the back fence.
My apologies for getting a bit fired up towards the end.
Forgiven. I struggled to get to sleep.
One of the concerns that I have had in recent times was the progress of Dylan Brown. I thought in fact that he had plateaued somewhat. He put a lot of those fears to bed last night.
A Dylan Brown highlight for me in that game last night was the last try scored by Joey Lussick. After the initial break by Lussick, Dylan was carrying the ball through the middle. you could see that he only had eyes for the try line.
As a result he drew 2 defenders to him. Without looking away he threw a no look pass to Cartwright and with the overlap Lussick eventually scored the try that he initially started with a dart up field.
That was good footy and probably an indication of some of the work they have been doing with Joey.
John well spotted. I’m not sure whether they’ve been able to do anything with Joey with the bubble in place up there. That sort of jet play is something that they’ve always worked on. Counting numbers, & having the defence on the back foot, are key so you need someone spotting that and calling for it. They executed it perfectly.
Thanks boys, love the content and love jumping in and listening to the poodcast keeping that feeling going.
A few weeks back I made some harsh comments here directed particualry at Nathan Brown and a few of our forwards, im glad to say our engine tonight ran like a tubro charged V8. I like what you said about “real” and “fake” fans on the podcast, I am a lifelong fan and will be buried with my Eels jersey. The comments I made were slightly harsh which were corrected But I was glad you never questioned my loyalty to this team, our team.
I bleed blue and gold. Last night was one of the best back to the walls gutsy wins I have ever seen. It was awesome pyhsical and I was proud. Thanks again for all that TCT do.
Chris, thanks for your kind words.
I did get a bit fired up. We’ve had plenty of forceful opinions lately and no shortage of shots at us.
Supporters “support” in different ways. In my opinion, public criticism of poor decisions, performances etc which don’t get personal are just as valid as praise. We all probably get a bit carried away privately or with mates. But mostly people understand and respect the lines that shouldn’t be crossed. That’s more about our public standards as a site. So we might edit a word or two without deleting comments because we understand emotion and don’t want to completely remove valid criticism.. Occasionally a comment is nothing but abuse and we completely remove it.
But, the thing I can’t cop is so called fans wanting their team to lose so that people will get sacked. A genuine fan doesn’t wish that. Ever.
100% agree Sixties they are not real fans. A true fan never wishes their team to lose.
Exactly mate. That’s the line that cant be crossed.
I found it interesting listening to Craig Bellamy’s presser that with the exception of saying the Eels made less errors than the Storm, he gave no credit to how the Eels contributed to the Storm loss.
There is no doubt in my mind that the Eels turned up, won the collisions and the Storm succumbed to scoreboard pressure.
Clearly he did not see it that way.
The body language of the Storm players said plenty about what we did to them. Physically and mentally. The inability of Bellamy to acknowledge that publicly actually spoke volumes too.
G’day 60s & 40. Thanks for that great instant reaction to what was one our best wins in a while. Isaahia has to be one of the most astute buys we’ve made. Marvellous player, still young & only an upside to him. I’m in the middle, a 50s born man who has followed this team since the age of 10. I have never denigrated the Eels or players, & I have a go at supporters who wrote them off in this game(Bro & Sis). But so proud of that performance last night. On a side note, I watched live on Kayo & a replay today of 9s coverage & I was impressed with Billy Slater’s non bias & analysis. Quality commentary.
Cheers Gil. I rate Papa as a Ken Thornett Medal certainty.
I’m sorry that I didn’t catch Slater’s comments as I watched Fox but didn’t record Nine.
Thanks sixties. I didn’t tape the nine game, but watched it yesterday on 9now. When they put up completion rates towards the end of the first half & Parra were 16/17, Slater’s spot on comment was “you’ve gotta complete to compete”. Nice
Very true.
Tks guys, listening 24 hrs later extends the joy. High completions go a long way in tough games. Interesting with NRL errors this year,par is around 11.5, a little higher than previous years, we made 10 last night, a timely birdie.A few randoms – how Nathan Brown and Junior are on charges I don’t know, does the MRC actually study the tapes? Penisini v Olam the Wrecker, the longer it went, I was waiting for the white towel from Bellamy, check Olam’s last 10 minutes. A soft 6 Again against Nathan Brown, the Storm should have had 20 against them, just one aspect, the number of times they re-arrange the man on the ground after tackle completion.
BDon, it was so enjoyable to be able to be so positive in an instant reaction recording. Thanks for listening.
There was just nothing to those incidents. A joke! And as usual the Storm niggle is ever present.
Do you want to delete this. Repeat of the one above
Just finished listening and its was great to hear you two so pumped after that game and who wouldn’t be. Such a great team and coaching effort.
I don’t think Gutho got anything like near plaudits he deserved for his 40/20 defusal. Just imagine if that had been done by the easts, knights, manly or storm fullback.
Jnr at likes looked like the oversized kid in the juniors with his damaging runs. I really can’t recall a better game from him and I’ll take that over his passing game any day of the week.
However for me Dylan Brown was the standout. He just seemed to be everywhere on the night. He was good with ball in hand, but his defense was superb and I really enjoyed his support run in the Lussick’s try to prevent Hynes any sniff of running him down.
There was desire on show on Saturday night that has been missing for some weeks and lets hope that’s the new eels.
I am grateful for any small mercies and my belief is that BA when he relaxed the side, allowed them to open up and play a more natural game. It just may have changed my season and maybe next years as well….. I was virtually writing us off in the short term. Actually not looking forward to this game at all.
The only other aspect was that there had been a subconscious reaction to BA’s disastrous selection processes and the players were not putting in the effort…… This time around they knew they had to be different and support themselves as a playing group. i.e. they knew they were letting themselves down and responded the only way they could.
Self belief is very important, going in 10 all at half time was enough for them to say,,,,we can beat these bastards, they are human after all. No greater change was the commitment in defence and the extra effort to cover everyone and be there for your mate. One of the greatest illustrations was a scramble in the corner and a ball from a bad bounce causing an opportunity, Ferguson threw his body across the ruck to disable it.
Now I hope someone learnt a lesson, whether it was the coach or the players…..I am not sure……what I am sure about is my heart stays the same.
Whilst I can attribute blame and rationalise a number of things, I think I will just go back and say, thank god…..if we can move forward then we can forget the past.
One other thing they reminded me off was, they looked as enthusiastic as Penrith have for 95% of the year……that sort of enthusiam will do me!
Sometimes on the outside looking in you don’t know what you don’t know.
That is the beauty of sport I guess it keeps you wondering
From a headspace perspective, this group has some learning to do, but the level of improvement achieved to defeat the Storm was an incredibly encouraging sign. Resilience, positive thinking – we need such qualities exhibited by the senior players at all times.
Cheers Trapped, it was good to be able to react like that after a win. I’m writing a post that will feature Dylan and Gutho, to give that recognition.
And that desire was in stark contrast to recent weeks,
I just read an article by Andrew xxx from FoxSport who was analysing where all teams will finish in the top 8.
In discussing the Eels outcome he came up with the likelihood that if the Eels finish in 6th place they would have to face the Knights and they would not want that given their recent form.
Please the Eels just beat the Storm. If we are to make any progress in the semis, the Knights are the least of our problems
How much do these Journos get paid?
Andrew Jackson
He probably filling in from the climate change department at Fox JE, there not very strong in this area…..thank god. Greatest Myth in History!
PS Do you think the boy has read that we beat Storm on sat night??
There’s an example of negative thinking from that journo. Astounding stuff.
In defence of the eels…
Parra currently sits overall 6th in attack ppg
3rd in defence for the League with 417 against – which is a way off Melb. 300 & Penrith 280.
I feel though its worth noting that with 3 of Parra’s losses coming in terrible fashion where we can all agree something seriously went wrong. V South 40-12, V Manly 56-10, V Roosters 38-0.
If we make the assumption that something was off here – and erase those deficits, Parra’s avg is about 14 ppg against. Replace the standing margins with 14ppg and you have the defensive numbers sitting at 325 overall for the season with those same wins and losses.
Think about that for a minute; Penrith; an easier draw and incredible defence sitting at 280 after 23 games.
Melbourne 19 straight wins sitting at 300 after 23 games.
Parra who’ve played a month of bad football and been blown out 3 times (still with 3rd best defence) ignoring those blowout numbers would be posted at 325 in D. just a touch behind the top 2 and clearly daylight ahead of the rest of the competition.
Assuming the eels can hold their defence together, now having re-ignited the attacking flames they can go deep into the finals, and should have the confidence they need to match it with the top Teams in the big games.
What a win for the players, coaches and fans. Well done to all and thanks for the continued excellent content.
Cheers Steele. The easiest draw has been Manly. Unlike Parra, they only have to play two other top six teams twice. That gives them seven matches against top 6 sides compared to Parra’s ten.
Lads, thanks for these as always.
Aside to Fortytwenty, mate, can you let Sixities finish a sentence! fair dnkum does my head in when you trample stright over the top of him mid-way through his point
Cheers Anon. It’s often a challenge recording in different locations. When we do our live pods or our on site interviews, we use signals/visual cues for when we have something to chime in with. Appreciate the feedback.
Fair enough and understood, wasn’t trying to be negative, really appreciate the hard work and effort that goes into the overall site and the pods, they are great to listen to. Keep up the great work gents
I am interested in what people think on the issue of Papali’i.
After watching the game a couple of times I believe that Papa played his best game for a few weeks.
My question is where is his best spot. After watching him against the Storm I feel his best spot is in the middle. I also like him coming off the bench in either position running at a tired defence.