The 2014 season may only be in its infancy, but the Parramatta Eels currently sit fifth on the ladder with four wins and two losses – a dramatic turnaround following season 2013.
As a fan, I know all too well the risk of putting too much emphasis on the performance of your team in the opening rounds of the competition. September is still many months away and it is dangerous to become overly confident too early in the season. Teams can shine in the first half of the season, peak too early and find themselves struggling from fatigue come final time. Injuries can impact a team at any point in the season and many teams find themselves struggling post-State of Origin.
I’m not suggesting Parramatta will be playing finals football, merely recognising the Eels’ tremendous turnaround – especially over the last month.
Parramatta started their premiership campaign with a solid win over the Warriors. I must admit, following that performance, while I was hopeful, I remained apprehensive. Over the past few seasons, Parramatta have consistently won in Round 1 and then slumped in the following weeks.
Despite our loss against the Roosters the following week, I wasn’t too worried. Our first half performance was solid and losing Nathan Peats hurt us that week. I knew it would be the weeks that followed that would show what sort of team Parramatta would be in 2014. My goodness, I have been one happy fan.
While it may be too early to promise that the Eels will be playing finals football, it’s not too early to say the Eels are a changed team. Defensively we are no longer a team that leaks over 30 points each week. Parramatta are no longer the easy-beats of the competition and Parramatta Stadium has returned to what it should have been all along – a fortress.
Our attack is also, once again, exciting. One of my favourite things about the Eels in the 2009 season was their unpredictability in attack. This unpredictability seems to be coming back and we no longer simply look to Jarryd Hayne to provide all attacking prowess. Nathan Peats, Semi Radradra and Chris Sandow all look dangerous close to the line and the team is reaping the rewards.
It is too early to determine exactly what has changed for Parramatta this season, but I am able to pinpoint a few things.
We recruited well. Last season, Ricky Stuart had a major clean-out at Parramatta and there were many casualties. In order to replace these men we recruited, but we have also utilised one of Parramatta’s best assets – our junior nursery.
Over the last few seasons, one of Parramatta’s major issues has been an inconsistent spine. We all know the importance of your numbers 1, 6, 7 and 9 and Parramatta had constant movement in those positions, making it very difficult. There was also uncertainty as to where Jarryd Hayne should play and as a result it appeared he was never sure whether he was a halfback or a five-eighth.
This has changed this season. Jarryd Hayne is back in form and looks delighted to be playing 1. Corey Norman has been one of our most consistent and best performers, classy in attack and executing some sensational plays. It’s been wonderful to see Chris Sandow back with a big smile on his face. Since returning from Wentworthville, he has been playing excellent footy and I look forward to seeing more of him this season.
I’ve left the best until last – Nathan Peats. Peatsy has absolutely transformed the Eels this season. He is the best buy of the season for any club. Not only has he been very physical in defence, making tackle after tackle after tackle, but his attacking flair has added so much to the side. He always looks dangerous close to the line and has assisted our other attacking players by taking the pressure of them.
Not only has our side improved as a result of stability in our spine but there have been some other players who have really stepped up this season. Willie Tonga is also having his best ever season in the blue and gold and it is great to see him back in form. There are also some new players who are fast becoming fan favourites, such as Manu Ma’u, Semi Radradra, Pauli Pauli and, of course, Will Hopoate.
We cannot praise the Parramatta Eels squad without recognising the importance of a change in coach. Brad Arthur seems to command the respect of the playing roster and has completely rejuvenated this Parramatta team. We look like a totally different team and are finally utilising the talent within our playing ranks.
As I mentioned, it is far too early to comment on how the Eels will do the rest of this season, but if they continue to play as they have been, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them playing finals football – and wouldn’t that be wonderful. Parramatta have one of the largest fan-bases in the NRL and these fans have suffered for many, many years. They have also been embarrassed over the last two years. It is bringing so much joy to the fan-base to see their Eels performing well.
This also has flow-on effects for the NRL. We have all been debating the reasons for poor crowd numbers over the last couple of years and one of the big reasons is because clubs like Parramatta, the Bulldogs, the Dragons and the Tigers have not been performing. This has changed this season and as a result, I am expecting a massive crowd this Monday when the Eels face the Tigers on what should be a perfect afternoon of football.
The Eels are a team to watch this season, and their turnaround has been wonderful to watch.
Follow Mary on Twitter @Ladieswholeague
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