I've not looked forward to a match, as much as last night's game all season. Why? Because, finally I believed we were putting the right team on the field. To me, the side looked beautifully balanced all over the park and I was ultra confident we were going to prevail last night.
Firstly, let's talk about Kris Keating. You all know I rate the bloke and I've wanted him to be the bloke leading the side around from Round One. He had six on his back last night, but he played first receiver most of the night and he was the guy running all of our attacking plays.
The first thing that was obvious was that our kicking game was drastically improved. His cross-field kick for the opening try was pin-perfect and his bombs were high and, although fractionally deep, generally kept the pressure on the Broncos.
I would encourage you to look at the Kris Inu try to see what a difference he make as a first receiver inside of Jarryd Hayne. That backline movement was as crisp and sharp as you will ever see and we've been missing that all year. Brisbane had good numbers on that play, but it was unstoppable. Keating inside of Hayne is a devastating combination. And of course, nothing more needs to be said about the break and try assist for Reddy.
He and Robson are a very well balanced combination. Robson's forte is working with the forwards. He is as good as any half in the competition in terms of rolling his pack forward. So with Robson primarily concentrating on that role and Keating taking responsibility for running the attacking plays, we had a nice clear division of responsibility and everybody looked like they knew what was going on. Jarryd Hayne's long-boot was also used to great effect and it was nice to see both our dummy halves kicking.
Which brings us onto Feleti Mateo. Honestly, in Hayne and Mateo we have the two most brilliant players in the competition. Mateo was used perfectly last night because he had support and we got him into space. His performance brought a tear to my eye, for more than one reason.
Hayne did exactly as much as he needed to. He produced a few special passes, but it was a more traditional fullback game and, as I said last week, we need Jarryd not to be so overly involved that he can't play his supporting game because every team needs that.
And that my friends was always the triumvirate that I expected was going to make 2010, the year of the Eel. Keating pressuring through the middle, Hayne running riot on his outside and Mateo providing the counter-point in attack. I just believe our season could have been so different if we had used that formation from the beginning.
It was also nice to see our defence back to where it was earlier in the year. The Broncos had enough opportunities to score as many tries as we did, but the boys worked their guts out in defence. We covered up when ever a break was unfolding and for the most part our positioning was first class.
Our forwards were all great but Justin Poore and Fuifui Moimoi were outstanding. Poore was very heavily involved and made great metres while Moimoi constantly bent the line to get us moving up the park.
And finally, I have to give special kudos to our two young Eels juniors who stepped up. Like a lot of people who have seen Ant Mitchell come through the grades and was subsequently stoked for him to get a run, he couldn't have done any more than he did. Again, he and Matt Keating make for a very balanced combination. Keating is a solid dummy half, who provides good reliable service while Mitchell is just an ideal 14, because he provides punch. Winning NRL teams have balance, with players who complement each other.
And Taniela played great as well. As I said, when this news came to light and everyone was complaining that Te Maari had missed out, Lasalo brings something different to our side as a really hard-running second rower.
Again, it's about balance. It's not always about putting the best 17 on the park - it's about having players who complement each other and can play specific roles to achieve a result. I pray that with the exception of making way for Smith and Tahu, Daniel Anderson rewards the players that delivered that result on Friday. Last year, Anderson kept solid with his winning side and it took us to the grand final. I think if he does the same again (with some luck prevailing) we can do it again.
I told you to keep believing.
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I actually have totally the opposite view to some others who have expressed that you bring Morts back because he's going to be here next year. Clearly Mortimer is going to get plenty of opportunities in the future with the club. He's had a tough, draining year - but I do think that a good solid off-season, working on those parts of his game that aren't quite up to scratch at the moment would be the best thing for him.
Imagine the pressure he is going to be under if he is brought back into the side next week. If he comes back in and we lose, he'll be blamed for ending the season. And then that puts him into the position, where he'll go into next season with this burden of blame on his back.
We don't have the likes of KK, Feleti next year - they can play without any pressure. Let's get the most out of these guys while we've got them.
I don;t understand why DA is getting so much support by the fans.... I still want him to be our coach... but reality is..... he is as responsible as anyone for the mess we are in.
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