Eels combos aren't there yet: Arthur Jenko/Semi combo set in stone.

Parramatta wrapped up their pre-season preparations with a second half shutout of Penrith in their 22-8 trial win on Saturday night.Source: AAP21 FEB 2016 - 5:00 AM UPDATED 5 HOURS AGOParramatta coach Brad Arthur has pleaded for patience as his newly-stacked roster attempts to crank up their combinations for the new NRL season.An improved Eels outfit wrapped up their pre-season preparations with a second half shutout of Penrith in their 22-8 trial win on Saturday night.But their attack, led by a string of new weapons in Kieran Foran, Michael Jennings, Michael Gordon and Clinton Gutherson, could do with some more tinkering.New skipper Foran, in his first outing in Eels colours, mainly deferred to his teammates against the Panthers and rarely took on the line as he eased into Arthur's structures.Gordon and Gutherson also had quiet nights.However Jennings scored a try with one of his first touches at his new club, and showed flashes of the brilliance that has him regarded by some as the best centre in the game.But Arthur said there was plenty of room for improvement across their entire attack."Hopefully it was just ironing out the cobwebs because we were very rusty, our attack wasn't great so we need to do a bit of work there," Arthur said."We've had a strong pre-season but we've really been careful with (Foran) with his training load and making sure we've got him fit and strong, so he hasn't done a heap of ball work with the boys."And Jenko didn't get here until three weeks after Christmas, (Nathan Peats) didn't do much with the boys before Christmas ... so a little bit disjointed there in our attack."But I liked the mentality of our defence."The late recruitment of Jennings means Brad Takairangi has also been forced to switch flanks."Michael's a world class centre on the left side so why tinker with that?" Arthur said."Takas has always been a right side but he's had to play left to fit in with the team and he's better - he's got that right carry and right step so he plays the right hand side."He's done a really good job for us defensively on the right side with his talk. Him and Gutho are trying to form and combination too."Arthur also confirmed second-rower Anthony Watmough in doubt for their round one clash against Brisbane as he continues to recover from a knee problem.

If our combinations & execution was better we could of scored another 3-4 tries, but that doesn't phase me.

What pleased me most, was our attitude.

The urgency of our defence, especially on our line & our scrambling defence. It was better last night (in a trial) than I can remember.

The Panthers have some dangerous players & threw the ball around a lot. They could of easily scored another 20 points if we didn't have that attitude. We could then have excused it as only a "trial".

After all it was only a trial, no more evident than the disjointed last 15 minutes or so , when the big guns were off & the younger guys got a taste.

As an aside, I'm hoping there isn't more to Watmoughs injury. I've heard unsubstantiated rumours, Watmough's injuries might of retired a lesser man.

All in all, I see signs of a classier more composed team, 2016. Perhaps the classiest team we've had since 2001. Potentially better, barring injuries & what happens Feb 29.

"On what basis "iam".....legal costs do not reflect on players remuneration.
PS My guess is Arthur Moses would have charged Parra no where near that, but is happy to get paid top price with Storm footing the bill......that 250k is for Moses, not…"

Replies

Hell On Eels February 21, 2016 at 11:28am

If our combinations & execution was better we could of scored another 3-4 tries, but that doesn't phase me.

What pleased me most, was our attitude.

The urgency of our defence, especially on our line & our scrambling defence. It was better last night (in a trial) than I can remember.

The Panthers have some dangerous players & threw the ball around a lot. They could of easily scored another 20 points if we didn't have that attitude. We could then have excused it as only a "trial".

After all it was only a trial, no more evident than the disjointed last 15 minutes or so , when the big guns were off & the younger guys got a taste.

As an aside, I'm hoping there isn't more to Watmoughs injury. I've heard unsubstantiated rumours, Watmough's injuries might of retired a lesser man.

All in all, I see signs of a classier more composed team, 2016. Perhaps the classiest team we've had since 2001. Potentially better, barring injuries & what happens Feb 29.
- Hamish > Hell On Eels February 21, 2016 at 12:30pm
  
  In all honesty, I think Moeroa for Watmough starting in the 13 is an upgrade.
macybrown February 21, 2016 at 11:33am

Absolutely Frankie, the ingredients are there at last!
fishbulb February 21, 2016 at 12:15pm

Ironing out the cobwebs because we were very rusty?

That one's nearly worthy of Rex Mossop or Yogi Berra!
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 February 21, 2016 at 12:23pm

× 2 frankie.
michael picklum February 21, 2016 at 12:33pm

TBH I find BA's summation & outlook very reassuring. This should be a really good season for us, the best in many a year. Our depth is great & BA/DA have done a terrific job with the squad. Regarding the match, our defence generally looks sound, on field team attitude appeared resolute & I thought both IDG & Gower had strong games when they were on.
Kramerica February 22, 2016 at 2:31pm

I really liked the way they looked in this trial and thought it went pretty well perfectly. We won which was nice, and we showed a hell of a lot of class - and potential. All the new guys clearly showed that they will be adding to the team in a positive way compared to last years roster. The youngsters we already have (Tep, Junior etc) all showed huge improvement.

I've never really been a fan of the huge trial victory - it can send the players the wrong message leading into round one.

What an awesome pre season though - Undefeated in the trials and Nines champions - - doesn't get much better than that :))
Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" February 23, 2016 at 8:06pm

Set in Stone bro
Eelbealright February 26, 2016 at 8:31am

Yes, of course the more times they play as a unit the better should get.

This reply was deleted.

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