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Forget Jarryd Hayne and Nathan Hindmarsh, Parramatta’s stunning resurgence is all about the likes of Krisnan Inu and Fuifui Moimoi stepping up and giving the star duo some much-needed help.
That’s the opinion of Eels legend Ray Price, the Parramatta board member who is the last man to lead the blue and golds to a premiership triumph more than 20 years ago.
Price refused to be drawn on whether this year’s squad was capable of matching the feats of 1986, but after storming into the top eight on the back of five straight wins, Price said the signs were there that the Eels had finally turned the corner.
“They weren’t playing as a team, they weren’t playing for each other and they are now,” Price said of the poor start to the season.
“You can see that out on the field. It’s not always the stars that contribute most to that win and that’s the best thing that I’ve seen out of the last five wins that they’ve had – it hasn’t been the Jarryd Haynes and the Nathan Hindmarshes that have been starring all the time.
“They still do their work, but everyone else in the team is doing their work – that’s the sign of a bloody good side.”
Despite Price’s assertion, having a player like Hayne up their sleeve is a massive bonus for the Eels ahead of Friday night’s highly anticipated clash with the Wests Tigers, who are unbeaten in their last six starts.
The fact Hayne hasn’t had to carry his side makes the Eels an even bigger threat, with Hindmarsh admitting that the in-form fullback was generating confidence throughout the group.
“He’s doing everything – he’s a freak,” Hindmarsh said of Hayne.
“It’s not surprising because he does it all at training. When you see him every day doing that type of stuff at training, he does things pretty easy like that.”
One player in particular who seems to be benefitting from a lift in confidence is Inu, who has returned from the depths of the NSW Cup to again stamp himself as one of the game’s most dynamic outside backs.
If the dumping to Wentworthville wasn’t enough to jolt him from his early season slumber, Inu said a reality check from head trainer Hayden Knowles definitely hit the spot as he called on the former Kiwi international to show some more aggression on the field.
“(Knowles) challenged me to go out there and just prove to everyone that I wanted to be out there,” said Inu, who at one point was linked with a mid-season move to the Bulldogs.
“I think that was one of the key things, just to be a bit aggressive … it was something that I was hiding away – now and then it would come out but then (Knowles) worked on it a bit and now I can just pull it out whenever.”
A massive weekend of blockbuster match-ups:
FRIDAY
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA v BRISBANE at WIN Stadium 1935AEST
Are the Dragons fading? Are the Broncos surging? All will be revealed in Wollongong on Friday night. A Dragons win could wrap up the minor premiership while a loss would be their second in a row and have fans fearing another late season stumble. The Broncos stayed atop the finals tightrope with a win over the Panthers, but a loss could put them back on the netting.WESTS TIGERS v PARRAMATTA at Sydney Football Stadium 1935AEST
The unstoppable force versus the immovable object. Someone’s fairytale run will come to an end, the Tigers carrying a six-match winning streak into the game and the Eels unbeaten in their last five. While a win won’t guarantee anyone a finals spot or end the chances of the loser, the playoff hopes for one team will look far rosier after this one.SATURDAY
NEWCASTLE v NORTH QUEENSLAND at EnergyAustralia Stadium 1730AEST
A tough trip for a Cowboys side which seems to be struggling for consistency at the most important part of the season. The winner of this game moves ahead of the other on the ladder, with the loser to be out of the eight with just two rounds to go.PENRITH v SOUTH SYDNEY at CUA Stadium 1930AEST
Two clubs currently out of the eight and desperate to get in. It’s last chance saloon for the Rabbitohs who need to win all three of their remaining matches to be a chance. The Panthers can probably afford to drop one more, but with games against Parramatta and Newcastle to come this won’t be the one they would want to lose.SUNDAY
WARRIORS v CANBERRA at Mt Smart Stadium 1200AEST
The only match of the round that has no effect on the finals. It’s a pity, because the Raiders look to be finishing with a wet sail.GOLD COAST v CRONULLA at Skilled Park 1400AEST
Assured a spot in the top four, the Titans are still some chance of a top two finish should the Bulldogs slip up, so expect no let-up from the home side.MELBOURNE v MANLY at Olympic Park 1500AEST
Forget about the top four, Manly need to win the grand final rematch just to consolidate a spot in the top eight. A loss here and the Sea Eagles could drop to tenth and needing to beat Gold Coast in their last round match to confirm a finals berth. A real test of Manly’s premiership credentials and a game the Storm won’t want to lose because it could set up another meeting in week one of the finals.MONDAY
BULLDOGS v SYDNEY ROOSTERS at ANZ Stadium 1900AEST
The Bulldogs are still outsiders to win the minor premiership, needing to make up two premiership points and a massive 102 point gap in points differential to move ahead of the Dragons. The fact they have the third-placed Titans snapping at their heels will ensure the blue and whites stay focussed.
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