Better late then never for the Eels

Roar Guru

By Alan Nicolea, 27 Jul 2009 Alan Nicolea is a Roar Guru

Tagged:: NRL, Parramatta Eels, Rugby League

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As the NRL season approaches its last six weeks of regular competition, most sides in the premiership are already planning for next season, while others are preparing for the start of a four week finals campaign which will see eight teams fighting for a place in the Grand Final in October.

Then we have teams such as the Warriors, Broncos, Tigers, Rabbitohs and Eels, who have all decided to start their campaigns for a possible finals spot 20 rounds into the season.

Such inconsistency and lack of preparation throughout an NRL season suggests none of those sides deserve to be in the running for the top eight.

But one only has to look at the Eels performance on Saturday night against the Bulldogs to demonstrate why any team, when on form and playing with belief, can find themselves with an opportunity to snare the NRL’s greatest prize.

After beating a Melbourne Storm outfit which was somewhat under strength last Monday night, the Eels were once again presented with a chance to prove their finals credentials against Premiership fancies the Bulldogs.

Indeed it was a game that gave Daniel Anderson’s men a shot at redemption in a 2009 season that had seen them under achieve.

At approximately half-past seven on Saturday evening, the Eels not only discovered redemption, but also a path to a top eight spot that was lost four or so weeks ago.

Playing on the back of commitment and belief that would have rivalled the great Eels sides of the eighties, Parramatta destroyed the Bulldogs 27-8 in front of over 30,000 spectators at ANZ stadium.

It was a performance where every aspect of the Eels game clicked into top gear, whether it be their ball handling, offloading ability, tackling and try scoring potency.

Indeed Parramatta only finished up having 46 percent of possession against the Bulldogs, due to the fact their rivals set up camp in the Eels twenty early in the second half.

But for all of the Bulldogs attacking raids, there was something about this Eels defence on Saturday night that would have seen most teams struggle to break its resolve.

For the first time in many weeks, Parramatta finally wanted it more than their opponents at a stage of the season that truly sets out the men from the boys.

Despite the Bulldogs sitting on second position on the NRL ladder, it was the Eels though that had adjusted perfectly to the finals aura that was beginning to present itself with just six rounds remaining.

For the first time in many moons, key Eels players Jarryd Hayne, Fui Fui Moi Moi, Nathan Hindmarsh, Nathan Cayless, Eric Grothe, Krisnan Inu and a young Daniel Mortimer shone in unison.

Grothe in particular rivalled the dominating effects of his father in the late eighties against the Bulldogs, scoring a double and making two line breaks in a career defining performance.

Bulldogs coach Kevin Moore summed up his side’s demise very well, saying ‘we had our pants pulled down.”

Although the Bulldogs are in a position to turn around such a lapse, it seems the Eels have finally pulled up their pants for good in a season where they have been tripping over their own filth for far too long.

But not anymore, and its about bloody time.

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The Crowd Says (6) | Page 1 of Comments

Chop said | July 27th 2009 @ 10:25am | Report comment

Nice Article Alan,

I think the treble of Finch leaving, Mateo getting hurt and playing Hayne at 5/8 all contributed to the very VERY slow start but things are moving in the right direction for the Eels.

With the experience that Mortimer is getting this year, he could potentially move to half and have Mateo playing at 5/8 giving the ball to Tahu, Grothe and Hayne.

Can’t wait for 2010. In the meantime I hope the Eels can play spoiler to other teams top 8/top 4 aspirations.

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Alan Nicolea said | July 27th 2009 @ 10:44am | Report comment

Chop

Thanks – i think Hayne playing at five-eighth ended up being the worst experiment on a player in NRL history. I think Daniel Anderson though has since stopped apologising to Luke Burt over his switch to the wing. Indeed things are looking up, especially with Poore and Shackleton joining the club next year. 2009 however is not a lost cause just yet.

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Tom Alexander. said | July 27th 2009 @ 1:11pm | Report comment

Wouldn’t be surprised if they come sailing through to the top eight, especially if they play like that over the next seven weeks. Plus the difference between the eels and the other outsiders, is that the eels have the players capable of doing it. With virtually no injuries (other than Mateo) to worry about, they would have to be a good chance of just scraping in.

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Alan nicolea said | July 27th 2009 @ 1:30pm | Report comment

Tom

Probably the Warriors on their day are capable of scraping in aswell and causing damage, but yeah, the Eels have a terrific roster that really should find itself in the top eight – not fighting to merely be inside it at this stage of the season. But better late than never i guess. If they do get in though, they will most likely play the Dragons – what a 1 vs 8 battle that will be.

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Fred Magee said | July 27th 2009 @ 10:17pm | Report comment

Great read Alan. I went with a mate to the game on Saturday night and I was impressed with the Eels. It is amazing what happens when someone like Jarryd Hayne steps up and plays to the levels he can – which he has done since Origin I where he was NSW’s best player all series.

Parra have set themselves up for 2010 with buys such as Justin Poore and the players you mentioned starting to understand what is needed to ensure that they are a contender. What it also means is that they now provide nuisance value to the rest of the field leading into September.

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Alan Nicolea said | July 28th 2009 @ 6:34am | Report comment

Fred

Thanks buddy. Indeed one can only hope the Eels players not only understand what is required to win, but to imply it on a week to week basis. They are now on a two match winning streak but we still have five games remaining in the season. No doubt Parramatta have to win next week for their victory against the Bulldogs to really mean anything. Indeed this week’s performance will truly show if the Eels are up for a show come September. With the form Hayne is currently in though, most teams will no doubt be looking over their shoulders nervously.

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