For the past five years, Corey Norman has been the fulcrum of the Parramatta Eels. Without question, his time at the Eels has had its ups and downs, but on balance, he’s been a valued contributor to the club who has improved significantly during his time at the Eels.
As such, it’s going to be a significant adjustment for the side going into the 2019 season. The question is how will the side cope?
On-field leadership
Arguably, Norman’s greatest contribution is his on-field demeanour. He is a confident but calming presence on the field, and I don’t think it’s coincidental that his best football was produced when he was given the task of running the team.
Without question, the responsibility to take over as the team’s primary talker will fall to Mitchell Moses. It’s clearly a role that Moses has clearly desired. He played second fiddle to Luke Brook at the Tigers and struggled to get out from Norman’s shadow at the Eels. This will be his chance to step up, with clear seniority over young halves Salmon and Brown.
To date, it’s fair to say that Moses has fallen short on this front, to date. As pressure has mounted in games, he’s been prone to make mistakes or push attacking plays, nor has he delivered the relieving kicks that the team so desperately needed at key moments last year. He’s tended to look flustered under pressure and taking that on-field leadership role this year is going to be key to his success and Parramatta’s fortunes this year.
General play
Norman’s general play was enigmatic. At times, he looked like a world-beater, at other times he didn’t seem to know what he wanted to do. My theory was that Norman was at his best when he decided what he wanted to do prior to getting the ball, but he struggled with ad-lib decision making.
That actually made him a good fit with Brad Arthur’s relatively structured backline movements. He executed block plays well and when we had Semi Radradra on the end of that play, the Eels were never short of points. However, as teams worked out Parramatta’s pet play, and without Radradra to turn one-on-one opportunities into points, Norman’s abilities also looked far more limited. I also feel that opposition teams learned to look for Norman’s dummy and without an electric turn of pace, his running game suffered.
Moses certainly has a more dynamic running game and he is much better at playing off the cuff than Norman. It will be interesting to see if Norman’s departure sees Arthur loosen up Parramatta’s playing structures. Both Brown and Salmon come into the competition as relative unknowns so will have that rookie advantage for at least a little while.
Kicking game
Norman’s short kicking game was excellent. He found the in-goal as much as any other player in the NRL and in the past couple of years Parramatta went from being a team that couldn’t buy a repeat set of six to commonly keeping teams under pressure, particularly during 2017.
This is going to be where Norman’s departure is most immediately missed. Moses doesn’t have the same consistency in terms of winning drop-outs.
Norman’s long kicking game was not nearly as strong, and our replacement halves should be able to at least replicate that part of his game.
Off-field influence
Norman’s off-field issues have been well documented and he is well known as a being a team larrikin. Certainly, if you’re trying to build a culture of professionalism, Norman may not be your ideal team leader. However, you might also say that given Brad Arthur’s reputation for having an emphasis on discipline and hard work, that Norman provides a bit of a counter-balance to lighten up the team harmony.
It remains to be seen what the loss of a big personality like Norman is going to leave behind and who will step up and fill that void. Arthur has claimed he has put a big emphasis on building relationships and bonds between the team, and if an undoubtedly positive personality like Clint Gutherson is given the opportunity to grow into a more prominent, leadership role one would think that can only be good for the team.
Salary cap
As has been revealed, Norman was on the kind of salary that an Origin quality half would demand. There was the expectation that was the level Norman was going to get to, but he never quite made it, given some of the limitations described above that were highlighted in the most recent season.
To earn that salary Norman would have needed to take his game to another level and given last year’s performances didn’t exactly indicate he was adding new weapons to his arsenal, that did seem unlikely.
Certainly, his departure leaves the Eel’s with salary cap to spare, but the question remains whether there is anyone left to spend that money on, that would leave the team in a better position overall.
The Eels arguably could do with another power prop, a creative hooker, and perhaps even a centre. Whether the Eels had someone in mind when that let Norman go is at this stage unknown, but it would seem we’re largely going to be reliant on the fall of the cards to see if we can field a better overall team for Norman’s departure.
Comments
Sorry 1eye, but on last years form a big Nope. I watched a lot of games live last year and behind the scenes and off the ball he appeared like a disinterested petulant child that had to share his football with a little brother.
He should be embarrassed with his effort last year and there is no way, Parra could keep him, to play like that again.
Onwards and upwards for Parra and if Norman goes well at St George for whatever reason then good on him for finally growing up.
Does Oj Simpson miss his wife ?
hell no, with an emphasis on HELL NO
Hopefully we will be more consistent. Corey had5 years to show what he could become but he always fell short - despite some real magic. Sadly for him, I think his lack of success correlates with his lack of intellect. Rugby League is smattered with natually gifted individuals who never quite make it because they are ..... intellectually challenged. While Hayne definitely made it, I think with the right "head" he would have been Rugby League's greatest ever play.
Repeat sets are one thing, getting the ball in the in goal is useless if it its not being carried or dived on by a Parra player, I think we have not been able to turn good field position into points even after repeat sets.a good half needs to stay calm and pick the right option which Norman rarely does.good luck to him and st George. I think they'll go good next year but maybe not so much when widdop leaves and Corey has more responsibility.
The bloke was always as consistent and reliable as a retreaded retread.
Good luck Saints, you'll need it.
I’d have Norman in my team but not as a leader. Unfortunately we haven’t had a strong onfield leader for years and you can’t lead from the coaches box.
Who are our genuine leaders on the field?
From what I can see, we don’t have any. Our naturally strong leaders are not up to first grade. Beau Scott was great in 2017 but now gone. Mannah is a poor leader as was Hayne.
Moses is young between the ears. None of our roster have the calmness to overcome adversity. Gutherson is a chance if he starts the season well and remains injury free.
Unfortunately, Dylan Brown is going to be thrown in the deep end. If he goes well at the start of the season, and the rest of the team buy in to Dylan being a leader, we may snag a few unexpected results.
DB is a competitor, a genuine footballer that BA has needed. DB could have gone anywhere but he wants the Eels to succeed.
in short Feck Norman he is gone.
Best of wishes to Dylan Brown.
One thing I noticed with Corey was how many times when deep in the opposition half he would take the fourth tackle option to ground which would take him out of the fifth tackle playmaking role. He would then stand there with hands on hips and watch.
Money wise no
On the the field as a leader no
As a good player no
Only his short kicking game will be missed, nothing else.
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