Parramatta coach Brad Arthur bemoaned another forward battering after South Sydney ‘steamrolled’ through his team en route to a crushing 26-0 win.
Cody Walker scored a hat trick, but the platform was laid by a pack that dominated from the first minute. The Eels’ cons
“We got steamrolled,” said Arthur. “Right from the start, physically we were off the pace through the middle. From the first kick off they rolled 60m.
“We didn’t go to the contest physically, they rolled us too easily and bounced out of tackles. Six tackles turned into sets of ten or eleven each time. That really hurt us.
“We lacked physicality. If you’re not going to be physical it doesn’t matter who you’re playing, you don’t give yourself a chance. We lacked it badly.”
The manner in which the Eels ceded the centre of the field was meek to say the least. Souths averaged 52m per set and at times, especially in the first half, were able to carve Parramatta up on the back of quick play the balls and poor line speed.
Tevita Tatola totally dominated Junior Paulo, running for 172m to his counterpart’s meagre 60m. It certainly whets the appetite for a potential finals meeting between these two, or indeed, for a World Cup clash, as Tongan Tatola could face Paulo, who today declared for Samoa.
Reagan Campbell-Gillard was not much better. He managed just 88m off 11 runs, while Isaiah Papali’i was twice culpable for tries after being caught static in the line. Despite the battering his side were taking in the middle, Brad Arthur chose not to use Ofahiki Ogden, one of his interchange props, until the 72nd minute.
The backs weren’t much better, though they had little to work with. Clint Gutherson was the only one to emerge with any credit, and that was thanks to several key interventions at the back that kept the score in the first half respectable.
The result lifts South Sydney above their opponents thanks to a superior for and against, which was made better yet by the one-sided scoreline.
The win was all about defence. Souths started fast, got points on the board and then backed themselves to keep the Eels at bay. Though plenty of attack was thrown at them, the Bunnies had all the answers.
“It’s our most ruthless performance I would say,” said Jason Demetriou. “We stayed at the task and the longer the game went, our defensive resolve grew. We really enjoyed the zero tonight.”
“I said to them in there that Parramatta were going to come after us early and we’d need to stand in the centre of the ring and meet them. I thought we did that.
“When we were under pressure we were able to absorb it and then come away with points when we were down at the other end.
Walker’s tries showcased him at his opportunistic best, and he was ably assisted by Souths’ usual suspects: Latrell Mitchell topped the metre chart, Damien Cook created two key tries, Cameron Murray owned the middle and Alex Johnston scored his now obligatory two tries.
Dean Hawkins, in just his third NRL game, was excellent in replacing Lachlan Ilias who injured himself in the captain’s run. If Ilias has been doing his best Adam Reynolds tribute act all year, then Hawkins can get a job as an Ilias impersonator.
“We need to be looking north,” said Demetriou, whose side are now an outside chance for the top four with Penrith, North Queensland and Roosters still to play.
“That’s been our mindset and that’s where we’re going. We know there’s challenges ahead: there was one out there tonight and there will be for the rest of the year. It’s exciting to be at the end of the season and to be playing with some confidence and there’s a real good feeling.”
Mitchell was even more bullish on 9 after the game. “It sends a message to the rest of the competition,” he said. “South Sydney. We’re coming.”
Parramatta had the worst possible start. Dylan Brown dropped the ball cold in midfield and as Souths trucked up the field, Cook caught Papali’i cold on the line and slipped Walker through for his first.
The middle defence from the Eels was horrendous: twice, Murray was able to pull off a simple inside ball that released Mitchell into the backfield.
On the back of the second such move, Cook again spotted the gap around Papali’i, but this time Walker was denied by the bunker. Two minutes later, it didn’t matter as Keaon Koloamatangi tapped on superbly for Izaac Thompson to cross for his second in two first grade games.
The momentum was constant, and before the first half was out, there would be another. Johnston had the easiest of putdowns. It barely merits mentioning these days, but he is now the 8th highest NRL tryscorer of all time.
Parramatta had cleary been read the riot act at the break, and started like a whirlwind. They forced three consecutive sets, but couldn’t get over the line.
They were punished for their profligacy as Souths were jumped up the field by a Tom Opacic penalty and crossed again through Johnston.
Nothing would go for Parra. Even when they broke through, as they managed through Shaun Lane on the hour, the final pass was missing. His effort to Maika Sivo was well forward, scotching any hopes of a late rally.
Sivo went close again after a smart Gutherson kick, but failed to stick the grounding.
Again, where the Eels failed, Souths succeeded. They went straight up the park, kicked themselves and got a lucky bounce for Walker to complete the hat trick. With ten to play, Souths put the cue in the rack.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Agree - Jaxson Paulo on the right win, that's his spot. Tass has been playing well in the centres and has been improving game by game.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Ilias kick placement near the line has improved in recent weeks but his kicking game over all is poor and below average. Ilias can only kick a ball end over end and has no long kicking game. He gets very few forced drop outs. He has no ability to hit the belly of the ball and kick high floating bombs and has next to no organisational ability in directing both forwards and backs. He often stands way too short for kicks which puts his kicking game under unnecessary pressure and leads to his kicks falling well short of their intended target. Ilias couldn't kick a field goal to save his life. His running game is substandard. He is hard pressed to break the line as he lacks speed and acceleration. He also lacks the ability to deceive the defence and put them in two minds. When he runs he often runs too deep into the defensive line which puts unnecessary pressure on his passing game when he panics and forces the pass when it isn't on or gives Souths ball runners little room or time to make a play on the ball or to beat the defensive line. This often leads to errors when Souths have the opposition on the ropes. Of course, there have been a few exceptions but they are often few and far between. Granted Ilias's last game was a definite improvement on his usual substandard performance. Apart from all that, he looks promising. :laughing: By comparison I saw a very controlled performance from Hawkins last night. Although next week I expect the Panthers to really put either Ilias or Hawkins to the test. Taaffe has withstood that pressure already late last season and just might be a better option as he has played in the halves in the past. Just a thought. Not only did Solly/Ellison show a lack of foresight in forcing Adam Reynolds out of the club but also in failing to identify and secure a fitting replacement in Nico Hynes. Hence Souths have one of the weakest halves pairings in the top 8 this year. Sele looked good before his injury but he was ineffective and made too many errors last night. Perhaps I'm being a little harsh on him after a long lay off and in his first game back.
Reggie13
Roar Rookie
Also Graham on the right, Tass on the left.
Reggie13
Roar Rookie
Don’t really agree in the kicking comparison. Whilst Hawkins put in some nice inventive kicks, Ilias’ box kicking is superior, high and landing 5m from the tryline, is paramount to South’s game plan. Sele is regarded very highly and will get better if he can EVER get some regular game time and avoid injuries. Bench when Tommy back is Sele, ever impressive Havilii, Jed and Tommy. I think Paulo will get the wing spot in front of IT.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
It would’ve made more sense to give them a new stadium before Parramatta, if only for the fact that it is only 7km to Stadium Australia at Homebush.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I forgot to mention the bogus 2 points that the Cowboys stole from the Tigers also has a huge impact on Souths top 4 chances. The fact that the NRL admitted it was the wrong decision and there were no legal grounds for a captain's challenge only emphasises that the NRL are either corrupt, spineless or both. In an alternate reality where the Cowboys lost to the Tigers and Souths beat the Sharks both clubs would currently be tied on 30 competition points with the Cowboys ahead by 72 points on points differential.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately, the Cowboys, the Storm and the Sharks have the jump on Souths. The Cowboys have too far to fall given the number of games remaining. Even if they only win 1 of their next 3 games (next week against the Warriors) they will finish on 34 points. That would mean Souths MUST win all 3 of their remaining matches against the Panthers, the Cowboys and the Roosters. A tough ask but a possibility given their form. Still, Souths will have to bridge a 74 point gap in the current points differential between the two sides which could yet increase if the Cowboys beat the Warriors next week as expected. If Souths had gotten the 2 points against the Sharks it might be a different story. But as things stand I don't see Souths finishing on top of the Cowboys on the ladder. The Storm have the Broncos, the Roosters and the Eels and Souths need them to lose all 3. I don't see that happening. The Sharks have the Tigers (15th), Manly (10th), the Bulldogs (12th) and the Knights (14th). So whoever organised the draw is certainly not a Rabbitohs fan but has a soft spot for the Sharks. Bottom line, if Souths were any realistic chance of a top 4 finish they needed 2 points from the Golden Point Sharks game. They are going to fall short unfortunately and will have to go the long way around to get to the GF.
Panthers
Guest
Maybe. Penrith would have had the next possible big talent in the halves . Katoa. Dolphins bought him . After another talent who could have played in the halves. Burton. Bulldogs bought him. See the theme here? :stoked:
Chris
Guest
If Penrith get a new stadium. They are currently producing more talented juniors . Parramatta used to be big brother to Penrith. Who’s big brother now?
Justin
Guest
I think Brendan Hands is a better all round player than Arthur. He plays hooker or in the halves & has pace. More talent too.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yes as the Cows got smashed by the Chooks WE HAVE A CHANCE whipppy dooo LOOKING good if we get our s___t and big mongrel together for 80 min from mow on... LOOKING GOOD BUNNIES :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
steveng
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Tom G
Roar Rookie
It’s a familiar sound this time of year
Paul
Guest
Maybe. I suppose they’d wish to not be beaten too heavily though? For & against may end up coming into play? South’s were very good against Parramatta. I think that’s the end of any real chance for Parramatta this year. Parramatta seem like specials against Penrith & Storm & then who knows what else they’ll do?
DavMan
Roar Rookie
I think that crash we all just heard was the Parramatta premiership window slamming shut.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Not with Cleary juniors head mate and the Roger Ramjet caricature chin. That could only have come from the Panthers coach... Big Daddy. :stoked:
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Hey Steve, good post mate and agree. Matt Johns wrote an article in the Tele yesterday on this very subject. He rates Souths however they need to play for 80 minutes, one of the great cliches but it’s spot on. Last night we allowed the Eels some momentum early in second half but they couldn’t convert that to points. The top teams will score points in that situation. If Souths are to make some noise in Finals, they simply can not drift in and out of games.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi Succhi. It does have that feeling sometimes. But I’d rather be one of the teams with one then without. It another reason for my opinion of the player talent being thin, too many teams.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
I don’t care who started it. If I have to stop this car you are BOTH in big trouble!