Is it even heart breaking if there is nothing left to break? We find out tonight after the Parramatta Eels were barely edged out by the Canterbury Bulldogs in Round 14 in a game that was truly for the purists and sickos. The 14-12 loss was very much against trend in 2026 but the was largely due to some baffling, ineffective offence from the Bulldogs as the Eels held on grimly in the first half.
Sixties and Forty20 break it all down – as always – in the Instant Reaction podcast as the Eels just barely miss another victory in this challenging season.
After watching manly play and see how they move around to get out of their own half, even with often reserve graders taking up some positions.
I actually think the eels have a lot of fundamental coaching deficiencies in terms of both strategy and approach.
If the eels start a set in their own end they offer literally zero attack, zero creativity, and extremely predictable one out running for 3 tackles to begin each set.
There’s nothing to be afraid of when facing us – I’m wondering how long until people at the eels are under pressure? And I don’t just mean players.
Our players are always very spread out and forwards do not run on to the ball, It reminds me a bit of rugby union at times the style of play we attempt to use.
Really hope that Moses & Ryley smith returns soon! we miss the kick pressure and we miss the longer kicks from Moses.
Which is odd because when we played well last season we moved the ball quickly in our backfield, it was a real feature of our play last year. For whatever reason we seem unwilling or incapable of doing so this season.
Brett I think our errors have been so bad they’ve opted to not chance our hand in our own end
We also had Lomax last year and he offered meters and physicality from the kick returns etc
It is also a coaching issue too – watch how manly comes out of their own end not just ball passing but they rarely just do one out hit ups every run and they usually always get out of their own end
I’ll listen later, but geez we did a lot to win that game and a lot to beat ourselves.
I kind of feel sorry for the young eels. These guys coming into first grade and losing almost every game.
Must be very hard on your confidence and mental head space. Hand in there young eels. Keep your heads high.
If we had a good experienced spine and some solid props those young Eels who are inexperienced would probably be flying.
Let’s hope Jim, mark and Ryles can get some decent signings – or some individuals jobs will be under pressure come 2027.
Imagine our young players having say Yeo, Cleary and Moses Leota to lead them around? They would probably look like young stars. The young Eels desperately need leadership and some strong Sr forwards. .
A day to show us where we are.
In Cup the reserve grade side not much above a contest for the spoon put sixty on us. Yes, we’ve had injuries; still, just a disgraceful display. Capable of NRL, now or ever? Maybe three. My faith in Mataele is unshaken – we need him in NRL
The main game was gripping because both sides tried so hard and it was so close.
For us, some great positives – Williams was heroic (as he’s been for some weeks now); Brown could not have been more impressive in his debut; Considering that he came to us as a trial and train and was filling in for a gun, Volkman did a great job; this new guy, Edwards I think is the name is a tough footballer without necessarily being a great dummy half.
Positives – that’s about all she wrote.
Negatives – we now need The Dragons ro keep losing or we’re in danger of The Spoon.
Yes, it’s been a bad year with injuries; we have greater problems than that.
Williams and Kelly were great. The Fox good. Brown a good debut. That’s about it for me. Kelma runs hard in attack, but a liability in defence. Kautoga too invisible for too much of the game, never goes looking for it. Ditto Russell, I forgot was playing after about the 10th minute.
Iongi good, without being great, particularly compared to all the other game breaking 1s. Joash and Volkman inconsistent, they try but trying isn’t enough. Moretti has moments, but his runs are just a faster version of Jurbo. Walker is good, but his shortballs are too risky and too many of them were a fail. Da Silva too hot and cold as was Samrani.
Every week it’s the same story. We don’t get better, we beat ourselves before the opposition beats us.
Enjoyed 60s unloading tonight. Stuff 2026.