If anyone ever tells you that the Parramatta Eels are a boring team then make sure to bring the receipts from the last months of footy. It continued into Round 24 in the most dramatic fashion as the Eels, on the back of a clutch Captain’s Challenge from Mitchell Moses, kicked themselves to victory from the boot of the very same man to claim an insane 32-30 victory. In a game that featured some mind blowing tries from both sides – including a legendary try assist to Junior Paulo – Parramatta did just enough to secure the season sweep on the men from North Queensland.
Sixties and Forty20 try to settle the adrenaline levels as they debrief on a legitimately absurd game that featured oodles of offence and the scantest semblance of defence.
Excitement a plenty but we should have wrapped it up much earlier.
Before all the criticism starts, let me say that I believe that without injuries we finish in the eight this year.
As it was, we had three or four games taken off us with disgusting refereeing, one after the siren.
If we get a powerhouse forward and a quality centre we will be there next year.
Now if Ryles works out how to lock down the defence around the ruck, we beat teams like the Cowboys by 20.
We don’t have a team good enough to break the drought yet, but getting into September next year will give us a chance to compete for quality players in the market.
Well done lads.
Nice to win but agree the poor defence means we rarely pull away from teams. It’s all about scoring more than opposition. Our ruck defence is putrid (and has been for years) so big area of focus in pre season
I believe we need two new centres, not one. Samrani tries hard and would be good squad player but he’s just too poor laterally in defence and speed wise. Ditto for will p but he’s has so many serious deficiencies I don’t see why he has any claim to start. We need centres with some speed – they can be taught to tackle in due course. Would love a centre who can draw and pass/pass to winger under pressue as we haven’t had that for years. Russell, penisni, waqa Blake etc all have hands like feet
Credit especially tds, junez, Moses.
Joash shouldn’t be our backup fullback twiddle offers way more because of his passing threat and Bamblett should be next up
They were fabulous, Penisini included. Such heart. They never gave up.
Penisini 150+ metres, 6 tackle breaks, no missed tackles.
Great to get a good win like that when the entire team put in for the whole game. Yeah there were mistakes but name a team that in the comp that doesn’t.
How good was Junior with those hits and that pass, couldn’t get the smile of my face.
Have to agree with 57 year an Eel above about being higher on the table without some terrible officiating and to think of our injury hit season that would have been something.
As I’ve said before a lot of positives to look at and hopefully no more injuries for the rest of the year and next.
They really are a heart attack team. Two back to back errors and the Cowboys have back to back tries – let’s them back into the game then the lead. Moses goal kicking really worries me and looking back over the years poor goal kicks have hurt Parra.
When Will P came on the scene I had high hopes for him – possibly origin. The number of times the bloke gets put into the clear with a race to the line and falls short – seriously – and generally loses the ball. And what is it with JAC – he is off his game – thirteen games between tries, but I do like him at fullback. Parra were clearly the better team and yet looked like they could lose it. Five errors – one in the second half and that was JAC actually two. Is there any truth in the rumor Apa might back flip on the Bears? I know Mr Sixties will not comment on rumors. I get that – just hoping. Parra need two more wins to match last year which means we haven’t gone backwards. It just mens we haven’t improved.
I’ve heard this rumour with joash going over instead.
Brian Kelly really should hold his head high his had a very strong year after a average start
Stayed in the game mentally and physically and got rewarded. Every time the Cows got repeat ball they looked threatening, a big, fast team where weight of possession feeds their strengths. Interesting to know play the ball speeds, the Cows seemed to be keeping us on the turf for longer which was shortening our set yardage. Will P needs to look at DWZ scoring tries avoiding tacklers and sidelines.
This and other games suggests the tackle in the air contest may have received some review this week. ‘Tackling the ball’ appeared a few times but not in the rule book this week. Disruptors need some similar attention.
Take a look at The Brian Kelly post contact metres. Of course, he’s on the open market for 28 in ten weeks time. Has anyone thought it worth the effort to tie him up? Ditto The Fox.
I do note that our first two tries were scored by players we are releasing; how any one could not tell that Twidle is a serious footballer bemused me; how would be have gone at centre? The continual denigration of Volkmann since he rejected our offer disturbs me greatly. Low politics? I hope not.