By Gabriel Knowles
April 9th 2009 @ 7:00am
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Finch set free – why?
Brett Finch with the ball during Representative Rugby League, Country v City match at WIN Stadium, Friday, May 2, 2008.AAP Image/Action Photograhics, Grant Trouville
So Brett Finch is on his way out of Parramatta after coach Daniel Anderson was apparently unable to guarantee him his first grade spot.
If it’s true Brett Finch has just helped himself the title of the biggest prima donna to ever pull on an NRL jersey, let alone the fabled blue and yellow of the Eels.
What ever happened to the days when players regarded their spot in first grade as an honour as opposed to their god given right?
Everyone’s entitled to a bad game every now and then but by and large the rule of thumb should be that you’re only as good as your last game. Besides which, it goes completely against the grain of being part of a team – it’s very rare that one player is ever that much bigger than the rest of their team.
Even the most one-eyed Parramatta fan would have to agree that Finch’s form hasn’t been the best of late and if you follow the ‘good as your last game’ theory then Finch can’t have too many complaints with Anderson telling it to him straight.
What he can have a complaint about is that there’s every chance he’s being scapegoated following the Eels substantial loss to the Roosters last start and the underwhelming effect that their halves have had this season.
But that can’t possibly be all Finch’s fault as he’s surely been hampered by being partnered with Jarryd Hayne.
There’s no doubt Hayne is a tremendous runner of the ball but he hasn’t exactly looked comfortable as a ball player or directing the play.
His former coach Michael Hagan has come out and said that Hayne is a poor communicator, mind you that could just be sour grapes. In saying that there’d also be a case that perhaps Finch is at fault but you’d have to think that a player who has represented NSW as halfback has enough nous to work it out.
But then Anderson may not want him to work it out. News Ltd media are suggesting that Finch has been laid off to clear space, and a number seven jersey for Michael Monaghan.
With tax issues for foreign players making Super League a little less lucrative it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Monaghan back in the NRL sooner rather than later. Anderson and Monaghan sharing the same manager only thickens the plot.
Still, wouldn’t you rather have Finch and Monaghan feeding Hayne?
Whatever the case there’s clearly something wrong at the Eels that needs to be sorted out quick smart. Best tip them this week then.
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(5)
znotty said | April 9th 2009 @ 8:04am | Report comment
he probaly chucked one hissy fit to many..that & the fact he`s average passing game,kicking game,defensive game etc etc.
Brendo said | April 9th 2009 @ 8:13am | Report comment
Gabriel, I would really like to see Monaghan playing back in the NRL even if it’s in blue & yellow colours, so I hope you’re right!
If Finch had been playing half as well as he had been talking to the media then he would be a dead cert for the NSW no. 7 jersey this year.
sunshinecoaster said | April 9th 2009 @ 9:48am | Report comment
Finch clearly thinks hes a better player than what he is,sounds like Anderson was just telling him like it is
Im not sure about Hayne as a 6,although im not sure about alot of the standoffs these days i kind of wish the old style five eights would come back in favor
As for Hagan saying Haynes not a good communicator,that can come with age,maturity and confidence for a footballer,a coach can play a big role in that also,maybe it says more about Hagan than Hayne.
Michael B said | April 9th 2009 @ 10:12am | Report comment
I’m a mad Parra fan and have seen Finch play quite a bit over the past few years. In 2007, when Finch first played for Parra, Tim Smith was the halfback & chief play maker – Finch played the supporting role. That year Parra made the preliminary final and did quite well. Without setting the world on fire, Finch did ok in supporting Smith. Key word there is “supporting”
In 2008, it was well documented the issues that Smith had with alcohol and his Bi-Polar disorder. Subsequently, Smith abandoned the eels and the responsibility was left with Finch to become the main play maker. This is where Finch became exposed. He had the heart, but seriously lacked skill and vision to direct the team around the park. Parra failed to make the finals. Finch escaped criticism from the coach at the time (Hagan), probably due to the fact that he brought Finch to the club.
This year, new coach came in – our first 4 games our attack has been non existent and disgraceful at times – a lot of this came down to the inept halfback and the coach has decided to act. Whilst this is not a good thing for the club in the short term, in the end its best long term move for the team.
Chop said | April 9th 2009 @ 12:32pm | Report comment
Michael B,
You are spot on, when Tim Smith was there directing play, Finch looked great, when he had to step up he’s been found wanting badly.
Finch was playing behind an average (at best) pack but I think he has a different view of his abilities than almost everyone else. Average kicking, terrible passing, runs the ball to often without making an impact and average tackling.
I’m disappointed we let Trent Hodgkinson go to Manly this season because from the little I saw he was a quality prospect.
Kris Keating isn’t the answer, I think we have to take a punt on Daniel Mortimer and put Feleti Mateo back into the #6 to help him out. When Mateo plays lock he stays on one side of the park and does not look anywhere near as threatening.
I think Daniel Anderson will be starting a big cleanout and a few guys who’ve been at Parramatta for a while might find themselves not there next year.