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2011 is the turning point for Parramatta. At least, Parramatta fans must hope it is.
Despite a top 8 finish in 2009, the numbers that best define the Eels’ performances over the last two years are their points differentials: -3 and -64. This was a team producing occasional spectacular wins, and losses that smacked of exhaustion, indifference and too many points leaked through laziness.
Despite workhorse forwards like Nathan Hindmarsh, Ben Smith and Nathan Cayless, human cannon-ball Fuifui Moimoi, one of the fittest centres in league in Joel Reddy, and arguably the most exciting player in the game – Jarryd Hayne – the roster hasn’t delivered. And with the majority of new signings coming from Super League (Chris Hicks), French Rugby (Chris Walker and Casey McGuire) the Maroubra Beach life-guard tower (Reni Maitua) and the underperforming Cowboys (Carl Webb) the 2011 roster is starting to look like a real-life version of The Replacements. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0191397/)
The difference will come down to Stephen Kearney. He’s the Gene Hackman to their motley crew of ring-ins. A student of Craig Bellamy – coach of one of the most disciplined teams in the NRL – if Kearney can import some of the focus and consistency the Storm are known for, Parramatta can be deadly. The Melbourne Storm’s “all-in” playing philosophy combined with new captain Nathan Hindmarsh’s incredible workrate are the kind of inspiration Parramatta need. It should lift forwards like Justin Poore, who fell way short of his potential in 2010, help promising Tim Mannah improve, and be helped along by the return of young prop Shane Shackleton, who missed last season through injury.
Team: Parramatta Eels
Homeground: Parramatta Stadium (20,741)
Coach: Stephen Kearney
Season 2010: Finished 12th (P23, W10, L13, -64pts)
2011 squad: Mitchell Allgood, Jordan Atkins, Luke Burt, Karlos Filiga, Jarryd Hayne, Chris Hicks, Nathan Hindmarsh, Justin Horo, Tom Humble, Matt Keating, Jacob Loko. Taniela Lasalo, Tim Mannah, Manase Manuokafoa, Casey McGuire, Anthony Mitchell, Fuifui Moimoi, Ryan Morgan, Daniel Mortimer, Pele Peletelese, Justin Poore, Joel Reddy, Jeff Robson, Billy Rogers, Shane Shackleton, Ben Smith, Etu Uaisele, Chris Walker, Carl Webb, Paul Whatuira
Ins: Chris Hicks, Chris Walker, Casey McGuire, Brad Murray, Reni Maitua, Carl Webb, Manase Manuoka, Jordan Atkins
Outs: Nathan Cayless, Krisnan Inu, Kris Keating, Feleti Mateo, Jonathan Wright, Eric Grothe Jr, Timana Tahu
X-Factor: For all his brilliance, Jarryd Hayne has also been a double-edged sword for Parramatta. His incredible skill running the ball as encouraged the Eels to look in Hayne’s direction too often, relying on him to create magic and conjure up points, rather than playing their individual roles. This applies especially to the Eels’ halves. The freer Hayne is to play as fullback and not stand in half, the more dangerous he’ll be.
Main man: This man doesn’t have a name, he just has a number: 7. Journeyman Jeff Robson formed a solid partnership with number 6 Dan Mortimer for much of 2009, but second-yea struggles for Mortimer and a mix-n-match approach to the halves personnel saw a fall in Parramatta’s fortunes for 2010. Stephen ‘Gene Hackman’ Kearney also has a bright prospect in youngster Brad Murray. At just 20, he has already been named in the 2010 NYC team of the year, and as captain, halfback and goal-kicker led the NYC Chooks to a finals berth for the first time in three years. Like the first-grade Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce, he’s a player with a good strike rate for forcing repeat sets, something Parra have been sadly unable to do recently. If Murray can perform at NRL level for the Eels, Kearney will have a new young halves pairing to rival what Kieran Foran and Trent Hodkinson achieved at Manly in 2010.
Predicted 2011 finish: 6th
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