Here is a few points that may or may not be difference between the Eels going to the next level or not.
Just looking at the 4 remaining teams, there key players and coaches.
The Panthers. There halfback is the current NSW #7. He was probably the best player of 2020 and arguably the best player in the game today. There hooker is experienced and his attacking ability is very good due to his speed and footwork. There #6 is (or was) underrated coming into 2020. He has shown in 2020 that he is up there with the top five eights in the game. There fullback is another underrated player. His attacking stats this year have been very good. His tackle breaks in 2020 are amongst the best in the League averaging over 6 per game. There coach has got a side into the Grand Final and he has a solid win loss percentage in finals.
The Storm. There halfback is ok but with the likes of Smith and Munster that is all they need. There hooker is in the best few players in the modern era. He would have to be one of the smartest players I've seen and ability to influence referees with his voice and opinions has not been seen before. There five eighth is a game breaker and QLD and Australian representative. He would be considered one of the most dangerous attacking players today. There fullback still young but his development has been quick. His speed is incredible and his attacking ability in broken play is amongst the best in the game. There coach has plenty of Finals and Grand Finals throughout his career.
The Raiders. There halfback is new to the NRL but he has shown in 2020 he has what is needed to make it over here. His running and kicking games are amongst the better #7's in the game. There number 1 hooker got injured earlier in the year but there replacement hasn't let them down yet. He has done everything needed. There #6 is outstanding. He has performed very well for both NSW and Australia. His size and power makes him a very dangerous player in attack. There fullback is solid. His speed and footwork cause oppositions plenty of problems. There coach is a Grand Final winner and he has got teams to the Grand Final also.
The Rabbitohs. There halfback is one of the better game managers in the game. His kicking game is one of the best and he is always dangerous when he runs the ball. There hooker is the best attacking #9 in the game. His speed is incredible and his ability to attack slow markers is outstanding. Another representative player. There number 1 fullback got injured earlier this season but there replacement #1 has been solid without being outstanding. There #6 is one of the top attacking players in the game. When he is on his game there isn't many players better than him. There coach has plenty of Finals and Grand Final experience.
So now look at the Eels in comparison. There halfback can be good. It's fair to say he is inconsistent and is yet to prove he can control a team in big games. There hooker is young. His defence is very good but lacks explosive speed to be considered a dangerous weapon. He does have a very good kicking game. There fullback is the pick of the key players. He still doesn't have the speed of the top #1's in the game but he has great ball playing skills. He leads by example and puts in 100%. There #6 is still young. He looks to have plenty of ability and with more development he could be up there with the better players in his position. There coach has zero Grand Final experience and a poor strike rate in Finals. He also has a poor record against premiership winning coaches.
Replies
We need a better coach and a more consistant halfback??????????
Our spine can compete with all 4 remaining teams.
Simply we peaked too early (prematurely). A good coach will manage that.
And like all good coaches you hope he learns from his mistakes.
Im pretty sure all those teams you mentioned at some point in there coaching careers each of the coaches of those mentioned have gone through a learning experience like BA is.
The Panthers are really the odd one out here,they lack experience across the board. Apart from perhaps the coach,NCleary has origin experience but has hardly set the world on fire there.They have Tamou as probably the old head who has won one.This is why I feel they will not win the GF unless enthusiasm trumps experience. Eels as I have pointed out before are grossly inexperienced however are quite strong across the park.We're almost there,another year under the belt for the spine,a genuine 14,a couple of beasts on the bench.who knows maybe Moses will .........oh never mind,a new halfback and we will go next level.
Api Koroisau played hooker for Souths in the 2014 GF after Isaac Luke got suspended, Eggman. He's probably played 150 games or more and would be the NSW hooker if anything happened to Cook and I would be completely comfortable with him there. He will be a calming influence and his dummy half work is outstanding. He brings the players on to the ball and knows when to run and is very good defender. Great all round hooker who will be a terrific asset in the Panthers' run to the premiership.
Good assessment slippery.
Shows just how far behind we really are.
Now try this for further damming evidence.
Mitchell Moses 150 games, 25 tries, Played for Lebanon, PM's 13, World All Stars.
Nathan Cleary 104 games, 35 tries, which include 6 rep games. City / country and SOO
Luke Keary 156 games, 37 tries, which includes 2 games for Australia rep
Cameron Munster 133 games, 28 tries, includes 7 SOO and 4 Australia.
Make of this what you will !
If you look at some of the games at the start of the year, Roosters chased us down after eels being in front and Manly nearly did if the refs ruled the pass backwards. Then through the year when we were gettng scrappy wins, we never put any teams to the swords and had to grind it out for the full 80 because those teams nearly beat us. E.g Sharks, Tigers, Dogs, etc. So its clear that even when we were at our peak at the start of the year, with Moses in great form, his game management was still very poor. The side would put themslves in front, but Moses couldn't do his halfback role and control the game from there. So its hard to really say if Moses will ever be a premiership halfback, because it honestly looks like at best he can be one of the world's best five-eights. He needs a player like Blake Green, Cooper Cronk, Renoylds at halfback if he will ever win a premiership. However, I will say that he definetely has the skills to be a premeirship winning halfback but needs to improve his game management by getting a good temperament and proper understanding of the game. Hopefully this offseason is bloody gone one for him.
PS. I do think its unfair to blame Moses entirely. Eels are the youngest spine in the comp, so with an inexpereinced 6 and 9 its not the easiest job for Moses.
Just a thought. I wonder would Mitch at 6 and Dylan at 7 work??? Not that BA would do it. It appears to me that Dylan is at least trying to run. All Mitch seems to do lately is kick. Granted he has had his calf injury, which must hold you back.
Mate, it's "their", not "there".
And our 5/8 is a big headed wanker who is ready for when the All blacks shout his name.
He's years off delivering anything more than playing for himself, both our halves lack on field presence, neither can control a big game when it matters, you are right, its a worry.
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