Are you a neutral NRL supporter trying to figure out which side to go for in this Sunday’s decider but just don’t know where to start?
Well, good news, because I have assembled an easy-to-follow guide to help you make that choice in an informed way.
Sure, neither of these sides can truly lay claim to being the people’s side. However, there really is a lot to like about both outfits. Let’s start with the Eels.
Why you should go for the Parramatta Eels
Ending the longest Premiership drought
Come this Sunday it will be 36 years and five days since Ray Price lifted the Winfield Cup on the SCG dais following his side’s 4-2 win – the lowest ever score in a grand final – over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. That’s 432 months – or 13,154 days – since a Parramatta Eels fan has experienced premiership glory. Even if you don’t like the Eels that much, anyone with a heart has to feel for them, especially when you consider that the last time they were in the decider they were defeated by a side subsequently found to have systematically rorted the salary cap to a very large extent.
Brad Arthur has had a hell of a time
Is there a coach whose side regularly makes the top eight who is as maligned as Brad Arthur? I don’t think so. For someone who treats people with respect and is widely acknowledged as a good bloke, the number of people who willingly hack on the guy at every opportunity is quite astounding. Seriously, the bloke deserves a break to get the trolls off his back and maybe even to shut the hell up.
The Eels play an attractive brand of footy
As most of us know, one of the real issues with the NRL in the last two decades is the success that sides have had in pushing the boundaries of the rules in order to take advantage. Whether that has been the Storm and their wrestling/chicken wings/grapple tackles slowing the play the ball, the Roosters and the Sea Eagles deliberately conceding penalties to buy time to reset their defensive lines, teams setting up walls to protect players taking field goals et cetera, it is always great when a side wins games because they play footy that is good to watch. While I’m not going to try and claim that the Eels are beyond reproach when it comes to pushing the rules, they are not as bad as many and their brand of attacking footy is actually entertaining to watch.
(Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
The Eels have some really likeable players
Several among the blue and gold are really good value and worthy of your support. Reed Mahoney plays the game with an infectious enthusiasm and effort, which is fantastic. Junior Paulo is a massive front-row forward who hits the line like a wrecking ball and plays the game cleanly. Dylan Brown has gone from an exciting attacking five-eighth with distinct defensive frailties a few seasons ago to being an electric attacking machine and arguably the very best defensive half in the NRL. As far as awesome second-row combinations go, Isaiah Papali’i and Shaun Lane are as good as it gets in 2022. Papali’i is a rampaging ball runner who loves scoring a try, and Lane has come of age this year in regards to his defence, ball running and offloads that is now a matchwinner.
Some of the Penrith players can be very bad winners
A sore loser is one thing, but a bad winner is another thing again. The Panthers have excelled at being unpleasant in victory over the last couple of seasons. The antics of Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai in particular have often left a very bad taste in people’s mouths
Why you should go for the Penrith Panthers
They are clearly the best side
In the last three seasons the Panthers have a win rate of 85.7 per cent. They’ve won 66 games and lost just ten, with one draw. That is an incredible record. The Eels over the same period have an excellent 63.6 per cent record, with 49 wins, 26 losses and two draws, but the reality is that when at full strength the Panthers have been the best side and deserve to be the premiers in 2022.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Penrith play a really good brand of football
In both attack and defence the Panthers are a well-oiled machine. Their defensive line is well organised and determined and there is far less rubbish in the tackles than with lots of other sides. In attack they can be amazingly dynamic but also so determined across all 17 players. Their spine players are all great playmakers, and you can throw in Isaah Yeo at lock too. When it comes to grubby play, they aren’t really on the Richter scale either.
The Panthers have some excellent players
There is no denying that some of the Panthers players are simply a cut above. Starting with the son of coach Ivan Cleary, Nathan is not yet a superstar but is surely on the way. He’s still just a kid, but his passing, kicking, running of the ball, organisation and defence are just outstanding. He’s one of the best halves in the game without doubt.
His mate in the No. 13 jumper isn’t just a great captain and bloke; Isaah Yeo is also a superb attacking and defensive lock forward who has changed the expectations for what a lock can be, like Cam Smith did for the No. 9. James Fisher-Harris has been one of the best five props in the game for four seasons now. Mobile, durable and ferocious, he epitomises the gold standard of the Panthers pack – and there is no grub to be seen.
Then there’s the getting-more-sung player that is Dylan Edwards. In a team full of excellent players, this year he has been the very best. A definite chance for the Dally M and the king pin of the Panthers attack and defence.
Ivan Cleary is a really great coach and a straight-up bloke
Sure, Ivan Cleary is drier than Wayne Bennett marooned in the Simpson Desert and he cares less about your opinion of him than Craig Bellamy after a grand final win. However, the bloke can coach. This is a guy who got the New Zealand Warriors into a grand final. This is a bloke who took a bunch of virtually unknown Penrith juniors and styled them into a juggernaut.
I know lots of you out there might not find him to be the warmest, most gregarious bloke and therefore not like him, but I love him. He is the last word in honest, straight-up and hard working. Ivan deserves your support if for no other reason than he has built this Panthers side through his own force of will and determination.
Some of the Eels players are not loved
There are those who take exception to Clint Gutherson doing the ‘Gutherino’ dance and with Mitchell Moses’s on-field persona – including exchanges picked up by sideline mics. I personally think both add to the game’s colour, but I understand lots of others don’t share my views.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
They would be less likely to do it if a try was worth three points. Kicking a goal penalises holding down whereas six again has little affect.
criag
Roar Rookie
The penalties against them are fact….nothing more. I remember many penalties against them for holding down, some justified, some not. Plenty of times I saw them penalised for holding down while the opposition had held them down for twice as long. The thing is, no-one can say any team deliberately gives away a penalty. It’s just a theory, and a stupid one, IMO. Sure, a player might be held down to give the defence more time, but to say they’re deliberately wanting a penalty is a joke!
criag
Roar Rookie
If it was back then, it became worse in the 10 metre rule era, once coaches worked out quick play-the-balls can catch teams back-peddling, as being onside is often not easy. If we went back to 5 or 7 metre rule, maybe we wouldn't have the need for wrestling.
criag
Roar Rookie
You don’t get an advantage from having penalties against you!! You just don’t…period! I’ve watched every single Roosters game for years and never once seen a Rooster happy about being penalised, or thought “Gee! I’m glad the opposing team has another six tackles now!” That claim came about after various claims from fans saying the refs loved the Roosters, but a particularly statistic-minded fan pointed out that for a few years running they were not only the most penalised team, but also RECEIVED the least penalties. So how do you undermine a team’s achievements when they are penalised so much? Say they’re doing it on purpose – it’s laughable! And it’s laughable that so many people are so willing to believe it because they want to! This is also an example of repeating a theory as fact often enough and people believe it.
criag
Roar Rookie
NRL record, mate.
criag
Roar Rookie
It's very simple....penalties don't give you an advantage. No team wants a penalty against them. As I said, I have a theory as to why that theory came about. But that would just be...a theory.
Muzz
Guest
The coaches son KO's the coaches son. Now that would have to be a first!
Tony
Roar Guru
:laughing:
Tony
Roar Guru
It's embarrassing
Rob
Guest
No but that only accounts for 4 games? If compare it to other teams it’s been fortunate. They didn’t have too many hard road trips again this year. Considering the decision to not take the team to Townsville indicates the Panthers themselves realise danger of tough road trips.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Forever grateful Geoff . I bought my GF tickets straight away
London Panther
Roar Rookie
Didn’t the Souths player come out and say that he has spoken to the trainer and there was nothing in it? Geez, some people just love being outraged!!
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
I don’t agree with a draft. Firstly, it takes away any incentive for clubs to develop players and secondly it means players get no say in where they go, how is that even fair? My Dad played for the Roosters but I’m drafted to the Warriors, how is that a good thing for anybody? I would like to point out that the Panthers and the Eels have had the largest junior bases for 40 odd years but have failed to get any real advantage from it. It is how you develop players that matter, not how large the pool is. A Broncos scout can go to St Clair and watch the players and poach them for the Broncos. Any club can do that, it’s what happens next that matters. It is only since the Panthers decided to invest money in development that they have produced more players. As little as ten years ago they were fielding teams with a spine made up of of 75% imports – Walsh, Burns, Kingston. They were terrible, even with all those juniors. They had to make some tough decisions and change what they did. They had even stupidly outsourced their NSW cup side to ST Mary’s. WTF? Newcastle and the West Tigers are the same as the Eels and the Panthers. They have plenty of juniors to choose from, what have they been doing? And what about the Dragons, do we think St George doesn’t have a big pool of juniors to choose from in the Wollongong area? I never understand why the answer to clubs not doing well, is to drag the other teams to their level. How about the teams struggling make the tough decisions, change their Board, invest in juniors and stop trying to buy success? Do the hard yards and build a development system. Forget the size of the junior pool, even if its is a large pool a club can still only have 30 of them in their first grade team and anybody can offer a Penrith or Parramatta junior a chance at their club. You just have to offer them something that will help them develop, not mediocrity and excuses.
Bonza
Roar Rookie
Parra fans - what pressure? You can easily deflect it onto Penrith. They're under pressure to join the "almost greats" who could only manage 1 win from 3 Grand Finals. Off the top of my head, Manly (95-97), Roosters (2003-2004) and Storm (2016-2018). Loved Brett Kenny, Guru and best of all - "Kick on at Kicks" nightclub back in the day so Parra for me.
Muzz
Guest
Does it become a problem if the Panthers win 8 premierships in 10 years? They are tracking well!
Homer Nixon
Guest
They're not responsible for Victoria sealing the border shut.
Rob
Guest
I’ve been curious about the Panthers draw at times. They avoid the AAMI trip most years? Since 2018 their last 8 clashes have not been in Melbourne.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
You are right Albo, the Panthers players play to how the ref is managing the game. They do play to the limit of the laws which some regard as illegal play, but the officials will step in if they overstep the boundaries.
Don
Roar Rookie
Where have I or anyone advocated for foul play or attacking the head? Your making stuff up and then commenting against it. Cleary absolutely should be targeted. It’s negligent not to have that in your plan if you’re going to upset the Penrith attack. And as an opponent you absolutely would love to take him out of the game. And if you can get to him and smash him with a big shot that takes him out, legally, then I am all for it. Likewise Luai, Koroisau and Yeo.
Crow
Roar Pro
You might be onto something.