The last five rounds of the premiership have been a lesson in keeping the faith.

After Parra’s loss to the Raiders I was almost starting to think about next year. The Eels had an upcoming match against the Rabbits and the catch cry of 2023 seemed to be the ability to find defeat in the face of victory.

Thankfully our players and coaches had a little more faith and the 2023 campaign has well and truly re-ignited. The Eels hold their destiny in their own hands and I’m looking forward to the ride that will no doubt be the remainder of this season. The challenge for me will be pretending that the referee and bunker are competent. I really have lost all hope in the standards even remotely improving.

Watching the Eels strangle the Sea Eagles was a beautiful thing, and the most pleasing aspect about it was the growth in the team, particularly its discipline.

Parra’s strength under BA has always been found in the forwards, but this was more pronounced last week with the absence of the dynamic halves in Moses and Brown.

Hopgood is a key member of the Eels pack

In a match without three of the starting spine, the Eels had the discipline to start and stay in the middle. That discipline of sticking to the team’s strengths, staying with game plans, and players knowing their role and having faith in the bloke next to them, means that the “next man up” mantra works. The team doesn’t need to adapt to a new player.

Case in point. After Moses was called into Origin, there was some talk that Gutho might have to switch to the halves. This would have necessitated further change to the backline with another player, either Russell or Simonsson switched to fullback. Multiple position changes to accommodate a replacement halfback is not how Brad Arthur likes to operate.

Imagine not having the King at fullback!

Gutherson’s passing, positional play and ability to organise the defence and rally the troops is critical. He does that so well from fullback.

The other aspect of play that Gutherson should get more credit for is taking the 5th tackle run on a set when the team is working through yardage. He almost always gets a quick play the ball and therefore generates some time and space for our kickers. Last Saturday, the Eels only had one main kicker so those Gutho runs were even more important.

Gutho saves another try

While Gutho may not have the electric speed of some other fullbacks there is so much that he does that other fullbacks can’t. Good players thrive in well coached teams with successful systems. When taken away from that system and coaching many players struggle.

Under Arthur’s systems, Gutherson is the perfect fullback and I doubt that the coach would swap him for anyone. Though there are some brilliant fullbacks in the NRL that the Eels could easily find a place for, it’s doubtful that any would bring more heart and passion on the field than Gutherson.

This week will be tough, especially if Junior and Mitch cannot back up. Wayne Bennett will look target any shortcomings in the Eels halves, but the last few weeks have proven that old footy saying to be so true – “Forwards decide who wins and backs decide by how much”.

Look for the Parra forwards to win the middle, and take control against the Dolphins. Gutho and the Eels discipline will guarantee it.

Shelley

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