2022 IMPROVERS - OUR TICKET TO PREMIERSHIP GLORY - Eels Blogs

In 2021, we had a team that could mix it with the best.

But there was something missing, a few too many "average" players in our team. Players that needed to lift and spark our attack.

So far in 2022, our prayers have been answered, albeit in a haphazard manner.

Here are our big improvers in 2022:

1. DYLAN BROWN

This is the one we really wanted, and we have it.

If he keeps this up, he'll clean up at the Dally M's.

2. MATTO

Has injected himself in matches beautifully.

If we were seeing this from him in past years, he'd surely be a Blues regular.

3. SHAUN LANE

He's finally woken up and realised how big he is.

A monster game from him + RCG + Jnr + Papa = Pain for the opposition

4. WAQA BLAKE

He was hitting his straps towards the end of last season until recently struck down by injury.

Provided a huge lift to our otherwise non-spectacular outside backs.

5. REED MAHONEY

Not going to be very popular here, but whether you like it or not, Reed has been great this year.

He wasn't bad in previous years, but he's taken off this year.

The bloke is showing that he's an Eel this year, so we should all get right behind him.

While we've stumbled at times this year, we've beaten the 2 premiership heavyweights at their home ground.

We've done this thanks in large to the efforts of these guys.

We make the 8, hopefully Top 4, and if these guys are on, we'll go very close.

GO THE EELS.

Nice blog.
A point I've been trying to convey (but doing a poor job of) is this. The Eels can win the comp this year!!!!

Will they? Who knows?
Is it unlikely? Yes!
Penrith and Melbourne are clear favourites. But here's the critical point.
In years past despite a very solid year and decent Top 8 finish we simply could not beat "the top sides". So try as we might at the end of the day it didn't matter. We were never going to win it.
This is why beating Penrith in Penrith and Melbourne in Melbourne is very significant. We have now shown that we absolutely can beat the top sides.
I get that the Eels lost badly to Cowboys and lost to Tigers and the elite sides don't do that. I understand. But the Cowboys can win every other game this year, but they won't beat those top 2 sides this year. Ditto every other remaining side in the 8 and every side out of the 8.
Right now it's a 3 horse race. How fun!!!

Replies

Muttman May 9, 2022 at 5:38pm

Nice blog.
A point I've been trying to convey (but doing a poor job of) is this. The Eels can win the comp this year!!!!

Will they? Who knows?
Is it unlikely? Yes!
Penrith and Melbourne are clear favourites. But here's the critical point.
In years past despite a very solid year and decent Top 8 finish we simply could not beat "the top sides". So try as we might at the end of the day it didn't matter. We were never going to win it.
This is why beating Penrith in Penrith and Melbourne in Melbourne is very significant. We have now shown that we absolutely can beat the top sides.
I get that the Eels lost badly to Cowboys and lost to Tigers and the elite sides don't do that. I understand. But the Cowboys can win every other game this year, but they won't beat those top 2 sides this year. Ditto every other remaining side in the 8 and every side out of the 8.
Right now it's a 3 horse race. How fun!!!
- Ruprecht Amadeus Mozart > Muttman May 9, 2022 at 5:56pm
  
  Yep, we can continue to stumble and hope that we hit peak form in the semis.
  
  Or we can start being more consistent and make winning a habit.
  
  The chances of beating Riff and Storms are greater if we're acclimatised to winning.
  
  For that to happen, these guys have to be doing their job every week.
  
  And for heaven's sake BA, teach the boys how to close the game.
- HKF > Muttman May 9, 2022 at 6:37pm
  
  You are right mutts, the problem for the eels is losing to the lesser teams could cost us a spot in the top 4, it's extremely tough winning the comp from outside the top 4.
- Nightmare Off-Season > Muttman May 9, 2022 at 9:17pm
  
  Agreed. Well said Muttman.
  
  Plus we beat both Storm & Panthers considerably understrength.
  We may not be as clinical, yet, but our best is good enough & there's a lot of improvement left in this team.
  
  Another test this weekend then it would be great to put Manly & South's away, teams that flogged us last year obviously.
- Brett Allen > Muttman May 10, 2022 at 8:54am
  
  We're the team that Melbourne & Penrith don't want to face in week 3.
Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown May 9, 2022 at 6:36pm

Whats happened to papa? he's playing ok but having little impact in comparison to last year.
- Poppa > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown May 9, 2022 at 7:01pm
  
  On the contrary he got my 3 points against the Panthers and his last month he has been pretty good, watch the game Snakey your mind is wandering......a bit like the other day when you thought I accused you of sleeper accounts, when in fact i was defending you.
  
  You did re read that didn't you?
  - Michael Ericson > Poppa May 9, 2022 at 7:50pm
    
    Yeah he's been our best player last month. Game against the knights was huge with 2 power tries and he was immense against the panthers. I would say last month has actually shown he is better than I thought in terms of his engine and I'm more disappointed to be losing him than Mahoney to be honest.
    - Poppa > Michael Ericson May 10, 2022 at 6:44am
      
      We are agreeing a lot lately Michael, lets hope Sivo is 2 metres quicker with his legs having had specialist work on them.....those calf's and quads always looked tied up to me. ie i hope he has focused on speed and not power, I think he spent to much time in the gym through the covid period and got muscle bound.
- Muttman > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown May 9, 2022 at 7:12pm
  
  Mate he was enormous on Friday night.