At the completion of Round 10 last year’s wooden spooners Parramatta are in fourth position on the ladder, with only the Bulldogs, Manly and Penrith above them as we head into the representative rounds.
There has been a lot of talk about the Eels backline playing some exciting football this year. With the Eels sporting three of the top four try scorers so far this season, it’s easy to see why.
While Jaryd Hayne comes with a certain level of expectation, it’s wingers Semi Radradra and Ken Sio who have surprised many in the opening rounds, finishing off some stellar work from former Origin players Will Hopoate and Willie Tonga.
The two excitement machines are managing to keep little-known Vai Toutai, who’s managed to bag four meat pies from three starts, out of the side.
Many an Eels fan lamented the missed opportunity when their team tried to sign superstar Israel Folau, but the 2014 backline isn’t one Eels fans would be looking to replace any time soon.
The early rounds of 2013 saw Chris Sandow’s brilliance shine for a few rounds before an on- and off-field implosion. League fans must have felt uneasy when we saw Sandow return in Round 4 to replace a solid but unimpressive Luke Kelly. Those uneasy feelings must be starting to subside very quickly as we’ve seen the little halfback return to his best in recent weeks.
His constant chatter in organising the Parra team in attack can not be understated. The disarray of the Eels’ 2013 go-forward is a distant memory, along with Sandow’s gambling demons. His kicking game has been up with the best halves in the game this year. Opposition wingers are forced to constantly live in fear of the 40/20, allowing the Parra edges to challenge the short side at will.
The 2014 Sandow has worked his craft close to the line with impunity, much to the delight of Eels fans and his outside backs.
All of this has come off the back of a forward pack that seems to lack the big names as much as it lacks the fear of opposing packs.
With international signing Lee Mossop injured to start the season, the forward pack that sports Tim Mannah as its figurehead is managing to keep Parramatta’s favorite prop Fui Fui Moi Moi in NSW Cup. They’ve done it all by bashing other teams packs into submission.
Who makes way for Lee Mossop when he returns from lower grades?
The defence of the entire Eels outfit has had a remarkable turnaround. The two poor defensive efforts of the season came against the Roosters in Round 2 and against the Cowboys when the new cornerstone of the Parramatta pack, Nathan Peats, was out suspended and playing injured respectively.
It goes to show how important it is to have a ball-playing hooker who loves to tackle and plays 80 minutes in the modern era. Nathan Peats is doing the job for Parra that Robbie Farah does for the Tigers, Cameron Smith does for the Storm and Andrew McCullough is now doing for the Broncos, and it’s paying off in spades.
With the only other losses coming against Manly in a very tight game and against the Tigers back when the refs couldn’t decide what an obstruction was, the question has to be asked – are Parramatta the real deal?
We may have more answers to the question after Round 13 when they get a chance at revenge against the Cowboys at home, and Round 14 against the benchmark Bulldogs at ANZ.
One thing is for sure though – with 2014 already throwing many a surprise at us, Parramatta are bound to throw a few more before the season is out.
Phoenix Pete
Guest
Be careful next time.
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
The Origin period will be very interesting to see how they cope without Hayne.
The real expert
Guest
no they are not - not a chance of making the 8 they will collapse again soon and start a long losing streak
Parrafan
Guest
Having sai that Dogs we have already played last years finalists 3 times reuslting in one win, a thrashing and what should have been a win against Manly. (if only should haves could equal 2 points) I was asked at the beginning of the year how many win we would notch in our first 10 matches and my reply was 4 would make me happy. With a couple of matches against this years cellar dwellers still to come we are looking good to make the 8. From there anything is possible. Case in point Parramatta 2009.
Parrafan
Guest
Branko Stuart deserves zero praise. He was the reason we ended with a second spoon last year. Telling his troops in round 6 that they were headed for more 50 point thrashings really instills confidence in the playing group doesn't it. Putting Sandow out near the wing to defend was a great move. Rotating 18 year old NSW cup forwards into the 1st grade squad before they were ready was a masterclass in 1st grade coaching. Any punter could tell Matt Keating, Maitua and Roberts weren't first grade standard. Others told to leave including Tonga and Smith have been retained and are playing well this season. Not to forget Stuarts constant assurances he wasn't going anywhere when his deal with the Raiders was already signed. The bloke is a rubbish coach who constantly uses refs as scapegoats. His mates at the daily telegraph should stop protecting him as his 1st grade coaching stats speak clearly about how poor he is as a coach.
Bearfax
Roar Guru
I think that you'll find Arthurs is a far better coach than Stuart. Manly were very unhappy when he left because he and Toovey formed a great team. he seems to know his business well from what I've heard.
Parrafan
Guest
Have said the same to some other die hard eels fans. Unless we can really turn up to the heavyweights of the comp, i.e. Dogs, Cowboys, Storm and Rabbits we will be lucky to make it to finals. Although that win against Roosters at home was unbelievable and shows how far the team has come since King Arthur has taken over.
Branko
Guest
You got me on Hopoate, but I thought Stuart handled Sandow well. If he hadn't of taken charge and forced Sandow to address his gambling problems, who knows what could have happened? The least frightening scenario is that he possibly would never had played first grade again.
Bearfax
Roar Guru
Err Hopoate was bought before Stuart arrived there. And he did nothing to develop Sandow who was pathetic during Start's tenure.
Branko
Guest
Errmmm, I think you need to be thanking Ricky for bring Peats, Hopoate and Norman to the club, and pushing Sandow to get help with his personal problems. Nice to see the deadwood that he cleaned out are no longer hampering the team's progress. Raiders' problems don't lie with Stuart. They lie with a soft forward pack that contains many of the 'leaders' of the squad, an ageing captain who can't run, and an administration that is stuck in the 90's.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Should be a cracking match after Origin, Panthers vs Eels, full house I suspect on a Friday night.
Lord Erebus
Guest
I see them anchoring down the 8 at 8th or maybe 7th on for-and-against, but they will be playing footy come finals time. Their pack is a little suspect, very true, and their record away from home is supect, but Arthur is going great0guns and should see a few more wins under his belt. It seems a 50/50 win/lose ratio has been enough for a 7th or 8th placed finish in past seasons, so I don't see how they can go too wrong, unless they lose Hayne or Sandow for an extended period of time. And that's coming from a supporter of the other Western Sydney team, the Panthers. We should be just above you, either 5th or 6th I think. Top 4 is a bit lofty for us right now, too, but definately seeing signs some finals footy is headed out west for 2 teams come September.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
As I pointed out, they have had a good run of home games, with only 4 left, that's where they will fall apart, not to mention that their pack isn't that good. Semi's might be a chance if they can crack a few more upsets, I'm thinking around 7-8th is about where they will settle.
Bearfax
Roar Guru
What is making Parramatta a team on the rise is their coach. They've finally got one who knows how to meld some good players into a team and work consistently together. They look confident and we're beginning to see the best out of Hayne, Sandow, Hannah, Peats and some improving displays from Tonga and Hopoate, helping to set that juggernaut Radrada alight. I think they're destined for the semis but I'm not sure if they'll make the final four this year. But they are certainly one team that is definitely on the rise and I dont think its just a purple patch.
BrumbyJack
Guest
Agree Dogs of War. There is no doubting the Eels class in the back line, however it is their forwards that will be of a concern going into the big matches. I just can't see Paulo, Mannah, Peats and co matching it with the big packs of the competition - Bulldogs, Souths and Cowboys. L And when their pack can't get going, it's going to be hard for Hayne, Sandow and Peats to get that front foot momentum they rely a lot on. But all credit to them so far this season, they are a great team to watch and they will chalk up many more wins.
john badseed
Guest
Doesn't hurt to have a coach schooled at the best systems in RL. There are coaches and there are Phil Gould's pets.
Ronnie
Guest
Are you watching Raiders ? If you want to avoid the spoon and win some games then follow the Eels example and and get rid of sticky.
R.S
Guest
As a parra fan I hope there the real deal the signs are good and the performances are so far promising keep it up boys.
Steve
Guest
After defeating quality like Cronulla and St George in the last fortnight you would have to think so, just like when judging test cricket teams you always look at their records against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
E-Meter
Guest
Parramatta & (the Cowboys in recent weeks) are easily the best side to watch in attack, and they don't rely on bombs to the corner for their tries. Even though they held St George scoreless, I still think their defence is suspect. But as already mentioned, winning away from home will be their problem, and is effectively the difference between playing finals or celebrating early mad Monday.