Welcome to the 2021 NRL Finals Series.
How good is it to have the Eels season once again continue past the regular rounds!
Though the expectations of supporters have grown, and there’s nothing wrong with that, it wasn’t that long ago that this time of the season would be marked down for a vacation on the calendars of Parra players.
The Eels have now qualified for finals footy in four out of the last five seasons. Were it not for the points penalty in 2016, that record would now read five out of the last six.
What about Parra’s prospects in this, the present? What are your expectations?
There’s plenty at stake this week, with no shortage of discussion points.
That’s my cue – Bumpers Up!
Resting Players
Though there were some supporters who questioned BA’s decision to rest players, the weekend’s results have vindicated his actions.
Apart from any momentum argument, the case for naming the best possible team was based on competing for a top four spot. As it transpired, Manly took that spot with their expected victory over the Cowboys.
Junior was one of a host of players rested
On the other hand, the risk for the Eels would have been engaging in a highly physical clash with the Panthers. There would have been literally nothing to gain, with potential injuries being the only “reward”.
The huge advantage has been the opportunity to freshen up, both physically and mentally, a group of players carrying niggles. At this time of year, virtually every NRL player would be feeling the bumps and bruises of a long season.
Parra lost players at the wrong time of the year in 2020, and it was costly. This year, they’ve already lost Mahoney and Sivo for the season. They could not afford to lose more in a game that meant nothing.
Resting players was the only call to be made.
The Replacements
The score from the Panthers game reflected the difference between the salaries of both teams, but not the effort.
What did we learn?
When it comes to the “new faces”, regular spectators of NSW Cup matches saw nothing unexpected.
Rodwell, Loizou and Perham
Makahesi Makatoa has been setting that grade alight as a starting prop, and Ky Rodwell has impressed as a lock/middle.
Jake Arthur has been an unflappable game manager, whilst the team had settled into a groove with Hayze Perham at fullback and Sean Russell on the wing. Samuel Loizou might not have been as familiar to many Eels fans, as he had been mostly playing in the Flegg team.
Regardless of how familiar the players were with supporters before the match, there were plenty of positives that can be taken from how they performed against one of the Premiership favourites.
All of the new brigade impressed as players of the future, and deserve to feel proud of their performances.
Mr 3:16 Brings The Hurt
Take a bow Ray Stone.
The unheralded Eel is one of the lightest forwards in the premiership, but I’d venture to say that opposition packs are well aware of his propensity for delivering the hurt in his hits.
Ray Stone
Anyone watching Stone rack up 55 tackles against the Panthers must have been impressed with the impact of his hits, knocking his much larger opponents off their feet.
Injuries have not been kind to Stoney, and they seem to occur every time he looks like nailing down a regular top 17 spot. In that respect, he reminds me of Kaysa Pritchard, another Eel to play without any thought of self preservation.
Friday’s performance was a reminder of Ray Stone’s toughness and his value to the club.
You’re Right, But You’re Wrong, Yet You’re Right
The Eels form over the latter part of the season has presented Brad Arthur with some selection headaches.
Most notably, those dilemmas centre on decisions about Parra’s starting back rowers and the bench.
Ultimately, every decision will be right. And wrong. Or then again probably right.
To explain, a number of players would now be in contention for the first week of the finals.
As far as the starting back row positions are concerned, BA would be trying to decide between Shaun Lane, Marata Niukore, Ryan Matterson and Isaiah Papali’i. Without question, Papa gets one spot.
Assuming that Lane’s ability to cover the middle leaves him as a preferred bench option, the choice comes down to Niukore and Matterson.
Matto is a quality player with an attacking skill set which is very different to Marata’s. Conversely, Marata is a devastating defender, who brings a greater physicality to Parra’s edge in both attack and defence.
I expect Arthur to go with Matto. Given the strong case that can be made for either, he will be both right and wrong no matter his decision.
Similarly, there are a number of players with valid claims to a bench role.
Marata Niukore
If Matto is selected to start, that leaves Marata as a certain selection off the bench. This leaves six players – Cartwright, Lane, Kaufusi, Makatoa, Smith and Stone all battling for the three remaining bench spots. Hipgrave is out of contention following his suspension, and though he made an impressive debut, Rodwell was unlikely to force an established NRL player out of the team.
I expect BA to name Cartwright and Lane, with Smith most likely to be named as a utility.
Imagine leaving Makahesi out after his recent form, or not selecting Kaufusi after he’s been a fixture all season. Worse still, I’d hate to be the coach telling Stoney that his star performance against the Panthers won’t be good enough to hold his place.
There’s one more selection to be made that might not receive as many headlines – will the coach go with Opacic or Penisini in the centres? Opacic brings the all important experience to a finals clash and has now recovered from injury. Penisini arguably poses more of an attacking threat, but this would be just his fourth top grade game.
We’ll all be able to find reasons to support the selections we’ll see on Tuesday afternoon. Likewise any criticism will also be valid.
Cue the team lists and the debate.
The Double Century
Congratulations to Brad Arthur!
Brad Arthur
The Eels coach has just clocked up his 200th game at the helm of the club’s NRL team.
He’s faced no shortage of challenges over the last eight years, but BA has never shied away from fronting the media barrage that has often come his way.
Not even Brad’s harshest critic could deny what he’s done to turn the Eels around.
This milestone has been rightly honoured by the club. I’m positive that further milestones await.
Finals Expectations
Has it been a blessing for the Eels to finish 6th?
Last season, a top four finish had them drawing Melbourne in the first week, before having to take on the Rabbitohs with an under strength line up.
Personally, I prefer the two bites at a grand final qualifier that’s provided by a top four finish. It has to be better for the team to be only one win away from reaching the second last weekend of the season.
Unfortunately, the Eels made their own bed with that string of losses, so it’s sudden death footy from here on in.
The recent victory over the Storm provided hope for supporters that the team can progress beyond the first week. More importantly, it should have been a shot of confidence for the players, reinforcing the belief that they can leave a mark in this finals series.
What are you expecting?
In my opinion, if Parra play to their potential they should get the job done against the Knights. Anything less than their best, and it will be the end of the Eels 2021 season.
I’m staying positive.
Bring on Sunday.
Upgrades Anyone
Just a few weeks ago I wrote about the retention and recruitment decisions that needed to be made.
Included in that post were the names Makahesi Makatoa, Ky Rodwell and Elie El Zakhem. Each had enjoyed impressive NSW Cup seasons, and I believed that they were in contention for a 2022 upgrade.
Makahesi Makatoa
Since then, both Rodwell and Makatoa have made their impressive NRL debuts. Had El-Zakhem been in the bubble, I expect that he too may have taken the field.
I’m not sure how these blokes can be accommodated next season. Can we upgrade them to a top 30 deal? Given their inexperience, would a development contract be an option?
I’d certainly be finding a way to lock them in to a contract.
The All Saints Toongabbie Tigers
The latest junior club to feature in our Parramatta Stories is the All Saints Toongabbie Tigers.
Created as a merger between the Toongabbie Tigers and the All Saints Rebels, this club is at the forefront of Mental Health Programs and Girls Rugby League. Their contribution to the community in these fields is setting standards to which other clubs aspire. I enjoyed being able to share the details of two clubs coming together to make a mark with their innovative approach.
You can read our feature story here or listen to our extended conversation with Tigers’ secretary Tim Moggridge in last week’s episode of The Tip Sheet.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Makatoa has surely usurped Lane in BAs pecking order? Would be remarkable to leave him out given his recent form. The Smith/Stone selection is also an interesting conundrum. As you say, good problems to have!
I reckon that the Lane or Makatoa choice comes down to team balance. Which player will offer the greatest balance to the team.
I suspect he’ll stick with Lane and/or Kaufusi, but I think Maka’s form the past few weeks (and all year, albeit in reserves) warrants the upset selection. They’d all have a right to feel hard done by in missing out. Oh, the joy of a fit forward pack!
If the decision is between Penisini and Opacic, would much prefer Penisini – whilst he has less experience , he doesn’t miss his defensive assignments, offers so much more in attack and strangely, Fergo appears more comfortable with the younger player inside him.
we have to stop thinking purely about experience as the judgement for selection,think both Penrith and the salary cap strugglers Roosters have shown the footy world that going with the younger player with potential is often the right call.
Derek, I think that BA probably signalled his decision in resting Penisini last week.
The selection is the dilemma. For the bench if it comes down to Stone V’s Smith, I would go for Stone based on the fact that the best defensive team is going to win this competition. Assuming that you have the likes of Matterson in the team and Stone and likely Cartwright we would be able to cover most injuries
Clearly there is unlikely to be any extravagant recruitment this year so likely it would be about securing the junior talent that has been identified. A Joey Manu would be exciting. However even in the unlikely event of him signing it would be for 2023.
There has been some talk about the Eels possibly signing Peechey, I could see the value in that but it is not a game changer.
Since the weekend and also today I have watched a lot and listened to a lot of football finals commentary. There are only three teams that they want to talk about. Panthers, Storm and Manly.
Seemingly they have ruled out the rest including Souths. They appear to be even going slightly cold on Storm.
The outcomes of the finals will be very interesting and I can see some twists in the tail before the series is done.
For the Eels they are still the same skilful squad they were at the start of the season. The question is have they really recovered that form following the win over the Storm.
Hohn I like your thinking around defence. I’d be agreeing with Stone, but just like I said in the post, I would agree with Smith.
i still believe that going forward we need to add an outside back and we need to find that game changer – And yes that is Manu for 2023.
im going to tip the Titans to cause the first upset of the finals. The Roosters are brave but battered. It’s been a long season for them.
Good discussion points Sixties.
Some strong performances between; Makatoa, Rodwell, JA and Perham. They impressed and given a taste of NRL plus an off-season we should look forward to seeing more from them next year.
Stone was next level, he provides a real point of difference to other backrower contenders – injuries have limited his NRL time but surely he needs more opportunities. Same Will Smith.
Selection will be difficult and happy to leave that to those who know the tactics like the selection of the lightweight bench against the Storm. My two bobs worth is Marata should start, he stabilises the RHS edge defence, we’re a better team with him there. Possible bench of; Kaufusi, Matto, Stone and Smith – tough choices.
Leaving out Lane, Makatoa and Carty is a big call DDay. And it’s impossible to ignore Stone. As I said the right calls might be wrong but they’d still be right!
Reg to start on bench and ice starts in front row
Matto and marata in second row as Marata brings defensive starch to an edge
Bench, Reg, Makatoa, carty, Stone
How good bringing reg and Makatoa on together to rip in after 20 min.
And Opacic in centres and Blake on the wing
You had me til the last line. I think Dunster has been good the past few weeks (although he’ll be much better in a year or two, as the kid is still growing and gaining strength). Penisini is a given as far as I’m concerned. I’ve been a fan of Opa all year, but I’m not sure he is fully fit, mentally or physically – he certainly still had his ribs padded last week, and that can’t help but affect your defence.
If I was going with your suggestion, it would be at the expense of either Fergo or Blake. Both can pull off something brilliant, but both are also prone to dumb decisions in both attack and defence. I don’t like our backline as much with both of them in it. I am hoping Blake is ultimately destined for a wing, as he cannot for the life of him set up his winger. Of course, maybe I misinterpreted, and it’s Fergo you’re dropping?
I am sad that one of Smith or Stone misses out, but I think they do. As does Kaufusi for Makatoa.
Wilhelmina- I agree with you about Haze. He’s done everything asked of him. However, I keep Waqa (who I tip for a wing spot next year) and Fergo. Waqa is in the best form of his time with Parra and Fergo is simply a big game player. He really brought that vs Storm.
I agree on Waqa seems to be destined for the wing however I would be surprised if it happened during the finals
It’s next year I feel, esp with Sivo’s injury.
DDay I like your forwards. I could live with that. For the backline I would use the term that beat Melbourne
Just listening to SEN and RCG was interviewed. He said he would be right for the game but didn’t sound confident to me.
He was on Vossy
Interesting.
Two thoughts John. Does he therefore start off the bench? Or, does BA risk resting him knowing he has other options playing well.
Heard BA on Big Sports and he seemed confident about Reg.
Anon, I like Marata on the edge. If I had my choice, and it was limited to only one call, that would be the big call I’d make.
I seem to be having trouble posting!
John, I found an unlisted reply from you which was waiting for approval – I am not sure why it was flagged for that but it’s now posted.
I thought I was being cancelled. YouTube strikes
Who to leave out should be a healthy predicament for us. I reckon the Saifiti brothers and Bradman Best would prefer Niukore and Penisini to be left out. It should be a no brainer to be starting with them, we are far more energetic and organised. And I’d have Stone, Smith and Makatoa on the bench,their attitude is first class,probably with Matterson. We need attitude.
BDon, that’s not a bad philosophy – select players that the opposition would hate to face.
I reckon that they will target Best all day. For that matter either edge is vulnerable
It’s always nice to have to decide who to leave out because there is such intense competition rather trying to find someone to pick who will do the job like we were in the finals last yr.
Very true mate.
Maybe horses for courses scenario. I believe to beat newcastle we need more attack style players. Yes defence wins big games but Id opt for Pensini over Opa and, would like to see stone on the bench. Regardless will be interesting to see who BA picks, will show what if anything, he has learnt from this year and previous finals games
Jonno – what selection errors do you believe he has previously made? Last year we struggled with injury. In 2019 we thrashed Broncos but didn’t turn up vs Storm.What selections don’t you think should have been made?
Hi sixties, I believe his choice and timing of bench usage has been very poor, at times we can see N.Brown and Matterson who are always heavily involved in general play, struggling but he doesnt replace them/give them a breather. 25 minute mark generally, and around thr 45-60 minute second half, his choice of bench and non utilisation, of these players, ie smith, cartwright as points of difference or even fresh legs astounds me at times. Just a question mate, who would be your bench against Newie and how would you rotate them?
Fair call with bench rotation.
My first thought was that the starting backrowers should be Ice and Marata.
That would mean a bench of Matto, Carty, Maka, Smith.
Then I look at that and I don’t like the imbalance on the bench – one middle meaning Marata and possibly Ice rotate to the middle.
i want Marata on an edge but I think we need him off the bench just as much.
So as much as I hate it, I probably swap Matto and Marata to give a bench of Niukore, Maka, Carty, Smith.
So, I believe that those edge decisions will shape the bench.
I come back to my statement – every decision will both right and wrong.
By the way, I’m tipping that Lane will be selected on the bench ahead of Maka. Pack will be Junior, Lussick, Reg, Matto, Ice, Brown. I’m tipping Bench will be Marata, Lane, Carty, Smith.
Im of similar thinking, still like to find a place for stone tho
Same!
I would have Marata right centre with Penisini on the left and Blake to the wing.
Matto and Lane on the edges. Maka on the bench with Kaufusi, Cartwright and Stone.
Give the bench decent minutes.
Rocket, I’d say that move of Waqa to the wing is more likely in 2022. It’s something I’d certainly like to see.
My thoughts are Marata to centre to shore up the right defence with Mattertson on that edge. Most teams attack to their left.
I also think Penisini is a natural left side player. Waqa to wing as he has to be in the team.
Rocket, I’ve been advocating Waqa to the wing for two seasons now, but I don’t think he can move there this late in the season. Next year with Sivo out of action might be different.
I think BA should start with Marata and Papalii in the backrow with Matterson, Kaufusi, Makatoa and Stone on the bench. If Lane is in the team would anyone be surprised if his laziness in defence cost us a semifinal win?
On Matterson I really don’t think he has done enough this year to be guaranteed a starting spot.
Clive, I can’t dispute your back row selections. They are the ideal pair for mine. My only question is that I think you need a point of difference player on the bench – which for mine is Carty.
Mate I actually forgot about Carty, I think he needs a spot too.
👍 👍 👍
Dunster has been great but Brad loves a tall winger and Blake can be such a weapon in the air from the wing and his carry’s are better than Dunsters,
Opa was great against the panthers I thought.
Did they score any tries down his side?
I think he played his way into the team in that game and Dunster did have some bad defensive moments against the Storm when he was literally sitting in his centre’s pocket and gave the opposition winger so much space
(Just like sivo always does)
Tony I think you’ll see Blake in that position next year, but I don’t think Brad will make that sort of call now – unless it’s forced
Do you think that Stefano is still thinking it was a good decision to take the money from the Tigers and run from the Eels was a good idea?
Or is it possible that he is now reflecting that maybe I should have been patient and bided my time?
He would have been playing finals this weekend if he had stayed.