Eels Blogs

Parramatta fans' deepest fears came true on Sunday afternoon as the Manly Sea Eagles exploited the nearly invisible defensive efforts of Waqa Blake to the tune of four tries and a sin binning, leading to a fifth try.

Blake's defensive efforts were downright disgusting form an NRL level player. Between horrendous mis-reads, ineffective tackle attempts and poor positional play, Blake made himself a target all night and seemingly made no attempt to divert attention elsewhere.

Sure, Parramatta's loss is a team one, and a poor one at that. They had field position and possession to pile on the points, yet barely threatened the Manly line until very late in the game.

This game showed the impact of both Dylan Brown's and Marata Niukore's suspensions.

Without Brown, Moses and Gutherson were once again asked to take on the majority of the playmaking duties. Unlike the Warriors game, they were playing from behind and without an effective secondary point of attack, Moses struggled to both run the side and create try scoring opportunities.

While many have questioned Brown's effectiveness, there's no doubt his ability as a ball runner close to the line and his slick hands open up opportunities not just for those around him, but also for Moses who can't be singled out by the opposition.

Jakob Arthur learnt what the NRL is really about. In his second game, the rookie half was found out. Given little space while also seeing very little ball, he struggled to make any impact on the match. It's the type of experience he will learn from and hopefully remember further into his career and know how to work his way into the game.

It's also why he's not a real NRL option this season. When the chips are down, JA is not going to be standing up at this point of his career.

Don't forget, it was Dylan Brown who drove the dagger through the Roosters two weeks ago, and Brown who split the Dragons open a few weeks before that, only for the try to be called back by a questionable obstruction.

Niukore's absence was felt more heavily than Brown's though. The forward-come-centre had been a defensive and offensive powerhouse this season and his presence was sorely missed on the right edge.

Eelectric Analysis did provide some data during the week that provided some hope that Blake would improve both with game time and building his combinations with his inside defenders. 

However, what doesn't need game time and combinations is simple, one-on-one defence. That was shocking. Blake's inability to effectively tackle his opposite number was downright embarrassing.

Across the years I have seen some terrible performances and plenty of below average players. I have never seen a defensive performance that bad.

For all his faults, Brad Takairangi never put in a shift as poor as that. Taka's problem was often a lack of acceleration, or trying to overplay his hand. One-on-one, he was solid in defence, often wrapping the ball up and bringing his opponent to the ground.

The Eels have had a fairly proud history of centres. Through the 80s there was of course Ella and Cronin. Across the 2000s Parramatta had the likes of Jamie Lyon, Timana Tahu, even Krisnan Inu and in a defensive sense, Ben Smith. Recently we've had the benefit of Michael Jennings.

For Blake to be pulling on the number four is an insult to those players.

Now, I don't like using fantasy points to explain my position. But Waqa Blake received -5 points. Minus. Five. A player receiving a negative score happens occasionally, but it's usually explained by an injury or very low minutes. Not a centre playing 72 minutes.

But I'm not done. When the rest of the Eels backline cracked 100 metres, and Gutherson close to 200, Blake made a grand total of 59. Fewer than half of Tom Opacic.

Here's the bad reading though. Waqa Blake attempt 24 tackles. He made 15. Six were clear misses and three were ineffective. 

The major debate between Blake and Niukore was Blake's perceived better attack. Now, granted he hasn't had a lot of ball, he sure as hell hasn't done much with it when given it. Niukore in the other hand, has been a one man wrecking ball on that edge.

He has averaged 119m per game, with a tackle efficiency of 90 percent.

It's no longer a debate. Waqa Blake is not even in the conversation.

Now, Brad Arthur may be saved from having to formally drop a player next week given Blake is most likely looking at a suspension the same week Marata Niukore returns from his own suspension.

But Blake cannot be considered for the NRL side until he is average more than 90 percent tackle effectiveness in NSW Cup.

Mis-reads and miscommunication is one thing. Being unable to tackle someone is another.

Vince Lombardi once stalked the sideline of Green Bay, grumbling about the Packers' lax defensive efforts. Caught on NFL microphones, he was heard yelling "Everyone's grabbing, nobody is tackling".

And that is the difference between Blake and Niukore. Blake seems to defend with the intent to grab or wrap up the ball carrier. Niukore tackles with the intent of burying his opponent.

To win the NRL premiership, you need to have as few weaknesses as possible. You sure as hell can't have one as big as Waqa Blake and expect to beat the likes of Melbourne, Penrith, even the Roosters and Souths. They can all pinpoint a weakness and hammer away at it with brutal effectiveness.

Facing a lethal left edge next week, Niukore will be needed to both shore up the right edge, and assist Jake Arthur. 

Plenty of coaches have used makeshift players to plug gaps in the past. It's become a hallmark of both Bellamy and Bennett. Wayne won an Origin series with Brenko Lee and Kurt Capewell in the centres. Craig Bellamy has turned Reimis Smith into a devastating tryscorer after turning Lee into an Origin player.

In the long run, Niukore may not win us many games, but he sure as hell won't lose them.

As to what to do with a problem like Waqa Blake?

Stick him in NSW Cup, maybe a convent, hell send him to Austria so he can be governess for a retired naval captain. I don't care, just don't stick him in first grade.