Parramatta are the most intriguing team in the NRL right now, but just how far are they capable of going in this wacky competition?
Right through to the grand final, from where they would provide stiff opposition for whichever team is at the other end of the field.
That other team should, of course, be Melbourne. They are clearly the benchmark. But while it’s hard to see anyone beating the Storm for the title, that’s why they play the games – because at the end of the day anything can happen.
I thought the Eels were gone as legitimate contenders once Clint Gutherson went down with a season-ending injury late in their Round 20 win over Wests Tigers.
He had been clearly their best player this season and had performed so well he was right in the running for the Dally M Medal at that stage.
But they have powered on in his absence, with a fantastic, come-from-behind win by 28-14 over Brisbane and a professional demolition of Canterbury, 20-4.
Parramatta would obviously love to still have Gutherson available, but the point is they have adjusted well in his absence, with Bevan French lifting in his return to fullback from the wing.
Elsewhere, Mitchell Moses looks more and more comfortable every week at halfback and his understanding with five-eighth Corey Norman keeps getting better.
Moses and Norman destroyed the Bulldogs with brilliant kicking games in the wet.
Cameron King is doing all that can be reasonably asked of him as he fills in for the injured Kaysa Pritchard at hooker and lock Nathan Brown continues his welcome evolution.
Brown was ill-disciplined before he joined the Eels, but coach Brad Arthur has found the key to him and he is producing a superb blend of toughness and skill on a consistent basis.
What Arthur is doing with players like French, King and Brown in these situations is so similar to the results Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has often achieved with players in similar scenarios. That’s no surprise, since Arthur rose from the Storm coaching ranks.
(AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Arthur has learned well from Bellamy and employed his own beliefs and systems on top of that. As a result, Parramatta have risen from being a club that was last year hammered with penalties by the NRL for cheating the salary cap to this season being possible premiers.
The Eels are in fifth place, on 30 points going into Round 23, but if they keep their wits about them they should be in the top four coming out of it.
They are at home to Newcastle in the early game on Friday night and, even allowing for the determination being displayed by the Knights of late, if the Eels are on their game they’ll win.
Then, in the Friday late game, third-placed Brisbane are at home to fourth-placed Cronulla, and both those teams are also on 30 points. The math is simple, even for me.
The Sydney Roosters are the team that need to be concerned at the moment. The fact they are in second place, on 32 points, smacks more of the inconsistency of a lot of the other teams in the top eight rather than any particular brilliance from them.
And now they have to go to Melbourne to play the Storm on Saturday.
The Roosters get stars Jake Friend and Boyd Cordner back from injury, and the team really need to show something major after last weekend’s horrible capitulation against Manly.
The battle for the other all-important top-two spot alongside almost-certain minor premiers Melbourne is wide open. Looking at the draw, Parramatta have got a great shot at getting it.
Newcastle at home, followed by Gold Coast at home, Brisbane away, and South Sydney at home.
That Round 25 Broncos-Eels clash is shaping up as being massive in terms of positions, as will the Sharks-Roosters clash on the same weekend.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Depth from here on is also my biggest question mark. With Clint Gutherson going down, no more real back up hookers in the shed, an injury to Brown, Norman, French King, Moses in probably that order could be a killer. 2 of them and write them off. I'm still really concerned about Kenny Edward's head space. One week he can be really on song and the next a basket case with brain snaps and stupid unnecessary penalties. It was a nightmare watching Parramatta back when Edwards and Darcy Lussick were in the team together.
Chop
Roar Guru
Mitchel Moses is just what they needed. Can I take things I never thought I'd say for $100? You're spot on, Moses has been great, when he signed I must admit I didn't think he'd make the team better, if anything his deficiency in defence would make them worse. But that hasn't happened and he's been great and has really helped out Corey Norman.
Chop
Roar Guru
I think Mannah's 200 has had some wind taken out of it sails by Cam Smith's 350 and Gallen's 300 in consecutive weeks. It's a great milestone for a great club man who, late last year I thought was done at NRL level.
waldoh
Guest
Parra are a big chance this year if the refs and injuries don't get them. Mitchel Moses is just what they needed.
Big Daddy
Guest
Let's not be too hasty in lauding their performance to date. I would rather judge them once the finals are under way. Good achievement in what they have done this year but clubs like Melbourne, broncos and cronulla and roosters are my pick for top 4 ( not necessary in that order bar Melbourne)
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
The Parramatta Eels are the sleeping giants of rugby league.
Albo
Guest
They have lost a few good ones through injury, but their depth is holding up to date. They seem to have a couple of handy packs of forwards to fill in as required and the Norman / Moses combo seems to be working well.
Albo
Guest
That's right ! Apologies ! sub with Takairangi ! But the Eels do like that left side to try to get Semi away !
kk
Roar Pro
When Bernie Gurr signed with the club it was: BUY PARRA!
theHunter
Guest
After almost a decade without finals I don't really care if they are Premiership favorites or not. At least it goes to show that they can finally play as a team and go into the finals AS A TEAM. Of course us fans would want them to go as far as the big dance but as it is now, I'm proud of what the Coach and the players have achieved.
Andrew
Guest
slight correction: Jennings has been playing right centre since coming back from injury six weeks ago
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Agree with what you are saying Scott but I think the Eels should be cashing in now given the soft draw they have in to the finals. Saying they are set up for 2018 is fraught with danger as all sorts of things can happen following a good season including injuries and poor form. Look at the Raiders and Panthers. They looked world beaters based on their 2016 form but have struggled with the weight of epxectation this season and are fighting each other for 8th position. Strike while the iron is hot I say.
Albo
Guest
Scott, I think the Eels are specials to be in the top 4 , irrespective of the Broncos game. They will win their other 3 matches to get to 36 points which should be enough, and a win over the Broncos will be a bonus and good indicator as to how well they are travelling. The Broncos & Sharks with tougher draws and Manly with the easier draw, I expect will be fighting over the 4th spot. Not sure about your perception of Manu Ma'u ? I think he is playing very well. He could always be given some more involvement with the ball , but as he plays on that left edge, he is often used as a block runner as their strategy is to shift often to Jennings & Semi (& often French), who are their preferred attacking weapons on that left side ! Come finals time he may have more involvement with the ball.
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
I'm glad you said that about Tim Mannah - he cops a lot of flack but is doing a good job and his players love him. I believe he's currently on 199 NRL games, but there has been very little said about him joining the 200 club (all for Parra). I guess that's how he plays, under the radar.
Andrew
Guest
Depth is something that is being tested for them. They can ill afford an injury to a prop or hooker as they are pretty bare in those areas. Timmy Mannah has been an unsung hero over the last few weeks. Averaging over 142m per game, well above his career average and above his average from 2013, at the height of his career. He is playing with a level of aggression we don't usually see from him.
Scott Pryde
Expert
I've been impressed with Parramatta, don't get me wrong - I thought they were going to fold like a deck chair when Gutherson was injured, but it's been anything but. There's still a long way to go, and I'm keen to see if they have the extra gear to move up, but I'm doubtful and therefore hesitant to talk up their premiership chances. They do have an incredibly soft run to the finish line though, so it wouldn't surprise me if they snuck into the four, as I have written on the site a few times now. That Brisbane clash is going to be the pressure-cooker that will tell us exactly how far Parramatta will go this season though. If Norman and Moses can control things with their kicking game, then there's no reason they can't go on with things. Manu Ma'u is the other one who really needs to step it up for mine. He has so much X-Factor. Without him playing well, I'm not sure who brings that besides Nathan Brown who has had a wow of a season to say the least. Regardless of what happens this year, I reckon 2018 could be the year for the Eels. They are building very nicely under BA.
Roberto
Guest
Last month we were talking up Manly and now Parramatta are the flavour of the month. Once Penrith leapfrog Cowboys, they will be the next 'sure thing' thing to face Storm in the GF.
Haradasun
Guest
Bellamy and arthur are both able to communicate specific roles each player needs to perform and it shows in the results. Arthur has simplified moses' game which is showing in his game fex and it becomes easier for replacements to fit in to the system when roles are so clearly defined. The downside is that modern league can look a bit mechanical.. no more 80s chip and chase!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Eels are showing a bit of consistency which other top 8 teams, Storm aside are lacking. They've got a really exciting team with great attacking players all through the 17. Brown has been superb. He's got the rubbish out of his game, but is now ball playing, making great metres, hitting hard in defence and is super consistent. I think there's two queries on them. Firstly they have a pretty soft run into the finals. While this works to their advantage in terms of a top four spot, it might be hard to maintain standards. They've got another game against Brisbane to gauge where they are but how do you rate that win against the Dogs? Was it clinical? Did they take their foot off the pedal in the second half? Did they go to sleep? Did they just do what they needed to do to win in those conditions? It's really difficult to get a line against inferior teams. There's also the temptation to drift away from game plans and processes to try and put cricket scores on inferior opposition. That's not good practice for semi final football. Secondly, I think they might be a bit skinny up front against the very best teams in the comp. I'm not convinced on that yet but it's my gut feel. Again, with a softish draw it's tough to get a line on that. Even when they were winning spoons they were good to watch. They've maintained that attacking approach but hardened up as well. I think the best wrap on Arthur is that players are improving under him.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Massive turn around for the eels.