Well that was fun. 

No one can ever say that being a Parra fan is plain sailing and last Sunday proved to be no different. My only expectations for my team are always based on effort. If they put in, have a go and back their ability I can accept any result. I might not like them all but I can learn to accept them.

What pleased me most, apart from the result, was the way that Parra went about winning and stayed composed. Good teams know what works for them, and teams that become great believe in what works for them when they are under pressure.

Every team left in the competition has strengths but also some weaknesses. The Eels stayed true to who they are, they didn’t look for miracle plays and as a result they got their reward.

Junior

Parra’s game relies on their middle forwards, both in attack and defence. Against the Knights, the middles turned the momentum, and then created space for the outside backs to execute the tries.

That said, the job of the middles is made easier by the work of the playmakers and back five.

Against the Knights, the Eels were on the backfoot from the opening kick off but stayed composed. The first 5-6 kicks were not good yet the playmakers stayed composed. Eventually Parra started to hold the ball and kick long.

Once Parra’s forwards had the Knights coming off their defensive line they increased their line speed, changing the entire momentum of the game. With the Knights defence now back-pedalling, the Eels backs executed two extremely important tries just before halftime.

There were moments of conflicting thoughts after the game concluded.

I was frustrated that we let the Knights back into the game but I was also strangely grateful that we had the opportunity to demonstrate that we could hold our nerve and come away with the win. The Eels have a history of conceding late and costly tries in finals, and those memories came to the front of my mind as we entered the last 10 minutes.

Moses kicking game (image credit Channel 9)

Therefore, I think this game was invaluable for us. Our young, inexperienced players stood up, our forwards dominated, our playmakers stayed composed and utilised their strengths and we held our nerve.

Just as importantly we got through a close game that will give plenty of opportunities for learning and I am sure that our players will clearly see what they must do to improve, because we all know that if we turn over the ball cheaply against the Panthers they will make us pay.

This week’s game is very intriguing.

Of course it is the Battle of the West. We all know how that will be promoted and we also what that means on the field.

I firmly believe that Penrith are a much better team than the Rabbitohs, but I was not unhappy to see the Rabbitohs beat them.

For some reason, Parra doesn’t match up well to the Bunnies. Yet, as much as I respect the Panthers, the best version of Parra can neutralise the Panthers.

The Panthers rely upon field position and possession. They don’t score tries from 30+ metres out and rarely threaten to. The Rabbits last week held the ball and kept the Panthers out of the red zone for lengthy periods. The Panthers had to go to Plan B and simply shifted the ball wide hoping to score.

I see this game as coming down to two simple key stats. The team that holds the ball and wins field position will win.

Marata

Both teams have good packs who will dominate and exhaust the opposition if given the right amount of ball and field position. Both teams have a playmaker who can create field position through long kicks and then create scoring opportunities through attacking kicks.

Both teams have outside backs who carry the ball out of trouble well.

The Eels cannot afford to turn over cheap ball, they cannot afford to  give away silly penalties or six agains. Possession will be king this week. Parra needs to get into the game early and not let the Panthers trap them in their red zone.

If Parra starts well they will have a huge chance. All the pressure is on the Panthers this week. Apart from Eels supporters no one expects an Eels victory.

Parra have been in the Panthers’ position many times over the past two decades – the team that should win. But regular season results count for very little come the finals.

Our boys have 80 minutes to win and progress and my family and I know that all the Blue and Gold supporters will back them to make us proud and have a red hot crack.

Go boys, play well, play our game, play to our strengths because if you can do that, you will give yourself an almighty chance to win the only Battle of the West that will count for 2021.

May the best team win.

Shelley

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