Parramatta Eels 27
Cowboys 20
After two absolutely miserable weeks of football, the Parramatta Eels emerged victorious in a tough encounter with the North Queensland Cowboys, and that is something to celebrate. Was it perfect? Hardly. Were we lucky the Cowboys fired a six-shooter into their foot in the first half, reloaded and made sure to get the other foot too? We were. Still, the Eels held tough in the contest, broke away in the second half, weathered the comeback and iced the game. Now let’s build on it.
Watching that first half, I have no idea how the Eels didn’t go to oranges down a couple of tries, at least. The Cowboys managed to give away relieving penalties exactly when we needed them, dropped the ball right when the pressure was about to break us and failed to take opportunities when they were offered. As an Eels fan I know how watching that feels, and I’d feel sorry for Cowboys fans except feeling sorry for opposition fans is for cowards and communists, so I just basked in the joy of being on the other side of it for once.
The numbers indicate a tight contest, and it is somewhat surprising that an Eels side without their halfback managed to deliver the result over the well-oiled Cowboys playmaking group. Daejarn Asi might be the man the Cowboys rejected, but he iced the game when Dearden, Townsend, Robson and Drinkwater could not. For the numbers inclined:
Possession: Eels 51%, Cowboys 49%
Completions: Eels 26/36 (72%), Cowboys 24/33 (72%)
Run metres: Cowboys 1,579, Eels 1,566
Post-contact metres: Eels 598, Cowboys 503
Line breaks: Cowboys 7, Eels 4
Tackle breaks: Eels 39, Cowboys 33
Offloads: Eels 11, Cowboys 3
Tackles: Eels 301, Cowboys 326
Ineffective tackles: Eels 4, Cowboys 22
Errors: Eels 11, Cowboys 11
Penalties conceded: Eels 5, Cowboys 8
Once again it was the King who led the revival of the Eels, as Clint Gutherson delivered his usual mix of steady playmaking, tough running and scrambling defensive efforts. Gutho is criminally underrated, but he is also, once again, our MVP.
Clint Gutherson
1 – Fullback
Searching for “Solid as a Rock” to find a new way to describe Clint Gutherson led me to this absolutely classic piece of 80s nostalgia: the video for Ashford & Simpson’s “Solid”. The dramatic slamming of the cab door, the sudden downpour, the gang of leather clad punks storming into the tunnel to become a backing band, it is brilliantly terrible. While Clint Gutherson may have been King of our hearts for many years now, the thrill is still hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot.
Bailey Simonsson
2 – Left Wing
Bailey Simonsson made 10 runs for 64 metres, yet broke 7 tackles. It doesn’t speak well to the effectiveness of his “hit and spin” methods, but I’m choosing to believe the line breaks and yardage that usually come from tackle breaks are but some good fortune away. I still much prefer him as a centre in this side, but until Maika Sivo can show some toughness in reggies a winger Bailey shall be.
Will Penisini
3 – Right Centre
One of Will Penisini’s better games of the year, as he forced his way into more involvement and got some good attacking touches. The best is yet to come from Big Willy Style this year.
Morgan Harper
4 – Left Centre
Errors continue to orbit Morgan Harper, and that drop coming out of yardage is inexcusable, but he’s also a high effort attacking player who has a knack for finding himself in the right place at the right time. It’d be nice if we could one day have a backline where it isn’t rocks or diamonds, but as far as Eels outside backs that are taking years off my life go, Harper is one of the better ones.
Sean Russell
5 – Right Wing
Getting just enough to Taulagi to put him into touch as he dived over was a highlight in a season fairly light on them for Sean Russell. I appreciate he’s young and working his way into first grade football, but based on his pre-season I expected him to hit the ground running a little faster.
Daejarn Asi
6 – Five Eighth
The Cowboys ran at Asi early and often, immediately getting results on their first wide spread of the game that left me thinking it would be a very long night at the office. He’s going to miss tackles, but he also offered a more composed hand than Blaize Talagi had, and that field goal was a crucial play from a cool head. He started his 2023 stint in the halves strong as well then faded, let’s hope if another fade is coming it can wait until Mitchell Moses is ready to come back.
Dylan Brown
7 – Halfback
Dylan Brown coming over in cover and absolutely cutting Valentine Holmes in half is the type of football play I live for. You can take your flukey tries (like the one to Scott Drinkwater this weekend) and your dives for the corner, give me a man getting chopped in two like a rotten tree every day of the week. The rest of Dylan’s game was solid, he clearly gelled with Asi better than he did with Blaize, but that tackle is something I’ll remember for a long time.
RCG
8 – Front Row
Ginormous effort from the one-time moustachioed monster, casually knocking out his fifth 50+ minute game in a row and leading Eels forwards in metres gained. This Cowboys pack are no jokes, and Big Reg came out on top in the toe-to-toe battle with Taumalolo, McLean, Cotter and co.
Joey Lussick
9 – Hooker
If Joey Lussick had this game back in 1963 there is a good chance he could have gotten away with telling his grandkids many years later about the night he scored a hattrick. Alas, the internet and video evidence will show he left an unlikely triple on the table, taking one try off the board due to poor discipline then missing out on another by showing it to the extreme. How he didn’t just nudge that ball a little closer to the line and risk the double movement I don’t know, it reminds me of this poor dog with the cupcake. Just take a bite, Joey!
Junior Paulo
10 – Interchange
Back to the bench and back to big efforts from Junior, who didn’t need to do a lot of tackling but made up for it with aggressive running and a couple of offloads for good measure. Not his best, not his worst, just some solid footy in a solid win from the big man.
Shaun Lane
11 – Second Row
I’ve seen a bit of people lamenting Shaun Lane in 2024, but I’ll take a 10 metres per run, 130 metres, no missed tackles night from an 80 minute back rower any day of the week. Yeah he could have shaken the lead out of his boots and contested the kick against the guy whose one thing is cross field chips to the opposite upright, but no-frills Lane is doing a solid if unspectacular job in a team that needs a bit of that right now.
Bryce Cartwright
12 – Second Row
Points for bravery for Bryce Cartwright, whose output suggests he was not quite ready for a comeback to grade but gritted his teeth and got on with it anyway. Considering what happened while he was out I don’t think we can spare the rest for him, but it is going to take a few weeks to get him back to his best.
J’maine Hopgood
13 – Lock
J’maine man tried his hand at bowling this week, throwing Joe Ofahengaue into space to bounce and bustle his way across the line. He was asked to do a bit more playmaking this week and duly delivered. Hop to Joe might not yet be Junior to Reg, but watching big men put big men into space will always bring a smile to my face.
Luca Moretti
14 – Interchange
Luca Moretti runs exactly like you want from a guy who is only going to be out there a short time, and if he was more of a physical specimen he’d be among the best impact weapons in the game. Then again, if he was born with the size of a Spencer Leniu maybe he wouldn’t have this ridiculous work ethic and constant burning anger driving him, so let’s just be happy with the Luca Moretti we’ve got.
Ryan Matterson
13 – Interchange
Always a bit strange to see Matto’s playing time limited, this week only getting 22 minutes. That’s his lowest output since round 11, 2020, where Russell Packer knocked him out of his Wests Tigers revenge game after 15. Did he get hurt? Is it a sign of his potentially being on the outer? Did BA just not see him on the bench after face palming the Joey Lussick no-try so hard it blinded him in one eye? With Carty busted but playing 80, it’s certainly a strange situation.
Joe Ofahengaue
16 – Prop
I used my best gear on the Ofa try in Hopgood’s grade, so let’s just say big Joe had a strong one. I think he doubled his total tackle breaks in Blue and Gold on that run, whatever was fueling it, get more of it into him before every game.
Kelma Tuilagi
17 – Interchange
It looked like Kelma Tuilagi was going to get the BA four-forward bench special until Bailey Simonsson had to come off, but unlike the last time Kelma replaced Bailey, this went okay.
I needed that win like Leichhardt Oval needs modernisation, and before the game I put the chances of getting that win at about the same as that dilapidated old dump getting a spruce up. It’s nice to be surprised, and it’s nice to be able to write up some pleasant grades after a week so bad I was given the night off. Probably for fear of what I would say, which is absolutely fair enough.
Now comes our marketing visit to Darwin, this time to face a Dolphins team with a casualty ward so packed they’ve chartered the Flying Doctor to make the trip. I’d say a loss would be embarrassing, but two weeks ago proved that is not an effective motivational tool for the Eels, so I’ll just say a loss would be disappointing.
It’ll be 30 degrees and muggy, because that’s what you get from Darwin in April, and maybe we’ll be lucky and actually have the crowd cheering us this time around. It’s only been ten years of being the Territory Eels, after all.
Until then, stay slippery, Eels fans.
Gol
Stats and images provided by NRL / Eels media
I’ve been disappointed with j hopgood lately but he was my man of match great all round game
Lane on the improve. Could be that the first few games was clearing out the cobwebs from last season
Looks like BA was right putting a experienced half DJ with Dylan they did play together last Year when Mitch broke his jaw loved the response the Boys brought against Cowboys now we have to back it up again against Dolphins in Darwin
Hang on, where are all the deathriding doomsayers of the last two weeks, come to acknowledge that the changes made in response to those two terrible performances were effective, and praising the coaching staff and the players for their response?
*crickets chirping*
Yeah, that’s what I thought.
I still don’t understand how we ended up ahead in that game, with all the possession going the Cows’ way through the first half. But after a pretty ordinary defensive start, they knuckled down and covered well – a hell of a lot more commitment, resilience and composure in defence than the past two weeks, despite the litany of unforced errors in attack (I’m looking at you, Harper). That final try from the Cows was really a freak play where they got lucky, rather than our defense breaking down. But yes, thank goodness for Dylbag’s cover d, it is a thing of beauty.
I get the need to put mileage into Hands’ legs by playing a full game in reggies versus 60 mins warming a seat, but was wishing for some of his sparkle at various points – Lussick’s service was showing signs of fatigue at times (eg Lane’s knock-on from his poor pass), and I reckon his grade is a bit generous. I’m not sure what the Lane bashing is about, I thought he was quite effective in bending the line in attack.
Have to admit, I was seriously worried when Simonsson came off and Tuilagi came on, but noticed Penisini shifted to the other side of the field to cover. Lessons apparently learnt. They seem to slide so much more effectively on that right edge. But maybe that’s because, when the centre/winger come in, they time it properly and put decent contact on the attacker, rather than arm grabbing. Really hoping Bailey is fit and we aren’t reduced to a Harper/Sivo combo again *shudder*
I thought Lane and Offy had their best games. Lane seems to take a few games to build into his season. Joe showed plenty of aggression in this game and loved his try.
Thanks, Gol. Always a fun read. That win brought great relief and a sense that our season may not be over. Good team effort with lots of heart. They got better as the game progressed. Asi threw some good passes, one dropped by Harper with the line wide open. I thought Russell had a good game. He doesn’t shirk the tough stuff and makes some good carries. Penisini continues his good form. The forwards worked hard and Gutherson and Brown were outstanding.
Phew! A win! Now for the Dolphins in steamy Darwin.
Yes Gol, interesting game plan, sloppy discipline to confuse the opposition. The Cowboys bought into it. But you take a win anyway you can, this one really important for the confidence and hope of all. Gutho wore his attitude on his sleeve, played strong. Dylan Brown was very good. The team showed we can play winning football, there was a patch in the second half we resembled a Rolls Royce. No more Lada lads, please.
Well, I think Gol wears his heart on his sleeve. No game grades from the Raiders game and tipping the Cowboys to a big win. It wouldn’t be Parra if they didn’t let us down a few times each season. When you have followed the Eels for most of your long life disappointment is always around the corner. Sorry, Gol we sort of expect your award winning grades each week regardless of the outcome. And, let me say this before the others jump in – I wasn’t one who run off at the teams effort against the Raiders as disappointing as it was. The Eels were still in it at half time but who can explain the second half. And don’t forget the Raiders got a rocket from Sticky the previous week and so they came out firing. Should you look at the pregame review I tipped a win against the Cowboys.
A true Eels fan sticks to them and despite the opposituon always and hope they get up. Life is tough but NRL is tougher and Parra have again started out the season on the back foot.
Your grades this week are stoic and lack the colour of previous reviews. Then again it is nice you’re back. I hope it will be better for you next week and I am tipping Parra again.
As for the game I thought they toughed it out coming back from the previous week’s hiding. Let’s face it the Cowboys were on top of the ladder and which expert tipped the Eels. It was a good win against the odds. Enjoy it and there will be more – so Gol sharpen that pen of yours and cheer up win or lose they are team.
It was a win unexpected….it looked like it could be 50 plus after the first 10 minutes.
But the scrappiness had the effect of upsetting the cows routine…..cannot explain that and I would love someone to sit down and analyse why this happens.
Equally is why all the mistakes that led to Drinkwater’s try and then the brilliant finish for him scoring it, how many times do we see a dropped ball, a miskick or an inadvertent error change the rythym of the game and lead to an unexpected try. I even wonder if a deliberate mistake made in such away that is planned could totally upset a defence.
If you analyse how many times we converted limited opportunities in their red zone as against both the Canberra and West’s game we seemed to spend eons of time attacking there and getting no where. It would seem that the cows line defence is no where as good as some of the other clubs……that’s there’s to worry about of course, because they are an extremely talented attacking team with pace every where. Unlike us with pace no where!
If i was the tactician I would be looking to build a number of different approaches after they have kept you out for the first 6…..rather than rinse and repeat again and eventually make a mistake. If you receive a penalty on say the 2/3rd go, you could say take the 2 points. You should get the ball back if you miss and its gives you a chance to reorganise?
It seems to me we always (not just us) run out of ideas and get flustered, which of course is the ideal type of defense causing same. Understanding our attack in this situation might help with our own goal line defense which as we know can be quite ordinary at times.
Zero, I actually told Gol that the grades against the Raiders should simply be a huge F. It wasn’t a case of the Eels lose so there are no grades. After all, Gol has had to write up more losses than he’d care to. However, that match, quite simply, didn’t deserve the effort of writing grades.
Given that, I told him to not worry about taking the time to write it. And after all, with the reaction podcast, we provided the avenue for supporters to vent.
Big fat F games are when grades should be written as well, its just as much fun analysising each players level of diabolically bad as well as the good.
Anon, people volunteer their time to write on TCT. It’s not a matter of putting something together in ten minutes. We are talking hours of work. I made the call that a recorded Instant Reaction was a sufficient response to such a poor game, and that Gol shouldn’t waste his time after what we witnessed. This should in no way be interpreted as he won’t write up losses. He’s done plenty of those in the past. Plus fans had the opportunity to vent on the podcast post – which they did.
The time and effort put in by folk at Cumberland Throw are deeply appreciated, certainly not taken for granted.
(Cheers Noel – Sixties)
Sometimes there is some fun (or at least catharsis) in giving it to the team a bit, and if you look post game after almost all bad losses of the last few years you’ll find some scathing grades. Last week though, I was very happy when Sixties messaged me and said don’t bother because the team certainly didn’t. If you want to see me give it to a player I’d recommend reading any Waqa Blake grade from the last 18 months of his Eels career.
I bit of an ugly win, but that’s probably what we needed after the past couple of weeks. Time to move on now and look forward to the next few games and work out what we need to do to improve into the next step.
It was a win unexpected….it looked like it could be 50 plus after the first 10 minutes.
But the scrappiness had the effect of upsetting the cows routine…..cannot explain that and I would love someone to sit down and analyse why this happens.
Equally is why all the mistakes that led to Drinkwater’s try and then the brilliant finish for him scoring it, how many times do we see a dropped ball, a miskick or an inadvertent error change the rythym of the game and lead to an unexpected try. I even wonder if a deliberate mistake made in such away that is planned could totally upset a defence.
If you analyse how many times we converted limited opportunities in their red zone as against both the Canberra and West’s game we seemed to spend eons of time attacking there and getting no where. It would seem that the cows line defence is no where as good as some of the other clubs……that’s there’s to worry about of course, because they are an extremely talented attacking team with pace every where. Unlike us with pace no where!
If i was the tactician I would be looking to build a number of different approaches after they have kept you out for the first 6…..rather than rinse and repeat again and eventually make a mistake. If you receive a penalty on say the 2/3rd go, you could say take the 2 points. You should get the ball back if you miss and its gives you a chance to reorganise?
It seems to me we always (not just us) run out of ideas and get flustered, which of course is the ideal type of defense causing same. Understanding our attack in this situation might help with our own goal line defense which as we know can be quite ordinary at times.
I failed to understand why Parra never seem to accept a gift two points more so when they have a lead. Against the Tigers they had a gift two points went for the try and the ball was lost. The Storm take every point they get. There have been games when that gift twp points was the difference between a win and a loss. You are correct – get the two – gives the boys some respite – get the ball back. I really believe it is bad captaincy. Someone is not reading the game. Even when the defense is rock solid take the two come back with a different mindset. But, they cannot seem to do it. They don’t seem to know when is the best for a field goal. Then again I am not out there but two points is often hard to ignore.
Agree here Zero58 we should take the two when they are on offer as a gift. When we get a penalty after 10 in the bin, that is one time I would play on and also if the kick is a long way out.
I think the grading is a bit tough on Sean Russell. He delivered two try saving tackles at times when further cowboys’ momentum could have been fatal. He isn’t doing much with the ball but then he rarely sees it in attacking situations. At this stage positioning his winger is not one of Will’s great skills. Sean’s two excellent defensive plays were as significant as any other individual efforts in the win.
Thanks Gol.
An unexpected and gritty win.
Players and coach responded well to the pressure.
Now recruitment making announcements. Albeit for 2025. We are still very vulnerable to injury and suspension for 2024.
On to Darwin and hopefully can get in front on our differential and win/loss ratio.
Probably a little generous to Bailey and Harper, though I get his try was an effort play. Bailey’s cross field running is embarrassing for an NRL player and stands out so badly.
While I would like to see some Hands, I get that maybe BA thinks he needs the experience of Lussick on the field while there is no Moses .
Asi is clearly the best halves pairing option for the moment. Fingers crossed he is up for the humidity of Darwin. Maybe BA didn’t over play Matto wanting him to be fresh for Darwin, which is always taxing on the players.
When Mitch came to us he was not a great defender; when Big League published match statistics missed tackle counts for our halves between 12 and 20 were not uncommon. With, I guess, lots of hard work Mitch has turned himself into an excellent defender. If the same process could be worked for DJ Asi, with his size, presence and versatility he would become an invaluable contributor to our backline; he has the potential to be an outstanding left centre
I agree with all of this.
It’s a bit like my golf game lately. 8 points the front and 23 the back nine.
We dodged a bullet and could have been out of it before we got going.
A quick start is essential to get points on the board and tackles into the opposition.
Arthur needs a defensive pattern that works out not in. The outside backs have been abandoning their post for so long it is now instinctive, although I think Russell tries to stay on his man.
Again I have to complain about the short dropout even though 2 of the three worked this week, the first one led to a try. I think our record overall is a try against us about 50% of the time in the first set after a short dropout. Gutho can kick it 60 metres, I’d much rather see them at the 10 metres on the fifth tackle than the first..
Some of the other comments about imagination in attack are on point. Gutho seems to be playing half back / five – eighth in attack. Maybe that’s the best solution while Moses is out. Russell back to full back & Sivo or Talagi back on the wing.
Like it Gol. Not so much the bad dance number from the 80’s in the link, but love the grades!
I’m not privy to the details, but on the surface the James Fisher-Harris release would appear to be a symbol of what mahlkes a great club. As a player he us invaluable, one of the truly hard men, and disciplined with it. It seems that family changes in New Zealand has made it appfopriate for him to return thete and pfovide assistance and leadership to people he loves. Given his service the club hss not sgoox in his wsy. Pure class.
He does a great job Wally