Featured Discussions - Eels Blogs - 1Eyed Eel2024-03-28T18:59:55Zhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/feed/featuredArthur backs Eels' rookie in halveshttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/arthur-to-back-eels-rookie-in-halves2024-03-26T23:38:47.000Z2024-03-26T23:38:47.000ZMr 'BringBackFitzy' Analysthttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/BazzaCapt<div><div class="_2JwnJ">
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<h1>The tough call that made it easy for Arthur to back Eels rookie in halves</h1>
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<div class="_2h56q _2bGxr"><span class="_3pGt1" style="font-size:0.83em;">By </span><a style="font-size:0.83em;" title="Articles by Christian Nicolussi" href="https://www.smh.com.au/by/christian-nicolussi-h0yp7o">Christian Nicolussi</a></div>
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<p><span style="font-size:10pt;"><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-au/health/other/like-being-stabbed-in-the-heart-the-pain-before-rise-of-eels-rookie/ar-BB1kt6XG" target="_blank">Source </a><strong> Other reading: </strong><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-round-3-live-can-parramatta-down-the-high-flying-sea-eagles-20240324-p5fesh.html" target="_blank">Eels had to do it RCG's 200th for his bother: We had to repay him,</a> <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-au/health/other/like-being-stabbed-in-the-heart-the-pain-before-rise-of-eels-rookie/ar-BB1kt6XG" target="_blank"> Blaize: It felt like being stabbed in the heart</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:36pt;">P</span>arramatta coach Brad Arthur has hailed Blaize Talagi’s toughness after handing the local junior the No.6 jersey for the Easter Monday clash against Wests Tigers.</p>
<p>Talagi made an eye-catching debut in the centres against Manly on Sunday, but will join Dylan Brown in the halves against the Tigers after the Eels lost halfback <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/panthers-suffer-cleary-injury-blow-20240325-p5ff54.html">Mitchell Moses</a> to a foot injury for the next couple of months.</p>
<p>Awaiting Talagi will be his former Westfields Sports High classmate and fellow NRL rookie Lachie Galvin, who impressed for the Tigers in their win over Cronulla. Arthur had Daejarn Asi or rookie Ethan Sanders as options but had no qualms about sticking with Talagi, who played No.6 as a junior.</p>
<p>“He’s a kid learning his trade, <strong>he’ll get things wrong,</strong> but he’ll move on and keep going with the game, and that’s what I like about him,” Arthur told this masthead.</p>
<p>“I also love the fact he’s just tough – Blaize has plenty of good attributes, but for me it’s his toughness and not letting things get to him.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>A Natural Position </strong></span></p>
<p>“He also played all his junior reps at five-eighth, and it was only last year we played him in the centres and at fullback to have a look."</p>
<p>"When I spoke to him today about being at No.6, he was excited and <strong>couldn’t get the smile off his face</strong>.”</p>
<p>Talagi, like Galvin, is tall and powerful, and got the nod to be the Australian Schoolboys’ five-eighth in 2022 ahead of Queensland sensation and South Sydney flyer Jye Gray.</p>
<p><strong>Moses</strong> underwent surgery on a foot injury suffered in an innocuous tackle involving Luke Brooks with just over 10 minutes remaining in the loss to the Sea Eagles.It is not the first time he has continued playing with a major injury. Moses pushed through the pain of a busted cheekbone against Brisbane last year, and a broken back when he made his debut for NSW in Origin III in 2021.</p>
<p>“I knew there was something wrong with him during the game."</p>
<p>"I spoke to him afterwards, he just looked at me, shook his head, then put his foot in an ice bucket; people probably get sick of me saying it, but they don’t realise how tough Mitch is,” Arthur said.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>The Carty Party's Pain Management </strong></span></p>
<p>Moses’ heroics were topped only by those of Bryce Cartwright, who suffered a rib injury in the opening exchanges.</p>
<p>“He could be out one week, he could be out four, but he’s also every chance of playing on Monday,” Arthur said of Cartwright.</p>
<p>“He’d had rib issues before. It’s now a case of how much pain he can tolerate.“</p>
<p>He got needled the other day at half-time and told me he’ll see how much longer he can keep going, and gave as much as he could. He lasted 52 minutes. If he asks me to give him every opportunity to play this week, I’ll give him until Sunday because he’s earned that right.”</p>
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</div></div>Round 4 Team List v Wests Tigershttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/round-4-team-list-v-wests-tigers2024-03-26T04:59:54.000Z2024-03-26T04:59:54.000ZParramattaLurkerhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/ParramattaLurker<div><p>1. Clint Gutherson (c)</p><p>2. Maika Sivo</p><p>3. Will Penisini</p><p>4. Morgan Harper</p><p>5. Sean Russell </p><p>6. Blaize Talagi</p><p>7. Dylan Brown</p><p>8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard</p><p>9. Joey Lussick</p><p>10. Junior Paulo</p><p>11. Shaun Lane</p><p>12. Bryce Cartwright</p><p>13. J.Maine Hopgood</p><p> </p><p>Interchange:</p><p>14. Luca Moretti</p><p>15. Ryan Matterson</p><p>16. Joe Ofahengaue</p><p>17. Kelma Tuilagi</p><p> </p><p> Reserves:</p><p>18. Ofahiki Ogden</p><p>19. Wiremu Grieg</p><p>20. Brendan Hands</p><p>21. Makahesi Makatoa</p><p>22. Bailey Simmonson</p><p> </p><p>INs: Maika Sivo</p><p>OUTs: Mitchell Moses</p><p> </p><p>Referee: Liam Kennedy</p></div>Most impressive and disappointing: Round 3 v Manlyhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/most-impressive-and-disappointing-round-3-v-manly-12024-03-25T12:01:20.000Z2024-03-25T12:01:20.000ZLBhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/LB<div><p>Two from one and beating Manly is a good way to go into a long week later this week. Going from feeling we could get hammered, to having that feeling feel real with an extra feeling of mourning, dreading what was to come for the following 65mins, to calling them pathetic to coming out of CommBank Stadium saying that was one of the best wins i have seen them have as a team under BA. NQ prelim is probably number 1. The Penrith win at Penrith in 2022 is up there too. But this one being 14-0 down with a makeshift left edge, including a debutant who has hardly played Centre. As for the "Manly were robbed" claim, majority of the comments are on the Koula no try. To me, i could both sides. In defence of Parramatta, Moretti could have covered that space left by Tuilagi when he rushed for Brooks and Jake Trbojevic did stop in the line and as a lead runner you need to continue to grow through the defensive line to avoid obstruction, Jake stopped before the line. But on Manly side i doubt Moretti would have stopped it. Overall, the ref did give dodgy calls on both sides but also it was correct call. Inconsistent in laying around the ruck as blew penalties after around 2-3 seconds holding down while we get six again with Brown holding down. Talking as an NRL fan, what is the difference in both to warrant a penalty or a six again? I quesiton as a League fan due to the fact it could happen to us in the future, we benefited yesterday but it could happen in a crucial game and needs to be fixed. Overall, we were the better team and capitalized on our opportunities, Manly should not have conceaded 28 points.</p><p><strong>Stats:</strong></p><p>53% possession is what got us over the line, suffocating their ball and tiring them around the middle. The way Parramatta were going to be a fast paced Manly was through the middle but needed to dictate the game to push it into the middle. Adding momentum from sets on their line and the Penisini try. Also 82% completions is not that great but compared to 72% from Manly? It is a factor in the win. Something i have been critical about is running metres compared to runs themselves. Opposing teams have done better in overall average of metres per run. This time, it was still the same. We had 130 more metres but on only 40 more runs. Overall Manly ran for 8.8 metres per run while Parramatta ran for 7.6 metres. A lot does come from our offloads where we make minimal metres at times from our offloads. Manly led line-breaks 6 to 4, while we had just a tad more tackle breaks with 30 to 29. Offloads were a big difference 16 to 5. Our tackle effeciency was better with 88% to 82% as we had only 6 ineffective tackles with Manly having 25. 13 errors to 9 is obviously the refs fault according to NRL and Manly fans, with 9 to 5 penalty count in favour of us, i can see 2-3 for us being soft but will take it, who gives a s***.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Most Impressive: </strong></p><p><strong>Mitchell Moses: </strong>I went back and forth on a few names for MOM, as nobody really stood out. Across the board, most of our players were good to great. Moses though i will give the nod to simply that the play through the middle and leadership was on his back. He led us back into the game himself. His kicking was elite, defensively he was great and led the forwards well getting them into place to rampage through a tired Manly middle. Excellent backing up on the Paulo offload.</p><p><strong>Will Penisini: </strong>Kept Koula, their most in form and fastest player, quiet the whole day. Had Koula been on the left of our defence, i think it would have been a lot more difficult. He is forming a nice tandom with Russell, hitting hard in defence and reading it incredibly well also. He is starting to get consistency back into his game. His eye sight and catching ability on his try were nearly as good as his perm. He is ready for Origin, whether he will ever be considered is doubtful but he is heading towards more rep honours.</p><p><strong>Dylan Brown: </strong>His attack is similar to 2021, he started that season making half breaks and barely getting through. Then one game around round 6 or 7 he just took off and went on a half year streak of killer performances on his running game. But his passing game as improved too, he seems to be taking risks and playing around a little on that left side trying things out. The looping pass for both Wingers were a nice addition. But his main reason for being here is his cover defence. Once the idea of Blaize taking Olakau'atu and forcing Brooks or Turbo to push the ball wide to the Paulo when Harper took Garrick, Brown came across beautifully in the second half when that side got into a rhythm. He saved us numerous times in the first half. His ball to Harper for the try was a pearler, so was his heavy feet and soft hands pass on the Talagi try dragging DCE in a little and taking Lawton out of the play.</p><p><strong>Blaize Talagi: </strong>The first 20 mins had me thinking if we threw him in before he was ready. The kid was on an island and not catching up. He struggled no denying it. But then he got better and better and better. He took on the role to slow down Olakau'atu in the block play scenario's, he put his body on the line in numerous situations in both attack and defence. The barge over Turbo was a thing of beauty. The quick thinking kick for a repeat set was risky yet cocky. The kid has a mind of a goldfish and honestly looked like he belonged. Was it an amazing debut? Well depends how you put it. It was not an amazing performance on paper. But the fact he has not played Centre since the Flegg prelim in August last year, skipping playing it in NSW cup, then to debut in FG in the hardest spot on the field to defend against one of the fastest teams in the competition? That is amazing. Plenty of kids have had a great debut but faultered full-time, Talagi did not have an amazing debut overall as he had a did his job game but the circumstances show this kid is special. Hopefully we persevere with him at Centre in Cup form as we could need him.</p><p>Honourable mentions: RCG, Moretti, Harper</p><p> </p><p><strong>Most Disappointing:<br /> <br /> </strong><strong>Joe Ofahengaue: </strong>Was he awful? No, but expecting more from a player on big money with over 150 NRL games and Origin experience. He has had the role of setting the tone early, not from lack of trying he has failed to do that. Ofahengaue gets through work, but just does not offer the impact Moretti, Matterson or Greig do. Hell i would even say Ogden makes more impact. I defended him a bit and now i am losing patience. Hopefully he starts to click into gear.</p><p><strong>Constant appealing to refs: </strong>Second time in two weeks we give up on a try to appeal for a penalty or reverse in decision. Last week with Turuva's 2nd try and then Koula's no try. Moses called the forward pass and just gave up the play, for christ sakes play to the damn whistle, most stuff gets picked up anyway. It does my head in and wish he would not do it.</p><p><strong>Idiotic comment on FB: </strong>A claimed NRL fan, neither a fan of Manly or Parramatta, commented that the obstruction was ridiculous. Fair enough, to think. But his dumb comment was that he claimed Parramatta played worse than Souths. So i am not sure he even watched Souths on Friday but it was not a case of Roosters just steam rolled them and weren't good enough, Souths didn't really try. If you say not trying was better than Parra yesterday then you do not understand League at all. Added to that is the fact Manly lost so they mustve been as bad too. Just stupidity.</p><p> </p><p>Ok now onto mad Monday where Wests are 1 win from last 5 at CommBank and 1 from last 10 against us. But Wests also have won the following game after their first win of the season the last two years, take that for what you want it to be. I wrote about 80% before the Moses news. After going through the 5 stages grief, i have reached the last stage of acceptance that Moses is out for up to 8 weeks. Now not sure if that is minimum or not but i would put my money on that he misses the next 5; Wests, Canberra, NQ, Redcliffe and Manly. Following the bye he will be back for Brisbane in Round 10. It is his left foot which is an added bonus, being his right would have made it much more difficult to come back early. Knowing the competitor Moses is he will try to get back at around 4 weeks perhaps for Manly but with the bye week after that, depending on how we are going, good to bring him back for Brisbane in Round 10 for that extra week. Though Wests is crucial as a win can set us up nicely til Moses is back. We would be 3-1. Canberra at Canberra would have been hit or miss with Moses there anyway but can do it. NQ at home is hard but defensively they are not great but in attack they are one of if not the best in the comp but at home could get us over. Dolphins in Darwin could be anything really but again not impossible. Manly at Brooky is the main one where i am like that is a game we are more likely to lose. This is where Wests win is so important, yes every game is important but you do not want a loss on Easter Monday to spiral into a 3-4 game stretch then Moses comes in to play sudden death for rest of the year to get us into the 8. If he misses Brisbane and Melbourne, as he is expected back after Melbourne if it is 8 weeks, then those two are pretty certain losses without him. Let's say we bring him back after the bye, winning 2 out of 5 is pretty good and has us at 4-4 when he is back, 3 from 5 even better. 2 or 3 wins is very realistic. Wests and Dolphins are to two i can see getting. This is all on Brown. He has said how he owes us, well now is his time to save our season, earn the paycheck. We did the hard yards of saving our season when he missed those games mid year, he can do same with Moses being out. He can do it, we have seen it, Penrith last year in Round 26. Get him in form and you beat Wests and Dolphins and jag another win. He is on big money, Five-Eighths on big money aren't reliant on their Halfback. It is time for Brown to carry us. Gutherson being there too helps as well with his leadership. Not as doom and gloom, not like Warriors game where both Moses and Gutho were out along with Brown. Defence should not be an issue to the point where we are blown out. But i do wonder will BA keep Brown one the left or move him to the right like last year to accommodate Asi and his left foot? Is the left more stable with Lane, Sivo and either Harper or Simonsson? But there is no excuse for us to defend worse without Moses. Attack? Maybe. </p><p>Team changes, Asi for Moses is a simple swap. I would not name Sanders, i know outlets like TCT have mentioned Sanders could be used during the year if Moses goes down, i think that is if both Brown and Moses goes down. Asi should be named, if not Asi it should be Talagi. Asi is not a great defender, but he is not the worst either. We have won games with Asi before. Brown and Asi are 1 win and 1 loss together, but no Lane, RCG came back from suspension, Gutho had the knee issue, Lussick only got back from ESL. We are a better team than those two games, Asi is good enough to get us wins at 6 and assist Brown. He has the ability to make breaks and put in some nice kicks also. Also heard Hands being thrown around, i understand for defence but attacking wise he is one dimensional. I understand many are concerned about the defence but i am more concerned on how we score points. Brown has shown he can create with half of our tries this year coming from him but Asi also can feed that left well and he will have Lane and Sivo there too. As for other spots i think the same side is named bar the Centre spot. Which i think will go to Harper, purely on defence. I will say, if Lomax is an option now is the time to do it. </p><p>In Brown we trust but also Barrett and BA to set the team up to find ways around to get by without Moses. Penrith did it without Cleary in 2023 and have to again, Melbourne without Munster has done the job. Gutho to needs to stand up in attack, been a bit luckluster of late and now is due to take control and be damaging like we remember.</p><p>Enjoy your long weekend, god bless and god help Parramatta.</p></div>Game Day Blog - Eels vs Sea Eagleshttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/game-day-blog-eels-vs-sea-eagles-32024-03-24T02:53:22.000Z2024-03-24T02:53:22.000ZGrunta the greathttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/Trevor982<div><p>Here we go again...Manly and Parra!</p><p>This should be a massive game at Commbank this afternoon. Manly are on fire and have started the season 2 wins from 2 games whilst the Eels have been very good with a win and a defiant loss against the triple premiers.</p><p>Its the 150th match up between the two and the Eels are at home, but they'll have to be on their game to beat a red hot Manly who have Tommy Turbo still, but it's only early in the season😜</p><p>It's actually Tom's younger brother who the Eels need to keep quiet as Benny Turbo has improved dramatically and has freedom to rove around in attack and is doing some great things.</p><p>I'm really looking forward to this game and good luck to the Eels debutant Blaize Talagi.</p><p>So, who wins and by what margin?</p><p>MOM?</p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:24pt;"><strong>GO YOU EELS!!!</strong></span></p></div>R3: EELS V MANLY - GRIT, CHARACTER, HEART.https://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/r3-eels-v-manly-grit-character-heart2024-03-22T03:42:41.000Z2024-03-22T03:42:41.000ZNightmare Off-Seasonhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/NightmareOffseason<div><p> </p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12403313076,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12403313076,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12403313076?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:36pt;"> C</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">ooper Cronk summed it up, at the end of the first half.</span></p>
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<p style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:18pt;"><em>"This is simply stunning from Parramatta, showing grit, character & heart."</em></span></p>
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<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Grit. Character. Heart.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">There were plenty of positives taken from the Eels Round 2 loss to the Panthers, perhaps none more so than the <strong>resilience</strong>, spirit & fight for the games entirety, despite the adversity & brutal defensive workload endured.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Still, we’ve been here before, many times. We are Eels fans, and know better than to jump before crawling towards <strong>optimism</strong>.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">However, is there something a little different about the 2024 Eels side?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Has the shift in pre-season strategy from BA & the players, targeting connection, selflessness, camaraderie, and creating legacies, built a more unified <strong>dedication & focus</strong>?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">A dedication & focus that appears, at least on the surface, to have developed a resilient core, instead of floating in & out like a pendulum?</span></p>
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<p style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:18pt;">I was proud tonight, more so than last week with the win against the Dogs, I thought we were extremely tough.</span></p>
<p style="color:#999999;">Brad Arthur in the post-match press conference</p>
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<p class="p3"><span style="font-size:12pt;">As tough, brave and commendable as the Eels were, ultimately we fell short. A loss is still a loss.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">And history over the last fourteen seasons would suggest this week now becomes vital for the <strong>confidence-based</strong> Eels.</span></p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12401922853,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12401922853,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12401922853?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:8pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12401923666,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12401923666,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12401923666?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a><span style="font-size:10pt;">A dejected Morgan Harper on the left wing after being Tago-ed in last week's loss to the Panthers | Getty Images</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">And what a <strong>test</strong> this one will be. Bring it on.</span></p>
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<p style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:18pt;">I<em>n every failure there is something to be gained, even if it’s only practice for the next test you’ll have to take. Because that test is coming, that’s a guarantee.</em></span></p>
<p style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em>David Goggins, former Navy SEAL, some call the toughest man on the planet</em></span></p>
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<p class="p3"> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12403308667,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12403308667,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12403308667?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p class="p5"><span style="font-size:18pt;"><strong>Teams</strong></span></p>
<p class="p3"><span style="font-size:12pt;">1. Clinton "<strong>Ragnar</strong>" Gutherson 2. Morgan Harper 3. Viliami Penisini <strong>4.</strong> <strong>Blaize Talagi</strong> 5. Sean "Catch 'em while-they're-hot" Russell 6. Dylan "Everywhere Man" Brown 7. Mitchell "Nuts" Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey "No Hands" Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood <strong>14. Luca Moretti</strong> 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma "Nuikore" Tuilagi</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">1. Tom Trbojevic 2. <strong>Raymond Big-Bad-Boy-Tuaimalo Vaega</strong> 3. Tolutau "Jets" Koula 4. Rueben "Thousand" Garrick 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke "Finally-Free" Brookes 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8 . Taniela "The Beast" Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole "<strong>The Hulk</strong>" Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Karl Lawton 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan "Evil eye at you Braddy" Brown </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Blaize Talagi will make his first-grade debut (more on this below) and Luca Moretti will replace Brendan Hands.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Manly are also (thankfully) missing outside backs in Saab (still) & Tommy Talau, replaced by Paulo & big Ray Vaega.</span></p>
<p class="p5"> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12403315685,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12403315685,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12403315685?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p class="p5"><span style="font-size:18pt;"><strong>Recent History</strong></span></p>
<p class="p5"><span style="font-size:12pt;">The Eels recent record against the Sea Eagles is positive, winning 3 of the past 4 games between the two.</span></p>
<p class="p5"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12403309070,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12403309070,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12403309070?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p class="p5"><span style="font-size:12pt;">However, since 2019, both teams have five wins a piece (<strong>50% winning ratio</strong>). </span></p>
<p class="p5"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Who usually won follows where they played. When at <strong>Commbank</strong>, the Eels have usually won (4/5, <strong>80%</strong>) against Manly. When <strong>outside</strong>, the Eels have usually lost (won 1/5, <strong>20%</strong>). </span><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12401917886,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12401917886,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12401917886?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p class="p5"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> And this shapes as a high-scoring, exciting and unpredictable contest. Over the last 5 years, since 2019, the average total score has been <strong>almost 50 points per game</strong> (48.3 ppg) but predicting the margin is a toin-coss.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12401920275,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12401920275,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12401920275?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p class="p5"> </p>
<p class="p1"><strong style="font-size:14pt;"><span style="font-size:18pt;">The T-Factor</span><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12403309869,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12403309869,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12403309869?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></strong></p>
<p class="p3"><span style="font-size:12pt;">One of the best players in the game when on the field, Tommy Turbo has had a large impact on the outcome of the Eels V Manly contests.</span></p>
<p class="p3"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12401921888,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12401921888,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12401921888?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p class="p3"> </p>
<p class="p3"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12401921484,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12401921484,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12401921484?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p class="p3"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Further to this, in the past <strong>four</strong> games between the Eels & Sea Eagles, Turbo has accumulated:</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>4 tries / 8 try assists / 5 linebreaks / 10 linebreak assists & averaged 218 running metres</strong>.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">There may be no bigger test for our middle & edge defence, their work ethic, <strong>communication & cohesion</strong> from the inside out must be on-song or Manly’s ability to move the ball & use the superior speed on their edges will make life difficult.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">For the Eels, is it far simpler? Is the blueprint for defeating Manly similar to one executed well against the Bulldogs (who also have speed & talent out wide)? Win possession, territory & the middle, and the Eels can suffocate Manly’s ability to use their edges. Easy, right?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:18pt;"><strong>Return of the Barlow</strong></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">With that in mind, we are going to need 80minute efforts from our middles - perhaps no more so than big Junz, who is so often a barometer of the Eels mental application.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12403309299,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12403309299,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12403309299?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Paulo looks a different beats in 2024, racking up <strong>162m & 152m in consecutive games</strong>.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">And while Junior started 2023 in similar fashion (consecutive games with 200+metres), fans will hope that Paulo’s injection off the bench will not only provide the momentum shift that it did against the Panthers, but also might be the key to managing his workload throughout the season.</span></p>
<p class="p1"> </p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:18pt;"><strong>Milestone Central</strong></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:18pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">It's a Day of Milestones. A feast.</span></span></p>
<p class="p1"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12401921091,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12401921091,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12401921091?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">The ultimate test of a team's <strong>beating heart & culture</strong> can often be found in their approach & reaction to players milestones, and what player deserves a unified effort more than Reagan Campbell-Gillard?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">RCG has arguably been the Eels <strong>most consistent</strong> & important forward over the past few seasons.</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span style="font-size:12pt;">And although Eels fans don’t always agree on players, one exclusion does seem to be the rampaging moustache-ride himself.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Congrats to RCG</strong> for his 200th game from very appreciative Eels fans</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">There are also other Moanly milestones, which I should not mention. But, Eels' fans are a class act. What more can I say?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12402605080,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12402605080,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12402605080?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></span></p>
<p class="p1"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12403309690,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12403309690,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12403309690?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">If the players needed any more motivation for this game, they have it in spades as the much touted <strong>Blaize Talagi</strong> has earned his first grade debut in the centres. Keep it together, EA.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">J’Maine Hopgood & Junior Paulo both spoke to Blaize’s calmness, an ability to not let things phase him.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">As fans, lets get behind him & be understanding & patient. Talagi is 19, and this is his first grade debut.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Best of luck Blaize.</span></p>
<p class="p1"> </p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:18pt;"><strong>Bottom Line</strong></span><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12403310058,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12403310058?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:36pt;">T</span><span style="font-size:12pt;">he Electric Eel has no natural predator, which is pretty cool, however, one of the biggest threats to the Electric Eel is actually <strong>itself</strong>.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">While charging, the Electric Eel has been known to bend its body incorrectly & electrocute itself.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Similarly, for all the positives taken from last week's loss to the Panthers, the question remains, <strong>did the Eels ultimately cause their own demise?</strong></span></p>
<p class="p1"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12403310278,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12403310278,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12403310278?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="408" /></a></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">We were Tago-ed. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">When an opposition player has <strong>6 line breaks</strong>, all of which are against a second rower defending out of position, questions are rightfully asked of the strategy. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12401923696,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12401923696,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12401923696?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></span></p>
<p style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:8pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">All of the Panthers' 26 points and five of Tago's six linebreaks came in the 50 minutes Tuilago played at centre for the injured Simonsson, with only 1 linebreak from Tago coming in the last 26 minutes of the game when Cartwright replaced him | Getty Images</span></span></p>
<p> <span style="font-size:12pt;">The decision to persist with Tuilagi in the centres didn't only baffle Eels fans, it baffled commentators alike.</span></p>
<blockquote>
<p style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:18pt;"><em>Arthur has a really big call to make on that left edge because Tago is tearing them to shreds.</em></span></p>
<p style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em>Cooper Cronk, on Foxtel, at half-time</em></span></p>
</blockquote>
<p class="p3"><span style="font-size:12pt;">This isn’t a ‘<em>Brad Arthur</em>' thing, this is an ‘<em>Eels coach’</em> thing. </span></p>
<p class="p3"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Brad was proud of the ‘<em>commendable effort</em>’ Tuilagi & the left edge showed, but this fight was a Round 1 knock-out. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">What made the decision all the more baffling is the fact the Eels possess the best defensive (and one of the quickest) 5/8th’s in the game, defending one position over. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Proz. Daz </strong>echoed many fans' perspectives on this site calling it "a <strong>coaching own goal</strong>". </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Bup</strong>, one of the 1EE communities top tactical minds, summed it up better than I ever could (hope this is ok to quote Bup?):</span></p>
<blockquote>
<p style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:14pt;">Defence in general is in your control, if you’re getting beat by speed on the outside continually leading to points, you must make adjustments, not because you want to, but because you have to.</span></p>
<p style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:14pt;">On Friday moving Brown to defend in the centres but remain as a 5/8th in attack was a no brainer.</span></p>
<p style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:14pt;">Your defensive structure should always allow defenders to cover poor defensive reads fro the inside, but when being beaten on the outside, the only recourse is cover defence.</span></p>
<p style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:14pt;">If you are relying on cover defence you’re not winning on percentages.</span></p>
<p style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:14pt;">We weren’t far off last week but 6 line breaks from one player without making forced changes is unacceptable.</span></p>
<p style="color:#999999;"><span style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:13.3333px;">Bup</span></span><span style="color:#000000;"> </span></p>
</blockquote>
<p class="p1"> </p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Brad Arthur justifiably & publicly called out players in 2023, he demanded more, he demanded better.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Well, in Round 3 of 2024 against a high flying Manly side, is it the players' turn to demand a little more from their coach?</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">As a club we can ill afford any more self-sabotage that plagued our ’23 season, each win is just too important.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Here’s to a rebound from the Eels, for RCG’s big 200th, Blaize’s debut, and a reward for the effort they have shown so far this season.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Good luck Parra - A packed out CommBank & Eels fans across the country will be behind you.</span></p>
<p class="p2"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12403311263,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12403311263,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12403311263?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p></div>Round 3 Team List v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagleshttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/round-3-team-list-v-manly-warringah-sea-eagles2024-03-19T04:59:56.000Z2024-03-19T04:59:56.000ZParramattaLurkerhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/ParramattaLurker<div><p> </p><p>1. Clint Gutherson (c)</p><p>2. Morgan Harper</p><p>3. Will Penisini</p><p>4. Blaize Talagi</p><p>5. Sean Russell </p><p>6. Dylan Brown</p><p>7. Mitchell Moses</p><p>8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard</p><p>9. Joey Lussick</p><p>10. Junior Paulo</p><p>11. Shaun Lane</p><p>12. Bryce Cartwright</p><p>13. J.Maine Hopgood</p><p> </p><p>Interchange:</p><p>14. Luca Moretti</p><p>15. Ryan Matterson</p><p>16. Joe Ofahengaue</p><p>17. Kelma Tuilagi</p><p> </p><p> Reserves:</p><p>18. Ofahiki Ogden</p><p>19. Wiremu Grieg</p><p>20. Brendan Hands</p><p>21. Makahesi Makatoa</p><p>22. Daejarn Asi</p><p> </p><p>INs: Blaize Talagi, Luca Moretti</p><p>OUTs: Bailey Simmonson, Brendan Hands</p><p> </p><p>Referee: Peter Gough</p></div>Most impressive and disappointing: Round 2 v Penrithhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/most-impressive-and-disappointing-round-2-v-penrith2024-03-17T08:09:36.000Z2024-03-17T08:09:36.000ZLBhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/LB<div><p>Let's start by saying the sky is not falling, there are no real concerns and season is not over. I think that is very fair to say. It is also fair to say i was pleased with our performance considering the circumstances. To lose a Winger, then to have a back-rower who 1) has never really played there before 2) never trained there with us and 3) defending in the hardest position on the field, it is far from ideal obviously. Added to that is moving your Centre who is primarily known for defence to the Wing where he offers hardly any attacking flair. </p><p><strong>Stats: </strong>51% to 49% possession which is deceiving for the amount of ball Penrith actually had and on our line. One stat that doesn't show is territory, at one stage late in the first half it was 75% territory for Penrith, yet we led. Our completions were better with 82% to 75%. Completing 34/41 to Penrith's 30/40. That is an area of our game we have improved on and is very important to maintain. Penrith had 6 more runs but had 447 more metres running. That is where we are lacking. Granted a lot of those metres can come from your backs and one of them was missing so it hampered our run totals. But we see it a fair bit, our players always seem to be pushed back a lot where we allow a lot more post contact metres to opposition teams. Not sure if a tactic, running style or sheer strength but it is irritating. Could be where having a look at Corey Oates could be worthwhile with his metres per match well over 150. Penrith had more line-breaks 9 to 3, most coming from our left edge. Penrith missed more tackles 36 to 35, while we tied offloads at 14 a piece. Penrith had 31 ineffective tackles while we only had 19, we also had less errors 10-13, conceaded more penalties 5-4 but led 6 again's 5-1. </p><p><strong>Most Impressive:<br /><br /></strong><strong>Dylan Brown: </strong>He was our best, yet it was a great performance, it was not perfect. Overall, Brown had a nice composed game, his movement to straighten the attack just before throwing it to Hopgood was brilliant and his ball to Lane was also. Though we wanted to see more running from him, particularly when we are down by 8 and need him to take the game. But a step in the right direction for Brown and his season.</p><p><strong>Ryan Matterson: </strong>Felt he was great off the bench, didn't really miss a beat. Even when shifted to the edge when Tuilagi was off due to injury. Probably should have went there in the first place but BA more likely wanted to keep that middle rotation, especially since it would've been a bench of Paulo, Tuilagi and Hands, needed that extra middle. He made 140 metres, including have the 3rd most post contact metres, 2nd of the forwards, 2 offloads also.</p><p><strong>J'Maine Hopgood: </strong>This bloke is the future captain of the club and need to sign him up before November. 134 metres, 45 tackles, 5 tackle breaks, an offload and a try. He seems to have put the offload away for now, focusing on being that middle runner, but it is working for him as he looks fitter and stronger after a full NRL season in 2023. If not for Pat Carrigan, this bloke is the starting QLD Lock. BA brought him off for a stint mid 2nd half, but 10mins later he was back out there and you see the difference he makes in the momentum we have in attack and the strength in defence.</p><p>Honourable mentions: Gutherson, Penisini.</p><p><strong>Most Disappointing:</strong></p><p><strong>Kelma Tuilagi: </strong>Ok let me preface this, as i mentioned above he was thrown into an awkward spot. Being put into what many consider the most difficult spot on the field to defend, added it is the side Cleary prefers; with Martin, Tago and Turuva. He is not a Centre, we know that but still thrown into that spot you do the best your can. That one on one attempt on Martin was abysmal. I understand not reading the defence that well and being beaten for speed but when you just miss a one on one tackle, or have them wrapped up and just fall off them? Not good enough overall. Last week he got a lot of minutes and he was OK but not phenomanal. Now i am considering is it just better to have Moretti there as a 4th forward or just leave Hands or have another player in 14 when Greig is back? Hopefully Tuilagi is a Cartwright type case in takes a year or two to get it.</p><p><strong>Joe Ofahengaue: </strong>I defended the bloke, i said numerous times he was an astute signing for us since we play a power game it adds another dimension to our rotation. Last week i actually thought he was good. Got the start again, was very mixed bag. He offered no real punch compared to the likes of RCG, Paulo and Hopgood. 98 metres off 12 runs is not good enough. Wiremu Greig is more suited to that starting role and will have it once he is back, but it is more disappointing that Ofahengaue played on Friday like he did last year. Despite having a full off-season he still shows signs of similar play? I still think he was an astute signing, but my support is wavering bit by bit.</p><p><strong>Russell under the high ball: </strong>He was solid overall tonight but, from who i considered Mr. Reliable, was suspect tonight on a few occasions. The high ball he was no confident with what so ever and that was something he also had issues with last year. As a Fullback coming through the grades i expected better from Russell. A player who is going to make a career in this league as solid, but if he cannot gain confidence to take those hard kicks, then it can be a case of finding someone better.</p><p><strong>Bench rotation: </strong>Brendan Hands should not of been there in the first place. Neither should a back. Hindsight we all say it but let's be fair if BA named say Talagi or Dunster or hell Lumelume on the bench and didn't use them most would complain we wasted a bench spot. But Hands being used as an quote en quote Utility backfired when the chance to play your Utility who chose not to. The knock is not how BA used the bench overall as he was limited with one less player and two later on, more so the need of Hands. Hands is a dummy half only, BA wants his Hookers to play 80mins, why name another then? I would rather name either another forward or go with Blaize Talagi or Daejarn Asi if you are planning using the 14 as an emergency option. Yes, Hands can be considered that as if Lussick goes down and have no cover you are screwed but limited to only one position. We are in desperate need of a proper Utility yet have never chased one, yet Canterbury have more in their squad then we have had in about 15-20 years.</p><p><strong>Bunker and reffereeing: </strong>Good lord it got worse, wont go on with Luai as enough has been said. But the Gutherson call was stupid as it seems they wont overrule unless you challenge that element. Like forward passes, can see some blatantly but just cannot rule on it so don't bother. The Hopgood face touch is ridiculous as a rule in the first place, but to have Edwards do the same and worse by pushing Cartwright's face into the ground and we get penalised by Lussick reacting? Just idiotic, the Luai charge just proved the issues involved.</p><p><strong>Commentary: </strong>It could be a point where i prefer Dan Ginnane as a host of shows and on radio, on TV he is getting on my nerves. All night "This is the Penrith of old" Like he was losing sleep worrying "Are they going to be same this year????". Then the Luai trip Ginnane picks up, but Cronk gives a cop out "Oh i am still on the RCG JFH hit to think about it". Discuss it and discuss how dodgy it was. Turuva scores when Harper had a 3 on one since Tuilagi dislocated his shoulder from an unnecassary hit, they claim it is brilliant, like really? Ginnane is still my favourite Footy personality but man he is disappointing me in the commentary, even worse he tipped us for top 4. Cronk has great mindset but sounds like he needs a drink of water ASAP.</p><p>Ok that is it, overall was pleased with the effort and performance. Keeping it to only 8 points is quite good considering how long we were disadvantaged on that edge. It was hard but still think BA did a decent job getting us up for it and there were positive signs of not giving up. Parra of 2023 would have had mid 30's even 40 put on us.</p><p>As for team changes, Simonsson and Tuilagi obviously out. Greig in for Tuilagi. Though for Simonsson i think there are two candidates; Haze Dunster and Blaize Talagi. Dunster is the obvious choice and the favourite, but also Talagi could also get the nod. BA obviously likes Talagi, might want to start blooding to have him as backline depth incase we lose more backs. But then again he might prefer a little bit of experience with Dunster who has been there done that but has shown he takes weeks to get comfortable in FG. He is not a plug and play Winger, he needs time each time he is put back in. I think Dunster will be picked though. But maybe Talagi could get a bench spot, whether he is great or not in NSW Cup, the staff and club love him.</p><p>Enjoy your week, long turnaround and hard opposition with Manly, they use their edges well. God bless Parramatta.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p></div>What we know so farhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/what-we-know-so-far2024-03-15T22:04:59.000Z2024-03-15T22:04:59.000ZSuperEel 22https://www.1eyedeel.com/members/SirSuperEel22HailKingArthur<div><p>We may only be into round 2 but there are plenty of signs the Eels of 2024 are improved on the 2023 version.</p>
<p>- Junior off the bench: I tipped this as a change that was needed last year. With Parramatta regularly lacking punch and creativity from the bench, shifting the Origin forward seems to be paying dividends. He's still punching out his usual minutes, but he's able to take on a tiring middle where his unique combination of size, footwork and ball skills adds so much to Parramatta's attack. He was dominant against the Dogs and turned things around against Penrith when he came on in the first half. It will be interesting to see what happens once Wiremu Greig is ready for first grade again.</p>
<p>- Lane Train: While relatively quiet against the Dogs because Carty was shredding the right edge, against Penrith Lane showed how much we missed him. His size and ability to attract defenders opens gaps up for Dylan Brown, while his try was beautifully worked by Parramatta's 5/8.</p>
<p>- Attacking shape: 2023 the Eels looked a little out of ideas at times. Just flinging the ball from one edge to the other with little deception. The early signs are better this season with outside players coming back against the grain to hold up the defence. Offloads remain a key part of Parramatta's attack as well.</p>
<p>- Outside backs: A key problem in 2023, it still looks short of being solved. I can't really fault Morgan Harper for struggling on the wing. It's never been his position and it was made all the more difficult by having a backrower next to him. While Maika Sivo's worth has been discussed at length, he remains Parramatta's best yardage back. </p>
<p>Bench use: Against the Dogs, I thought Brad had finally worked out how to use his bench. Every player got meaningful minutes. Then against the Panthers he reverted to type and Hands got a handful of garbage minutes. In the pre-season BA spoke about preferring an 80 minute hooker. I simply don't think the modern game gives you that luxury. If you have 2, use them.</p>
<p>Defence: I know it seems weird to be discussing defence after conceding 26 points. But 3 of Penrith's tries came from improvised bullshit. I'd be more concerned if they scored all their points from set moves which are repeatable and broke down our defence. But how often are you going to concede a try from the opposition lock nailing a cross field bomb?</p></div>Game Day Blog - Panthers vs Eelshttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/game-day-blog-panthers-vs-eels-52024-03-15T08:38:35.000Z2024-03-15T08:38:35.000ZGrunta the greathttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/Trevor982<div><p>What a game this should be. <br />The Panthers looked average last week against the Storm and the Eels were largely very good in their win against the Bulldogs. We all know that we have 4 wins against them in the last 6, so let's make this 5 from 7 and smash the Wiff in their own town!</p><p> </p><p>So, who wins and by what margin?</p><p>MOM?</p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:24pt;"><strong>GO YOU EELS!!!</strong></span></p></div>R2 v PANTHERS: THIRTEEN-TO-SEVENTEEN BLUE MOONShttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/r2-v-panthers-thirteen-to-seventeen-blue-moons2024-03-13T12:48:33.000Z2024-03-13T12:48:33.000ZHell On Eelshttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/HellOnEels<div><p style="color:#999999;"> </p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12399864700,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12399864700,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12399864700?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p><span style="font-size:48px;">O</span>n Friday night's hyped-up Battle of the West, the Panthers are overwhelming favorites to bounce back from some recent knock-downs when they host the Eels.</p>
<p>However, the Eels have been the biggest thorn to the Panthers of all clubs since the Panthers' rise from 2020, despite the Panthers belting the Eels when it counts the most. And there is plenty of good noise and confident-spiel coming out of the Eels' camp on the back of their longer pre-season.</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12399888473,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12399888473,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12399888473?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Teams</strong></span></p>
<p>Friday, March 15, 2024BlueBet Stadium, Penrith</p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Panthers</strong></span><br /> 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo<br /> Bench: 14. Soini Luke 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner<br /> <strong>Reserves</strong>: 18. Daine Laurie 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Mavrik Geyer 21. Paul Alamoti 22. Brad Schneider<br /> <strong>Head Coach</strong>: Nathan "Someone-needs-to-be-obstructed" Cleary</p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Eels</strong></span><br /> 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Bailey "Prove it" Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Morgan Harper 5. Sean "He-Man" Russell 6. Dylan "Golden Child" Brown 7. Mitchell "Annoying nuts" Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey "Nuggets" Lussick 10. Junior "Starting" Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood<br /> <strong>Bench</strong>: 14. Brendan Hands 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi<br /> <strong>Reserves</strong>: 18. Ofahiki Ogden 19. Wiremu Greig 20. Luca Moretti 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Blaize Talagi<br /> <strong>Head</strong> <strong>Coach</strong>: Brad "he's my golden child" Arthur</p>
<p>Notes: Moses confirmed yesterday he would be right to go, despite his "annoying" groin strain.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Apex Predators </strong></span></p>
<p>From 2020, the Panthers have the most dominating four-year run since the modern game started in 1967, marked by the beginning of limited-tackles and end of the Unlimited Tackle epoch. That's 57 years.</p>
<p>Penrith's winning ratio (around <strong>84%</strong>) over the last four years is even higher than the Saints 11-year title run between 1955-56 (at a tad over <strong>81%</strong>).</p>
<p>But, can they maintain the rage for a four-peat and still be the leading benchmark?</p>
<p>It's early days, but some are already questioning it after the Storm loss and the loss of two more key players, Chrichton and Leniu, from last year's squad. Putting aside the Saints' record-11-peat-title reign ending in 1966, a four-peat was last achieved <strong>almost</strong> <strong>a</strong> <strong>century</strong> <strong>ago</strong> in 1929. </p>
<p>If any team could rewrite the history books, this mob would be the One.</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12399865677,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12399865677,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12399865677?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p>Perhaps, it's a testament to the Eels' great potential that they have had the most success of any club against the Panthers during their golden run. </p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12399867258,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12399867258,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12399867258?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>An Eels' win would be in rarified air: more than a few blue moons</strong></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Against the Panthers, the Eels have won the last game at BlueBet and two-straight games. Improving on that, rewrites the history books.</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12399206098,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12399206098,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12399206098?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12399206260,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12399206260,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12399206260?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p>The last time the Eels have won at three straight against them <strong>over 22 years</strong> ago (R1, 2002, above pics), when Nathan Cleary was four. Luke Burt set a point-scoring record and all-female cheerleading cast was the norm. That was 17 Blue Moons ago, and at home.</p>
<p>The Panthers have an imposing recent record at home. They have won 10 from the last 11 (<strong>90.1%</strong>, since R1, 2023) at a bone-rattling <strong>31.5 - 11.8 average. </strong></p>
<p>Their <strong>only loss</strong> at home during this time in the last year, was to the Eels late last year (18-32, R26, 2023). But it's been <strong>16 years</strong> since the Eels won two-straight there. 13 blue moons have come and gone since then.<br /> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12399867698,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12399867698,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12399867698?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Motivated to hit-back</strong></span></p>
<p>The Panthers' pride should see them highly-motivated for this game to avoid a series of losses.They have lost the last two games (Storm 0-8 last week, World Club Challenge 2024 12-16). The last time the Panthers lost three-straight was five years ago.</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12399871287,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12399871287,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12399871287?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Storm keep Panthers to zip, again</strong></span><span style="font-size:8pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12399203067,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12399203067,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12399203067?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></span></p>
<p style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:8pt;">Dylan Edwards and Nathan Cleary look in in dismay during the tight 8-0 loss the the Storm in Melbourne last week | Getty Images</span></p>
<p>Last round, the Panthers lost a close encounter away to the Storm, 0-8, in an error-riddled affair. Oddly enough, over the last 12 years (since R5, 2013), the Storm are the only team to have kept the Panthers scoreless and it was on three occasions (last round; 0-16 on R22, 2022; 0-20 on R13,2015). History seems to have a bizzare sense of symmetry. Or humor.</p>
<p style="color:#999999;"><span style="font-size:8pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12399202881,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12399202881,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12399202881?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></span><span style="font-size:8pt;">The Eels celebrate their players-player-of-the-match Bryce Cartwright's try double in the their impressive 28-8 win over the Dogs last week at Commbank | Getty Images</span></p>
<p>In contrast, the Eels had a solid win over the Dogs 28-8. The highlight was the Eels' forward-pack, an agressive physicality and control over the match, despite a stuttering that didn't see them take full advantage of overwhelming possession (60%) , field possession, and opportunities in the red zone (51-12). The Dogs were never allowed to get out of second gear and Foxsport commentators noted their "sportscars (on the left edge including the Fox-Chrichton-Kikau) were on a dirt road."</p>
<p>However, a handful of late-match errors (dropped balls by Pensini and Hopgood with both not watching the ball) saw the Dogs score two late tries. Two errors, two tries.</p>
<p>That begs a few questions. What if the Dogs had more opportunities in the Eels' red zone? Has the Eels' red zone vulnerability and ability to defend their errors been addressed during the off-season?</p>
<p>Encouragly, there's plenty of positive noise coming out of the Eels' camp.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Good noise: Rinse, Repeat</strong></span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2024/03/12/matterson-on-bulldogs-win-and-penrith-challenge/?" target="_blank">"No one really worries us"</a>, <a href="https://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2024/03/12/matterson-on-bulldogs-win-and-penrith-challenge/?" target="_blank">Ryan Matterson</a> told reporters yesterday when asked who he fears from Penrith. It seemed to have a wider meaning.</p>
<p>"We're focused on ourselves," he added.</p>
<p>Despite the Eels' recent success against the Panthers, Matterson pointed out that was not what gave the Eels' confidence.</p>
<p>"The work we've done in the pre-season gives us confidence."</p>
<p>Again the promising off-season is a theme we've heard numerous times coupled what what Arthur has called a greater "focus on more fan engagement". Nothing engages fans more than winning and playing well.</p>
<p>The other theme to arise this week is the idea of "<strong>consistency</strong>". </p>
<p>In the past, we've been awfully consistent too: consistently inconsistent from half-to-half, week-to-week. </p>
<p>"It's all about<strong> repeating</strong> what we did <strong>last week</strong>," <a href="https://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2024/03/12/ofahengaue-previews-panthers-and-parras-power-game/" target="_blank">Joe Ofahengaue</a> told reporters this week. Playing "tough" footy through the middle.</p>
<p>"<strong>Parra's power game</strong> has always been there, it's more the consistency part (that has been lacking)", Matterson reinforced.</p>
<p>The legendary middle "power game". "Chasing the Collision". But with more consistency. More intensity. More aggression. </p>
<p>Interestingly, when asked, Matterson said he "<strong>didn't know</strong>" why the Eels play well against the or if they did anything special against the Panthers. Almost as if the game plan, even against the best, by default goes to a structured, middle power-game that earns the right to play some second-phase footy, seeing we're the Harlem Globetrotters of offloads. The tough first, then the pretty.</p>
<p>A defensive downside of a heavy-loaded, middle-centric mindset is the heavier-concrete-footed inside gets overly compressed especially when fatigued leaving the edges vulnerable. We've seen that consistently, year after year. We also saw symptoms of those bad habits in the Canberra trial. It's not all about power and brute force. It's about lateral agility and moving together organically along with slowing the ruck something we haven't been king pins on in the past. </p>
<p>Encouragely, against the Dogs there was plenty of aggressive, Pantheresque hunting-in-packs defence driving the ball-carrier backwards, back-pedalling the ball, which helps slow the ruck and build dominance. </p>
<p>Yet, will it continue? Will the Eels' become more consistent in the manner they aim, and not crack under pressure as they have in the past, consistently?</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Bottom Line</strong></span></p>
<p>Eels' fans will be hoping that the longer off-season with renewed focus on more gutso, physicality and dominating defence - a redemption for last year's "embarrassing" aches - counts for something.</p>
<p>We have not proven anything of substance, yet.</p>
<p>Nevetheless, there were plenty of positives from the round one win. It's all about better habits that appear to have started last week and in the off-season. And just like the round one performance Arthur noted they "needed", they need to do it again. Yet, only time will tell how much the Eels will step up, consistently. Sybil's habits may die hard.</p>
<p>We all know the Panthers are likely to prevail. But if the Eels can bring their agressive A-game, defend their line and errors, take advantage of their second-phase skills, they can upset the game's biggest predator. </p>
<p style="color:#999999;"><iframe title="March 11, 2024" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZoAcWCGsUkU" width="965" height="1716" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p style="color:#999999;"> </p></div>Round 2 Team List v Penrith Panthershttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/round-2-team-list-v-penrith-panthers2024-03-12T04:58:32.000Z2024-03-12T04:58:32.000ZParramattaLurkerhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/ParramattaLurker<div><p>1. Clint Gutherson (c)</p><p>2. Bailey Simmonson</p><p>3. Will Penisini</p><p>4. Morgan Harper</p><p>5. Sean Russell </p><p>6. Dylan Brown</p><p>7. Mitchell Moses</p><p>8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard</p><p>9. Joey Lussick</p><p>10. Junior Paulo</p><p>11. Shaun Lane</p><p>12. Bryce Cartwright</p><p>13. J.Maine Hopgood</p><p> </p><p>Interchange:</p><p>14. Brendan Hands</p><p>15. Ryan Matterson</p><p>16. Joe Ofahengaue</p><p>17. Kelma Tuilagi</p><p> </p><p> Reserves:</p><p>18. Ofahiki Ogden</p><p>19. Wiremu Grieg</p><p>20. Luca Moretti</p><p>21. Makahesi Makatoa</p><p>22. Blaize Talagi</p><p> </p><p>INs: None</p><p>OUTs: None</p><p> </p><p>Referee: Ashley Klein</p></div>Most impressive and disappointing: Round 1 v Canterburyhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/most-impressive-and-disappointing-round-1-v-canterbury2024-03-10T23:33:47.000Z2024-03-10T23:33:47.000ZLBhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/LB<div><p>Hope you all did not get 3rd degree burns from sitting out in the stands waiting for the match itself. To make matters worse were the pyro flamethrowers that were put out to add ambience to the arena. I thought well i am burning up here, but thank god for the flamethrowers, warmed me up even more. Anyway 2 points for the weekend and off the mark a month earlier than we were last year. It was not convincing, more so annoying, but a win is a win. That mentality would have gotten us into the 8 in 2023, one more win and we are playing either Newcastle or Cronulla in week one. If you listen to the podcast i do with my mates, i had a back and forth about the attitude towards coaches in the game. To summarise many people give credit to a coach when a team is winning but if they are losing they are void of blame, added that coaches aren't missing the tackles or dropping the ball. To which i cannot stand, there are times where coaches are more to blame than the players, this is a scenario for Canterbury. They looked really unfit, uncoordinated and weak. Yes possession and the conditions play a part but even early on when Canterbury had the ball before defending for long periods of time they were not even bending the line. Poasa Fa'amausili started at Prop and had a 15 min stint with 1 run. Then a 10 min stint with 1 run. Ciraldo had no excuses to have them ready, but it is hilarious as Canterbury every year seem to be closer and closer to succeeding and every year drop more and more. As for Parramatta, i hope it was more so a take it easy type match. Go through the motions and let the quality prevail eventually as we did not look convincing for a long time. Mid to late 1st half we looked our best. But towards the end we shut up shop and just saw out the game with an eye on Penrith.</p><p><strong>Stats: </strong>59% possession has sort of given Canterbury a get out of jail free card for their performance. Though i do not buy it, as stated above, we dominated control of the ball which is promising. Dogs showed decent defence on their own line, yet our attack did not really threaten early either to combat the defence efforts. Overall stats aren't too lopsided, just shows the quality both teams played. Parramatta had 84 more runs for only 510 more metres. Not great considering you should target the 8-10 metres per average mark. Though i give a tiny pass as we had Hopgood and RCG off for a long period to preserve them for Penrith. We led line-breaks 4-3, completion rate 89% to 72%, offloads 16-3 and tackle breaks 29-23. Missed tackles are practically the tackle breaks stats but flipped. Defensively Bulldogs were not that bad, they had 88% effeciency while we had 90%. We split penalties 7 all, while Dogs gave away 3 six agains to our 0. Not great discipline from either team. Offloads came back and though earlier on we lost more metres than gained from some offloads, we go going late in the game where it became a factor.</p><p><strong>Most Impressive:</strong></p><p><strong>Bryce Cartwright: </strong>I want to party with Carty and you should too. I have told it many times but want to again go through the timeline of this bloke. A talent at Penrith, making NSW as 18th man, where he was seen as a game breaker but was never really a starter more so that player to come on and create something from nothing. He then went to Gold Coast after having a tough season or two with Penrith and joined Garth Brennan. Brennan was sacked after a year and a half, Carty's personal life was falling apart from accusations from ex partners, to incidents with his wife to being in papers for wrong reasons. With his career in limbo, talent being wasted and Super League being the only option despite being away from his kids, Cartwright got a one year prove it deal with Parra. Odd signing considering he was not the type of back-rower BA liked. BA prefers tough back-rowers in both defence and attack that free up space on the blind of the halves and can play 80 mins while also being able to fill in the middle. Cartwright was not that, he was a five-eighth in a back-rowers body. 2021 he played ok off the bench as a difference maker but made too many dumb decisions, he had some nice moments then lost the trust of BA late in the year. Got a 2 year extension but 2022 was not much better, injuries and poor defence pushed him down the order, he played in the prelim but limited mins and missed the GF. Come 2023, many here thought well Carty is just a depth signing keep him to incase of injuries and even talk of him moving on early. He started Round 1 to all us surprise and played the full 80. BA had Carty playing as a BA back-rower and has not looked back. 18 runs, only 114 metres, 2 tries, 2 line-breaks, 6 offloads, 4 tackle breaks, 21 tackles and 2 missed. Cartwright went from being labelled soft to putting on harder hits than most in the game. Well done Carty, back home with family, your boys, a coach that believes in you and a fanbase that loves you.</p><p><strong>Joey Lussick: </strong>Looked rusty in the trial but proved me wrong with a quality performance. Perhaps saw the young whipper snapper Matt Arthur in Cup and thought not so fast. 40/20 was supreme, his movement also created momentum when we were sorely lacking it and only missed one tackle. Hands came on late but we looked off the pace oddly enough. Lussick also put Carty through for his first. Is Lussick a good enough Hooker for us to make top 4? Not relying on him definately.</p><p><strong>Morgan Harper: </strong>The rest on this list weren't amazing but were good, nobody in this team had a bad game per say. Harper was good in both attack and defence. He had one lapse with the Wilson try where he took some time shifting over which gave Wilson too much space with Simonsson covering the space inside. A wonderful put down for the ice breaker. He looked confident. We do not need Harper to play like Bradman Best, Herbie Farnworth, Stephen Crichton or even Joey Manu. If he can play like Tom Opacic then that is fine for us moving forward. 124 metres off 13 runs, 2 tackle breaks, 7 tackles for 0 missed.</p><p><strong>Junior Paulo: </strong>He had been reading the papers, podcasts and us on here, as he should be. Paulo set the example and ran for 163 metres off 19 runs. He was busy and off to a good start. BA said he wont be starting off the bench every week but if he can every 4 weeks or so it can work out wonderfully.</p><p><strong>Bench rotation: </strong>BA seemed to have got it. Nice rotation between Ofahengaue, RCG, Paulo, Hopgood and Matterson in the middle. Even having Cartwright in the middle to incorporate Tuilagi worked out well. If Parra are to be consistent late in the year we need to utilise our bench, no point paying Ofahengaue, Matterson and even Greig decent coin if you are too fixated on RCG and Paulo getting big minutes and being worn down. It worked and he has the luxary to start Ofahengaue, Greig or Matterson each week to change it up and give rests to our middles. Some clubs would pay good money for one good middle, we have 5. </p><p><strong>Short kicking game: </strong>Seems Barrett has worked on our short kicking game on the line, a lot of kicks to the back of the in goal for our attackers to chase which i love as it adds a new dimension to our game.</p><p><strong>Most Disappointing:</strong></p><p><strong>Dylan Brown: </strong>He was not awful, not even bad, but in a game where Moses was not 100%, Brown was given the opportunity to take over and let Moses organise from the back. Brown just went with the status quo, even having some odd and suspect decision in attack where he was caught with the ball. When taking over kicking duties he was also shot for time where he needed to be back a bit more or decide what type of kick he needed to play. Brown was never known as a great long kicker but expected better. If Moses is out v Penrith, this is his chance of redemption that he had been preaching all off-season. Against that opponent Brown should have dominated. </p><p><strong>Bailey Simonsson: </strong>Again not bad, but i feel he did nothing to cement a spot in the 17 when Sivo returns. 2 errors and brought back those sidewards runs. Defensively i cut him some slack as he trained at Centre all pre-season so not used to the Wing, but still got caught out by Wilson numerous times, beaten by pure speed basically. He backed up nicely for his try but Simonsson needs to show something against Penrith and Manly to take over Harper, unless Harper just goes back to Talakai mode. Blaize Talagi, despite not setting the world on fire, is loved by BA and staff. He will get the nod soon too so Simonsson is on thin ground being off-contract also. Value will go down the less he plays.</p><p><strong>Foot to the throat mentality: </strong>If there is something that worries me it is the apparent attitude of focusing on bigger games. We do better against bigger teams, more so seems we get bored when winning easily. BA mentioned he wanted us to have foot to the throat mentality, something that has been missing since BA got here in 2014. Saturday i still havent seen it. We could have put 40 on Canterbury. We shut up shop and let Dogs pick-up two tries, had they converted it would have been an 8 point game, leading to panic. No need to put ourselves in that spot. Bigger teams are important as you need to beat them but more so you beat the teams you are expected to beat easily. This mentality costs you an easy game or two during the season. Only one win cost us the 8 last year. BA should demand full 80min performance no matter who. They had an eye on Penrith and didn't need to.</p><p><strong>Refereeing: </strong>We won, but man Atkins was dreadful. I went with two mates, one a Dogs fan the other Panthers but went for Dogs on the day for fun, even they mentioned that it seemed Atkins hated us without me saying anything before hand. He was dreadful both sides. Same with the bunker. The Cartwright hit on JAC was only penalised cause he hurt him, the arms wrapped it was fine. Had JAC got up not issues. Being whistle happy. We got the win but how this bloke reffed in Origin and GF's before baffles me. </p><p><strong>NSW Cup defence: </strong>Nathan Cayless is consistent. Consistently poor as a coach. Yes Canterbury surrended 36 points also but seriously some of the defence efforts were just weak and abysmal. NSW cup showed glimpses, particularly Matt Arthur who showed even at 19 he can match the speed of the big boys, but wish we had someone else in the box. I love Cayless as a legend of the club, he was my first captain supporting the club, but we can do better for our kids.</p><p> </p><p>That is all, overall nothing too dreadful, nothing to incredible. Just meh. It was a fine game of footy but just so happy to be back at CommBank and getting into the routine of NRL again. Australia v New Zealand looks to be in for a great day 4 yet barely watched due to footy being back.</p><p>I have faith we will be up on Friday. Winning not so much, but troubling Penrith definately. It seems we had an eye on that game next week so should be up and ready to go. If we do lose i hope it is not a Manly 2018 situation that can derail our season. As for team changes, the main one is Moses. If he is out i think Asi will be in at 6 and Brown to 7. But on top of that, Greig is expected back next week, however i think BA would leave him in Cup for this week at least for two reasons. 1) Some much needed game time he will get at least 45-50mins in Cup, he needs minutes badly. 2) With Moses under injury cloud, if he plays Brendan Hands will be on the bench as cover. Had Moses not hurt his groin I think Greig is back on the bench.</p><p> </p><p>Enjoy your week, 4 more sleeps til game 2. God bless Parramatta and god bless Rugby League.</p></div>R1 v DOGS: O BRAVE NEW WORLDhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/r1-v-dogs-o-brave-new-world2024-03-06T22:29:15.000Z2024-03-06T22:29:15.000ZProf. Dazhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/ProfDaz<div><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>S</strong></span>hakespeare’s <em>The Tempest</em> is about betrayal and revenge. For the past thirty-eight years the Eels have betrayed their fans, dashing their hopes against the rocks of disappointment. Fans have sought revenge, adopting a wary cynicism of never bestowing favouritism on the Eels no matter the opponent, and engaging in a game of sack-the-coach every second week. To be or not to be an Eel is not even the question, for we are in a tempest, unable to see a clear path to the light, isolated like an Eels outside back most of any game. Prospero is the central protagonist of <em>The Tempest</em>, and isolated too. Just as the Eels were once a powerful force, Prospero was once a powerful Duke, but he met with misfortunate, his enemies betraying him, just as cruel fate, stupid suspensions, and some confusing recruitment has betrayed the Eels. Prospero and his daughter Miranda were abandoned on an island, which is exactly what it feels like to be an Eels supporter. But with the help of Miranda and the spirit Ariel, whom Prospero controls via magic, Prospero plots revenge. Brad Arthur is Ariel, a magical spirit, tasked with assisting Prospero/The Eels off the island and back to glory (Dukedom). You’re with me, right? Long story short here, but Ariel shipwrecks Prospero’s enemies, causes everyone to bicker amongst themselves and generally get really distracted, but eventually helps Prospero back to his Dukedom, whereupon Prospero grants Ariel his freedom, and forgives all his fans for having wanted him dead. Seriously, <em>The Tempest</em> was a history of the Eels, right? Welcome to Round 1.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;"><br /> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12398155874,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12398155874,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12398155874?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Teams</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Saturday 9 March, Commbank Stadium, 5:30pm (AEDT). Lands of the Burramattagal People. Referee: Grant Atkins.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>EELS: </strong>1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Morgan Harper 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J'maine Hopgood 14. Brendan Hands 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi 18. Ofahiki Ogden 19. Daejarn Asi 20. Luca Moretti 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Blaize Talagi.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Head coach: Brad it’s-a-new-day Arthur.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>DOGS:</strong> 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Poasa Faamausili 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Samuel Hughes 16. Josh Curran 17. Kurtis Morrin 19. Bronson Xerri 20. Toby Sexton 21. Jake Turpin 22. Connor Tracey 23. Kitione Kautoga.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Head coach: Cameron it-was-so-easy-at-Penrith Ciraldo.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Notes:</strong> Sivo is suspended for head high contact. What is new? Brown and Moses are in the halves together, a rare sight since Round 15 of 2023. Lussick has edged Hands for dummy half and the Harper-in-the-backline experiment begins. The Dogs have half a new backline, with a former Eels #6 and Panther utility at lock, so who knows? The Dogs also have a 1, 6, 7 & 9 combination that has never played an NRL game together, so who knows?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12398207679,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12398207679,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12398207679?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Observations from Last Year</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">In <em>The Tempest</em> there is a monstrous creature known as Caliban, the son of a witch (read that closely), who wants to murder Prospero. Season 2023 was Caliban <em>vis a vis</em> the Eels. We cannot do an ‘observations from last week’, so let’s recap 2023 so that we have a clear eyed view of when and how it all fell apart.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Let’s start with the obvious. The Eels went backwards, from grand finalists in 2022 to missing the 8 in 2023, and the stats perfectly illustrate this fall from grace.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">First, do not say the problem was scoring points. The Eels ranked 7<sup>th</sup> and out-scored the supposed points-masters the Bunnies. The Eels were ranked 1<sup>st</sup> for offloading, offloading in total more than any other team (328 times), even where teams played more games (finals teams). Obviously, this is a ‘style’ thing, as Broncos ranked 2<sup>nd</sup> and Panthers 4<sup>th</sup>, but three finals teams (Warriors, Sharks, Knights) ranked in the bottom six off-loaders. The Eels were 4<sup>th</sup> for post-contact metres and 7<sup>th</sup> for both supports and line-breaks, but 15<sup>th</sup> for decoy runs, 16<sup>th</sup> for tackle-breaks and last for dummy half runs. The Eels’ attack was based on off-loading to support runners in a position to break the line, not raw line-breaks or dummy-half runs.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">For every ‘conceded’ category, the higher the number (the closer to 17) the better you are, whereas for gained/scored/made, the lower the number (closer to 1) the better you are. In Table 1, the Eels got much worse for metres conceded.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Table 1:</em> 2023 vs 2022 stats</span></p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12398156081,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12398156081,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12398156081?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="504" /></a></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Yet the Eels’ poor metres conceded stat – only five teams were worse – was not so bad that their tries conceded blew out overall. But conceding metres probably saw the Eels consistently under pressure against the better teams, and this seems borne out when we see the tailspin the Eels ended up in late in the 2023 season.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Table 2:</em> bad, meh, great, frak it.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12398156092,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12398156092,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12398156092?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="570" /></a></span><span style="font-size:12pt;">The Eels made a poor start, recovered to be at least inconsistent, then improved to be excellent, but then the wheels fell off in Round 19 (when the Warriors thrashed us 46-10), which was the start of Stage 4 in Table 2.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">The rot had started back in Round 15 against the Dogs. Brown had been a naughty boy during the bye week the previous round and was suspended for Rounds 15 through to 22. Brown and Moses would go on to play just 1.5 games together the rest of the season. They teamed up in the Round 23 victory over the Dragons, though that was a scratchy game from them where the Eels trailed at half time 10-16, and then Moses was injured in the Round 24 thrashing by the Broncos.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Clearly, the fate of the Eels is tied to keeping Moses and Brown on the park together? Evidence for this is also in the nature of the Stage 4 capitulation.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Table 3:</em> the margins</span></p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12398156663,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12398156663,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12398156663?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="668" /></a></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">On average, the 2023 Eels tended to either win by a close margin (1-9) or win big (20+). Most of their losses were by close margins (1-9). Except when it got to Stage 4. Up until Round 18, the Eels had a +132 differential and were 6<sup>th</sup> on the ladder. Then starting with Round 19 and the beginning of ‘Stage 4’, the Eels had four games in that stretch where they conceded 30+ points. In this period suspensions wreaked havoc, with Sivo and RCG out for weeks, but mostly, Brown and Moses were not on the park together.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">The other stat of note from 2023 is that if the Eels fell behind at half-time, they went on to lose 84% of those games. By contrast, if the Eels were ahead at half time, they went on to win 89% of those games. Indeed, the Eels were either great front-runners or trailing train crashes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em>Table 4:</em> trailing = bad news</span></p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12398156673,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12398156673,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12398156673?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="608" /></a></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Indeed, not only might it be important for the Eels to reverse this trend, and not be hopeless also-rans as soon as they fall behind in a game at half-time, but the Eels cannot afford a slow start to the season per se.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12398156483,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12398156483,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12398156483?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></span><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Dogs of Misfiring Weapons</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Eels fans are always too scared to predict sure things, but the Dogs were worse than the Eels in 2023. The Dogs were 3<sup>rd</sup> worse for metres conceded, allowing teams to march downfield and indeed anywhere on the field they wanted to march. They also had trouble scoring. Both teams regressed from 2022.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Or as Prospero’s daughter Miranda exclaimed in <em>The Tempest</em>, upon realizing the extent of her own suffering while reflecting on those that Ariel had shipwrecked on the island as part of Prospero’s revenge, “O, I have suffered. With those that I saw suffer” (Act 1 Scene 2). And the bookies have both the Eels and the Dogs suffering in 2024.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12398156696,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12398156696,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12398156696?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12398156855,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12398156855,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12398156855?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></span><span style="font-size:12pt;">And of course, the Eels and Dogs have been long suffering opponents over the years. Well, at least until Reed Mahoney defected and then proceeded to play dreadfully each game against his former Eels, giving Eels fans something to smirk about.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12398156871,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12398156871,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12398156871?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></span><span style="font-size:12pt;">Though when the Eels and Dogs suffer together at Commbank, it is typically the Eels emerging with winning smiles at the end.</span></p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12398156883,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12398156883,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12398156883?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Some good news for the Eels is that history is on their side, given a decade of success against Dogs outfits.</span></p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12398156898,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12398156898,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12398156898?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">But you should also rewind a little and review (see above) Table 3: the margins. Recall in 2023 the Eels tended to either win by small margins or win by big margins. Their opponents were either kept in the game or blown off the park, with few comfortable but not spectacular victories. This seems to match the pattern in Dogs games historically.</span></p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12398157463,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12398157463,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12398157463?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>The Bottom Line</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">The true bottom line here is that Eels fans are sick of excuses. We want greater consistency, such as ‘firmly established in the Top 4 from Round 1’, and to finish in a glorious ending of the thirty-eight year curse. Like Ariel upon being freed at the end of <em>The Tempest</em>, we long to proclaim “merrily, merrily, shall I live now. Under the blossom that hangs on the bough” (Act 5, Scene 1). Note also the brutal truth of the allegory: Ariel/Brad will only be free after delivering the ultimate prize.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Just as Prospero (the Eels) wielded magic to have Ariel (Brad Arthur) guide him back to glory, we are happy with a little magic or witchcraft if it will help. To wit:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12398157274,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12398157274,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12398157274?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Though more pragmatically, the Eels have a few issues in their side. They lack outside back depth and can ill-afford stupid suspensions (hi Sivo! Hi Dylan!) or unfortunate injuries in the outside backs, and the Eels’ halves pairing is both a blessing and a curse. Blessing because together and the Eels can rack up points, and both halves are very good defenders. Keep both Moses and Brown on the park and the Eels can go far. But if they spend most of the year (as they did in 2023) <strong>not</strong> playing together, that spells trouble.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">So, we wish Dylan a happy celebration. He joins Neil Hunt as the 55th Eel to reach 100 games for the club. The 6% Club.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12398157653,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12398157653,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12398157653?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">And for all my fellow Eels fans out there, and on behalf of Hell on Eels (HOE) and the preview-writing- team, we appreciate all the diversity and hilarity that is the Eels’ fan base. Or as Trinculo, the jester in <em>The Tempest</em> said, “misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows” (Act 2, Scene 2).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Go Eels!</span></p></div>Round 1 Team List v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogshttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/round-1-team-list-v-canterbury-bankstown-bulldogs2024-03-05T04:58:21.000Z2024-03-05T04:58:21.000ZParramattaLurkerhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/ParramattaLurker<div><p>After a long off season the season is finally here. Bring on Saturday. GO PARRA!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. Clinton Gutherson</p>
<p>2. Bailey Simmonson</p>
<p>3. Will Penisini</p>
<p>4. Morgan Harper</p>
<p>5. Sean Russell </p>
<p>6. Dylan Brown</p>
<p>7. Mitchell Moses</p>
<p>8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard</p>
<p>9. Joey Lussick</p>
<p>10. Junior Paulo</p>
<p>11. Shaun Lane</p>
<p>12. Bryce Cartwright</p>
<p>13. J.Maine Hopgood</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Interchange:</p>
<p>14. Brendan Hands</p>
<p>15. Ryan Matterson</p>
<p>16. Joe Ofahengaue</p>
<p>17. Kelma Tuilagi</p>
<p> </p>
<p> Reserves:</p>
<p>18. Ofahiki Ogden</p>
<p>19. Daejarn Asi</p>
<p>20. Luca Moretti</p>
<p>21. Makahesi Makatoa</p>
<p>22. Blaize Talagi</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Referee: Grant Atkins</p></div>Big Prizes Breaking - 1EEL'S Official Tipping competition starts again this weekendhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/1eels-tipping-competition-starts-this-weekend2024-02-27T09:32:14.000Z2024-02-27T09:32:14.000ZCʜɪᴇғ -https://www.1eyedeel.com/members/Chief<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12390008285,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12390008285,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12390008285?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p>*** The Winner of the 1EE tipping comp will win prizes from Aland - </p><p>*An Eels official jersey </p><p>* Eels cap</p><p>* Eels scarf </p><p>its not too late. Get tipping!!</p><p>Parramatta Eels largest tipping competition - 1ee legends is on again for the 8th successive year. If you're a current member don't forget to get your tips in by this Saturday for R1.</p><p>If you're a new member and would like to join, click the link and find the 1 EYED EEL Legends group.</p><p><a href="https://www.footytips.com.au/comps/1ee_legends&p=1eyedeel">https://www.footytips.com.au/comps/1ee_legends&p=1eyedeel</a></p><p>Congrats to Mr Analyst aka Bazza for blazing home to win the 1EE tipping 🏆 trophy for 2023 & poppa bringing up the rear </p><p>Get in early or you'll miss round 1 2024.</p></div>Parramatta Leagues Avoids Return of Spagnolohttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/parramatta-leagues-avoids-return-of-spagnolo2024-02-27T10:36:24.000Z2024-02-27T10:36:24.000ZSuperEel 22https://www.1eyedeel.com/members/SirSuperEel22HailKingArthur<div><p>The Parramatta Leagues Club AGM has been held with the two board positions up for election being decided.</p>
<p>Current board members Sue Coleman and Greg Monaghan have been re-elected to the board, well ahead of former chairman Roy Spagnolo.</p>
<p>These results demonstrate the importance of the reforms led by Max Donnelly. The availability of electronic voting meant more than 2,700 ballots were submitted.</p>
<p>Full results and details are available at the link below.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.parraleagues.com.au/results-from-the-66th-annual-general-meeting/">https://www.parraleagues.com.au/results-from-the-66th-annual-general-meeting/</a></p></div>Most impressive and disappointing: Trial week 2 v Gold Coasthttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/most-impressive-and-disappointing-trial-week-2-v-gold-coast2024-02-25T23:34:50.000Z2024-02-25T23:34:50.000ZLBhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/LB<div><p>Finally, the off-season is technically officially over. Cricket season passed, tennis season passed, Christmas, New years all gone, now to the game they play in heaven. My word was it shivers down my spine watching the game yesterday, making me realise how much i missed it. Parramatta are back and played well overall. Again, the issue with trials is you cannot gauge too much as sometimes teams can show their worth in trials while others show nothing and come out of nowhere and perform or vice versa. That is why i lean towards judging the players at this stage. Our starters had rust, we scored some good tries though luck involved, most if not all premierships are won by luck. Again, since it was pre-season i will not do stats, that will be back for Round 1 v Canterbury.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Most Impressive: </strong></p><p><strong>Bryce Cartwright: </strong>This is weird since he had 8 missed tackles, but he was that good overall you did not notice the missed tackles. I feared Cartwright may fall of a tad since he has his contract now, but seems he is getting back to where he left off and played aggressive. That is an area credited to BA, making Carty play tougher.</p><p><strong>J'Maine Hopgood: </strong>226 metres, 31 tackles with 1 miss. Even for a trial those stats are insane. When you watch him you think "where is the hype?" But it is the 1% he does off the ball that elevates him. Also, his defence has improved. He looks leaner and more mobile which will help him in the middle.</p><p><strong>Sean Russell: </strong>Going to nickname him "He-Man" after seeing the size of his arms. Makes his 2022 self look like a twig. I didn't see how he could get that big. He also seems to be handling the change of weight very well. Apart from one defensive error allowing too much room, Russell was great. He had tough runs, hardworking and defensively one on one he was really good with tough hits. He just seems to be a good well rounded player. He finished the game at Centre and compared to last year where he was pushed off by palms, he is now stronger in his defensive efforts. He could make a very good Centre eventually.</p><p><strong>Will Penisini: </strong>He looks primed for a big year alongside Rusty. Looked more comfortable and confident in his ability, plus even more so seemed to be comfortable with the space around him. What i mean is he dragged the attack towards the sideline yet did not panic and made space to get an offload or to make metres back inside. Just wish he would develop a great scooting game like Justin Hodges, it would start our sets even better.</p><p><strong>Morgan Harper: </strong>I would lean towards starting him Round 1 over Simonsson. Defence and attacking wise he looked calmer. For Sivo, who has had defensive issues, having a Centre that is more defensive is better at this stage. Harper, oddly enough, is better and more comfortable defending. Harper had 6 runs for 68 metres. More than 11 metres per run which is really good. He is bigger too. But we have seen Sivo perform better with defensive Centres like Opacic and Jennings. Harper could be that.</p><p><strong>Most Disappointing:</strong></p><p><strong>Joey Lussick: </strong>Could be rust, could be me being harsh but Lussick looked off to me. His passing from dummy half was off and a tad slow, defensively seemed off the pace keeping up in the middle. When Hands came on to replace him we ran a bit better. I spent all off-season stating though i feel both Hookers are similar in ability with different positives and negatives that level them out. I also said Lussick will start as he is more experienced and trusted by BA. But seeing how Hands has been used this pre-season it seems BA has been very pleased with how he has improved and honestly i would start him over Lussick. </p><p><strong>Matterson Injury: </strong>Seems he could miss round 1 and it is a shame. I was theorising that he was just not used but upon seeing those at the game say he was hobbling, i retract it and say it is a shame as for some reason he needed to fight for his spot. Not saying Matterson should be given a spot, but his form over the years should show he is the best bench forward we have. Our bench forwards are going to come in underdone, If Matto is out too it weakens us. It is a shame as he would have gotten big minutes yesterday.</p><p><strong>Tuilagi fitness: </strong>Tuilagi was good, do not get me wrong, but he is nowhere near ready to be an 80min back-rower. At this stage i know i am nitpicking.</p><p><strong>Edge defence:</strong> Yeah, speed got us bady one the edge. Jamming in with cover around the back type of defence can work but Gold Coast got a little deeper making it harder for the cover to get into space and speed took up space faster. It has been a problem since BA started. Hell it was a problem before BA, seems to be a club thing. But Gold Coast worked us out, a better club will do it and make it more impactful.</p><p> </p><p>Ok that is it, it was great to have the game back, the game gods play. Overall we looked good, even Junior Paulo looked to have a point to prove. Cannot wait for Round 1, but i also feel necassary for myself to put in what i think the Round 1 team will be to round out pre-season</p><p>1. Gutherson</p><p>2. Dunster</p><p>3. Penisini</p><p>4. Harper</p><p>5. Russell</p><p>6. Brown</p><p>7. Moses</p><p>8. RCG</p><p>9. Lussick</p><p>10. Paulo</p><p>11. Lane</p><p>12. Cartwright</p><p>13. Hopgood</p><p>14. Hands</p><p>15. Greig</p><p>16. Ofahengaue</p><p>17. Tuilagi</p><p>18. Asi</p><p>19. Lumelume</p><p>20. Ogden</p><p>21. Makatoa</p><p>22. Talagi</p><p>Simonsson and Matto will more likely be out with injuries and Sivo with suspension.</p><p>Enjoy your week and Vegas. God bless Parramatta.</p></div>Trial #2 Team List v Titans (Major Trial)https://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/trial-2-team-list-v-titans-major-trial2024-02-20T05:00:59.000Z2024-02-20T05:00:59.000ZParramattaLurkerhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/ParramattaLurker<div><p>Hi all,</p><p> </p><p>Hope you all had a splendid and enjoyable summer. Almost ready to go for another seaosn. Call this a "Warm Up" for me as you will. Back to do the Team Lists all again in 2024.</p><p> </p><p>1. Clinton Gutherson</p><p>2. Maika Sivo</p><p>3. Will Penisini</p><p>4. Bailey Simmonson</p><p>5. Sean Russell</p><p>6. Dylan Brown</p><p>7. Mitchell Moses</p><p>8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard</p><p>9. Joey Lussick</p><p>10. Junior Paulo</p><p>11. Shaun Lane</p><p>12. Bryce Cartwright</p><p>13. J.Maine Hopgood</p><p> </p><p>Interchange:</p><p>14. Brendan Hands</p><p>15. Wiremu Grieg</p><p>16. Joe Ofahengaue</p><p>17. Kelma Tuilagi</p><p> </p><p> Reserves:</p><p>18. Ryan Matterson</p><p>19. Morgan Harper</p><p>20. Haze Dunster</p><p>21. Daejarn Asi</p><p>22. Blaize Talagi</p><p> </p><p>Referee: Gerard Sutton</p><p> </p><p> </p></div>Most impressive and disappointing: Trial week 1 v Canberrahttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/most-impressive-and-disappointing-trial-week-1-v-canberra2024-02-18T02:08:18.000Z2024-02-18T02:08:18.000ZLBhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/LB<div><p>Most important thing to say after the game is it is a trial and also majority of our depth tonight were playing their first ever game against men, so of course they would be nervous and bit overmatched. They will grow and get better. I was there at Jubilee Oval, it is a nice ground. Though on the hill around the 20m line it did not make my view of the game that focused at times, so a bit of my observations changed after re-watching on KAYO. I watched the game but only a 75% i could make out in the first half, especially when Parra were in their own end as i was in that area. Overall did not bother me as it was a trial, though only having one tv screen at the ground being behind me was annoying. Anyway, overall it fell apart once players shifted left, right and centre, also when Flegg players came in, not blaming them but that is where issues came in.</p><p>Not going to bother with stats as it is irrelevant with trials.</p><p><strong>Most Impressive:<br /><br /></strong><strong>Kelma Tuilagi: </strong>I said since we signed him that he will be in the 17 in Round 1. People were hesitant, i mentioned BA signed him for a reason and wants 4 forwards. This is proof enough he will be there, however i thought he would be a good addition as depth and doing a role. Though i saw Papali'i glimpses, not saying he will have impact like Papali'i, more so improve to a point where he starts and has people talking. If he continues, Cartwright and Tuilagi are going to have a wonderful battle. 162 metres and 8 tackle breaks shows Tuilagi is proving a point and is confident playing for a coach that wants him.</p><p><strong>Sean Russell: </strong>Did he do anything amazing? No. Did he do anything freakish? No. But he was solid, reliable and did nothing wrong. Actually, his running showed he had more strength and bigger build aided his PCM. Now his stats weren't great compared to metres per run, but his chase on Savage alone showed the underrated speed he has and how beefing up has not effected him. Russell showed nice turn of foot and brushed off defenders. Had 6 tackle breaks, did not do anything wrong. Is he still a 7/10 constant player to me? Yes, but has upside to be better also.</p><p><strong>Wiremu Greig: </strong>A full season of FG and confidence does wonders. Greig looked like a men playing boys, he dominated and when you are playing against a second string team in the forwards you should. Greig also show he can offload also, not so one dimensional as a player. He will play GC next week for sure and get much needed minutes. He is getting better and leaner. We may have our RCG replacement for 2026.</p><p><strong>Harper & Simonsson competition: </strong>Both were good, both in attack and defence. Harper took a little time but had some really nice strong runs and had an assist for Russell. Simonsson had that habit of going sideways but had good runs mixed in. Overall it could be that both play round 1 and Russell misses out. But if i had to say who gets picked in Round 1, Simonsson gets the nod simply on the basis he is on that left side. Give Simonsson a full pre-season at Centre and he can develop, though needs to feed his winger a lot more, that is where Harper prevails in certain areas. I tell you though, Harper is bigger live than i thought.</p><p><strong>Ofahiki Ogden: </strong>He has jumped Makatoa into being the 1st string middle replacement. Just looked comfortable, he has a nice turn of foot and has a nice angle about his running.</p><p><strong>Brendan Hands: </strong>Upon rewatching the game, i saw he was better than i thought. He looks confident and more adapt to expectations of being an NRL Hooker.</p><p><strong>Ky Rodwell: </strong>Give him credit, he was solid. 8 runs for 97 metres. Could truly overtake Makatoa in pecking order.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Most Disappointing: </strong></p><p><strong>Makahesi Makatoa: </strong>I should preface that his pre-season was staggered due to recovering from a Pec tear in off-season. But still was not good. He is 31 this year and in a contract year, i thought it would not be a bad thing to have him on one year deals from here on out as depth, but with kids coming through no point, he was not good yesterday. He looked lethargic and disinterested. His tackle attempt on Peter Taateo on the Canberra second try was dreadful, yes Matto's attempt was bad too but he at least made contact. Makatoa is heading down the path that Ogden and Rodwell did last year where a bad trial led to them moving down the pecking order.</p><p><strong>Zac Cini: </strong>If there are any questions as to why Cini has not featured for us in FG, watch this match. Defensively was bad. He gave it a go but Talagi looked better in his 5 minute stint at Centre compared to Cini who got 1.5 quarters. I have stated before my thoughts on his top 30 spot and wont write it again but It is a waste as he will not be in FG this year unless completely desperate.</p><p><strong>Ethan Sanders: </strong>He is a kid and first game against men. But the two kicks to start the 2nd half were piss poor, particular the kick for touch of a penalty, no excuse. The kid will be fine and not desparation as Asi will be 1st string half back-up so no rush for him. But year not a great second half for him at all.</p><p><strong>Ryan Matterson: </strong>Expected a little more dominance. Only 107 metres off 13 runs, not that good for his standards. It could be just a light hit out and BA did not want him getting hurt, but Matto has also been a slow starter in all of his 4 seasons at the club.</p><p><strong>Haze Dunster: </strong>Not himself still but he was ok but not great, including dropping a high ball after contact. He had a couple of ok runs but not to the standard where he can be trusted as the main back-up Winger. </p><p><strong>Matt Arthur injury: </strong>Disappointed for the kid, first tackle. He needs as much time as he can get and last night was an opportunity, but was not meant to be.</p><p><strong>Blaize Talagi experiment: </strong>Trying to force the kid to be a Fullback when he is really a Five-Eighth or Centre just made his senior debut even harder. He tried and was not awful but could tell was not overly comfortable in the position. Once he moved to Centre with Asi at Fullback, he looked more comfortable. Just hope he improves but hope they do not force it if it is not working.</p><p><strong>Commentary team: </strong>Dan Ginnane is my favourite commentator and personality in the game. But every time he commentates with Ennis he falls into the habits that Ennis incorporates. The call from Ennis on the Simonsson try was embarrassing. Claiming Tuilagi cannot take out Schiller and doesn't matter if he is looking at the ball, while the bunker announced they were seeing if he was looking at the ball. That was embarrassing that he got that wrong. The Cotric no try, saw he lost it straight away but Ginnane just announced it was a try and sort of went about his business then was shocked he lost it. It is this Parramatta laid back attitude. It is a shame too as Ginnane rates us from time to time on his podcast, it just seems Ennis is a bad influence. Ennis loved Sanders but that would have been due to him going to Canberra in 2025. Ennis' call on the Simonsson try though was purely embarrassing in how confident he was and he was wrong based on what the bunker called.</p><p>So proper team next week v Gold Coast and i think 16 of the 17 spots are set; Gutherson, Sivo, Penisini, Simonsson/Harper, Russell, Brown, Moses, RCG, Lussick, Paulo, Lane, Cartwright, Hopgood, Tuilagi, Greig, Matterson, Ofahengaue. That is your team. With the likes of Moretti, Ogden, Hands, Doorey, Dunster and Makatoa to feature for minutes also. </p><p> </p><p>See you all next week, 3 more weeks til Canterbury, god bless Parramatta.</p><p> </p></div>Trial Game - Player and Game Thoughtshttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/trial-game-thoughts2024-02-17T10:00:02.000Z2024-02-17T10:00:02.000ZEAhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/Electric_Analysis<div><ol><li>Talagi - had an alright game, a decent one considering it was his first ever game playing fullback. You have to give him time before just giving up on the plan to move him to fullback. Had a couple of good moments. If Gutho goes down immediately, he definitely would not be the option. But still for now, he must be given time at cup for at least 10 games. </li><li>Dunster - was alright in a couple of meterage attemps as he was able to find his front. however he dropped the ball once and another time let the ball bounce. Really torn because feel bad for him and really rated him prior his injury. I think it is come to the stage where we give him half the season in cup to show something otherwise he needs to be shown the door.</li><li>Harper - solid game except that one error where he for some fuck reason decided to challenge. </li><li>Simmo - neither him or harper had a stand out game to decide the starting position. I do prefer Simmo for now but he needs ot start running forward and not side ways when starting sets because its so frustrating and pointless hit-up.</li><li>Russel - shown great pace and had a good game. Definitely got the spot round 1.</li><li>Asi - a decentgame and showed his versatility. Defensively he still misses some tackles. In attack someone said he doesnt back himself which looks the case. He needs more intent and energy in his attack.</li><li>Sanders - showed why I believe he should stay at the club to learn under Barret and Moses. He isnt ready to be playing half back week in and week out. Kicked a ball out on a full, dead in goal and didnt find touch on a penalty. This shocked me. Never seen him kick so bad. Its normally his best skill. I do believe he is better than what he showed in the numerous times I have watched him so do please do not over kill how unready he is for first game. He just need games against grown men in cup.</li><li>Rodwell - was a solid. Good depth for the club.</li><li>Hands - made an arguement that BA needs to consider him as a utlity in the 17 rather than a 4 forward bench.</li><li>Ogden - i thought he was great like many others. Very good depth option. However with Grieg and Paulo in the team, you probably want a more mobile defender in the 17. So will be challenging Grieg bench spot all year. Maybe Ofa too.</li><li>Lane - good hit out</li><li>Tualagi - probably the best on field for us. Hit hard and ran well. as i said gives a 'pap season vibes' but in terms of playing style, reminds me a lot of Papa and even Olkatau and Kolomontangi. Will warrant a spot in the 17 in round 1 now.</li><li>Matto - As wiz said he played soft in the first half. I do not think BA liked it either hence why he stayed on the field in the second half. Needs to man up and be the impact bench forward he was before the contract extension. He was the best in the comp at it.</li><li>Moretti - a ball of energy and was good. Great depth option. Will be challenging Ofa bench spot all year I believe.</li><li>Greig - looks fit again. Gets great PCM and provides aggression I believe the club lacks since prime N Brown. Should be a lock for the bench spot. Though I do prefer him starting and Paulo off the bench. Doubt BA does it though.</li><li>Doorey - was alright, Will probably play the full year in cup.</li><li>Makatoa - was alright but I believe he is slowly falling down the pecking order. Should be his last year at the club to make way for the juniors.</li><li>MA - poor guy got knocked out first tackle. I do rate him highly but always believed its too early for him given his position and size. He will be in cup and maybe flegg all year.</li><li>Mataele - limited minutes. Should be playing off the bench in cup as an impact forward. will be interesting to see if he develops at all.</li><li>Lynn - wont be revelant in the nrl this year. May get a cup spot when injuries occur. Always believe he looks better than he is due to the successful junior team. Will be given the opportunity to run the flegg team and show his talents outside the shadow of Sanders, MA and others. This will test and see if he does have that NRL future.</li><li>Guymer - I thought he was good. tackled well and tried hitting hard. Will be like Liam Martin. Will be contesting Brazel for a cup backrow spot otherwise a bench spot. Could actually end up in flegg due to his age to give and giving other players senior the chance instead.</li><li>Keir - not nrl relevant. may not even get a cup spot.</li><li>Pryke - youngster who will probs start in flegg (lock position). Looked alright. Prospect but not for this year IMO.</li><li>Cini - shouldnt be top 30 contract. isnt nrl standard which is the obvious problem since Dunster isnt either yet.</li><li>Lumelume - idm him on a nsw contract as long as he isnt stopping juniors from having a go. was alright</li><li>Martin - he still a raw talent. I know there was a blog about him but he still needs to fill out a bit for starting sets. Hopefully gets a cup spot and continues to learn the game and develop. Maybe a prospect for next year in the NRL.</li></ol><p>Please keep in mind this is the first time most of these juniors have played against grown men. It was a massive learning curve for them. They will improve a lot in cup so do not be too harsh. Yes, they are definitely at least year away from being NRL players weeek in week out but they are genuine talents for a few of then. Lots of people overeacting here because all they have seen is the trial and maybe these juniors play one game. I have seen them play many games and I promise Sanders, Talagi, MA, Guymer and Martin will be the real deal soon.</p><p>I think the promising thing for this trial is that the players who will actually be playing NRL performed well. I have a feeling its more of the same as last year in terms of being reliant on the top 17. Our forward pack depth is pretty good. However, our spine depth is a worry as our back ups are juniors that still need time. So Asi will have an important role and needs to fix that tackling and be instinctive in attack. Our outside back depth again is a worry as Cini, Lumelume and Dunster are not NRL standard right now and Martin is not ready. Hopefully we fill that last top 30 spot with a utility back.</p><p>Assuming BA runs with this forward pack:</p><p>8. Paulo</p><p>9. Lussick</p><p>10. RCG</p><p>11. Lane</p><p>12. Carty</p><p>13. Hopgood</p><p>The battle for the 4 bench positions is actually pretty good. You have Hands who shown he can be a good utlity of the bench and than you have 6 forwards in Matto, Ofa, Greig, Tualagi, Moretti and Ogden fighting for the forward rotation.</p></div>NRL Pre-Season Challenge Team List: Week 1https://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/nrl-pre-season-challenge-team-list-week-12024-02-13T05:17:33.000Z2024-02-13T05:17:33.000ZRabz Shttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/RabzS<div><p>The Parramatta Eels have confirmed their squad to face the Canberra Raiders in Week 1 of the NRL Pre-Season Challenge.</p><p>Brad Arthur has named a blend of youth and experience for the Eels' first trial match of 2024, mixing NRL regulars with emerging talent.</p><p>Shaun Lane will captain the side in his first match since an injury-plagued 2023 season. He will run out with a number of familiar faces including Ryan Matterson, Bailey Simonsson, Sean Russell and Wiremu Greig.</p><p>New recruits Morgan Harper and Kelma Tuilagi are set to pull on the Blue & Gold for the first time, having been named in the Eels' starting line-up.</p><p>Six members of the Eels' 2023 SG Ball Cup Grand Final winning team will make their first appearance with the senior squad: Blaize Talagi, Ethan Sanders, Charlie Guymer, Matt Arthur, Josh Lynn and Saxon Pryke.</p><p>The match will be played on Saturday 17 February at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, kicking off at 5:55pm ahead of the Charity Shield match between South Sydney and St George Illawarra.</p><p>All NRL Pre-Season Challenge matches will be broadcast live by Fox League and Kayo Sports.</p><p> </p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12378867265,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12378867265,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="12378867265?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></p></div>Parra Leagues Club Elections (Not Football Club)https://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/leagues-club-elections2024-01-30T03:41:20.000Z2024-01-30T03:41:20.000ZMuttmanhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/Muttman633<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12368224090,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12368224090,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12368224090?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="494" /></a><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12368224287,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12368224287,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12368224287?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="494" /></a></p><p>Roll up, roll up the Leagues Club elections are on again. It wasn't that long ago that these were a hotly contested, insanely political, circuses taking place every two years in the car park outside the Leagues Club. The media absolutely loved the chaos which brought out the worst in some members and often portrayed our club in a very poor light. There were headlines for weeks leading up to and post each election. Our poor off field structure was mostly reflected in our on-field performances. Thankfully those days are well and truly behind us.<br /> Thanks to a hard fought change of our constitution by members, elections to the PLC board are far more orderly. Voting is now available on-line meaning we have a much larger pool of voters to express the will of the members. As is the case in this election, the Directors are also elected in a rolling format meaning most years only 2 Director positions are put up for election rather than changing the entire Board at each election. <br /> I've attached the Candidate profiles / statements FYI.<br /> It should be noted that one member has demanded the names and contact details of the entire Leagues Club membership. I'll leave you to figure out who that may be. </p><p>Who am I voting for? I'm voting for the incumbents Greg Monaghan and Sue Coleman. I most definitely won't be voting for any former Directors and I strongly urge members to do likewise.<br /> Please vote! <br /> You should have received an email from the club with a link to vote, if not check your junk mail or contact the club.</p><p>Let's keep moving forward as a club. Let's not take the club backwards.</p></div>I'll embrace the pressure on us to deliver - BA interviewhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/i-ll-embrace-the-pressure-on-us-to-deliver2024-01-21T00:17:50.000Z2024-01-21T00:17:50.000ZMr 'BringBackFitzy' Analysthttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/BazzaCapt<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12362235266,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12362235266,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="12362235266?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12362223258,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12362223258,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12362223258?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12362183889,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12362183889,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12362183889?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12362236283,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12362236283,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="12362236283?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></p><p> </p></div>DO YOU MEET THE KPI’s as a PARRAMATTA SUPPORTER?https://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/do-you-meet-the-kpi-s-as-a-parramatta-supporter2023-10-15T19:53:11.000Z2023-10-15T19:53:11.000ZAnthony Ghttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/AnthonyG<div><p>It's been troubling me for a while, how much negativity is generated towards players, coaching staff and admin within these forums and it got me asking - how well do we stack up as a Parramatta Supporter? What are the KPI's we should be judged by? </p><p>Imagine if we don't meet the KPI's and are kicked out from supporting the Eels? Oh too much negativity - not enough team connection? You really should go and support another team - maybe the Sea Eagles would be a better fit? You want more TPA's - The Roosters could be your club?</p><p>So let me start with my Qualifications as a Parramatta Supporter?</p><p>I grew up in Ermington - about a 5km bike ride to Parramatta. No one in my Primary School went for Parramatta - No one in my street went for Parramatta. All my mates, kids I played with, supported Roosters, Manly, St George or the Bulldogs. It was hell! 1976 and 1977 GF losses - aahhhhhhh!</p><p>The standard joke was "What did Buck Rogers say when he landed in the 25th Century - Has Parramatta won a premiership yet?"</p><p>I was 11 when I asked to go to my first game at Cumberland Oval. I was absolutely blown away when my mother said yes! She was over protective and wouldn't let me ride my bike on the road (Ahhhh the the things she doesn't know didn't hurt her) - so for her to say YES was a complete surprise. So that Sunday in 1979, I caught a bus with a few mates, and we went to watch Parramatta play the Tigers. </p><p>At the OLD Cumberland Oval behind the main GrandStand you could stand around and watch the Players come in. Grab some signatures. Mick Cronin, Ray Price, Bob O'Reilly . . . . But the player who stood out was Olsen Fillipana. He stood with all these kids who supported Parramatta as a Tigers Player and was just the nicest human being ever. How he spoke to us kids, stuck in my memory.</p><p>Now i was quite the enterprising young 11 year old, and now that I was allowed to go the footy, I would come most home games. There was a merchandise tent behind the stand, and I would buy Parramatta Stickers for 10c and then proceed to sell them for 20c. (It was set up for people to do that). So I would walk around Cumberland Oval during 3rd Grade and Reserves yelling out - "Stickers - Parramatta Stickers - 20c" and sell them to anyone and everyone. Every time I walked past my Friends or Cousin, they would look so embarrassed that I was doing this, but my the end of Reserve grade, I had made myself a profit of somewhere between $20 and $30 (Which for a young kid in 1979/1980 was huge)</p><p>In 1981 - It all changed. There are photo's of me with all my Parra Gear on, Flags and Scarf included, sitting on a bean bag in front of our Tele, Rex Mossop doing the call, as we won our first Grand Final. I was so excited. I remember riding my bike around the streets after the game - but alone - no one else in my street cared! And that night the Parra faithful burned down the old oval. ( I wasn't there - mum wouldn't let me out after dark!)</p><p>So all through High School ( I went to Macquarie Boys North Parramatta) I had one friend who supported Parramatta, and we would train it to Belmore for games. We had a special team in those times, and Parramatta would go on to win 3 consecutive GF's. I remember where I was for every game, including the 86 win.</p><p>As I hit drinking age and got a car - Parra Leagues was the place to go. Eelectriques Disco (The Pit) where it was common to see Sterlo, Burt, and the Bookends having a drink after training and being swamped by young ladies. I went out with a cheerleader for a few weeks and even met my first wife at Parra Leagues!</p><p>As a young man in my 20's I would go to games at the new Parramatta Stadium. As I worked - I met the occasional Parra Supporter who would come along and we would take our girlfriends who of course never supported Parramatta.</p><p>Then you get busy with life, getting married, having kids. In 1999 I moved to Queensland and in 2000 landed permanently on the Gold Coast. Oh that 2001 GF and what Joey and Kennedy did to us!</p><p>In 2007 (With 4 Kids under 10) the Titans entered the NRL. It was a big hype on the Coast. We all went to a trial match - Parra vs Titans at Lismore, and it was viewed that the household may become Titans Supporters. It only took me 2 minutes of that Trial Game to know - I wasn't switching my loyalty. It wasn't a choice. It was just part of my DNA. I'm a parramatta supporter.</p><p>Oh the Jarryd Hayne years. 2009 - what an amazing run. What a freak Hayne was. He broke my heart with the later assault charges, but for a time there, he was truly special!</p><p>Last Year I was at my mates when we qualified for the GF. He is a mad Parra Supporter and an ex referee. As we qualify - he looks at me and says I have 4 tickets to the GF - do you want to come. (God Yes). So I attended my first GF to watch Parramatta play Penrith. We all know the outcome of that. But I wanted to take you on a bit of my Blue and Gold Journey.</p><p>I have the photo of Price and Cronin in 86 Framed in my Bar Room. I bleed Blue and Gold. That's my Supporters Qualifications!</p><p>I believe BA is a quality human. He loves the Eels (We broke him and his family a bit with the JA shit!) Has he delivered a Premiership? No! But I saw what he went through at the beginning, All the crap - and he kept showing up. He is smart enough to change, to know our deficiencies as a team, but he also knows what restrictions we have regarding salary space, and what juniors they are trying to bring up and in. </p><p>So no shit throwing from me! Im a Parramatta Supporter and I won't do that to my team. And they are my team! We wouldn't throw this much negativity at our children. We would tell them they are loved and to try their best, whether they become Engineers or work at McDonalds.</p><p>Lets become better supporters. Because the personal abuse - the personal negativity - is not how to support our team! Yes we are allowed to whinge from time to time, but our KPI's as a fan are never met by constant negativity and criticism. As Ted Lasso would say . . . . BELIEVE!</p><p>Go the EELS. </p><p>So how do you stack up as a Parramatta Supporter?</p><p> </p></div>Analysing the Harper signing, where else could we look.https://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/analysing-the-harper-signing-where-else-could-we-look2023-10-01T14:15:37.000Z2023-10-01T14:15:37.000ZLBhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/LB<div><p>So it seems at this stage, Kelma Tuilagi and Morgan Harper are the only two signings so far for 2024. Meaning we have 27 spots locked up for 2024. Now Luca Moretti has not be signed for 2024, bet he will be therefore it will be 28. So usually clubs like to have a spot or two open for mid season moves incase of injuries. Overall, still have two spots left, though we could make a move or two to create space. Momoisea, Cini and Rodwell should be earmarked to be moved on. Momoisea could stay for one more year due to versitility, Rodwell though has his replacement with junior Props just no need for him now. Cini more likely got the top 30 deal as a sweetener to get him over in 2022 when we were desperate for depth in the backline. BA and Parramatta more likely though Cini was going to get a club debut in either 2022 or 2023 leading into 2024 having a deal. But despite us having depth issues, hell we had no Simonsson, Russell and Dunster in round 1. Cini looked primed to get a debut on the Wing v Melbourne, but BA chose Isaac Lumelume instead. Throughout the year Cini was also looked over a few times, Russell, who just came back from missing 5 weeks with injury and playing his first NRL game in nearly 14 months was put at Centre where he had not played in a top level before. Chose that and Dunster coming off an horrific injury over Cini? Just shows BA's trust with Cini is nowhere near where he thought it would be. So moving Cini on to sign another back makes sense.</p><p>Now, reason that having a few spots open is crucial is due to believing once November 1 hits, there will be moves galore as teams arrange their caps and sign players and having other players know their place within a club causing them to move on elsewhere. 2023 market has nothing left, yet there was not much to begin with anyway. What is left that is worth touching? Honestly only Billy Smith, who is rumoured to have agreed to a one year extension with Sydney. More likely waiting for Suaali'i to jet off to Rugby while Smith tries to play a full season in Cup then take the Centre spot in 2025. However, Fwith Suaali'i now getting cold feet on a move to Rugby, it could lead to two opportunities for Parramatta, neither i reckon we could pull off but still opportunities nonhteless. First is Smith not wanting to wait til 2026 for Tedesco to retire for a Centre spot to open with Suaalii staying so decides to get out qiuck. Or, pipe dream, Suaali'i is the big play we finally make for ourselves, using Penisini connection a ploy. Now, neither would happen, but it is an example of what needs to happen for us.</p><p>Other than that where else do we look? Blake Wilson was a target, though turned us down. Now, seems we are looking for a Winger that can play Fullback. With that would mean Simonsson would stay at Centre in 2024 with a new right winger. I would prefer have a Centre take Simonsson's spot all together, then have Simonsson on one wing competing with another player. More likely needing a rookie; Morkos, Iongi, Iro for that role. For Centre, look for players looking to start; Tass, Billy Smith, Olam. Or use Sanders to get a player like Smith-Shields or make a play for Xavier Savage who is not being used by Stuart. There is your possible X-Factor.</p><p>Then comes in Harper. Not confirmed, yet it is reported from a quite reliable source. Now, i panicked too. We need a left Centre and sign Harper. But i am not 100% sure he will be starting at Centre, more so providing depth. Depth was an area of need more than any other. At the moment here is our depth in the backs so far:</p><p>Fullbacks: Gutherson, Miller-Stephen.</p><p>Wings: Sivo, Russell, Lumelume, Dunster.</p><p>Centre: Penisini, Simonsson, Cini, Asi</p><p> </p><p>That's it, Asi on top of that is our first depth half, so if we lose both a Half and a Centre, we are royally screwed. So therefore, Harper signing strengthens up that Centre depth quite well. We have kids like Richard Penisini, Blaize Talagi and Lachlan Blackburn playing Centre in lower grades, though all three are still at least a year away from being considered, maybe late 2024 but nothing as a full-time starter. Hell we had Momoisea playing there in Cup by the end, that is also us trying to turn Momoisea into Niukore, though shows the depth we lack.</p><p>Now a question one would raise is, why are we signing a back-up this early in the process? Well i think there are two reasons. 1) limited off-contract players available, if you wait and hope to get a player contracted elsewhere, could miss out, meaning we are stuck with limited depth once again. So getting Harper now gives us security, if he plays well then he plays, worst case he is there for us to use when we see fit. 2) Harper was about to sign with a club in ESL, so we needed to jump now. So we get an extra Centre to put into our squad, he stays in Australia with his young family hoping BA could help his career further in NRL.</p><p>So Harper makes sense. Though is it a good signing? Well of course it depends on who else we bring in, if we do bring more in as it is. If Harper is our only backline signing then it is a poor move. As even if Penisini and Simonsson are the starting Centre's, Harper will still be the back-up, it is a bad move due to limited competition. We need another Centre, use Simonsson versitility to strengthen other areas. I love Russell, he is a goer, but we cannot keep him on the wing. He is solid but we need more than solid. So another signing fixes that.</p><p>Finally, Simonsson is he the answer at Centre? Well i do not know. He had a real purple patch in the middle of the year, showing pace and ability to make metres. He played his best footy at Centre for us, where he has only had one great game on the Wing. Though, he was not great late in the year. Now that could be due to having Asi and Davey along side him. Perhaps also not having a full off-season didn't help either. Or could be he was found out. His best asset is his speed, he runs really good lines. Though i do not see him as a future Centre as i think we can get better. We have offered Simonsson a new contract, yet he has not accepted it, with one eye on Union. Makes me think, does he think he will not be the Centre in the future? He has mentioned he wants to play Centre, does he want a good start to the year to up his price?. Is the club waiting for some of the kids to be ready and they take over in 2025? More likely looking too much into it, but with Simonsson hesitant at the moment it could force the club to move him to the wing and get a Centre.</p><p>Now if i could play fantasy, i would go for Smith and Savage. There is a Centre, and a back-up Fullback/Wing that will compete with Simonsson. We have 2 spots available, can make it more, we can get two more backs, we should get two more backs.</p><p>In summary to main idea, let's judge the Harper signing once we have completed our signings.</p></div>Rookies 2024https://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/rookies-20242023-10-02T06:05:52.000Z2023-10-02T06:05:52.000ZLBhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/LB<div><p>So now the NRL season is officially over, now comes the speculatoin point of the season, quite frankly the worst part of the year. The month of October is the worst as November is when training starts and can start to get an idea of the team structure. But this coming year, our depth could be helped by our juniors, most may get a FG training deal. So let's go through some names that we could see and get excited over. EA surely can add his part in the comments as i believe he would.</p><p><strong>Ethan Sanders: </strong>The most well known player in this crop. Not too much to say that hasn't been said. He is a player no doubts about it. Talk is Parramatta are somewhat boyish of retaining him, but not sure on that as Canberra have given him a track to NRL quicker than we can offer, but if we can somehow keep him, man he is a great asset to have. He will be in Cup in 2024 for sure.</p><p><strong>Blaize Talagi: </strong>Centre/Five-Eighth hybrid. Had injuries all year, couldn't get into a groove yet still performed in big games. He has that coolness factor about him. Similar build to Dylan Brown. Doubt he is as talented at his age compared to Dyl but his ability to shift across the 13 is what will get him a debut in 2024. A jam packed back-line in NSW cup already he could snag a Centre spot. I would go as far to say he will debut at some point in 2024.</p><p><strong>Ethyn Martin: </strong>The oldest of the rookies, the kid has only been playing league for a short time. Born in NZ, played league up to 15 where he switched to Rugby while living on the Gold Coast who's development was hampered from COVID, was on a train and trial with the Dolphins before shipping off the the UK to play Rugby, before heading back to the Dolphins. We picked him mid year, he slotted straight into Flegg scoring 13 tries in 11 games. There are clips of him on Youtube playing Rugby in NZ, though the kid is still learning the game and is already showing quality. He is 21 already so he is only eligable for NSW cup, he should get a wing spot in Cup to start next year. Give him a full NRL pre-season and do not be surprised if he gains confidence from being around the likes of Gutho, Penisini, Sivo etc. Learning what it takes to play first grade and getting his body in the right shape for FG. He is speedy, can play Wing and Fullback, has a bit sneaky strength in him too, where give him a good NRL pre-season in weight room he could really improve more with is physical side of the game. Honestly, he could be a smokey to be our righ winger come early to mid 2024. I could see him getting a debut in 2024, with the likes of Russell, AMS, Lumelume, Dunster, Cini and now Harper in NSW cup frame, i think Martin is good enough to get a spot on the wing over them. Missed opportunity not debuting him in Cup late 2023, though could be just not wanting to overwhelm him coming into the code. Could say he is like a Khan-Pereira in that he is a speedy try scorer and that is it, but Martin has bit of something else in his game. He played Hooker while coming through in GC before going to Union, so hopefully his defence is up to scratch.</p><p><strong>Matthew Arthur: </strong>He is good, whether you like BA or not you have to admit Arthur can play. His build suits Hooker, he is smart, got great vision, tough and is great in defence. His worst game was the prelim against the Roosters where he was good but could tell his body was aching from playing against boys 3 years his senior. But now he has had a debut in Cup, he can establish himself as the 3rd string Hooker in Cup. I think BA is going to move forward with having 4 forwards on the bench in 2024, meaning MA will be 14 in Cup, which for a 19 year old might not be a bad thing as he eases into the grade. I would not be putting him in Flegg, unless he gets limited time in Cup behind Hands. With Hodgson now in the coaching ranks it will be even better for him. He will debut in 2024.</p><p><strong>Jontay Junior Betham-Misa: </strong>Played a lot of NSW cup footy, which would have helped him a lot. He dominated when back in Flegg, though is still raw. He should be the starting front-rower, alongside Makatoa, in NSW cup in 2024. Just a battering ram type of Prop, a lot different to the Props we have at the moment. Not saying he is Fui but he is that type of Prop. He will debut in 2024 as we move towards younger depth in our middles. Makatoa and Rodwell both off-contract in 2024, the former turning 31, BA and co. will starting fast tracking the likes of JJBM, Moretti and another Prop who i will mention later as our new middle depth.</p><p><strong>Sam Tuivaiti: </strong>The other Prop i am referring to. He is more in the mold of Junior Paulo. He is a bench impact Prop, he will see time in Cup with starting in Flegg. With Paulo and RCG getting into their 30's along with Ofahengaue. It is Greig and Hopgood who lead as these kids make up the rest of the squad, Tuivaiti will be a fine player.</p><p><strong>Elijah-Shane Tapau:</strong> Coming over from the Townsville Blackhawks in the North Queensland system, he is if Shaun Lane and Wiremu Greig had a kid. A lean and massive edge back-rower, has an offload like Lane. He is super raw, that is where an NRL pre-season will come in handy, but i would not be surprised to see him get a Cup debut after starting Flegg for sometime. He is a Queensland under 19's rep too, NQ were not happy to lose him at all.</p><p><strong>Richard Penisini: </strong>Runs like Will but is taller and bigger than Will. Richard is a different style Centre than Will, where Will likes to make post contact metres, use leg drive to make metres leading to a quick play the ball, Richard is more so using his height to create space and separation for his Winger. He made his Cup debut, lasting only 2 mins due to HIA. He is highly thought of in the club, though his skill set makes him a Centre only, i could see him debuting on the wing but it doesn't suit him, as oppose to like Martin. I think Richard will spare his time between Flegg and Cup, before seeing out his 2024 season as a full-time Cup player. Could make his debut late in 2024.</p><p><strong>Apa Twidle: </strong>Just re-signed til 2025. A five-eighth by trade turned Fullback, Twidle is a hard working Fullback in the mold similar to Dylan Edwards. There is a pathway for Twidle to come in and steal the no.1 jersey from either Russell or AMS in NSW Cup, if he does he would not give it back. He is only 19 so has plenty of time, but he could be that player that gets there from true determination. If he is given an NRL pre-season, he will be ready for it.</p><p><strong>Josh Lynn: </strong>Came from Queensland and got a NSW cup debut. Has a very level head on him and has a mixture of both running and organising. Could be one of these kids that is better than what is expected but gets overshadowed by a fellow player, in this case Sanders. In his lone NSW Cup game he complimented Rankin nicely. Could be a nice player to have around.</p><p> </p><p>So let's say Parramatta sign another Centre/Winger, which i think they will, then you will have an NRL backline of Gutho, Sivo, Penisini, Simonsson, TBA. Then have Harper and Russell in Cup. I say that refer to what i think a team list could be in Cup to put this into perspective based on top 30 next year. So if there are no movement other than another back, this could be the Cup team.</p><p>1. Russell</p><p>2. Dunster</p><p>3. Harper</p><p>4. Talagi</p><p>5. Martin/AMS</p><p>6. Asi</p><p>7. Sanders</p><p>8. Makatoa</p><p>9. Hands</p><p>10. Betham-Misa</p><p>11. Doorey</p><p>12. Momoisea</p><p>13. Moretti</p><p>14. Arthur</p><p>15. Rodwell</p><p>16. Tuivaiti</p><p>17. Mataele</p><p> </p><p>That is a quality list, much better team than last year. Only issue is injuries on either end could make the team much younger causing inexperience and our NSW cup falling further. Another half with experience would be nice and maybe some Cup experienced forwards to fill out the squad to have hanging around.</p><p>Could have a sprinkle of rookies help us in NRL? Absolutley, having one or two become full-time FG players will help us, cap wise especially. They could also help us over that edge we could be lacking last year. </p></div>Adapt or Die Part Twohttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/adapt-or-die-part-two2023-09-29T05:18:02.000Z2023-09-29T05:18:02.000ZSuperEel 22https://www.1eyedeel.com/members/SirSuperEel22HailKingArthur<div><p>Back in August I dissected many of the issues surrounding Parramatta's style of play that led to their lacklustre 2023 season. Now I'm here to offer some solutions and, at least, some reasoning as to why that occurred.</p>
<p>Let's get the obvious out of the way. Parramatta had to deal with 55 weeks worth of injuries, suspensions or Origin selections. 22 of those weeks were suspensions which are well within the control of our players, especially Dylan Brown.</p>
<p>To compete at the back end of the season, you need a bit of luck, and the Eels simply didn't have any. Although the lack of backline depth does fall at the feet of the football department. Losing Tom Opacic and not replacing him hurt more than most thought.</p>
<p>Before I go further, I also want to give some credit to a couple of players who can hold their heads high after this season.</p>
<p>Firstly, Mitchell Moses. Using the <a href="https://www.rugbyleagueeyetest.com/2023/09/05/the-eye-tests-advanced-statistic-leaders-for-nrl-season-2023/" target="_blank">Rugby League Eye Test's Player Contribution Rating</a>, Moses was the only Eel to place in the top 20 across the NRL for this metric, and the only player inside the top 20 whose team didn't make the finals.</p>
<p>He ranked 13th with a net value of 1.615. Essentially, taking into account for all his positive and negative plays, wins and losses and weighted for the amount of possession his side has, he represents 1.615 points per game for the Eels. The best player across the season in this metric was Shaun Johnson with 2.717.</p>
<p>Next is Wiremu Greig. We've known that in the past Wiremu has been good for a lazy defensive effort or dropped ball. In 2023, according to the ETPCR he ranked 12th for the least amount of negative plays across the competition with -0.380. What this means is that Wiremu is one of the safest players in the game in terms of missed tackles, errors and penalties conceded.</p>
<p>Greig also gets kudos for being very active whenever the Eels had the ball. According to The Eye Test's ball runner rate, averaging a run 15.72% of Parramatta's play the balls. That put him second in the competition behind only Tom Burgess. Ofahiki Ogden was third.</p>
<p>That is a quantitative stat, as it doesn't show you how many metres were gained or play the ball speed, but nevertheless it demonstrates how involved Greig was during his 25 minutes of average game time.</p>
<p>Now it's time to get into Parramatta's problems and how to fix them.</p>
<p><strong>Attack</strong></p>
<p>As the season wore on, Parramatta's attack got worse and worse until they were a mid-table team. That is not where they should be. For much of Brad Arthur's tenure, the Eels have had a lethal left edge. A lot of that has had to do with his two Fijian flyers - Semi Radradra and Maika Sivo.</p>
<p>The pair have scored 176 tries from 2014-2023. In just the Maika Sivo era (2019 onwards) the Eels have scored 45% of their tries down the left hand side. Only the Titans and Rabbitohs have averaged more tries down the left edge.</p>
<p>With that becomes an air of predictability. Now, that doesn't matter too much when Maika is left one on one with his opposite. You'd back the gigantic, hulking Fijian to run over most of his opponents, and he does that most of the time.</p>
<p>But what it also means is that when he isn't there, his replacement can't do the same thing. I refer to this <a href="https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/08/17/holding-patterns-how-the-nrls-best-are-setting-new-platforms-for-their-stars-to-shine/" target="_blank">article</a>by The Roar's Mike Meehall Wood who points out that the current attacking structures utilised by sides are an evolution on the old block play.</p>
<p>Teams tend to have two styles of attack. One is an actual set play. An outside-inside ball, or a sweeping backline play where the half goes to the fullback or hits the winger. </p>
<p>The other is a "structure". It's a shape an attacking side can throw at a defensive side with a number of different options. Think Brisbane going down the right with Reynolds hitting Walsh. The Brisbane fullback can burn his opposite, kick in behind, play short to his centre or loft it to the winger.</p>
<p>Parramatta though, seem to be stuck on their "play". When in good ball they like to go tackles 1-3 in the middle or towards the right edge and then have a big sweeping play with bodies in motion on tackle 4 to try and develop an overlap for Sivo to score in the corner. If that doesn't work it's over to the trusty boot of Mitchell Moses to do his thing.</p>
<p>Now, Moses being Moses is the best short side half in the game. So if the Eels generate enough play the ball speed or the opposition uses a forward to fill in on the short side then Moses will expose it.</p>
<p>The problem with all of that though, is it relies on Parramatta's middles winning one out collisions and as I established in August, they do far too much of that to be effective.</p>
<p>How to fix it? Well, the simplest fix is to run in pairs with the support runner expecting the ball. </p>
<p>The other option is what we saw in round 26 against the Panthers. Start with a bash and barge middle forward pack of RCG, Ofahengaue and Greig whose physicality can be used to set a platform before Hopgood and Paulo come on to play bigger minutes and can then use their ball playing skills to attack a team on the backfoot defensively.</p>
<p>In regards to their plays and structure, there is one key change I would make. Moses and Brown are the fastest halves pairing in the competition. Yet, often in good field position they slot into first receiver and distribute the ball.</p>
<p>Gutherson loops around out the back to deliver the final pass. Gutherson has the pass selection of a half. That's not the problem. His problem is that he doesn't have the speed to consistently threaten the defensive line like a Reece Walsh.</p>
<p>It would be like Walsh playing first receiver and distributing to Adam Reynolds.</p>
<p>Instead I would move Gutherson to first receiver and have Brown or Moses sweep around the back where their speed threatens the third or fourth defender, which is often what triggers a panicked decision from the outside defenders.</p>
<p>This does not mean Gutherson is moved from fullback. Just, that in good field position, he plays closer to the ruck, allowing Moses and Brown to use their speed on the edges.</p>
<p>One final change that needs to happen, is that the Eels need to shift the ball more when coming out of their own end. The good teams do this as it prevents the defensive line from compressing. You're not winning many collisions if you have one player running into four defenders.</p>
<p><strong>Defence</strong></p>
<p>I am a big believer that your defence starts with your attack. As I established in the previous blog, Parramatta doesn't really push their opponents deep through their hitups or metreage. It's Moses' boot which does the work.</p>
<p>But this means your opponent isn't gassed and can ram the ball down your throat or attack very efficiently.</p>
<p>I once again take you to The RLET. Parramatta gives up 52% more points than they should based on field position.</p>
<p>The Eels also, on average start their sets 29.3 metres from their own line. Which means they are giving up cheap metres to their opponents and being pinned deep in their own half. It's the 11th worst starting position in the competition.</p>
<p>As I've already mentioned, Moses digs his side out of a hole constantly. In fact Parramatta force their opponents the deepest in the NRL. On average Parramatta's opponents start their sets 35 metres out from their own line. That's better than Penrith.</p>
<p>But Parramatta can't maintain the rage. Between play the balls 5 and 6, Parramatta give up 11.36 metres on average. The worst in the competition. So they can force their opponents deep, but can't keep them there.</p>
<p>That has a knock-on effect. It stresses the defence, the forwards get cooked, they spend a lot of time working the ball out of their own end. Rinse and repeat.</p>
<p>The Eels are also mid-table for metres per run by opponent, allowing their opposition to make 8.94 metres per run to be 9th in the competition. They also don't get off the line particularly quickly, allowing their opponents to, on average, make 6.04 metres before contact.</p>
<p>In other words, Parramatta concedes more metres per run than they make. No wonder their defence has struggled.</p>
<p>How do you fix it? Well, the attack is one thing. Taking stress off their middles with quick shifts or having backs that can ruck the ball out solves that problem to an extent.</p>
<p>But it's also a question of Brad Arthur. He talks about winning collision but his side doesn't do it, and nor has he shown that he has a way to do it.</p>
<p>The other issue is Parramatta's edge defence which was embarrassing at times this year. Some of it is related to the amount of back line injuries. A rotating roster of players is not going to allow players to feel comfortable.</p>
<p>However, it doesn't feel like there is a set method for the side to follow. Wingers fly up and in while their teammates sit back and slide.</p>
<p>If you watch Penrith or Brisbane they are stingy. When defending upfield they come up and slide, inviting their opponents to go around them. On their goal line they are a lot more aggressive with the defensive system pressuring the ball players from the inside while their outside defenders cut down the options.</p>
<p>Offensive players have to beat them because their defence doesn't beat itself.</p>
<p><strong>Summary</strong></p>
<p>If Parramatta wants to be back in the hunt next year then it needs to be a lot better on both sides of the ball. It needs to throw more at defences, particularly in its own half to get them off balance and take the pressure off the middles. Its attack also has to hold onto the ball more.</p>
<p>In defence, it needs to be a lot more solid around the halfway line and limit linebreaks outside the red zone. It also needs to be a lot more physical and aggressive in limiting pre and post contact metres. </p>
<p>There also needs to be a bedded in defensive structure that all players are in tune with to prevent situations where teammates are on different pages in defence.</p>
<p>The Eels have to adopt a more modern style of attack and combine it with a much better structure in defence.</p></div>New role confirmed for retiring Eels hookerhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/new-role-confirmed-for-retiring-eels-hooker2023-09-26T07:25:52.000Z2023-09-26T07:25:52.000ZBEMhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/BEM1<div><p>Retiring <a href="https://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/teams/parramatta-eels/">Parramatta Eels</a> dummy half <a href="https://www.zerotackle.com/players/josh-hodgson/">Josh Hodgson</a> has had his next move confirmed by the club, with a coaching role on the horizon.<span id="more-162988"></span></p>
<p>Hodgson first announced his retirement on August 30 through his own social media, with the retirement caused by injury.</p>
<p>He had originally signed a deal which was set to see him play out the 2024 season at the Eels, but his first year in blue and gold, where he was touted as the replacement for <a href="https://www.zerotackle.com/players/reed-mahoney/">Reed Mahoney</a>, saw him struggle to stay on the field at times and ultimately wind up with a reduced role behind <a href="https://www.zerotackle.com/players/brendan-hands/">Brendan Hands</a>, who is expected to be the club's starting number nine next year.</p>
<p>Hodgson has suffered two full ACL tears during his time in <a href="https://www.zerotackle.com/rugby-league/international-teams/australia/">Australia</a>.</p>
<p>The Eels confirmed that the hooker, who has played over 270 top-tier games when <a href="https://www.zerotackle.com/">NRL</a> and English <a href="https://www.zerotackle.com/super-league/">Super League</a> stats are combined and has also represented his country, would move into the assistant coaching director of elite pathways role at the club.</p>
<p>“It's always sad to see a player's career end prematurely due to injury, but thankfully Josh has enjoyed a highly decorated career in rugby league," Eels director of football Mark O'Neill said in a statement.</p>
<p>Zerotackle </p></div>1 Eyed Eel Member's MVPhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/1-eyed-eel-member-s-mvp2023-09-12T00:24:24.000Z2023-09-12T00:24:24.000ZSuperEel 22https://www.1eyedeel.com/members/SirSuperEel22HailKingArthur<div><p>As you may recall I opened a poll recently asking for nominations of the most popular member on 1 Eyed Eel.</p>
<p>Members both voted and emailed me regarding their favourites.</p>
<p>Honourable mentions go to Wiz, Prof Daz and BEM.</p>
<p>We actually ended up with a tie between Poppa and HOE.</p>
<p>Both polled 14% of the vote.</p>
<p>While I considered holding a run off vote, I spoke to both and they very kindly agreed to donate the jersey to charity.</p>
<p>So on behalf of ALAND and 1 Eyed Eel, that jersey has been donated to heart health charity Heartbeat of Football.</p>
<p>This is a charity very close to my family. It was established by Andy Paschalidis, who was a teammate of my uncle who sadly passed away from a sudden cardiac arrest on the football pitch in 2014.</p>
<p>Their goal is to have an AED installed in every community sporting facility across Australia. They also conduct heart health tests at sporting events.</p>
<p>Given many on this site are men over 30 who traditionally don't go for regular heart health checkups, this serves as your reminder to go and get yourself checked.</p>
<p>Thank you to Poppa and HOE for their kind hearted gesture.</p></div>Eels Jersey Flegg and Game Day Bloghttps://www.1eyedeel.com/forum/topics/eels-jersey-flegg2023-08-29T11:20:26.000Z2023-08-29T11:20:26.000ZEAhttps://www.1eyedeel.com/members/Electric_Analysis<div><p>The eels will play Panthers in week 1 of the finals at 11am on Saturday. The game will be streamed on NSWRL TV so I encourage everyone to watch to have an insight to our future stars. Even though we just scraped through to the finals, at full strength were are a real contender. This is the line up:</p><ol><li>Tu Hurinui Twidle<ul><li>The SG Ball fullback. Had a great season in SG ball and has carried that form into Jersey Flegg. The more I see him, the more he reminds me of Tedesco.</li></ul></li><li>Mattheww Komolafe<ul><li>Lots on here know that he has been around Flegg and NSW Cup for a while. His potential and development clearly has plateaued.</li></ul></li><li>Samuel Loizou<ul><li>Same as Komoloafe however he does suffer many injuries in a year.</li></ul></li><li>Richard Penisini<ul><li>Lots of heard about Will's younger brother by now. Taller than Will and may make his way as a winger even. Graduate off our SG ball team.</li></ul></li><li>Ethyn Martin<ul><li>A great finisher.If you watch the jersey flegg highlights you will see some very impressive speed and finishing ability. Genuine first grade potential. He has been killing it since joinign the eels mid year. Probably overtaken Komoloafe and could get a NSW Cup spot next year. I am pretty sure he only joined the eels from union mid season. I could be wrong. </li></ul></li><li>Joshua Lynn<ul><li>With Sanders leavng, the club gave him the opportunity to play reserve grade. He is no star but does his job in the team. Another SG ball graduate from this year.</li></ul></li><li>Ethan Sanders<ul><li>Everyone knows about him now. Absoulte star in the making. Shame he is leaving. His kicking game is better than most halfbacks already in the NRL IMO. Another SG ball graduate.</li></ul></li><li>Brock Parker<ul><li> I do not know much about Parker. He did win the coaches player of the year 2023 for Jsersey Flegg. He has made his NSW Cup debut during this year.</li></ul></li><li>Matthew Arthur<ul><li>Will cop a lot of stick for his surname, but I believe he will be better than his brother. Another SG Ball graduate who is only 18 years old. He reminds me of Harry Grant a lot. May not be as explosive or good in attack, but defensively I would say he is better making numerous ball and all try savers on bigger men. He should get a decent amount of cup practice in 2024.</li></ul></li><li>Jontay-Junior Betham-Mesa<ul><li>Probably our best prop coming through right now. We saw him steam roll a Panthers player in the trials. He started the year in flegg but has been consistently (even starting at one point) in NSW cup during the year. Could easily get a top 30 contract next year if we release our dead weight forwards.</li></ul></li><li>Jock Brazel (captain)<ul><li>A former Australian school boy who did not play last year due to an ACL injury. As they say its only the year after they return that the players return to their best. So hopefully next year is a great year for Brazel (this year was good as well) as he too could earn a development deal or top 30 contract if we release some forwards. He got a taste of reserve grade this year. He has already had the taste of training a pre-season with the top boys. Massive wraps so hopefully he lives up to the potential. One reason why we do not need Ice.</li></ul></li><li>Max Tupou<ul><li>Started the year in flegg that dropped out (not sure if it was form or injury) when the SG ball players started making their way through. Do not know much.</li></ul></li><li>Nicholas Lenaz<ul><li>Has played a few games of NSW Cup this year. A leader in this team who got the player of the year 2023 in Flegg. Can play dummy half I believe but has transitioned to lock. I do not know much other than that.</li></ul></li><li>Blaze Talagi<ul><li>My favourite junior coming through. However, he has struggled with injuries this year hence hasnt been able to cement himself into a starting role when we are at full strength. Already on a development deal the club has massive wraps on him.Has played his juniors mainly at 5/8 however is capable of playing centre. However, whilst he has never played their yet, the club know his football ability and hasnt ruled out a transition to fullback or lock forward (like dylan walker) once he builds into his frame.He is a Joey Manu and DB mix. Very excited about him if he can get his body right. Keep in mind he is still eligible for SG ball next year like MA.</li></ul></li><li>Sam Tuivaiti<ul><li>Still eligble for SG ball next year as well. Played u19 for blues of the bench. He has a big motor and is like the modern forwards coming through. Explosive and footwork. He made his NSW Cup debut last week as well. I expect him, MA and Talagi to start next year in SG ball (since it starts before Flegg) and quickly progress throgh the grades. Once SG ball finishes, they will then play Flegg and then hopefully playing NSW Cup by mid to late 2024.</li></ul></li><li>William Latu<ul><li>Not to sure about him. Can play in the backrow and centre. I am surpised he is playing over Guymer.</li></ul></li><li>Noah Reed<ul><li>A prop forward who has played a couple games of NSW Cup.</li></ul></li><li>Charlie Guymer<ul><li>The SG ball captain who is held very highly at the club. Played a couple games impressively in NSW Cup this year (at backrow and centre). His leaderhip qualities our loved by the staff and players. He was a centre earlier in his career however due to his size has transitioned to a workhorse and line running backrower (a mix of Nikora and Wilton from Sharks). Did start the year at lock in SG ball before moving to the backrow at the end of that season. He was very impressive in the u19 origin game. Do not be surpised if he starts next year in NSW Cup and makes his NRL debut next year. He is the future of the club possibly captain as well. No need for Ice to return.</li></ul></li></ol><p><strong>Just a quick note on what I find surprising.</strong></p><p>-Toni Mataele was starting in the past couple weeks at prop so I am not sure why he was dropped, injured or suspended this week.</p><p>-Under 19 star Charlie Guymer was unable to make the 17 which is a real surpise for me. He had found his way into NSW Cup so I thought he would have taken Tupou spot as he had earlier in the season. Do not be surpised if it is a late change and he is in the side.</p><p><strong> Contracts for Flegg Players:</strong></p><p>I wil probably update this after watch the finals games but from what I have seen and if we can cleary some of the dead wood in our top 30, I would consider:</p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Top 30 contracts</span>: Brazel, Guymer and JBBM</p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Development contracts:</span><strong> </strong>R Penisni, Talagi (already has one), MA, Tuivita, AMS. Consider Twiddle based on next year form since he could be Gutho's heir.</p><p> </p></div>