Reagan Campbell-Gillard has officially dethroned the ‘King’ – with statistics revealing the powerhouse Parramatta prop is now running for more metres than any other Eels player.
According to the Fox Sports Lab, RCG used Sunday’s narrow win over Canterbury-Bankstown to take a shock lead in the category for most metres made by any Parramatta player in 2020.
While coach Brad Arthur likened his dressing room to a “morgue” after scrapping home by just two points against the lowly Dogs, Campbell-Gillard was again outstanding and has now emerged as a genuine NSW Origin contender.
The 27-year-old is also pushing his name into the mix for NRL Buy of the Year — alongside the likes of Wests Tigers hooker Harry Grant, Penrith rake Api Koroisau, South Sydney fullback Latrell Mitchell and Roosters centre Josh Morris.
After running for 188m against the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium, RCG assumed the lead for most metres made by any Eel in 2020, surpassing skipper Clint Gutherson.
According to Fox Sports number crunchers, Campbell-Gillard took his game average to 172m against the Bulldogs — which now puts him ahead of both Gutherson (168m) and winger Blake Ferguson (156m).
Overall, he also now leads Gutherson by 49m, who made 116m on Sunday.
Incredibly, Campbell-Gillard is running for close to double what he did last year as a Panther, while also overtaking his skipper despite playing 268 fewer minutes in his role as a middle forward.
While the Eel dubbed ‘King’ has played every minute this year, including a golden-point win against Canberra in Round 7, RCG is averaging 58 minutes per game in the middle, which is also a personal best.
The man with rugby league’s best moustache is also proving a far greater handful in attack than even in 2017, when he represented Australia five times.
That season, the prop averaged 119m per game.
Campbell-Gillard, who last represented the Blues in 2018, is also averaging 27.5 tackles per game, another PB.
Despite averaging just 98m per game last year with the Panthers, RCG now sits third among all NRL forwards when it comes to his attack – behind only North Queensland superstar Jason Taumalolo (209m) and Manly prop Addin Fonua-Blake.
The prop has been well supported by fellow Eels bookend Junior Paulo, who is averaging 153m per game.
Coach Arthur will be looking for another big effort from his big men this Sunday when they play Cronulla at Kogarah. The Eels currently sit third on 20 points, only one behind competition leaders Penrith.
Replies
We are at our best when we just run over the advantage line, effort on effort, Junior, then RCG, then Brown or Niukore or Evans or Kaufusi with Gutho pushing up in support. That is our best strategy, then, and only when we have got the B defenders to their shoulders in, should we shift to the flanks.
Kick down the front door.
It's constantly said by some people on here that BA can't coach, and until he wins a comp I suppose the knockers won't let up.
But here's a guy who was going backwards last year under Ivan Cleary, and with a good pre-season under BA he is killing it and loves playing for Parra and for BA
It’s like your kids peer group - they end up not feeling “ right” and it can lead to all types of problems , but if they feel in their “ tribe “ they flourish !!! BA seems to have that part well oiled
RCG came up through the juniors at Panthers. He was selected for SOO 2 or 3 years ago. He broke his haw badly and lost a bit if confidence. He then again broke his jaw and I felt his pain. His confidence was rock bottom. In the mean time he was on top dollars and Panthers who scrambled to get under cap and had to release a few good players Reg was one of them they could not afford. Nothing to do with coaching but 2 broken Jaws saw him not at best. Raised by a single Mum 🙌 I'm glad to see him getting nearly back to what he was. I think all at Panthers would wish him well as he was very popular. Nothing to do with coaching. Stop pulling things from the sky and making stuff up as you go along
Player gets better: It's nothing to do with the coach, it's all the players doing.
Player gets worse: It's all BAs fault. Sack BA.
Wish I could say more just glad Gould gone and showing on field.
Brissy Eel he was a SOO player already before injuries. They must have done something right at Panthers. Griffiths was not liked by players as well Anyway I thought noone read the Tele.
i love corned meat and pickle sandwiches, even better with beetroot
I'm vegan but what's wrong with a good sandwich and clean boots?
Let's cut the crap here.
1) RCG was an Origin & Kangaroos player at the Panthers. So the guy knows how to play the game. Fact.
2) He broke his jaw twice, so his confidence was shot, which in turn affected his form & usefulness. I think we can all agree that this is fact.
3) Anthony Griffin wasn't a great man manager & was largely unpopular with the playing group. Rumour but probably true.
4) By the time Ivan Cleary arrived at the beginning of last year RCG was virtually unpickable. Probably.
5) RCG isn't blameless in this, I have no doubt his attitude wasn't the best and didn't get better when challenged to rediscover what made him great in the first place. Ivan Cleary probably didn't help either. Definitely.
6) Reg's return to form isn't down to any "football coaching" on BA's part, however what BA has done is wipe the slate clean, made Reg feel wanted & he has responded. I'm just speculating here, but the evidence is for all to see.
No one person is to blame for Reg's loss of form at the Panthers, equally no one person is responsible for his return to form here at the Eels.
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next