After copping a raw deal last week against the Roosters when the team was primed for a deserved victory, the Eels will be travelling the comparatively shorter distance to Blacktown to face Manly’s western Sydney feeder team.
The 9 to 1 penalty count in that Roosters match was just about mirrored by the first grade team during the second half against Manly on Friday night. Here’s hoping that we don’t see a repeat of that today.
In good news, the Eels Jersey Flegg team finally got their first win of the season with a 26 to 16 result against Manly at Brookvale yesterday. The side had been working towards the win and the squad has been bolstered by players returning from injury and elevations from SG Ball.
Today’s NSW Cup action kicks off at 3pm.
There could be a couple of NRL spots up for grabs – time to impress fellas.
| 1 | Zac Cini |
| 2 | Jake Tago |
| 3 | Sam Loizou |
| 4 | Sean Russell |
| 5 | Isaac Lumelume |
| 6 | Blaize Talagi |
| 7 | Daejarn Asi |
| 8 | Luca Moretti |
| 9 | Matt Arthur |
| 10 | Wiremu Greig |
| 11 | Dan Keir |
| 18 | Kelma Tuilagi |
| 13 | Charlie Guymer |
| Interchange | |
| 14 | Meni Luke |
| 12 | Matt Doorey |
| 16 | Brock Parker |
| 19 | Makahesi Makatoa |
First Half
Parra kicking off with a couple of changes. Tuilagi and Makatoa are late inclusions.
Manly complete their set and Parra coming off their line here. Good defence from the Sea Eagles but Russell is released via a blindside play from Arthur. He takes play inside Manly’s thirty. A shift right and Tago gets a passage opened up and he charges to the corner to score.
Conversion from the sideline by Asi
Eels lead 6 nil after 4 minutes
Penalry to the Eels in the kick off set and questions being asked. Play is centred inside the quarter. It comes left and Asi throws an exquisite cut out to Lumelume who dives into the corner for the try.
Conversion just misses
Eels 10 Sea Eagles nil after 7 minutes
Both teams knock on at the end of their next sets. Parra again coming off their line. They get to the kick from Asi fielded 10 metres out by the Sea Eagles winger. They return the favour with a kick fielded by Lumelume. The big Fijian does the work at both ends of Parra’s set as he makes the chase tackle. Penalty to Sea Eagles and they find around the Eels 40. Unbelievable hands from a Sea Eagles player as they attack in the 20 but the winger slips when out into space. Parra again rucking off the line after the kick. Officials miss a Sea Eagles touch and then Parra run it on the last. That’s a mistake as Russell is taken into touch.
Sea Eagles in possession and they split Parra’s left. Good fullback tackle from Cini here. Parra defend well but an attempted charge down gives six again. Great defence again and the Sea Eagles push a pass over the sideline.
Both teams now trading completed sets but a penalty to the Sea Eagles breaks the pattern.
Theyre into the quarter again and this time they ice a left side shift as their winger crosses.
Conversion nailed by Wakeham
Eels 10 lead Sea Eagles 6 with 15 minutes remaining first half
More sets traded and an interesting call at the end of Parra’s set as there looks like a Sea Eagles knock on off the kick but it’s called against the Eels. It’s all on now as Tuilagi gets a charge down and sprints 40 metres before being brought down. Six again now as Arthur’s kick gets a Sea Eagles foot. Another big moment from Tuilagi as he hits the line hard and busts through tackles to score.
Conversion by Russell
Eels 16 lead Sea Eagles 6 with 5 minutes in the half to go
Lucky escape for Parra there as Cini takes a knock on the Eagles line. Loizou scrambles back to fullback and the Eagles immediately shift the ball to that side where Parra is short. They make a mess of it with 70 metres of open space in front of them.
Scrum to Parra. Play moves into the quarter. Field goal? No. It comes left to Asi and he steps a couple of defenders to score as half time sounds.
Conversion by Russell
Half time Eels 22 lead Sea Eagles 6
Second Half
Sea Eagles to kick off.
Parra get to the last in a good set but the tap back off the kick gives the Eagles about 20 metres.
Both teams get to their kick on the last and the Eagles again break that cycle in earning a penalty. Into Parra’s red zone. Terrific defence as Arthur and two there drive the Manly forward back nearly ten metres. A big right side shift opens the passage for the Manly winger but Parra slide superbly and drive him over the sideline.
An Eels error in the following set and a Manly scrum just inside halfway. Another wide right shift and once more the Eels defence slides and drives the winger into touch.
Parra get to their last and hoist a kick that comes down around the Eagles 30. Russell catches it and offloads to Tuilagi who kicks the perfect grubber towards the left corner. Lumelume wins the race to the ball to score a freakish try.
Conversion unsuccessful
Eels 26 Sea Eagles 6 after 11 minutes
Another big play from Russell. He again contests the Eels last tackle kick. The ball is offloaded to Cini who pushes through defenders to score in that left corner.
conversion from Asi unsuccessful
Eels 30 lead Sea Eagles 6 after 13 minutes
Parra complete the kick off set and kick deep. Eagles work play back towards halfway. Left side shift and Vaega hits a hole through the centres. He comes to Cini and brushes through him. Cini comes again but Vaega gets over in the corner.
Conversion unsuccessful
Eels 30 lead Sea Eagles 10 with 23 minutes left
Moretti drops the ball in the next Eels set so the Eagles are back in the quarter.
Lucky break now as the Eagles right winger is in space and dives for the line but there was just enough pressure to force him to lose the ball.
What a kick return from Cini! He catches the ball on his own 10 and runs through a host of defenders to near halfway. A Manly knock down in their red zone later in this set gives the Eels a scrum ten out. Big play from Sean Russell who is on fire in the centres. The ball comes left to him and he powers through defenders to score a brilliant individual try.
Conversion from Asi
Eels 36 Sea Eagles 10 with 14 minutes remaining.
Short kick off draws an Eels fumble. Now a penalty to the Sea Eagles. A couple of big defensive hits from Parra but the right side shift is successful this time with Heleta scoring for the Sea Eagles.
Parra 36 lead Sea Eagles 16 with ten minutes remaining
Cini is tackled in the air on the Eagles last tackle kick. Penalty to Parra they get to the last and Arthur hits the narrow blind. Russell goes close but is held up. More action now as Vaega breaks into open spaces down the left wing but this time Cini tackles him into touch. Parra penalty now for a high tackle on Talagi but Parra cough it up early.
Spectacular stuff from Lumelume as he fields an Eagles chip kick then sprints 50 metres downfield. Oh no, he loses the ball after the tackle.
Set restart now for the Sea Eagles. They go left and Vaega again busts the Eels right side and scores. Full time.
Conversion successful
Eels 36 defeat Sea Eagles 22
My first post and comments so far this year, not a real happy year so far and for me and many others its ultra disappointing. While I cannot attend matches these days, I try to view games that I can watch, and hope for wins with the eels, but that seems a forlorn hope these days.
Seems that there are players are at a loss in more ways than one, there is enough players that can play well but how many others are not really showing what they can do when at a match. I don’t blame BA for how the team is failing as he does his best, but is it good enough really, or is it the slackness of primary players that are not putting in?
I do not see the value of certain players especially those who let the team down with ultra poor discissions when they perform grub acts on tackled players and cause the team to fail. Last night’s match against Manly with a certain winger of the eels continues with his elbow crushing and causes the team to pretty well implode, too many times I have seen the same disgusting acts to often and the eels lose, for me, he should not be chosen in the NRL team, and should have his contract terminated before he does any more grub decisions which ends up causing a loss to the eels team.
At this early stage in the year there is really no place for him or any other players who do the same or similar actions. The eel’s team and players should be a lot smarter than what they are showing. Not just the coach’s fault but there is a real need for the players to lift there games if there is a future for them.
Welcome back Colin. Footy smarts has been a let down with Sivo this year.
Good to hear from you again Colin. Good thoughts.
I always think in such times. I am not an insider and I am not aware of all the discussions going on around the team. Therefore I am not in a position to judge.
John, I learnt long ago that form swings can often be attributed to lots going on in a players life. Not judging too harshly is often good advice. Getting the mindset right is very much an individual thing. Some get structure and positives out of footy. Others don’t thrive under the additional pressure. It’s why welfare departments in footy clubs are becoming increasingly important.
Impressive first half. Looked to be a bit tired around the 25-30 minute mark but got better in the last 10 of that half again. Very impressed with Tagos carries. I understand that he’s only on a cup deal but he’s seriously tough the way he carries the football. Same goes for Loizui, he’s improved a lot the last few weeks. Need to keep it going for 40 more minutes.
One of Samuels better games for certain. Tago might be one to keep (as a centre not wing – he’s not very tall)..
He’s not tall at all but neither is To’o at Penrith. I’m not competing the talent of the 2 but similar bodies. Tago seems ok in the air from what I’ve seen this year but for me it’s all about the return metres from the kick and the second hit up. I don’t mind him on the wing in all honesty
You to watch louizios defence closer GG , turnstile .
Sixties who got your 3, 2, and 1
Tough call today with quite a few contenders. I’ll give you four players without points. Tuilagi, Russell, Makatoa, Asi.
Great work Sixties,
A much needed win. Some peculiar positions. Cini Fullback and Russell playing centre…
You deserve a medal for your efforts to cover these games. Especially in the current problems with the nrl side.
1. Can Tago or Leumeleume replace Sivo?
2. How far off is Wiremu and Doorey?
3. Did you see Sarantinos or O’Neil?
Thanks
Cheers Pete,
Are they eligible? I think after round 10?
Makatoa and Tuilagi outshone Doorey and Woody. I think Doorey needs more game time as he works his way back from injury. Woody just hasn’t found strong form.
I wasn’t looking for officials so I don’t know. I went straight to my seat before they game and left straight after finishing the blog. All that said, blogging means I miss big chunks of sets immediately after kick offs.
Thanks again
I had a good look around the crowd and only noticed BA plus Rankin at halftime (did he grow his hair back or was the cap hiding his bald spot?)
BA had his laptop out while watching the game with JA.. (Sixties are you sure you are not BA)
I also didn’t see the Manly NRL coaching staff.
On BA I have been a big critic of his on development but today the team was good Russell was terrific at centre and I thought he was only a winger..
Also have to give a thumbs up to Cayless!
Steven Hales, Manly assistant coach, was there. Said g’day just before the game. Sean has played centre and fullback through pathways. He was very good today.
I was blogging on my phone, not a laptop.
I knew I recognized that face from Friday night cheers!
Good win leading into a week off
Wondering why Jake Arthur didn’t play in Sunday’s NSW Cup match against Parra. Didn’t play in NRL match and not listed in Manly’s injured.
Standby in case evans cant get downgrade i would think
I’ll echo the reply from Anonymous. Manly are scheduled for this Friday. If DCE was suspended it would mean Jake playing on Sunday afternoon and backing up on Friday. Playing on the Sunday would also prevent him from participating in the NRL training session which would probably be on Monday or Tuesday. Players are usually given a couple of days for recovery.