ROUND 18, 2022 NRL TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP
FRIDAY JULY 15, 2022
EELS 28 defeat WARRIORS 18
COMMBANK STADIUM
Crowd: 12,279
The Eels followed up on on a scratchy win over the Wests Tigers with an improved performance over the New Zealand Warriors in Round 18. It certainly wasn’t without it own issues, largely a string of lowlights in the final 10 minutes of the game but there were also some quality highlights for the Blue & Gold as they work their way back to form.
As mentioned, the single (double?) main negative from this match were the two late tries the Eels let in once the result had been well and truly secured. Up until that point, Parramatta had cobbled together a rather excellent second half performance in defence and were looking to make some much needed inroads for the points differential. The win is obviously still hugely valuable but it certainly left a bittersweet tang to an otherwise strong team effort.
On the flipside, I was impressed by our composure on Friday night. For the first time in a long, long time the Eels built a strong platform through the opening exchanges and parlayed that into the first try. Given how opposition teams have consistently stolen a march on our troops for much for season 2022 and the fact that we have been somewhat skittish in early exchanges, this was a significant step forwards for the Eels.
By the same token, this needs to become the standard for Parramatta as we move deeper into the season. Slow starts in the finals will be back breaking and harnessing positive early momentum will likely be the difference in a number of close encounters.
The Key Numbers
Possession was split evenly between the Eels are Warriors on Friday night. Encouragingly, Parramatta were both effective and efficient with their share of the ball. They spent close to 40-minutes in possession on New Zealand’s side of halfway with over 16-minutes of that spent in the red zone.
We constantly harp on about the importance of completing your sets and Parramatta hit one of the key benchmarks there in Round 18 with a completion rate of 82% (31/38). Been able to get your kick and execute your game plan sounds simple but we know rugby league can be fickle in that regard. Consistently reaching that 80%+ benchmark for completion rates invariably separates teams in the NRL and the Eels have been better in this regard of late.
Another area in which the Eels trumped the Warriors was on the ground with a team tally of 2264 running metres to the Warriors 2016m. Maika Sivo led the charge with a game high 179 running metres while Shaun Lane continued his excellent campaign with 146 running metres of his own. Reagan Campbell-Gillard continued to take his Origin snub personally with a high quality stint that featured 140 metres from 12 runs.
Run Map
Set Starts
Defensively, the Eels made 354 tackles with 23 missed tackles and 8 ineffective tackles. That produced a teamwide tackle efficiency rating of 91.9%. Typically any number over 90% points to a solid defensive performance and outside of those two late tries it matches up with the eye test.
The usual suspects Reed Mahoney and Isaiah Papali’i headed our top tackles with 38 and 35 respectively. The other significant contributor this week was Oregon Kaufusi who chipped in with 33 tackles from his spell off the bench.
Sixties and Forty20 have discussed this aspect of the game a plenty in their Instant Reaction podcast but penalties went against the Eels 7 – 3. New Zealand proved to be effective in spoiling the ruck with Todd Smith reluctant to blow his whistle throughout the contest. Likewise, Set restarts were 4 – 3 against the Eels which led to them having to roll up their sleeves through the middle. Regardless of referee interpretation though, this would not of pleased coach Brad Arthur given that the Eels are one of the most disciplined teams in the competition in both aspects.
Quirky Stat
Reagan Campbell-Gillard started our sets off strong making 83 kick return metres.
Stat Player of the Week
Shaun Lane receives this week’s gong after yet another impressive effort.
With Isaiah Papali’i and Ryan Matterson both getting their deserved plaudits, Lane continues to be a key underrated presence in our backrow. He clocked in with another quality game against the Warriors:
Minutes Played – 76
Runs – 16
Running Metres – 146
Post Contact Metres – 67
Tackle Breaks – 4
Tackles – 31
A very strong edge forward performance and it is little wonder why the Eels go to his side of the field many times throughout a match.
Final Thoughts
I say it with my tongue planted firmly in cheek but I am sure that Brad Arthur and the Eels heeded my advice from last week. Reed got a spell which he deserves (but I think needs to be earlier) while ‘Gutho’ was playing a more supportive fullback role against the Warriors.
It was good seeing Gutherson sniffing around our forwards and if he continues to do so you have to think that the metres and line breaks will follow.
I did like the new platform that the Eels started building through the early exchanges. Controlled footy that leaned on patience and composure to build into the game. It was smart footy and the more we see of this style from the Eels, the more confident I become that they can tackle any and all comers.
Yours in Blue and Gold
- Colmac
Love these stats thanks guys. After watching the game I would say the stats were as interesting to read as watching the game which failed to reach any heights.
Did not see line breaks though? Found it concerning we lost that stat 5-33.
Our defence is an issue and needs to be fixed and if it weren’t for penalties our tactic of one out hit ups out of our end would mean we are always stuck in our half. Would it kill us to try an early shift?
Agreed on an early shift or even just a decoy to take the heat out of the defence
Players in motion around the ball Mannah and also a dummy half who can make defences think a little more.
Damien Cook is very good at bringing his forwards onto the ball and extracting a quick play the ball to go wide early. Even if the opposition number up, they tend to slide and give away 20 mtrs or more. That’s 2 or 3 rucks for the one out stuff.