Towards the back-end of this season I have noticed a clear change in our playing style from our earlier matches. At the beginning of the season it seemed we were trying to punch up the middle before moving wide, using Hayne to finish the play.
Now, with Hayne injured, it appears that Stuart has developed a modified game plan to account for the star fullback's absence. The Eels, in the back-half of the season, have been starting with four props. Allgood and Lussick have usually packed down in the back-row with Mannah and Moimoi leading the charge.
As the match wears on, Terepo and the Paulos are injected into the fray. The plan being to use Junior and Peni as battering rams on the fringes, targeting the opposition's halves. Joseph then tries to provide some spark and second-phase play.
Starting with four props allows for a greater chance of gaining forward dominance early in the match. Generally we have seen Mannah and Lussick taken off in the first 20min, followed by Allgood and Fuifui.
When Fuifui returns he is found on the fringes, hitting the ball at pace and causing all-round havoc. Allgood is shifted to the front-row with Terepo also seen swapping regularly with Junior Paulo.
I believe Ricky Stuart has decided he needs firepower early in order to earn the right to spread the ball. When Parramatta dominates Luke Kelly dominates. His kicks are pin-point and his ability to time a pass is greater due to the extra time he has on the ball.
With outside backs such as Semi Radradra, Ken Sio, Vai Toutai, Ryan Morgan and now Ben Roberts, the Eels have speed and size on the edges. The halves, particularly without Hayne at fullback, have struggled to deliver quality ball out-wide.
But as we saw against St George with Semi's double, Fui's second and Ken Sio's tries, the ball-player having time allows him to take the ball to the line before either firing the pass wide or popping a short-ball.
I believe that Stuart will continue to use this fast, mobile, large set-up next season. At his disposal he will have Fuifui, Lussick, Mannah, Allgood, Terepo, Edwards, Tanginoa, Junior, Pauli and Mossop as well as Joseph Paulo.
The task will be to have four big men start, then replaced by four men slightly smaller but faster and more agile to take advantage of the dominance already established. We have seen this done to great effect by both the Bulldogs and Rabbits.
Using a combination of size and speed they dominate the rucks early, allowing their hooker and halves to build pressure through their kicking game and then split the game open with their smaller men.
If Parramatta can execute it next year as well as throw in some second-phase play we will be in for some exciting football. Especially given a fit Hayne, Hopoate, Norman etc. looking to make their marks.
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If you want Matt I could make a 2014 team list blog, or how about another Ricky Stuart rumour blog?
Unfortunately Prof. Daz I think u r correct. U have pretty well covered it, warts & all.
Hopefully with the discards gone & with our new recruits on board, our apathy in defence in 2014 will also diminish although we will still have Sio, Vai T & Semi so our outwide defence may still be suspect.
Listening to Ricky on Triple M, he said that he was kind of forced to play Fui on the fringes because of our lack of fringe second rowers and he mentioned Kelepi as being a real loss.
I think when Kelepi comes back next year, and assuming Loko makes the move to second row that's going to be the most transformational aspect, that we're going to see in 2014. Edwards will give us a bit of punch there as well, and it's good to know that we can use Fuifui in that respect if needed.
I think as such, the fact that we've had so many props on the field at the start of the game, it's probably wise not to read too much into that, because in many ways its been forced upon Stuart. I think basically, he's just playing his best forwards and right now they just happen to all be his middle forwards.
other than your assessment of a pinpoint luke kelly - good effort
also ill be gutted if joe paulo is in the squad next yr - that will be a travesty! id much rather see edwards take paulos position or kaysa for that matter!!