Decision Time

Tonight's game left me disappointed. I'm not sure why I'm not cursing or ranting after a loss, because believe it or not I do. We weren't robbed of a win because of refereeing errors. We didn't lose due to lack of effort. We lost because of a few game changing moments in attack and defence when we were not committed as a team. Those issues are being explored to death in other blogs and that's not the purpose of this one. However, I would add that a 4 try to 3 defeat against the competition leader on their home ground is not the end of the world,What needs to be explored is the team choices that will now need to be made.I'm expecting Semi to return in the next match and therefore either Folau or Faraimo would drop out. I'm of the belief that Faraimo has stepped up to the mark in his games and deserves to be retained. When Folau fully understands the power he has in his body and is committed on every moment in a game, he will be some player. Until then, Faraimo may have him covered.IDG or 4 forwards? I'm a fan of IDG because he is a good one percent player. He may not possess the ability of some others but his commitment, especially in defence, can never be questioned. However I agreed with tonight's decision to go without him (although I wonder how his efforts in kick chases may have seen better results for us. Unless there is a game plan for certain teams, I think BA has shown that he'll go with 4 forwards.Gower or Paulo? I'm going to look at this logically because it deserves real consideration. Both of these players can play the same role. We don't need two players filling the same shoes. I think that Gower has the edge over Paulo in defensive reads and one percent moments.So why would I examine this Paulo vs Gower selection which to most here would seem stating the obvious. Firstly, there is a role that Paulo is expected to play in the team. People in and around the NRL rate his ability to do it. Now Gower is also the same player in that role. And now players are returning from injury and suspension. Tepai and Junior will soon be considered and BA has already brought Pauli back in. With Lussick dropping out from this weeks squad and a larger squad of forwards becoming eligible, I'm not sure whether Arthur will use both Gower and Paulo in the same team.I think that the upcoming NRL free weekend (rep weekend) could not come at a better time. Taka will be better for that break and Semi will likely return.There will be no excuses but I think we might just turn the corner results wise from round 10 onwards.

Has Paulo ever bled for the Eels? Gower plays his ass off. Last week he fu*ked his finger - got it taped up and played on. Just look at my profile picture. It's Gower with blood gushing from his face. He's one of the Eels most inspiring and dedicated players. He runs hard and straight at the line, doesn't make obvious errors in defense and has a nice offload.

I wouldn't mind IDG on the bench, as he is dedicated, hardworking and gives 100% for the team. Last year he was outstanding and averaged 40 tackles a game, while Peats was out injured. I would only leave IDG off the bench if we had 4 solid forwards on the bench, who could make an actual impact. I noticed Pauli Pauli, Richie each once during the game. I hardly noticed Terepo, except for a massive forward pass from Seffa. Our bench tonight really didn't deliver...

"That's nothing new though right I mean sticky was saying his team made 60 odd tackles before his team saw the ball and still came back and won.It feels like you could go to almost any contest any week and pick apart these wild inconsistencies within…"

"Some players need to get sacked from a club and risk losing it all before they really knuckle down and put in the work. Why did he get sacked, was it lack of discipline for footy and training or off field issues?"

Replies

Gower Power April 26, 2015 at 4:16am

LOL Don't even compare Paulo to Gower!!!!

Gower all day, every day in every way.
Gower Power April 26, 2015 at 4:27am

Has Paulo ever bled for the Eels? Gower plays his ass off. Last week he fu*ked his finger - got it taped up and played on. Just look at my profile picture. It's Gower with blood gushing from his face. He's one of the Eels most inspiring and dedicated players. He runs hard and straight at the line, doesn't make obvious errors in defense and has a nice offload.

I wouldn't mind IDG on the bench, as he is dedicated, hardworking and gives 100% for the team. Last year he was outstanding and averaged 40 tackles a game, while Peats was out injured. I would only leave IDG off the bench if we had 4 solid forwards on the bench, who could make an actual impact. I noticed Pauli Pauli, Richie each once during the game. I hardly noticed Terepo, except for a massive forward pass from Seffa. Our bench tonight really didn't deliver...
timbodavo April 26, 2015 at 6:52am

Completely agree. Apart from couple of stupid moments we were the better team. However we could have been pulled up for at least 10 forward passes from Paulo. Think he should go play NFL with Hayne
Muttman April 26, 2015 at 7:15am

IDG is a conundrum. I rate him highly but I want to see one major change from Parra from now on.
I want much more punch around the middle, starting with the ruck. We are one of the worst metre eaters in the comp and all of it starts at the ruck. We aren't rolling through the middle with quick play the balls and short passes back on the inside. When was the last time our fullback pushed up looking for an offload? Or the last time our dummy half threatened a line break?
We don't have the world's fastest backline yet we constantly try to go around teams to score. It leads to errors and side to side attack. We must change this.
Ok I want two things. I want our defence addressed as well. Particularly our wrestle. Way too often we leave troops on the ground at the ruck resulting in 1 or no marker. Watch how often that happens. Some of our defensive lapses that lead to tries are real head scratches. Sandow last week and Watmough last night. I don't get that at all.
- sixtiesboy > Muttman April 26, 2015 at 8:34am
  
  I'm a believer in earning the right to shift the ball. By that I mean that you need to be bending the defence line with charges, fast play the balls and second phase plays. We aren't scoring the long distance tries at the moment because these shifts in our own half aren't earned and we don't have the backline pace to take advantage of any half chances. The pace issue will be rectified to an extent with Semi's return because he can turn those half chances into tries. Shifts in the opposition quarter are easier to convert into tries because you don't even need a full line break to score a try.
  The wrestle has me baffled. You correctly point out the marker problem, yet I reckon we are one of the most heavily penalised teams for the wrestle/hold down. Has one led to the other?
hindy April 26, 2015 at 7:51am

So lussick was our best forward in the first 6 weeks, then gets brushed! Can someone please explain this for me????
GRUNTA - Death of a Salesman April 26, 2015 at 7:58am

Two problems surfaced last night and became evident.
The first, we lack evasive skills. Whenever we made a small break we never looked like scoring, not even close. I think we have filled the Hayne gap as good as we can. We have speed with Robbo and he is good under the high ball etc.
However, we don't have that elusive and evasive player apart from Sandow who as we know, is very inconsistent.
We are also very predictable. Boring almost.
1ee April 26, 2015 at 8:11am

Good blog 60's. Your right about Folau, such a big lad playing at about 60% of his potential. I feel he lazy if he is not In the oppositions 20. When he does realise his power he will become damaging all around the field. Keep Faraimo, he has earned his spot. Also will show others if they are consistent they will be rewarded.

The only thing I will note is Gower was Hurting his finger in a few tackles. He we have the opportunity to rest him I would, only for that reason.

I don't think Lussick makes much of a difference in our side. With him being out there are less stupid penalties given away.

Idg i really like as a player. Not sure he would have made the differences at night.

Hopefully semi comes back 100% and junior has been working hard during his suspension and is a fitter version of himself.
the Eggman April 26, 2015 at 8:27am

I agree. Its been a very bad start to the year with injury and suspension.it was going to be hard without Hayne anyway, lets see how we go with a nearly full strength side and ......bring on 2016.

http://suspension.it/
Ross April 26, 2015 at 8:33am

The team is unbalanced at the moment, we are getting forward, good field position, but the ball running backs are not backing each other. I think having even just Semi Radradra back will make a huge difference, I'm sure he would have scored a try or two last night and get us right in the game, one man can make a big difference.

Fullback is our biggest problem, because we need two good wingers to finish all the good work with points.

Hoppa looks soft, and needs to pull his finger out (maybe that runs in the family lol) he just hasn't got his mojo back yet.. looks uninterested,

I AGREE round 10, things should turn around.. but this is the eels...