The R15 King's Birthday clash against the Bulldogs marks Arthur's reign as the Eels' longest-serving coach (244 games); over-taking the renowned Brian Smith.
No doubt Arthur would have some pride in the Eels' resurgence over the last two weeks with statement wins.
Friday night's R13 clash saw the Eels' tough out a 24-16 round-13 win against a determined Cowboys that were a completely different team to last week (in their R12, 66-18 loss to the Tigers) with an inspired Drinkwater paving the way. Two teams, switched on, bashing each other, in a tough grind.
A R13 Cowboy fan points out his grievances on Friday night (Getty)
It was a brave performance from both teams.
The Cowboys were missing their Origin stars. Tom Dearden, Val Holmes, Murray Tuilagi, Reuben Cotter, as well as Jason Taumalolo (returning from injury). The Eels were missing most of their first-choice pack due to an injury crisis and with Junior Paulo out (Origin). Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Shaun Lane, Ryan Matterson. There was also the injury to emergency recruit Joe Ofahengaue, whose debut lasted just 10 minutes.
The game was in the balance at 18-16 with two minutes out with the Eels just ahead against the never-say-die Cowboys that were determined to find a way to win.
J'maine Hopgood is just as much as a skilled Spartan warrior as a Trojan workhorse. 80minutes, 21 runs, 159m, 45 tackles (highest for the Eels), 2 offloads (best for the Eels).
Wiremu Greig was forced to play 47 minutes in just his 14th NRL appearance and he led the Eels forward pack as the home side withstood a late Cowboys fightback, sparked by fullback Scott Drinkwater.
It edges us closer to the top eight; two to four points out by the end of round 13.
And to stay within striking distance of the eight, the Eels' resurgence has to continue against the Dogs whom also should be fired up to get out of the bottom four.
Recent Record v Dogs
The Eels have an excellent recent record against the Dogs winning 8 of the last 10 (80%).
The last 3 years (2021-2023) has seen a blowout cycle between these two. All 5 games during this period were lopsided with the Eels winning 4 of 5 (W32-10, W36-10, L4-34, W42-6, W30-4).
In contrast, in the preceding 5 years (2016-2020) we saw a trend of close games between these two with 7/ 9 games being decided by 2-8 points (16, 20 the other remainder).
Mixed Recent Results: Accor and Mondays
The Eels have a mixed recent record at Accor winning only 1 of the last 5 (20%).
That losing cycle includes last year's Queen's Birthday's heavy 34-4 loss against the Dogs (above and below) also on a Monday (13th June, R14).
That was also the only Monday we've ever played at Accor against the Dogs.
Mondays have seen mixed results over the last five years with the Eels winning 3 of 6 (50%).
It shows what the Dogs are capable of, and arguably they’re stronger in 2023, despite their bottom-four position on the ladder.
During various times this year, they’ve also shown some fight and creativity in attack, even if they’re yet to reap the full benefits. Hitherto. With their mind-boggling, and voracious buying spree of marquee players surely the Dogs will eventually rise up the ladder?
Historical Symmetry: Passing of the baton
Perhaps, it’s fitting they are our oldest rivalry that we’ve played more than any other club.
There's a quasi-sense of historical symmetry.
Smith’s last as Eels’ head coach, almost twenty years ago, was also against the Dogs, and it was also away (Telstra Stadium, for an 18-22 loss in R10, 2006).
Let's hope the symmetry ends a little differently: with a happy ending.
3-straight, 16 points
A win against our oldest rival would us winning 3-straight for the first time this year.
It would also and on close to the top eight on 16 points, probably just outside it pending how the mop flops with other results.
The Dogs (bottom four) and the Eels (currently 10th) will end round 13 on 12 points, separated only by a stark contrast in current differentials (Eels’ +52, the 5th best, versus the Dogs’ -93, the worst in the competition) so a loss in R15 could prove a body blow.
A win would cap a remarkable turnaround, considering many pundits practically wrote the Eels’ off weeks ago when they were sitting in 14th, bottom four, in R11. It was after another tight 2-point 26-24 loss to the Titans (R10), and then 14th after a demoralizing 26-18 loss to the Raiders (R11) before an inspired upset win over the high-flying Rabbits 36-16(R12) and now overcoming a committed Cowboys.
Part II of our season?
A Redemption Story: Part II ?
Shawshank Redemption (1994) with an all-star cast, considered a box-office flop at the time of its release in 1994, is a poignant and powerful classic. It’s a story of pain, torture, hope, camaraderie, courage, hope, pain, and, eventually redemption through basic respect and compassion. And that's the Eels’ season in many ways.
Part I of our season was a torturous eleven rounds that saw us win 4 / 11 (36%) and languish in the bottom four.
Over the last two weeks, the Eels are showing fight. Courage. Commitment. Camaraderie. Self-respect. Finally, they seem to be finding ways to win as a committed team, regardless of the obstacles. Winning more critical moments than they did before the change.
Even Moses' Part II goal kicking has been impeccable. 10/ 10 (100%) over the last two weeks. It's a sharp contrast to the 7 / 15 (47%) against the Sharks (R2), Manly (R3), Titans (R10); three games we lost to goal-kicking. Six competition points that would have changed the narrative.
Like in Shawshank Redemption, it's also a story about hope. About the internal battle between giving up or fighting regardless of the result.
On the one hand, there is Red. Accepting the inevitable defeat and letting go of hope. Unnecessary fatalism, self-sabotage, or realism?
Let me tell you something, my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.
Red Redding (Morgan Freeman), The Shawshank Redemption
On the other hand, we have Andy. The optimist, who keeps fighting on, even if he will lose the war. Courage and bravado or red-rosed naivety?
Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies..
Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), The Shawshank Redemption
Eels’ fans are definitely, acutely burnt and like Red weary of hoping for too much. Why wouldn't they be after the trauma of the last 37 years?
Although, we did see Andy's optimism and faith before the last two wins. Before the resurgence. Dylan Brown, Bailey Simmonson, and Brad Arthur spoke of the "trust" they had in the team heading into the R11 clash (one they'd lose).
We've definitely got the team (to turn the season around). We believe in our systems. We believe in our team, and what we're capable. But, it's a matter of going out there and executing (winning the moments).
Bailey Simmonson, fronting the media for their R11 clash against the Raiders (another close loss), relegaing he Eels in he boom for.
Ultimately, whether Part II proves to be a flash in the pan, or the start of a climb into the top-eight and finals contention only hindsight will reveal the truth. Once the popcorn and the movie end.
But, I'd rather the team keep fighting, playing with courage and toughness, for each other, regardless of the injuries, what the media, the fans, or even their inner demons might tell them who they are. There is also more to this redemption story than 2023. It's also about the 2022 grand final, regardless of how it all ends. After all, twists and turns are inevitable, not everything will ever go your way, and no one knows what the future holds.
Another chapter in the story awaits us in round 15. Can we win three straight for the first time this year, honouring Arthur's milestone, and continuing the redemption story? Or will the Dogs spoil things and land a few brownies on us?
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