Another match, another loss.
I found Thursday night’s clash with the Roosters hard to watch.
Though I could praise Parra’s ability to keep getting back into the game, the reality is the Eels have put themselves into a situation which requires them to not just start winning but to start stringing such wins together. They are an extremely talented and determined team, but that only gets you so far.
I could also offer an opinion about the quality of the officiating in the NRL but what we witnessed from Mr Atkins should surprise no Parra fan.
Referees are human and will make mistakes. But officiating NRL matches is now about managing the teams. Because referees are human and individuals, it is logical that we will see different styles of management.
Unfortunately Mr Atkins tends to referee games to a style that I believe does does not suit the Eels.
And the other consequence is that it’s pie in the sky to expect anything close to consistency in decisions or should I say, consistency in interpretations.
But our Eels cannot control any of that. What they can control is how they play, with each player committing to their job within the team.
No question about Gutho’s commitment
A glaringly obvious aspect of the Eels first five performances is the lack of momentum gained by the back five in their yardage carries. The modern game, executed so well by the Panthers, dictates that the outside backs take the early runs in a set, make metres, and get quick play the balls. The halves can then take over.
Apart from Will Penisini and Gutho this is an area for which the Eels outside men must be held accountable. If this is left up to the middles, it risks them becoming exhausted and less effective, especially in defence. We already know that there are changes to the Eels backline this week. Dunster and Russell come into the team, but the task remains the same for them.
Speaking of the back five, Maika Sivo had an extremely quiet game last week. We all agree that he needs to hand in his kicking license, but he has been receiving passes with only centimetres separating him and the touch line and the cover defence bearing down on him. He’s been forced into an impossible position by those inside him.
Sivo in action
Looking ahead to Easter Monday, this clash is always exciting. It often coincides with a big event or an important occasion for one of both of our teams.
Regardless of their form, the Tigers make a habit of lifting for this match. Eels players must understand the history of those past efforts and how desperate the Tigers will be.
But the Eels should be even more determined to register a victory.
Turning the season around must start now.
Parra will be playing their first day game, in front of a large crowd. No excuses can be accepted. Every player picked must be able to follow the game plan and execute. Have they done so in many matches this year? You know the answer.
After the run of Thursday night football, I’m looking forward to getting back to the stands to cheer along with all supporters. I’m obviously keen to watch a victory, because after this match, the loser will be in the media spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
The NRL is a results driven business. The game will not be given to Parra. If the Eels firstly respect the opposition, then patiently execute, they can get the season back on track.
Let’s get behind our boys, enjoy the daytime footy and the big crowd.
Shelley
Where the hell are our predominately yellow jersey? The white is horrible. Blue for home and yellow away.
Sorry I know it’s not the post but saw ya pic and I had to state the obvious.
We lose identity with bloody white, it’s just not Parra
White is away. Yellow is alternate
I do know this, it’s rediculous
I’d say we are the desperate team. Lose this and our season is over. Our team is not a team which can go on a winning run.
Tks Shelley. Purely conversational,on the refs. Moses was tackled in the air, not perhaps or maybe but deadset for all to see. In Warriors v Sharks, the bunker called Niukore’s hip drop a couple of rucks later. The Sharks player was not injured. Moses wasn’t injured but the bunker chose not to call it.
The tackle in the air after kicking the ball was identified for a crackdown last year (or was it 2021) as it was becoming tactical, prevalent and eventually harmful if allowed to prevail. I’ve noticed some teams look to be under instruction to complete the tackle or at least rough up the kicker, but many don’t.It seems some coaches are exploiting the faded crackdown.
Whatever, both offences were/are considered dangerous, so why does Niukore cop a bunker call but Moses doesn’t?
If you are looking at consistency from the officials – don’t waste your time.
The one constant is that the big teams
(the ones with powerful back room players, shakers and movers) – Roosters, Storm and Bulldogs will consistently get the rub of the green.
The Panthers will survive on their brilliance and the other poor buggers like the Knights , Tigers and Titans will be screwed to the absolute max.
The Eels sit mid field in this molasses- we sometimes get the rub but only against the weaker teams.
Tks Spark, that’s why I prefaced it with ‘purely conversational’, if you took it seriously it would be a waste of time. Making it more non-Eels, I’ve been wondering for some time in any game if the bunker can give the ref a heads up on something that’s happened…from memory it started to creep in but they pulled back from it.
From what I’ve seen, the intervention of the Bunker appears completely arbitrary. There just has to be bias. The refs are human and the last thing they want is a heavy hitter from a big club harassing their boss on a Monday morning.
Look no further than Matt Chechin , who was a wonderful referee but the moment he marched Cameron Smith to the sin bin, he officially lost his career.
He was relegated from being the State of Origin referee to some backwater game and never recovered.
Although Matt was on the outer before that.
A good bloke Matt Chechin – he has some stories …..
I feel so bad for the likes of the Titans and Knights etc.. man they get screwed over time and time again.
If you have a chance, have a good look at their games against teams like the Roosters and Storm – it’s out and out robbery.
We are losing games due to not being good enough. Not referee decisions
We are not good enough, that’s true but there are definitely no level playing fields here.
The Penisini sin bin very difficult to follow. I call it a disgraceful decision. That’s the kindest word I can use here. What is galling galls is that Brandon Smith was allowed to hold down a tackled player as much and as long as he liked without any hint of a penalty. No wonder he kept doing it. Others like Collins joined in the ‘fun’.
Yes. Annersley was correct in his analysis. It WAS a professional foul but the important thing to remember here is that there are probably 100 ‘professional’ fouls committed in a match. Why don’t we have sin bins for every professional foul ?
Obviously because we would have no game so we leave it up to the referee to ‘interpret’ which professional foul is most worthy of a sin bin and at what time of the match it is given.
This is where we get into trouble.
In regards the Penisini sin bin, I would almost guarantee that there would not be another sin bin in similar circumstances this year, especially so early in the game – except when a good team is playing a weaker club.
A penalty- yep but a sin bin – no.
The decision to sin bin him was rediculous and extreme.
So why was it done ? – because the on field referee decided that the offence was so heinous that a sin bin was required.
Unfortunately, as I said, other biases come into play.
Again , ask Annersley and he will say – it was a professional foul and that’s the end of the conversation.
My wife tells me that, and I agree with her. Although I did try to tell her that it’s just part of the drama of RL and OK to have a rant if you get the facts right.
Spark, you are spot on. Look at the coaches who also blow up deluxe and they get a good go. It’s why I don’t know why BA has never given these people a spray…he earns enough and it’s basically a small amount to pay for a win
Hey Milo, I’ve sometimes felt the same but under BA Parra has always saved that for behind the scenes going through official channels. Giving refs a public spray can be seen as providing excuses for performances, and we’ve all agreed that player accountability is paramount.
Robinson has something to say almost on a weekly basis.
That aside play like we did against the Panthers. Eliminate the errors and work hard in defence.
Feeling a bit for Doorey. Had a good year so far did not see his demise coming. Obviously BA will give him some things to work on in in State Cup.
I’m pretty sure Doorey is a little banged up at the moment.
Would like to see what Murchie brings to the table as I haven’t seen much yet.
I think you are mistaking Shelley for Graham Annesley
Fair question for which there should be an answer