Eels Blogs

Ok so it is doom and gloom losing to last place Souths, who lost Wighton during the game and had Cook playing Centre. Now i felt this game overall was actually a good game to watch in terms of entertainment, but for us just another unwanted blight on our season. But i was not to disheartened, why? More so to the fact i know some sort of change is coming, it is not a feeling of what is the point as the same people will be here next year and same things will be coached, now it will be different. Either for better or worse, it will be different. Now for the rest of the year i am focusing on player performance, who is worthy of keeping their spot for 2025.

I want to add a part to this about comments regarding BA at the end of the game.

On certain FB sites that are deditcated to Parramatta, people were of course coming to the defence of BA pretty much saying he's gone and we still get hammered. To that i say a few things.

Firstly, the same systems are of course going to still be in place the week after a coach is sacked, which is where i am in favour more of sacking a coach during a bye week for that reason.

Secondly, claiming he should have gotten Moses and Gutho back first before getting sacked, to that i say many other teams have shown you can still win with big players out, we cannot that falls a bit on coaching. The thing these teams have done is play a different style as if those players are not there, we play the same as if Moses and Gutho is there and they are not, that is coaching. Someone said that if they believe we can win without Moses and Gutho are thick, abusing everyone in his path that BA was hard done by, to that i say what about the Warriors? Newcastle? these teams have average teams and win without their stars. We have rep players in our forwards and a Half on big money and cannot get it done.

Thirdly is the comment, TCT mentioned it mainly, BA did not lose the dressing room. To that i say yes and no. No as in the senior players i believe still listened, however i say yes as i believe the rest were zoning out. I am not saying they were off him or hated him but it seemed to have grown tired after time, the energy and enthusiasm was not there and change was rapid and furious, i believe it rubbed off on the players. Now is BA gone fixing everything? Of course not, a lot more still needs to happen, but it is a step in the right direction. Plus many are just abusing Barrett that he cannot coach, yet they also say BA is not at fault for losing as he is not on the field. So what is it? Coach at fault or no? Cause if BA is not at fault neither is Barrett.

Stat: HOE already put them up and did a wonderful job with them also.

Most Impressive:

Brendan Hands: Well it is no coincidence we look better in attack and defence as soon as Lussick was hooker. Hands showed some nice movement from dummy half also, almost as if he was set to prove a point. It will be a factor of the stubborness that played a part in Arthur's demise that he stuck with certain players for too long. Everyone knew Hands was going to provide more than Lussick. Though Lussick provides a kicking game and bit more attack, defensively and passing wise Hands was more reliable and was needed particularly with Moses out. Now is the time to start Hands and groom MA ready for 2025 off the bench.

Bailey Simonsson: Been one of the most consistent players in our backline for some time now, not hard to be but is. A nice try too.

Bryce Cartwright: At least added some energy on the edge, tried to play adlib footy and at times worked, just need to balance how much we see of it.

Not too much to add else to be fair, clutching at straws.

Most Disappointing:

Joey Lussick: Kicking a man while he is down but it is a long time coming. Him staying in the team was negligence when there was Brendan Hands available. Lussick started alright but we could see he was not made out to be an 80min Hooker. He better suits being that 2nd string Hooker, bit like how Brisbane use Walters and Smoothy, Lussick could suit that 14 role for 25-30mins just fine. But as the starter? Definately not. Looks unfit and just not good enough. 

Blaize Talagi: Before you put pitchforks on me, hear me out. It is more so i feel he needs time in NSW cup instead of being thrown to the wolves in FG with an underperforming team. Talagi is still raw, playing well for his age but needs more time. His positioning is the main issue, in both attack and defence. Souths scored numerous tries of kicks on our own line and he was nowhere to be seen on any of them. Gutho might be back, but if he is not maybe have him sit out and leave him in Cup for the year. Some have even mentioned leave him at Fullback or Centre for the year, to that i say it could help but he needs Cup games if he is to be a Fullback full-time.

Junior Paulo: Started alright, but is not putting in the impact he is being paid for. He is a captain yet really is wearing it out of necessity. He is not leading this group in anyway.

Makahesi Makatoa: More so to the fact that why is he here when Wiremu Greig offers the same or more than Makatoa? Another BA stubborness decision.

Overall a short one this week as i got it out late again, i want to continue these as i like them to reflect on myself. For a while there found them to be a drag, now enjoying them again (Sorry Grunta). 

As for team changes, I think this is where Barrett swings the axe and does things his way. Firstly, Gutho and Moses will be named. Now whether that is on the extended bench or not is another story but i bet they are named to start. Gutho to Fullback, Moses to Halfback, Asi and Talagi out. Lane will move to the bench for Tuilagi. Matterson will start at Lock for Hopgood, but if he is not right, Ofahengaue i believe will start, with Greig or Moretti to the bench. But i also think Greig gets a spot for Makatoa. Finally, Lussick out for Hands with Arthur on the bench for debut. Doorey also could get a spot on the bench. Penisini for Harper.

I see a 17 of: Gutho, Sivo, Penisini, Russell, Simonsson, Brown, Moses, RCG, Hands, Paulo, Tuilagi, Cartwright, Matterson, Arthur, Greig, Ofahengaue, Lane. If no Matterson, Doorey or Moretti for him.

Enjoy your week and god save Parramatta.