All aboard the Parramatta plane! Yes, I do mean the Parramatta plane, not the Hayne plane.
Despite missing out on last year’s NRL finals series, it’s fair to say that Parramatta Eels fans were feeling hopeful about 2015. Following the appointment of their new coach, Brad Arthur, at the beginning of the 2014 season, NRL fans noticed real change in the way the Eels played football last year.
No longer did the Eels look like wooden-spooners – they were exciting in attack through Chris Sandow and Nathan Peats; they were more committed in defence; and they unearthed some real talent with the emergence of Semi Radradra, Ken Edwards and Pauli Pauli.
At the end of last season, for the first time in many years, it was fair to say that Eels fans were feeling genuinely confident about the coming year.
Then came a bombshell.
Late in 2014, Jarryd Hayne, Parramatta’s hero and much loved son, announced that he was leaving the NRL to pursue a career in the NFL. As an Eels fan, on that day I felt a lot of things: disappointment, confusion, sadness and shock. But overall, I was proud of Jarryd for choosing to pursue his dream, grateful to him for his years of service to my club, and honoured that I had watched him grow up into a footballer before my very eyes.
As we edge closer towards the 2015 season, I’ve had much time to reflect on the loss of Hayne, and have decided that the Eels could still be the dark horse of this year’s competition.
Jarryd Hayne was integral to Parramatta’s success. He was the core of the Eels’ attacking ability, was one of the few players in the team who could ‘create something out of nothing’, was the ‘go-to man’ for attacking plays, and played an important role as co-captain of the Eels side.
You could be forgiven for thinking that without Hayne, Parramatta will be nothing; that they’ll will be lost in attack; and that without the skill of Hayne any chance Parramatta had of playing finals football for the first time since 2009 has dissipated.
Without Jarryd there, however, I can think of only one word: opportunity. Jarryd isn’t there to direct the play, pass the ball to, or rely upon to create magic. Hayne’s absence leaves tremendous opportunity for the other members of the Eels’ squad. The Eels team has talent all over the field, and I am expecting a couple of key players to really step up in 2015. This development will be the key to Parramatta’s success.
The first player is Corey Norman. Norman had an average 2014, and we are yet to see the best of him at Parramatta, so this is his year to step up.
He has already shown glimpses, and was one of the best on-field from any team at the Auckland 9s. I am hoping that, with Hayne no longer there, Corey Norman takes a position of attacking leadership in the Eels team, given his speed and excellent vision. I’m looking forward to seeing him unleash his attacking prowess on the competition in 2015.
Also key to Parramatta’s success, and also a key factor in whether Norman shines, is Chris Sandow. Sandow was up and down last year, but as we all know, when Sandow is on, he can things no one else can on a football field. Parramatta will need consistency from their young halfback, and with his contract coming up for renewal in 2015, Chris is in for a big year.
While the Parramatta pack is young, they are big. Forwards in the making, such as Ken Edwards, Peni Terepo, Manu Ma’u and Pauli Pauli, will look to the experience of Tim Mannah and Anthony Watmough for leadership.
Hooker Nathan Peats will be back to peak fitness after suffering a season-ending injury last year, and will again be crucial. Peats was fundamental to Parramatta’s change in fortune in 2014, and was the buy of the season – for any club. When Nathan Peats got injured last year, I did not expect Parramatta to win another game.
Enter Isaac De Gois.
In the past, Parramatta have had a lot of success with rotating the hooking role. Think of Brad Drew and PJ Marsh in 2001, or Matt Keating and Kevin Kingston in 2009. Having a fit Nathan Peats and Isaac De Gois working together this year will add another element to Parramatta’s attack.
Finally, we get to the backline. Will Hopoate had a very good season last year, even playing State of Origin, despite the fact that he had spent some time away from the game. But guess what – we ain’t seen nothing yet. I will be looking to Will Hopoate for speed, for aggression and also to ignite our attack.
It’s unclear where Brad Arthur will choose to play him, but I suspect it will be at fullback. I haven’t even mentioned Semi Radradra, who should go from strength to strength (or try to try) this year.
This article is in no way an attempt to undermine Hayne’s talent. Jarryd is an exceptionally gifted athlete – one of the best I have ever seen. It may be many years before the Eels have a player of his calibre in its ranks again.
But, the Parramatta Eels are going to be OK in 2015. Hopefully they give their fans something to cheer about.
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