WHY CARAYANNIS BELIEVES PARRAMATTA WILL MISS FINALS AGAIN IN 2024
The 2022 NRL Grand Finalists joined just a handful of teams to miss out on finals a year after making the decider the year prior, finishing in 10th spot last season.
Despite having a deep forward pack, the Eels' inexperienced and rather shallow backline, along with selection headache at hooker could spell disaster for the blue and gold in 2024.
“They’re too power-based, if they don’t win that power battle in the middle of the field there’s not much else going on for them,” Carayannis told SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“They’re still looking for a strike outside back with some speed, I don’t know if they’ll find one.
“Their dummy half is problematic, the Josh Hodgson experiment didn’t work after they let go of Reed Mahoney, I think there’s a real deficiency there.
“I think Joey Lussick will probably start, Brendan Hands did a decent job filling in but they’re not top-choice hookers.
“That’s a bit of a problem for them.
“I’ve got them missing them missing the eight again, which will mount more pressure on Brad Arthur.
“I don’t think he can afford to miss the eight two years in a row to guarantee that he’ll be coach there beyond this year.
“I’ve got them missing the eight and probably a bit of drama happening at Parramatta.”
Parramatta will kick start its season on Saturday, March 9th against crosstown rivals the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at CommBank Stadium.
Replies
Ha this is all piss and wind. These Journalists just talk from their pocket half the time.
If we have less injuries / suspension we will make top 8 well. Yes our backs are inexperienced but it's time for D Brown to step up and earn his keep. Penisini is another yr older and Dunster can come back to the wing as well.
Forwards have depth and Hands / Lussick while not world beaters held their own last yr.
For me Paulo to be more consistent and it will all sort itself out.
Speed comment is right as we need it. Hooker comment is fair but Parramatta have shown we do not prioritise crucial play from our Hooker. Mitch Kenny is quite a basic Hooker yet won 2 comps starting at Hooker. Just have to be decent, both Hands and Lussick can be.
Yes Kenny from Penrith is avg for me but he does his job. DH needs to be smart with ball; tackle and kick ok and have some decent speed.
We beat Penrith twice last yr and didn't make finals. That tells me we have the team to compete- but disappointing discipline hurt.
For me if we had DB for the season and RCG for more games we make finals well
Exactly Kenny knows his job and does it well. But he is a middle of the road Hooker in the NRL.
MM and Dylan only played seven games together as a halves pairing in season 2023. This was due to suspension and injury.
Mitchy as you stated earlier with more discipline from our professional players and an ounce of luck, we will be in the four.
Michael Curryanus wrote this same article last year. We did miss the eight last year but not because of the reasons that Curryanus(did I spell that right) gave. Discipline was our Achilles heel last year
John Eel we are on the same page here mate
Parra fans need to stop talking about Dunster as if he's going to do anything. He is rubbish. He struggles in NSW Cup. Has never impressed me.
Everyone is entitled their opinion PB1 just like you :)
Players sometimes 'put it altogether' and surprise us even when they have had trouble with injuries. If it doesn't work out, I don't lose anything for hoping.
Agree since his injury he's nosedived which is understandable
Parraborn1 mate we can talk abt whoever we wish. Dunster goes ok and he's played more games than 99% of us here. He just needs a season or two and sorry he didn't impress you. Maybe tell him this and I'm sure he will give you a wave
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