Eels Blogs

Back to back wins for the first time since round 3-5. It was overall a great game to watch, Canberra in form at home and us coming off a win v Manly, it met up to the expectation. 48% possession yet felt like we were in control of the game, particularly in the second half. 75% completions is quite low compared to other weeks, yet picked up the win, we beaten on offloads 15 to 13, had more line-breaks 7 to 2 and we had more tackle breaks 39-30. Overall, the stats were pretty even, definetly a sign of an 8 point win.

Most Impressive: 

Dylan Brown: My man of the match. Coming off a game where i placed him in disappointing list he hit the ground running to being the most powerful man in Canberra, even above Albenese himself. 2 tries, 198 metres running, 10 tackle breaks and 17 tackles, he is the example of what a 6 in modern day NRL is. At the age of not even 22, the skies the limit for Dylan with plenty of growth still left for him, hope consistency can come into his game as a superstar for us in 2023 and beyond.

Bailey Simonsson: Another redemption game from a disappointing listing last week, Simonsson was always going to be up for this game, against the club that happily shafted him out of the Nation's Capital. 164 metres, 11 tackles breaks, 2 tries, 3 offloads. Simonsson was on from the whistle, hope this is a turning point game for Simonsson.

Nathan Brown: Another redemption, to me Brown was great on Sunday, was he the best forward? No, but he was a lot better than previous weeks, coming off the bench to 112 metres off 10 runs is a massive improvement. Two tackle breaks added in too, plus a pearl of a ball to Lane to break away for Brown's second of the afternoon. Brown should be starting based on his experience and salary but seems to have gained some confidence in that role.

Junior Paulo: Nice game to cap off a 7th Origin cap selection. Paulo, with 153 metres and 24 tackles and 0 missed capped off a lead by example performance for big Junz.

Ryan Matterson: In form, consistent and confident. 179 metres running is no surprise, added with 4 tackle breaks, 2 offloads and 38 tackles. Well deserved Origin call-up Matto, the blue and gold looks better than cherry red and white of the Dolphins, flipper aint for you, stick with sparky the Eel.

Honorable mentions: Blake, Moses and Papali'i.

Most Disappointing:

Oregon Kaufusi: Going from the first one off the bench, to not getting off the bench. Not sure what happened along the way, but when i saw Makatoa get on before him i thought "ummm, that's different". Not saying it is a bad thing as i am not a know Kaufusi fan, i think he is fine but think Rodwell and Greig would offer the same or more. But if you look at the bench (Makatoa, Matterson, Kaufusi and Brown) 95% would say Makatoa would be the one to get less game time. Not Kaufusi. But it is a trend with Kaufusi in the past, 2019 came on late with constant appearances, late in the year missed 1 or 2 games and was not picked for the semis. 2020, started well then copped a knock then fizzled away not being featured much in semis. 2021 Was a constant in team list, mid year was concussed v Souths, missed the game and never regained his spot full-time, Makatoa was chosen over him for the semi's. Kaufusi always seems to drop out of favour by mid year, so not sure what happened here if it is the same as prior years or just not the right game but would rather give that spot to someone else to develop for next year if he is not going to see the field.

Captain's Challenge ruling: Overall, thought the refs were OK on sunday, that bunker ruling on the CC was ridiculous. As soon as an opponent touches the ball it is their ball, goes forward it is a knock-on, the fact they did not look for what Gutho requested was bad.

Clint Gutherson: Not an overall bad performance so put down your pitch forks, but 63 metres running was not great from Gutho. We won, so all is forgiven but still not a great performance from King Gutho, that drop ball was not needed at that time either.

That's it, now a 15 day turnaround til we head into the Kennel at Accor, let's hope for an upset against Penrith as Canterbury are due, Addo-Carr out for blood for Origin and Burton to prove a point, this game is dangerous, hear me out. Dogs, at home, against their new hooker, against an opponent who have tendancy to underestimate their opponents, hope this is not Easter Monday all over again.

In terms of team changes, if all goes well in Origin, i expect same time minus Opacic, who will make way for Blake in the centres who moves for Sivo to return. Maybe might see a bench change like Rein or JA come in for Kaufusi or Maka, but with 3 forwards playing Origin it will be 4 forwards on the bench.