Parramatta were again shown just how far off the pace they are from the competition’s leading teams when they were put to the cleaners by an impressive St George-Illawarra outfit today, going down 30 to nil.
The only comfort that the Eels can really take comfort from after this week’s round is that the Dragons and Storm are playing at a level well above the remainder of the competition. We have nothing to trouble these teams, and probably not enough ammunition to compete against the second tier sides like the Tigers or Broncos either. This year is really just a matter of how well we can scrap against the rest of the NRL, who at this stage just appear to be providing lead-up entertainment before an inevitable conclusion at the end of the year.
In this particular encounter, there were about half a dozen plays that sunk Parramatta in the first half. And it wasn’t Jamie Soward stepping inside Daniel Mortimer to lay on the first try for halves partner Ben Hornby; it wasn’t Matt Cooper palming off Joel Reddy for the second, or even Mark Gasnier turning Jacob Loko inside out to set up a try that was again completed by Hornby. Nor was it the well-rehearsed stack to the left from an attacking scrum that left Parramatta clueless and outnumbered, with Matt Cooper easily slicing between Reddy and Etu Uaisele, for a 22 to nil half-time lead that sealed an already shot game.
Rather you can look to a Daniel Mortimer kick downfield that was always going to be charged down; it was a couple of ineffective Jeff Robson cross-field kicks that relieved all pressure the Eels were building; and another from Mortimer that was just as limp.
Because that’s the inescapable reality for Stephen Kearney’s Parramatta Eels of 2011. The style of play that Kearney is hoping to imprint on his squad cannot work when any field possession and pressure that is earned, is given up in the instant of a poor kick. And while Parramatta has few options in this regard, Kearney at some point will need to ask if the improvement he is patiently waiting for from his halves, is any chance of ever eventuating.
It must be said that Daniel Mortimer’s second half kicking game was better, and that helped Parramatta stick closer to the Dragons in the second half. Indeed after conceding four tries in the first half, they only gave up one in the second when Soward carved through the middle of our ruck to set up Beau Scott for a try and a 30 zip advantage.
By that time, the tears from the Blue and Gold army as they watched Soward give a dominant display at pivot, dripped green with envy over the Kogarah hillside. Many things in Rugby League have changed over the years, but it remains a contest that is primarily decided upon by the quality of your halves. Parramatta has just one player on its roster with the abilities to do what Soward did today and he doesn’t wear the six or seven. That remains a problem, and one that Parramatta fans will only grow increasingly impatient with, while the status quo is maintained seemingly without question or accountability.
The only comfort that the Eels can really take comfort from after this week’s round is that the Dragons and Storm are playing at a level well above the remainder of the competition. We have nothing to trouble these teams, and probably not enough ammunition to compete against the second tier sides like the Tigers or Broncos either. This year is really just a matter of how well we can scrap against the rest of the NRL, who at this stage just appear to be providing lead-up entertainment before an inevitable conclusion at the end of the year.
In this particular encounter, there were about half a dozen plays that sunk Parramatta in the first half. And it wasn’t Jamie Soward stepping inside Daniel Mortimer to lay on the first try for halves partner Ben Hornby; it wasn’t Matt Cooper palming off Joel Reddy for the second, or even Mark Gasnier turning Jacob Loko inside out to set up a try that was again completed by Hornby. Nor was it the well-rehearsed stack to the left from an attacking scrum that left Parramatta clueless and outnumbered, with Matt Cooper easily slicing between Reddy and Etu Uaisele, for a 22 to nil half-time lead that sealed an already shot game.
Rather you can look to a Daniel Mortimer kick downfield that was always going to be charged down; it was a couple of ineffective Jeff Robson cross-field kicks that relieved all pressure the Eels were building; and another from Mortimer that was just as limp.
Because that’s the inescapable reality for Stephen Kearney’s Parramatta Eels of 2011. The style of play that Kearney is hoping to imprint on his squad cannot work when any field possession and pressure that is earned, is given up in the instant of a poor kick. And while Parramatta has few options in this regard, Kearney at some point will need to ask if the improvement he is patiently waiting for from his halves, is any chance of ever eventuating.
It must be said that Daniel Mortimer’s second half kicking game was better, and that helped Parramatta stick closer to the Dragons in the second half. Indeed after conceding four tries in the first half, they only gave up one in the second when Soward carved through the middle of our ruck to set up Beau Scott for a try and a 30 zip advantage.
By that time, the tears from the Blue and Gold army as they watched Soward give a dominant display at pivot, dripped green with envy over the Kogarah hillside. Many things in Rugby League have changed over the years, but it remains a contest that is primarily decided upon by the quality of your halves. Parramatta has just one player on its roster with the abilities to do what Soward did today and he doesn’t wear the six or seven. That remains a problem, and one that Parramatta fans will only grow increasingly impatient with, while the status quo is maintained seemingly without question or accountability.
Replies
What a shocker. As usual, clueless, mistake ridden halves with boring, predictable and fruitless last tackle options. Don't they ever think to run the ball on the last? Reddy was woeful in attack and defence-pity he actually took the field. Poor Loko, still learning, hopelessly outclassed, but a good learning curve. The forwards tried hard but our inept attack nullifies their effort. We only ever look a chance when Burty gets involved. FFS, put him at 5/8-at least he can read the play.
If SK won't try a different halves combo then wake me up when Sandow's wearing the number 7.
Time to watch the angry fans rant on! Oh how times have changed since round 1 when half the ppl here were saying we were the dark horses and top premiership contenders and we didn't need any of the players we lost. How about staying optimistic and be realistic with what we can achieve with our mediocre squad. We weren't going to beat the Dragons away without Hayne unless we played incredibly well which you just can't expect when we don't have the likes of the players we've lost in recent times. Funny how some people were glad we lost Mateo, Keating and Inu.
And next year if we do get Sandow I bet half the people will be complaining for weeks when he has a form slump. Then hails him a hero when we win because of him. Then complain that he was the biggest waste of money if he gets injured.
The bye may do some wonders for us I hope. We'll wait and see.
2011 Season Over...
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