Eels Blogs

Attack:

General Attack:

• We did less one out attack this week and actually put on some spread and plays from our own half. Hope we persist with this method. It helps a lot with our power game because we make the opponents middle move around (fatigue).
• Our attack got clumsy understandably when Moses and Mahoney went off the field.
• When we do our set plays, we need to play more over the advantage line. The first and second receiver play with too much depth, so we lose all the momentum and danger to the spread. Our outside players need to have depth instead.
• Our kicking game is an essential part of our attack. They are no flukes. They are training for those plays. In big games, a lot of points are scored from kicks. 

Moses

• Went back to running today which is always great signs for Moses.
• Kicking game as great.
• Someone sends a search party for his goal kicking boots.
• Hope he does not have a severe injury

D Brown

• Oh, how much we missed him. Ran the ball so much today for a game top 228 meters.
• Nearly broke through a couple times for a line break.
• Bombed a couple of chances. When Mahoney got hit late, he played short to Matto instead of out the back to Gutho who had a massive overlap. I feel like he premediated what he wanted to do rather than react to the defensive line. After a line break, he failed to spread it left.
• Obviously, players lose pace when they run with the ball. However, I feel like D Brown loses more pace than others. It may sound silly, but I think he should see if he can do anything about it.
• Had some good early kicks in the first half. Just needed a better bounce.
• When D Brown runs the ball, I want to see Gutho and other players running in support because he often pokes his head threw and has an arm free for the offload.

Gutho

• He is really good at exploiting shit defense.
• Provided spark from our back end instead of the one out bullshit.

Mahoney

• Great game. Hope he is not out for a long time. He is crucial for us.
• His deception, kicking game, service has gone to another level
• We need to use Mahoney more in attack (like today) because his deception complements our power game.

W Blake & Sivo

• Both were great tonight in attack. Finally, Sivo is not only used as a battering ram.
• Blake was much more involved today. Both provided some great damaging carries.
• Whenever they linked up with each other, eels looked very dangerous. Once it caused a try and another time a line break. I loved when Blake passed to Sivo who ran back in field. We need to see more of this. Just give Sivo a 1 on 1 and run-in support. He always has an arm free for an offload.
• I see a great future with them. They are both aerial targets so would have liked to see more kicks for them.

Defense:

General Defense:

• Our defense was very good in the middle of the park, mainly due to the knights losing Klemmer, Saifiti and Frizell which meant our big boys never had the hardest job.
• Only had to worry about C Watson’s footwork but he was contained.
• Importantly, our edge defense combinations are still very new, so give them a couple of games to get rock solid.
• Blake and D Brown provide great inside pressure from marker which is crucial in improving our edge defense ~ well spotted Coryn Hughes

Right Edge (D Brown, Opacic, Dunster):

• We were still compressed a few times down Opacic and Duster’s right edge.
• What a difference D Brown makes in our defense. Can make 1 on 1 tackles so Opacic can trust his insider player, and he also slides unlike JA (sorry, I don’t mean to be harsh on the young guy)
• Opacic is still getting used to defending on that side. He got caught out defensive a couple of times. Hopefully more games and training there will give him confidence to strengthen than edge.
• I noticed Dunster make one great read when knights threw a cut out pass and he reacted quickly to mark his wing. Fergo would just jam in and take no one based on his performances.
• However, I was a bit concerned with Dunster jamming in on a couple occasion as he would be very compressed to Opacic. There would be no line break from it because Dunster would hit the ball down which gave knights another set.
• As I said before, these edge combinations are new and developing, so give them a couple games and hopefully it becomes rock solid.

Left Edge (Moses, Blake, Sivo):

• Moses missed a few tackles but nothing that caused harm to eels.
• Blake and Sivo were great defensively all game until the last 5 minutes. Brodie Jones nearly stepped past Blake who just grabbed on until cover defense helped him finish of the tackle.
• The try was really annoying. We could of easily get them to nil. Blake held and sided nicely on the decoy runner, but Sivo just jammed in on the center for no reason. Still Blake should have made the tackle in cover defense, but as we know with Blake, unless he gets his shoulder into the tackle he falls off. Hopefully Blake quickly fixes it up because he was otherwise great tonight, despite Popa’s opinion.
• Like I have said, not bad defense for a second game defensive combo. Although a shit Newcastle team.

Forwards:

• Obviously, knights were missing the forward leaders in Saifiti, Klemmer and Frizzell.
• Our forward absolutely dominated then. BA saw the game was in the bag, so he gave Lane, Kaufusi and Carty plenty of minutes. As a result, RCG and N Brown could have big break before their second stint.
• Lane and Kaufusi were really impressive, while Carty was solid as well. Matto showed a lot of passion today which was good to see.
• I rather Niukore on the edge. I think he is too small, especially for a starting prop.
• When Paulo returns, Niukore will go back to the bench. When N Brown comes off, Niukore will play lock. When RCG and Paulo come off, Lane and Papali’i (move from edge to middle) will play prop, and Carty will come to the edge.

Overall Summary:

• We were up against a reserve grade Knights team. We never played at our best and could have put more points on them if Moses and Mahoney were on the field.
• BA said he is hopeful that Mahoney will be out for only a couple game.
  • A Johns said J Lussick had a great game in reserve grade today. So, he is the obvious replacement for Mahoney. W Smith will play some minutes at hooker of the bench.
• Not much BA can be assessed on today’s performance as eels were never challenged. There were the obvious improvements from the last week, and I thank him for dropping Fergo.
  • I will note that BA probably told D Brown in the first half to kick early if Hoy is in the defensive line.
• We got what we needed from the game:
  • 2 points
  • D Brown playing a good game not only in defense but attack (despite bombing a couple chances)
    • This is what we need against the top teams.
  • Back to the wining circle + confidence
  • A decent defensive display against a mediocre knight’s attack.
    • Hopefully, our defensive continues to improve, and we become rock solid.

P.S – This was very rushed, and I have not watched the game again. Once I watch the game again, I will edit my analysis. Thanks.