EELS the real deal

http://www.smh.com.au/news/lhqnews/s...e#contentSwap1WE HAVE a new contender.The performance of the Eels in their demolition of the Panthers on Friday night was nothing short of stunning.In recording their seventh win in a row, Parramatta have established themselves as the ''team of the moment'' and signalled to all above them on the premiership ladder they have the credentials to challenge for this year's title.I can't believe I'm saying this.The turnaround in form and fortunes of this team over the past month defies belief. I cannot recall any team staging such a miraculous transformation so late in the season and making such a spirited run towards grand final glory as the Eels are treating us to right now.Even back in 2005, when the Tigers came home with a wet sail to swamp the leaders and run off with the major trophy, they at least showed some potential earlier in the season and played to a crescendo during August and September.In the first four months of 2009, Parramatta showed us nothing to suggest their current surge was even remotely possible. Two months ago, the Eels were still a possibility for the wooden spoon.With one round remaining before the play-offs, they're now in the top four of betting for premiership honours.The Eels are playing with toughness, discipline, speed, skill and confidence. Their attack is drawing most of the attention; however, it's the massive improvement in their commitment to defence that has me staggered.Just look at some of the lacklustre performances earlier in the year.In round one they were beaten 26-18 by the Warriors. In round four they were hammered 24-6 by the Roosters and in round five 22-8 by the Dragons. At the time, both the Roosters and the Dragons were struggling to score points but ran into form against the Eels.Parramatta were smashed 48-18 by the Bulldogs, 40-8 by the Broncos and 34-10 by the Sea Eagles.The low point of their season came in round 12 when they were beaten on home soil 13-10 by the Sharks. That Cronulla team had suffered nine losses in a row and were fielding a team of kids.Some say this shameful performance was the turning point in their season. I'm not so sure because they proceeded to lose three of their next five matches - 23-6 to the Tigers, 38-34 to the tackle-shy Panthers and 18-12 in a horror of a game to the Titans.At the end of round 18, the Eels were in 14th position on the ladder on 15 competition points, with five wins, 10 losses and a draw. They boasted an appalling for-and-against differential of minus 129 points; the second worst in the NRL, just ahead of the hapless Roosters.Now, let's relive the past seven weeks.■ Round 19 v Melbourne at Parramatta Stadium, 18-16The Eels play host to an under-strength Melbourne Storm side weakened by injury and State of Origin commitments. They eke out an unimpressive victory that hardly signals they are back on track. They leapfrog the Raiders and move into 13th position, still with a point differential of minus 127.■ Round 20 v Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium, 27-8Out of nowhere, the Eels put up one of the best defensive efforts of the season to upset the Bulldogs. . The rugby league world is stunned. The performance is too good to be true but confirms their potential.The Eels move past the Warriors into 12th position. The point differential is still sick at minus 108; but miraculously the Eels are only three points outside the top 8. Though not even their staunchest fans are thinking finals football at this stage.■ Round 21 v Sharks at Toyota Park, 30-0They blow 30 points past the lowly Sharks whilst conceding nothing. The victory flies under the radar because the Sharks are so bad. However, the nil scoreline against them suggests they are developing a pride in the defensive line. Normally, they'd win a game of this nature against such weak opposition 30-26 and then go for a beer. Not this time. They shut out the Sharks, and in so doing improve their point differential to minus 78, still three points outside the top eight. There are mutterings of ''maybes'' and ''if onlys'' from the Parramatta faithful as it appears improvement may have come all too late to make this year's play-offs.■ Round 22 v Newcastle at Parramatta Stadium, 40-8It's a must-win game.On the morning of this match I write a column in this newspaper professing disbelief at how a team with their record could still be in finals contention. While acknowledging the possibility they may play September football, the Eels still had a lot to do to prove they were truly worthy of a place in the eight.I end the column by saying "there is a time in every season when, as a team and as individuals, players need to stand up and make a statement about who they are and what they believe in. For the 2009 Parramatta Eels, that time has come. Today is the day. No excuses."They absolutely smash the Knights. They remain in 12th place but now only one point behind the eighth-placed team.■ Round 23 v Warriors at Parramatta Stadium, 40-4The Eels are scintillating in their disposal of the Warriors. The big thing about this win was that I thought the Warriors played pretty well. I even said as much to their coach Ivan Cleary, suggesting he should ignore the score because a win was not far away. The Warriors came out the following week and smashed the Raiders, adding further merit to the Eels' victory. They leapfrog the Rabbits, Cowboys and Panthers into ninth position. The point differential is now only minus 10.■ Round 24 v Wests Tigers at the SFS, 26-18It's the match of the season so far against the Tigers and the Eels deliver big time. The Tigers push them to the limit but the newfound steel in the Parramatta side comes to the fore. With this win they move to equal eighth position with Penrith, separated only by only five points on the for-and-against figures.This sets up the huge round 25 clash for Friday night, where the local derby between the two teams from the golden west of Sydney would put their seasons on the line.■ Round 25 v Penrith at Parramatta Stadium, 48-6You all saw it. It was a no-contest. The match was over in the first minute of the game.The Eels signalled their intent from the opening whistle and never relented until the final siren and completely obliterated their opponents.Their attack was breathtaking. Their discipline was impeccable. Their defence was an impressive combination of their desperation and control. It was a five-star presentation.When the match concluded the Parramatta side had just won their seventh match in succession; each victory better than the one before.They were then sitting in sixth position with 12 wins, 10 losses and a draw. The for-and-against point differential had improved to a plus 40; remembering this figure was minus 129 after round 18. As I said, we have a new contender.__________________

"You're right Poppa. We all saw what Illawarra did to us on Saturday night with Ryley not there. He has to be our starting 9. It took us 45 minutes to work out how to play without him there. "

Replies

Johno August 30, 2009 at 7:32am

Bl**dy hell, I have something in my eye again. If, I mean when we roll the Dragons on friday night we will be confirmed the real deal.
Bloomfield August 30, 2009 at 8:26am

top work goldeel...
when you look at it, saying the words "7 in a row" doesn't capture the true and stunning reversal to this side's attitude and fortune.
let's keep it going boys!!
MsjessN August 30, 2009 at 9:08am

this is an awesome article.. have to admit.. quite the tear jerker!!
DazDingo August 30, 2009 at 9:16am

I hope we continue this resolve and not go into this next match like we've won already or like it's "just a big party"