Welcome to my first post for the 2024 season.
I’ve decided to write about the first two rounds in this issue of From The Stands. There have been contrasting results but I have loved the commencement of the Eels 2024 campaign.
It is really intriguing how the Eels have started the year, especially when you consider that their personnel is pretty much unchanged. Despite the differences in results I loved both games for the same reasons.
Firstly, the composure on display was such an improvement on last year.
Last year I wanted to send out a search party to find the team’s ability to stick to a game plan.
Across both of the first two rounds the team has remained composed and focussed. There has been no panicking. No attempts at miracle plays.
Sean Russell celebrates with Gutho
Young players such as Will Penisini and Sean Russell have continued to progress. They looked bigger, more powerful and confident. It is a clear example of why I love supporting a development club. Seeing young kids grow and become more competent each year is great.
Another difference for the Eels that I’ve appreciated this year is harder to define. The best way to describe it is something that the players have referred to during the preseason. They talked about being more connected and to me that appears to be the case.
Even against the Panthers I loved how the players stood up for each other against foul play and rallying despite some ‘strange and crucial’ calls going against them.
Combinations that were building beautifully two years ago are back and it was there for all to witness; Dylan Brown and Shaun Lane against the Panthers and that beautiful interplay between the forwards in the Dogs game.
Connected – Simmo and Harper celebrate with Lane and Dylbags
There will be ups and downs all year but the best teams stay together and cover for each other. From my perspective there was a disconnect in 2023. It was obviously something that was identified in the season review, and then addressed during the preseason.
The early evidence this year is that the Eels are a team that are playing for each other, and the fans. Long may that continue.
Moving to this week, what a great way for supporters to begin the season at CommBank Stadium. It kicked off with that first round against the Bulldogs and now this week we have a Sunday afternoon clash against another traditional foe in Manly.
I love both of these games because the rivalry is authentic.
Manly present us with some interesting challenges but what is certain is how much better our team plays when the stadium is packed.
So I cannot wait to see you there this Sunday in the stands. Cheer on our young debutant Blaize Talagi. Get behind our boys on what will be a wonderful Sunday afternoon.
Enjoy watching our mighty Eels take on the Sea Eagles this Sunday because I’m confident that our connected team will give it their all.
Shelley
Shelley nails it…again!
Thank you.
These are the games we need to win. We let too many slip last year.
Congratulations to Blaize on his debut. I’m also excited to see Luca Moretti get another chance. He didn’t do anything wrong last time.
Something else.. Michael Jennings 18th man for Roosters? On NRL sight. Is this our Michael Jennings?
Agree most notably with we lost these games last year. I feel we will be fighting with teams like Manly for top 4/8 spots so we need to bank as many home games as we can.
It is Michael Jennings. He’s decided to run around again
Hmm, convicted drug cheat and wife abuser. Yep, great standards the NRL sets, they’re totally serious about their stance on violence against women *rolls eyes*
I still can’t understand BA’s use of the bench. In Round 2 Simonsson was injured early and taken off. I would have moved Ryan Matterson to 5/8 and Dylan Brown to the centres. Penrith shredded us down this side of the field all night
I can see why people say that but I actually think the real problem is that we don’t have a top level utility who can sit on our bench.I feel we were in that game because of what Dylan was able to do at 5/8th. That is what makes following a big club great there will always be different opinions.
I agree with the utility statement. I wonder if the thinking is to buy Lomax for fullback and move Gutho to utility. We would have a great bench then, all roles covered as gutho could play all backline and spine.
Hi Michelle, thanks for your opinion. You are probably correct about Gutho being an elite utility but I don’t think we’d play our best player and captain off the bench
A thousand times no to Gutho on the bench. There is no way Lomax is a better fb than him. And I don’t think he cuts it as a utility. He’d be signed to play centre and maybe cover fb if needed, as I don’t think we have a good back-up fb at the moment. I do believe BA could get more consistency out of Lomax, but I’m only interested in signing him if the Dragons are paying a heck of a lot of his reported (ridiculous) salary.
I think a genuine utility in the current game needs to be able to play in the backline or hooker/second row. There aren’t many players in the whole NRL who can fill in at multiple positions and look first grade standard at all of them. I think it’s largely unreasonable to expect them to do so.
Hey Mark, five eighth defends one in from centre. Matto no longer has the mobility to defend that wide. And if he’s playing 5/8 in attack, we don’t score two of our tries
Thanks Shelley,
I am happy you are back with your contributions. Always of value and sensible. I agree with you on what seems to be a change in attitude/vibe/connectedness – whatever it is called.
There seems to be more trust leading to a calmer attitude when we are dominating but not scoring. There doesn’t seem to be that panic with attempts at miracle passes or plays. I think this will help us win some of the games .
Thanks again for your thoughts.
I think they way that the Panthers dispatched Brisbane gives further credit to our effort