Eels building finals charge on 'brick-wall' defence

Eels building finals charge on 'brick-wall' defencehttp://www.nrl.com/newsviews/latestnews/newsarticle/tabid/10874/newsid/56208/eels-building-finals-charge-on-brick-wall-defence/default.aspxThey may have taken to blasting their opponents off the park in recent weeks but Parramatta coach Daniel Anderson says it is his side’s brick-wall defence that has been behind their stunning form reversal.Only four weeks ago the Eels sat in 14th spot on the NRL ladder, five points out of the eight and with a shocking points differential of -129 (behind only the Sydney Roosters).But four consecutive wins in which they have posted 115 points while conceding just 32 has them well and truly back in finals contention having clawed their way to within one point of the top eight.“We’ve conceded 32 points in our last four games – that’s remarkable given where we were for the first six or eight weeks of the competition,” Anderson told NRL.com in the wake of Parramatta’s 40-8 dismantling of Newcastle....Anderson reserved special praise for halfback Jeff Robson. The 27-year-old may still have trouble talking his way past the Parramatta Stadium parking attendant but is just as diligent in defending his own turf when wearing Eels colours.“He has been outstanding – he just doesn’t miss tackles,” Anderson said. “It’s such an asset to the team to have a halfback that is such an outstanding defender.“That in itself builds confidence to the players around him.“But for all of the boys it has taken a lot of work by the coaching staff and a lot of self-evaluation by the players.“A few weeks ago Joel (Reddy) and Eric (Grothe) had a really rough day at the office against the Panthers (on Parramatta’s right side) and they followed that up with an indifferent game against the Titans on the edge, but there was an evaluation, a chat and a resolve to improve it.

He shouldn't be just yet either! I'm not saying KK doesn't deserve it, but he is probably a bit lucky with the injuries to Cayless and big Joe that he is likely to get a spot on the bench.

Before I get jumped on, and it's a bit soon to be comparing it, but look at the Broncos last premiership. They won the comp with a very much maligned, but a not too disimiliar halfback in Shane Perry. Look at the Broncos team below, solid but not flashy halfback with a game breaker at 6 and you will see what I mean. Even our whole team at the moment isn't a great deal different.

Brisbane Broncos: Justin Hodges , Darius Boyd, Brent Tate, David Stagg, Karmichael Hunt, Darren Lockyer (C), Shane Perry, Shane Webcke, Shaun Berrigan, Petero Civoniceva, Sam Thaiday, Brad Thorn, Tonie Carroll. Subs: Corey Parker, Dane Carlaw, Ben Hannant, Casey Mcguire

"Jesus christ guys why do you want us to sign players for the sake of signing players.
I'd rather play our Harold Matts props than sign Marty Taupau. Fucking hell."

"He's 35 and it's starting to show in his game. For the rest of the year maybe but I wouldn't want him for next year or onwards as he'd just block our junior development "

Replies

TKBK August 11, 2009 at 11:06am

Doesn't sound like Robson is going anywhere to me!
- Johno > TKBK August 11, 2009 at 12:15pm
  
  He shouldn't be just yet either! I'm not saying KK doesn't deserve it, but he is probably a bit lucky with the injuries to Cayless and big Joe that he is likely to get a spot on the bench.
  
  Before I get jumped on, and it's a bit soon to be comparing it, but look at the Broncos last premiership. They won the comp with a very much maligned, but a not too disimiliar halfback in Shane Perry. Look at the Broncos team below, solid but not flashy halfback with a game breaker at 6 and you will see what I mean. Even our whole team at the moment isn't a great deal different.
  
  Brisbane Broncos: Justin Hodges , Darius Boyd, Brent Tate, David Stagg, Karmichael Hunt, Darren Lockyer (C), Shane Perry, Shane Webcke, Shaun Berrigan, Petero Civoniceva, Sam Thaiday, Brad Thorn, Tonie Carroll. Subs: Corey Parker, Dane Carlaw, Ben Hannant, Casey Mcguire
  - 1Eyed Eel > Johno August 11, 2009 at 12:33pm
    
    Johno, the view I don't subscribe to is - we've already got enough attack. You can never have too much attack. The more attacking your seven is, the more it tests the defence and the more it creates space for your other attacking players. Perry was seven because the Broncos had run out of option and he filled a place until they could find a better option.
    
    For all my arguments I've made about bringing Kris back into the side, I do believe its important to keep rewarding players that perform as it breeds a performance-based culture. And I don't think Robson did anything wrong last week to warrant getting dropped.
    
    I think the fair thing is, and what will probably happen this week assuming Cayless doesn't play is, Keating will get a run off the bench and he'll get the opportunity to show if he is indeed worthy of dislodging Robson or even Kingston.
    - Johno > 1Eyed Eel August 11, 2009 at 12:37pm
      
      That's fair. If KK gets a run and kills it, Robson may have to step aside! Time will tell. DA does seem to really like Robson's work though.
      
      Poor Broncos, they still haven't found a decent half :). And their 6 is looking tired and worn out. He honestly was pretty woeful in the SOO series.
    - Slaytanic > 1Eyed Eel August 11, 2009 at 12:52pm
      
      Defence wins big games 1Eyed, so I think there is such a thing as too much attack.
      - 1Eyed Eel > Slaytanic August 11, 2009 at 1:15pm
        
        That automatically assume the attacking player is a worse defender...
    - Tim > 1Eyed Eel August 12, 2009 at 5:50pm
      
      I disagree. I think that if you have 4 attacking players on the field (KK, Mortimer, Mateo, Hayne) your team loses structure and will be shithouse, when it comes down to it.
      
      What I can see happening is everyone trying to provide their 'spark' all at once, and it will just cause havoc. A lot more errors and wasted tackles due to the team not knowing what is going on. Sure, unpredictability can be good at times, but you need a balance of 'spark' and level-headedness. I think Mortimer and Robson work well for the time being with this balance.
      
      What I think KK and Mortimer need to do in the off-season is work out a balance and train so that they know what the other is going to do. Keep in mind Mortimer and KK haven't played together at NRL level. I think that giving them a go together before the off-season is a big risk. I would be a lot more confident if they have had 6 months training together and getting to know each others plays and attacking games.
blueNgold August 11, 2009 at 11:52am

Robson will win the Clive Churchill medal for us this season, i can see it happening now. Then in 2010 he will go and captain-coach the Dapto Goannas, in division 9 CRL to a solid 5th placing.
- 1Eyed Eel > blueNgold August 11, 2009 at 12:04pm
  
  LOL
Clint August 11, 2009 at 2:04pm

I was really impressed with Robson's defense on Sunday, it was probably my favortie part of the game - behind that "DUMMY" from Hayne of course. If you go back and watch it, he made about 3 crucial tackles that were about to be line breaks and he defused a few situations.
Although he may not be a game winner with flair like Tim Smith - you guys do have to admit he is getting alot better. He really did earn my respect on the weekend and from the looks of it Ando's too.

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