Halfback one Eel of a problem for Parra

Source: The Daily Telegraph

NO WONDER Parramatta boss Paul Osborne was prepared to write a $2 million cheque last week to sign Melbourne Storm star Cooper Cronk.

Parramatta haven't had a top-shelf halfback since Peter Sterling retired and they won't win a competition until they find one.

In the 18 years since Sterling wore the No. 7 jersey, the Eels have used a staggering 27 halfbacks.

Have a look at the list we publish today and ask yourself: is it any wonder it's been such a long and painful premiership drought?

How can a junior league nursery the size of Parramatta's not unearth one outstanding halfback in nearly two decades?

Daniel Mortimer is a fine young player but at this stage of his career is lacking the authority and confidence to steer the Eels around the park.

It's not his personality to bark orders or scream instructions to big names. On Saturday night the Roosters pairing of Mitch Pearce and Todd Carney carved up Mortimer and Jeff Robson.

The contest was about as one-sided as Danny Green versus Paul Briggs.

As a result Jarryd Hayne, Timana Tahu and Krisnan Inu got few opportunities.

With limited chances, Hayne became frustrated and too often moved into first receiver, throwing long passes to players in a position where he himself should have been charging to the ball.

Coach Daniel Anderson won't need a video analysis to work out why his team were flogged. They were simply beaten by a team that played with far more enthusiasm, passion and commitment.

alot of those players arent bad halfbacks maybe its the team or managent they are playing for. finch is going good with the storm, witt was going good for the warriors, drew is going good over in england.

Lets stop mucking around with juniors like mortimer and the likes and start poaching other teams halves. Start doing this like other teams have and the results might occur. the only team going good with their own young halves are the pathers.
broncos and wallace(panthers)
dogs and kimmorley(sharks)
dragons and soward(roosters)
titans and prince(tigers)
cowboys and thurston(dogs)

the list goes on and on.

it is also not just the halfback all the teams going great have a solid playmaking structure. look at the teams that have the mojority of key positions in halfback,5/8,hooker and fullback covered.
storm-slater,smith,cronk,finch
roosters- mini,pearce,carney,anasta
dragons-soward,boyd,hornby, young
tigers-farah,marshall,"mckinnon"
EELS-hayne,?,?,?
yes we have fullback covered but so far the 5/8, hooker and halfback havent been covered, we have chopped and changed so much and until we get them worked out and am solid with them like the above teams we wont win the comp.

"Good point s Daz.. Women have suffered a lot historically with male dominance. The psychological make up in all of us including women and other disadvantaged groups is an innate human desire for power.over others. That is why we are very easy to…"

"Obviously a good player but history will show he didn't have another level. No chance of being an immortal now and that's crazy considering all his GF wins."

Replies

blueNgold August 2, 2010 at 4:14pm

Am I the only one who feels physically ill after reading that list of names?

P.S I am aware that this was already posted, but the other didn't contain the list of HBs.
will swain August 2, 2010 at 5:26pm

alot of those players arent bad halfbacks maybe its the team or managent they are playing for. finch is going good with the storm, witt was going good for the warriors, drew is going good over in england.

Lets stop mucking around with juniors like mortimer and the likes and start poaching other teams halves. Start doing this like other teams have and the results might occur. the only team going good with their own young halves are the pathers.
broncos and wallace(panthers)
dogs and kimmorley(sharks)
dragons and soward(roosters)
titans and prince(tigers)
cowboys and thurston(dogs)

the list goes on and on.

it is also not just the halfback all the teams going great have a solid playmaking structure. look at the teams that have the mojority of key positions in halfback,5/8,hooker and fullback covered.
storm-slater,smith,cronk,finch
roosters- mini,pearce,carney,anasta
dragons-soward,boyd,hornby, young
tigers-farah,marshall,"mckinnon"
EELS-hayne,?,?,?
yes we have fullback covered but so far the 5/8, hooker and halfback havent been covered, we have chopped and changed so much and until we get them worked out and am solid with them like the above teams we wont win the comp.
Ham Sammich August 2, 2010 at 5:35pm

BRING BACK KUSTO!
Jpav August 2, 2010 at 6:14pm

i agree he is so professional makes every player much better
will swain August 2, 2010 at 9:25pm

i have to agree muttman smith was the best halfback we have had and shoulda tried to keep him and persist with him more. just loved seeying those big "mitchell pearce" like cut out passes to the wings and his neat little kicking game. i think with riddell and t smith we would have a more complete outfit. we would have experience in the 1,9,7 and morts at 5/8 making us more of a complete unit.
Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" August 2, 2010 at 9:56pm

Whatever happened to Jeremy Smith? - if my memory serves me correctly he was pretty good
fpv eel August 2, 2010 at 10:00pm

Jeremy Smith went to South Sydney after Parra and didnt have a great time and didnt get many 1st grade esp once sandow was there. I dont know where he is now!!
he was good at getting suspended for like 4 weeks for pushing the ref in that Saints game in pissing rain.