The end of the season – a time of reflection.
The Panthers are the premiers and 15 clubs are involved in post mortems.
Was this year a case of what could have been for the Eels or for any other club?
Is it better to completely ignore the “what ifs” and focus on any achievements in addition to the potential in the future?
And the NRL – is it in good shape? What about our club?
Lets get the discussion going. Bumpers Up!
The Fine Line
As it played out, there was a fine line between the Panthers bowing out of the 2021 finals in straight weeks and being crowned premiers.
The Riff
Had a couple of calls gone correctly in the second week against the Eels, their season would have been over.
Instead, they marched on to defeat Melbourne and Souths in tight matches over the next two weeks.
Can we flip that and say that the Eels could have been premiers?
That’s a big call, and there’s too many variables that make it a legitimate statement. However, what cant be denied is that none of the teams involved in the last two weeks played at a level that the Eels can’t reach.
I despise “what ifs”, but once your season is done, that’s all you have.
Credit Where It’s Due
The Panthers are not on my Christmas card list. Maybe I’m a bit salty, but some supporter experiences at Penrith Park over the years have definitely coloured my opinions.
Cleary
That aside, I must acknowledge Nathan Cleary’s role in the Panther’s title.
But I do differ from the majority of the commentators. I wouldn’t describe Cleary’s performance as “brilliant”. Rather, I’d describe it as composed and damned tough.
There’s little question that the Penrith half has been playing busted since he returned from injury.
And in this year’s series, especially the tight matches that the Panthers were involved in, that was exactly what his team needed.
Kudos to him.
Premiership Windows
Some media types have tried to push the closed window narrative when discussing Parra’s future title aspirations.
Were the Eels to lose a handful of players that they are looking to retain, then perhaps you could entertain such reasoning.
Three debutants from 2021 – Ky Rodwell, Sam Loizou, Hayze Perham
But I’m expecting the Eels to extend virtually everyone that they’ve marked to keep, and with a promising group of players emerging, Parra will continue to feature in finals footy. Indeed, 2022 could just be their best opportunity to breakthrough.
On the other hand, both grand finalists will be losing key players and though they’ll remain in contention, they’re unlikely to be stronger.
The Storm are simply the Storm. They never stray far from the top.
Perhaps Manly will be the side to watch. They were gifted with the draw from heaven in 2021, but some of their young forwards could be anything.
As I grab a quick glance at that crystal ball, I don’t see too much changing in the top 6.
Am I wrong?
A Dangerous Tackle
Is anyone else concerned about the defensive technique perfected by the Panthers?
When the opposition is trying to ruck the ball out of their own quarter, the Penrith gang tackle usually involves one player getting the ball carrier off his feet, with the others dragging him backwards.
It differs slightly from the full lift and carry tackle. Such tackles result in an immediate “held” call.
Penrith defenders swarm on Mitchell
The Panthers usually manage to tilt the ball carrier just enough to take away any traction. With one defender hooking his arms and dragging, and the others driving in the tackle, the tackled player is placed in a precarious position against the momentum and weight of three tacklers.
This defensive method works in conjunction with their rushing defence on early tackles, one that is quite prepared to concede a six again call.
In contrast, the heavily penalised crusher tackle is mostly a complete accident, often brought about by the ball carrier turning his back in the tackle rather than by defensive design.
The solution is simple.
Once that ball carrier is lifted to the point of having no traction in a gang tackle, then the call of held should be made.
It might just save a serious injury or two.
Six Again
Still a disaster.
That is all!
Supporter Numbers
The results of annual Roy Morgan search into supporter numbers in the AFL and NRL made for interesting reading. For the NRL, it shows that the code enjoys growing support, despite the dramas of COVID restrictions and relocations.
Roy Morgan research data
Melbourne Storm and the Sydney Swans topped their respective leagues, with the Storm named the most popular club across both codes with around 1.2 million supporters. Not sharing code supporters in their cities (sorry GWS) is the obvious advantage for both clubs.
Despite their poor season, the Broncos continued the one team city trend, finishing second in the NRL with just over a million supporters. The Brisbane Lions placed fourth in the AFL supporter numbers table.
Unfortunately for the Gold Coast, poor supporter numbers placed them at the bottom of both codes.
In third place, with 454K people identified as supporters, was the Parramatta Eels. Obviously this placed well below the Storm and the Broncos in terms of raw numbers, but Parra was the only club in the crowded Sydney market to have over 400k supporters.
These numbers confirm the importance of the Eels to the NRL. Furthermore, the Eels sit on top of the NRL with over 32k paid memberships, meaning that Parra fans are more likely to spend money in support of their team than the fans of any other NRL club.
The Cumberland Throw Numbers
This has been an amazing year for The Cumberland Throw.
We have set new monthly visitor records for every month so far this year, and during August we surpassed our previous record for annual visitors. After the Eels lost to the Panthers in the second week of the finals, The Open Letter To Our Parramatta Eels became the most read post with 7000 views.
Innovations such as live podcasts at Parra Leagues, live calls of lower grades and increased pathways coverage have been very well received. We’ve also introduced our Parramatta Stories features on local junior clubs and made numerous guest appearances on Chris Warren’s Higher Ground Program on SEN.
A huge thanks to our long term sponsors, Starr Partners Real Estate, Auburn and Narellan, who’ve been joined this year by Starr Partners Parramatta.
TCT in the radio broadcast room at Bankwest Stadium.
We’ve also been thoroughly privileged to have partnered with Parra Leagues for that coverage of Eels Junior Rep matches and our live match day podcasts from Pablos. PLC are massive investors in the community, particularly in Junior Rugby League, and we are proud to report on Parra pathways.
Furthermore, TCT is extremely grateful to the management and staff of the Parramatta Eels. We’ve been very fortunate to get to know many wonderful people involved with the club, be they employees or volunteers. Through this we’ve gained an appreciation of the hard work, dare I say the labour of love, that goes into the Eels.
Finally, to the friends of the Throw who support our content in many ways and consistently encourage our efforts, and to all of our readers/followers and fellow Parra fans, thank you for your support, your contributions/replies to our content, and for being as passionate about rugby league and the Eels as we are.
Paul Kent
There was a time when I would have gladly volunteered for the role of President of the Paul Kent Haters Club.
But something changed and I think I might have to look in the mirror for the answer.
Paul Kent
When I objected to what seemed to be his constant criticism of the Eels, I probably failed to see that he was deservedly calling out my club for its failings.
Over the last couple of seasons, I’ve appreciated Kent’s honesty in calling on the NRL, individuals and clubs to be accountable for their actions and decisions.
On Triple M’s grand final day coverage he declared the 1986 decider as a favourite. After outlining his reasons he went on to highlight the successes of the Eels with Price and Cronin, and the club’s struggles after their retirements.
Price played eleven seasons at Parra, running out in seven grand finals and winning four. Cronin played ten seasons, with his record showing six grand finals and four titles.
After those legends retired, the Eels spent the next 10 years in the rugby league wilderness. Even with the likes of Sterling, Kenny, Ella, Taylor and Grothe in the backline, and the recruitment of Bob Lindner, the Eels began a slump in 1987 which continued until 1997 when the Super League War provided a cadre of Bulldogs stars to finally help Parra qualify for finals footy.
I maintain my stance that Ray Price should be the first of those Eels players to be awarded Immortal status.
His record speaks for itself.
Post Season Car Blues
The missing vehicle
Off season holidays have not begun well for Parra’s rookie of the year, Haze Dunster.
The rising winger had his vehicle stolen in the Broadbeach area as he and his Eels mates enjoyed their break on the Queensland coast.
A social media campaign has begun to help him track down the missing car.
Fingers crossed for a positive outcome.
Next Season Starts Now
The NRL season might have only finished on Sunday, but for many, the 2022 season has already begun.
Last week the Eels released their train on squads for the Ball, Gale, and Matts teams, as well as their 14s, 15s and 16s development squad lists.
Given the loss of community rugby league during this year, there will be many players getting an early start on their preseasons.
This will also probably be the case for Flegg and second tier contracted players. Hitting the ground running from the very first preseason training session can go a long way towards preparing for a successful campaign – for individuals and teams.
We extend our best wishes to all players on this journey.
Rhinos Crashing Into A Bright Future
The Cumberland Throw’s Parramatta Stories continued last week with our feature on the Rouse Hill Rhinos.
Club President, Paul Fuda, spoke with Forty and myself on The Tip Sheet about their humble beginnings, their community work, the pride in this season’s NRL debuts and their ambitious plans for the future.
Like all of our previously profiled clubs, the Rhinos are a huge part of their community. It’s a story which I encourage all Parra supporters to read.
Eels forever!
Sixties
First of all thank you guys so much for your coverage of all things Parramatta. In a noisy rugby league it’s my quiet haven of commonsense.
Too much is made of winning grand finals. This year’s premiers were a foward pass, dropped ball, missed conversion, penalty away from not being premiers. They did it on the back of some amazing defense, but unfortunately have uncovered the newest ugly in rugby league since the wrestle. I hope it doesn’t take as long to outlaw.
Finally, I want to say again how proud I am of our team – for the way they conduct themselves, for the style of footy they play, and for every cheer they made me do through the year. I am looking forward to the pain and exhilaration again next year.
Thanks The Cumberland Throw.
Thanks Ashley. Those are very kind words.
”The pain and exhilaration“ does perfectly sum up supporting our Eels.
That drag back tackle – well the method of its execution – is truly ugly. It should be simple to outlaw, with a simple call. Let’s see how the NRL respond to it.
Sixties, I have been stewing in regard to the riff win owing to several areas in their plays, I am stewing nearly enough to write to the NRL bosses and to the Coaches boss, problem is though that I doubt a letter to them would actually reach them or maybe it would give them a good laugh, after all there was a lot to be said regarding the joke that showed in the game with the Riffs win.
Interestingly you have highlighted the very things that have me wanting to Puke, Stew in regards to their win as it was done as a result of the Refs not knowing the rules or simply overlooking them.
I actually take it further than you do, as a player that is tackled and lifted up and taken over the sidelines, or lifted by usually 4 opposition player and carried with his back to the ground is seriously dangerous and should be outlawed, as one slip and the tackled player can end up on the ground with his back taking the full brunt of the tackle. The lift of the players, should be deemed as the tackle being affected on that spot where he lift took place, I also believe it needs to be outlawed, as not in the spirit of the game.
Cleary has a great habit of getting involved several times at the rear of a tackled player by lifting his leg and pulling it back, there were several of those, along with the same action with the tackled player being turned around by the tackler who has his leg/ankle and being swung to the side.
I also notice that nearly every play the ball by a Riff player also has a standing guard at the side of the play the ball, having him stand there and not move giving the player with the ball a shepherd like move to pick the ball up and run behind the guard player who makes the move to the position and stays there, it works well with them also when the ball is passed to Cleary behind the Riff team to make his kick protected, but the riff have more than a few already on the way to the opposition ball catcher.
That makes it almost impossible for the opposition to be able to get a clear take of the ball, which means that he is tackled by basically offside players running him into the ingoal area, generally held up in the goal area.
How long is a tackle? I saw a few repeat sets given to the Riff, but usually countered by the opposition as they again laid all over the Souths players. The Riff was laying all over the tackled players and should have been penalised.
IIRC, going back not that long ago, there was a very tight period where a prolonged tackle was penalised, today, very little if any of those penalties take place.
I am seriously looking at the game next year, & if there is no change to the way the game is refereed. then I will be dropping out, as I seriously see our great game being butchered by certain teams, players and some coaches and none of it the spirit of the game.
Last bit. Today I read and hear from the experts that two riff players had played injured, one with a broken foot (Edwards?) another with other issues, then there is Ivan with the need to have shoulder surgery, I see that as the coach not taking due care and responsibility for the welfare of his players.
So ends my rant and it may end my time as a RL supporter after 60+ years of being not just an eels supporter but also one who would not miss a game should the occassion arise for me to go anywhere to watch the game, also an Eels football club member for well over 50 Years.
Colin, we do have the trend of coaches coming up with different ways of gaining an advantage, thereby forcing rule changes or new interpretations. As far as Penrith are concerned, that tackling technique, the blockers and the deliberate concession of early tackle six agains are setting the “standards” for other teams to copy going forward.
Therein lies the problem. Success leads to imitation. I reckon we’ll see more teams pushing the same boundaries next season.
Mate a great way to attract new supporters.
Question though how will the game be when all teams push the boundaries but, end up losing anyway.
True
Sixties, somewhere one post mentions the change with the removal of the 2nd ref in the game and how that has allowed the rorting of the advantage line. I also notice now that the refs are generally not in good positions to rule on how the players milk that line.
Thing is that I notice that the refs seem to be positioned more in the defense line & generally behind the line as well, and they miss much of the way the game is rorted in the way many areas are missed by them.
I never thought I would say this but I would like to see the 2nd ref brought back in, with the way the game is these days, the linesmen seem to be simple flag men watching the game, and raising their flags for goal kicks.
As for those carry, & leg pull in tackles, I would like to see the bunker used and when he sees the carry and pulls taking place he can rule 6 again, or better still 7 extra tackles for the attacking team, at least it will go a fair way to knocking them out of the game.
Colin, when the six again was introduced for ruck infringements, even before one game had been played I wrote against it. I declared that bringing it in at the same time as removing the second ref was counterintuitive. I stand by that. But I’d rather see that rule scrapped.
Sixties, I don’t disagree with the removal of the ruck infringements, especially as a simpleton like me, cannot work out how they are adjudicated on.
I cannot stand the so called escorts which are a dogs breakfast at times as to them being awarded.
The other aspect that more than needs fixing is those carries of a player with the ball having his legs either pulled and the lifting of the player off the ground and carried towards a sideline, back to their attacking line or taken over the side/in goal areas with body, legs and feet off the ground.
The riff also was VG in the way they have a late tackler come in to hold the play line, and at a point where they have tired players and the extra in the tackle takes his time to get off.
One of the big topics on GF day was the interviews and showing off of many of the old game segments showing how tackles were effectively made, one on one, they showed the Young Sattler try where he chased an opponent who was heading for a try, but Satts, not only tackled him down but his legs tackle got the player over the sideline. There were seveal great shows in the GF of those sorts of tackles but how many like that were made during the past season?
I would not mind the two refs again situation but I would also like to see the linesmen being more than line runners, give them back the authority to rule on an infringement, classic is the taking out of MM against the Riff.
Colin, that’s why I highlighted that tackling tactic in this column. That lift and drag tackle dangerous. It’s different from the instant impact driving tackle. The early contact raises the player rather than tackling him. The second and third players then drag or drive back up to ten metres. And the player can do nothing to stop it as his feet are either completely off the ground or titled to the point of dragging.
Sixties, I am glad you did highlight that area in the column, and it has to be eliminated, hopefully the NRL & perhaps even Annesely could also see it, and make a case to the NRL to stop the tactic all together, likewise with the leg pulls that Cleary did also, after all he did a woosh on the Cleary conversion that he placed incorrectly.
If Annesely cannot/will not do anything about it, surely the Players association can.
The question though regarding it, is if the carriers trip or accidently lose control and the player is dropped to the ground it could cause serious injury along with a career ending result.
I’ve said in another reply to you (somewhere below) that I fear that it will take an injury for it to be looked at.
Colin I don’t believe for one second that you will stop watching the Eels.
All you need is an off season, a chance to get over that last game that was stolen from us and you will be back in front of the Kayo for Rd 1
Guaranteed
Colin maybe you should write the first chapter of the book of feuds between us and the Riff
I like that idea John!
John, I have dropped in temperature by a couple of degrees since my first post. In saying that, I am in no way backtracking on what I said regarding the Riff & the way they have played.
Seems though the Riff is having something of a challenge with losing a few of their players from the GF team, how much that affects them is unknown at this stage, but they also are struggling to keep a couple of their side owing to cap issues.
The only writing regarding them for me would be to see them written off – Full stop.
Yes I will watch the eels games, but not any riff game against other teams.
Superb Sixties. I am still smiling….the words you penned about P Kent. I am the same. I was not a fan but have been over the last several years, and yes he is angry at times but he is right more than he is not.
Well done, and I owe you a chicken / seafood mornay from KHP.
I do not like watching Penrith, they have become the new Melbourne. The way they have bent the rules is enough said, and YES we would have made the GF if we had some luck against them.
Souths did not get the rub in my view and look at how tight the game was….and that intercept. Gee….
Thanks for the posts to all at TCT, and we look forward to the off season and its sweet write ups.
Are we able to get a write up about up and coming juniors??
Cheers Milo.
That will be part of the off season, though not quite as easy given the interruption of the last two seasons.
The pre season is a healing time for all supporters of the 15 teams who did not win the GF.
It is a time to reflect on the season gone, not for too long, and start thinking about the year ahead not the least of which will be some new signings.
For me a highlight was the fact that the team really discovered what their capable of and what the coach is expecting.
We had that terrible run of losses but what impressed me was that they discovered their mojo and finally played 100% to the game plan against the Storm.
We put a reserve grade side up against Penrith in the last home & away game and they surprised a lot of people up until they ran out of condition from lack of game time.
We need to be able to bottle the effort in defence and attack and take into 2022 along with the belief that next year the premiership window is wide open with those performances from the back end of the season.
This year I also loved the way that kids coming through the pathways are starting to really make their mark and in particular I got a lot of joy out seeing Penisini debut and Dunster grow into his game.
I don’t expect to see much in the way of signings given the limited amount that they will be able to spend under the cap.
I am however looking to see the development of some of the younger players coming through like Wiremu, Rodwell, Loizou and Perham to name a few.
Go Eels in 2022.
This will be the smallest change to the roster for the last few years, but given the players coming through our pathways, it’s probably understandable.
I think that we need to get used to the small changes to the roster or at least looking to the pathways to revitalise our roster.
I think it is a sign of things to come.
Yes, the “new faces“ will mostly come from pathways going into 2022. I’m only expecting a couple of outside signings.
I have to say that I really hope to see more of the pathways players getting spots in the top team. The big hope is that the lower grade competitions will not be adversely affected as it has been in the 2020 & 2021 season, with their cancellations.
I notice we still have 6 players on the unsigned for 2022, includes 4 young players along with Rankin and & Will, with the release of the 4 already, leaving some money for signings, how many of that 6 would be keeps.
There’s probably some deals already sorted or close to right now Colin.
Thanks sixties & TCT for your thoughtful, well written pieces this year. You guys continue to set an amazing standard and added extra dimensions this year with the podcasts.
You’ve created a wonderful forum here for Eels supporters who can see a glass half full.
Enjoy your offseason, I look forward to your training reports early next year. All the best.
Thanks Day. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to start those training reports in about 7 weeks – ie late November!
That’s an extremely short off season – good luck with the recharge
Cheers Dday
Sixties, I just get a feeling that Penrith didn’t improve much this year, their improvement is more about consolidation.Maybe the Roosters might hit back in 2022, but I do think big upside is open to us via improved defence, Moses/Brown firing(Moses’Origin injury held back a real form lift), return of Mahoney,and leveraging the adjustments we made in the forwards late in year. Would be interesting to see which teams would suffer most if the NRL had a sustained crackdown on the 10 mtrs which is being exploited after ditching the2 ref system.
BDon, I said at the start of the year that the Riff were playing premiership footy in March. That I couldn’t see them sustaining it. I thought they changed their style in the back half of the season. It was more conservative especially in the finals. Or maybe the other top teams found a way to dull them?
I’m sure that the Roosters will play finals footy next year. Whether they’ll challenge I’m not so sure.
What a load of bullshit. All clubs milk penalties including Parramatta.
What’s a load of bullshit?
My son played with the St Clair Comets in the 80’s. They were a young club in a new growth area.
The club was well run and destined for success. The reason I raise this is that I see a lot of parallels with the Rouse Hill club
it will be interesting to see the impact of their move to new grounds
Preparing players so the Fultons can come and sign them up for Manly? BTW Sean Russel is not a Parramatta junior.
Originally from Penrith (Windsor?) but he’s been playing at Rouse Hill for some time now. So he has come through the Eels system.
Russell is as much a Parramatta junior as Luke Lewis was a Penrith junior, or should that be Brad Fittler? He’s come through age development programs at Parramatta, so there’s probably no real need to analyse every real nuance of the process.
Absolutely true Achilles.
I can recall a time, not so long ago, when an entire Wentworthville under 13, division 1 team crossed over into the Penrith junior district, including Brian Too. It’s like they couldn’t wait long enough to get a clearance from Checkpoint Charlie and so went over the wall instead, in the middle of the night! Now try telling the great Gustav Gould that Brian Too isn’t a bona fide graduate of Plato’s Academy out Penrith way and he’ll hit you over the backside with a big stick for it. And so he should!
The point is that many young players move from junior district to junior district until someone comes along and puts them into a program, whereas fans, on the other hand, lay claim to all the best of them and conveniently ignore the rest for reasons of expediency. Like a close relative of mine who once had coached a Year 8 soccer team that featured Tim Cahill, and who has boasted ever since of how he turned him into a star in a manner unimaginative and trite – ‘Taught him all he knows, or all he needs to know, I tell ya!’
I think all calls of six-again should be kept when the attacking team is in the opposition’s half, whereas ruck infringements in one’s own half should always draw a penalty. Treat the halfway line as the Equator in this instance.
If it’s kept, that’s a fair adjustment. But I’d rather remove the rule
I’m still coming to terms with the new rules myself, Sixties. I’m merely assuming that the NRL will wish to persevere with the faster game for now. So the adjustment stated above is one possible means of ironing out the willingness of teams to concede first tackle set restarts when defending deep in the opposition’s half, and all the assorted tackling innovations it has spawned. Bearing in mind, of course, that no rule, or adjustment to a rule, is ever perfect, and that the wiliest of wily coaches will always find the means to finesse, massage, or manipulate anything thrown at them in order to gain an advantage from it.
Spot on about coaches. They’d immediately look at the impact a rule would have on them and then how to utilise it. Secondly, if another coach has found something that works, other coaches are straight into use the tactic themselves. The wrestle being the greatest ever example.
When forward momentum had stopped the ref would call held as per the old rules.
I wish the NRL would reintroduce this rule and enforce it.
The ref could also bring the tackled player back to the mark where the forward momentum was stopped by more than one defender.
Rocket, dare I suggest that it would not work owing to most of the defenders take the the tackled player to the side, so the forward momentum is ruled out of contention.
If the tackle is near the sideline, that is withing 30 metres, then its perfectly legal, according to the way the refs consider it. Also if it was enforced, then does the tackled player get a lift back to where the tackle was effected, all while the clock ticks away?
Rocket/Colin…the overworking of the tackle is a blot on the game. The concept of forward momentum/initial contact should be worked on by the rule makers. Taking a player over the sideline needs attention, sometimes it’s being done from more than 10 mtrs, it’s usually a secondary action.
Bdon, surelly there is some rule regarding the way tackles are meant to be made, most of the send offs, now bin time & on report, are a consequence of the single ref on the field not being able to see all aspects of what is happening in the tackle, the carying of a player by 4 or more tacklers should not be missed by the refs, and an immediate call of held made, but that’s too hard for the refs.
I have said that the linesmen should be able to make reports of illegal plays, likewise with the intensity of the game these days, the 2nd ref should be brought back. The repeat sets should knocked on the head. All it really is, is that the attacking team does not get the advantage of a penalty, rather just a run from within their own part of the field. Repeat sets in reality provides more benefit for the defending side, rather than the attacking side, as the attacking side is usually stuck inside their own side of halfway.
Colin my understanding was that once the players are lifted it is called held.
One term I heard the commentators use the other day is that the ball carrier has to get the ball on the ground to stop the tackle. This was due to an incident where a player was pushed over the sideline.
John, I would suggest that the refs have no idea of the lifting rule, or because its the GF then they are allowed to turn their eyes away from it, if that’s the case they need to have eye tests to start with.
So how can a player get the ball on the ground if they are held up by a miriade of tacklers, taking him to the sideline?
Still believe that the heads of the NRL and the refs boss need to seriously look at the grand final and what I deem are illegal areas in that game and do something to sort it out before next season.
I fear that it will take an injury before it’s taken seriously.
& thats what makes the whole issue sader still, even to think about it.
Colin while you are steamed up, two more.
When a player retrieves the ball and is on the ground, my belief is that once the defender then lays a hand on the ball carrier on the ground, the tackle is effected. These days the defenders start dragging the player.
Second issue, sometimes when there is a knock on and the ball shoots forward, the defender picks the ball up and runs.
The problem is often that the ball carrier does not get back to where the knock on occurred.
Therefore the defending side does not get full advantage of the attacking teams error.
Well spotted John. I had been noting this quite often recently. The ref just calls play on zero, but sometimes the ball travels 15 metres or more and the zero tackle is given around 5-10 metres short of where a scrum would have been set. This of course is to avoid the scrum. I did see at least one occasion when the defending team deliberately surrendered and pointed up field to where the error occurred when they got the ball which forced the refs hand in setting a scrum.
That is the ref interpretation again and not enforcing the rule.
I agree about the six again benefitting the defence
Very true
Easy solution isn’t it! Let’s see what happens
I dont believe the riff are any better than last year. They looked at what the storm did better than them in last years GF, and copied it. Laying in the ruck, slowing the play the ball, and turning tired forwards around via their kicking game. The speed of the game is a contentious issue, as all its done is get teams to slow it down via the ruck and faked injuries at optimal times. The new lifting and pushing back tactic is dangerous and needs to be stamped out. Penrith I believe were the most consistent team all year, in all facets of the game. They won the GF well done, hardly the best team in the comp tho( my opinion)
I put Penrith on par with the Storm as far as consistency is concerned. Ultimately, the comp became more open than expected and Parra’s late season/finals form at least matched Penrith’s late season form.
Sorry my reply came up as anonymous, wanted to thank all you guys at TCT for your great work this and every season youve been going. Well done team
Thanks Jonno. As always thanks for your replies. The discussion that follows posts can often be the source for post ideas as well as providing different perspectives for ourselves and our readers.
Sorry Sixties, I’m still saying that we were robbed. Penrith just beating us by tactically and deliberately cheating, …. we know we can beat this year’s Storm and we are in the GF. I’m confident we would have been Premiers.
I couldn’t agree with you more about the unexplained, inconsistent 6 agains plus this style of tackle perfected by Prith. Throw in what is happening with offside and there is a few next steps that can be made for the good of the game.
It was a good year for us that will probably not see much discussion in a few years. The Knock-on Cup guys were likely GFs as well. And our 1sts men have every right to hold their head high.
Anyway now’s the time to get Sterlo back to get into our head space.
I’ll be back again for my 55th year of supporting the Blue and Gold.
Brelogail St Boy, I have no doubt that come next year, the Eels critics will refer to this year as bowing out in week 2 again. And just like the circumstances of 2020 where we went into the final against Souths without both wingers and Marata and then lost Jennings that morning, the circumstances of the loss to Penrith will be forgotten or should I say ignored. The Riff should have exited this year in straight weeks, of that I am certain.
I’m going to call next year my 56th year, though it’s probably longer. 😁
Just seems that way sixties … particularly if you sat at some of the same Cumberland Oval thrashings I sat through as a teenager!!.
You are probably correct about the way things will be viewed in 2022 by the ignorant and those like Peter Tunks and Graeme Hughes who have just never gotten over what Parra did to them in their long ago careers.
What about the exit to Melbourne a few years back when we lost in somewhat similar officiating circumstances through supposed forward passes etc. Nobody seems to recall these very accurately. You’ve got to wonder sometimes if some people are qualified to comment !
Sixties, I just noticed this post on Zero Tackle, & may be of interest
The finals proved it’s time to scrap the six-again rule – NRL News – Zero Tackle