Eels Blogs

We are definately in unfamiliar territory, only the second time in 10 years with BA we have began a season 0-3. 2018 was the last time, if we are to repeat 2018 we will be waiting for another three weeks before putting points on the ladder. I do not think it will be that one and i think Penrith could be in for a rude shock next week. We are a frustrating team, always having a tiny grasp on a result then losing it quickly, we have the talent but also shoot ourselves in the foot. I heard a great example from the TCT podcast where they said it was a good quality s*** game. It was a weird game but a bloody good one to watch on top of that. The bench was used more, though i felt RCG should have been brought back on with say 5 to go. Go figure that i complain when he doesn't use the bench, then i do again when he does. Like most Eels fans, never happy. I will say the refereeing this season has been average at best, it did not cost us the game tonight though a few decision would have helped us, especially the forward pass to RCG that would have made it 22 all. But we showed attacking wise we can match it with anybody. Shaun Lane is a massive miss for our attack as you can see Brown needs and wants Cartwright to run the same lines, he is not that type of player. Once Lane is back bending the line, it will free up Brown more. Plus, Manly's tries, some were pure luck. Parker and Olakau'atu's second try were pure luck. Ours we worked hard for.

Stats wise, we had more possession 51/49, while our completions were abysmal 64%/70%. You could make an argument that if our completions were better we could have won last night. We had 400 more runs and only contributed to 181 more metres, which is still an issue in that we have more ball but do not seem to making metres at ease as our opponents, it could be our bench once RCG and Paulo come off. We had more line-breaks 6/3, they had more tackle breaks 33/24. Play the ball was better but Manly were fast 3.13 secs, we were 3.47 secs. We had 19 offloads to their 7, our kick defusals were rubbish with only 17% of Manly's kicks defused by us, they weren't much better with 40%. We had a better tackle effeciency rate with 87% to their 82% but had more missed tackles 33/24. We were even in errors with 7 a piece and two set restart caused by us.

Most Impressive:

Clint Gutherson: A captains knock for sure. A very quiet round 1, a decent round 2, building up to a great round 3. It wasn't perfect but twice he got momentum back for us with tries. 156 metres, 2 tackle breaks, 2 line-breaks and a try. True captain's knock and got energy moving when it was drained out of our attack.

Will Penisini: He hasn't had a bad game yet this year, strong in defence and getting better as a runner. He is still only 20 years old, his body has still not 100% developed and is playing at a high level week in week out. 181 metres, 2 tackle breaks and 2 offloads. Strong game from Will.

Matt Doorey: Before he went off the field, i felt he was getting better. Again not like a superstar performance or anything, but he was good. Also good to remember he has only played 21 NRL games as of today, he looks more settled and the line he ran for his try was beautiful. He's running harder and is gaining confidence. Hope he is ok as we need him with Murchie pretty much being ruled out by BA himself.

Makahesi Makatoa: He was good off the bench, made metres and put in some energy when sorely needed. Scored 16 points while he was on the park, he helped that with putting in energy. 119 metres running is solid off the bench.

Most Disappointing: 

Bailey Simonsson: Look, he seems like a really nice guy, tries hard, i wish him the best and hope he comes around. But at the moment he is just not good. Everytime he runs, he does this stupid skip and a hop and i was constantly screaming out "RUNNNNNNN!!!! JUST RUN!!!!!". Added to that defensively he was found out, he looks lost in attack at times also finding his way to the ball. Not as bad as last week but nowhere near better either, 9 runs 77 metres is not enough. I think he should be in Cup next week and i will explain who i would put in his place. Sidenote, anyone notice how we hardly ever give it to Simonsson in open space? Whenever Russell or Blake was on that wing either last year or in trials, they would get their fair share of ball, Simonsson though only gets his metres from start of the sets from a kick or a kick return. He did get it passed to him but very rarely. He has only scored 3 tries in 22 games for us, 2 against Canberra in Canberra. Also, i actually do not blame the 40/20 tap back try on him, Gutho pulled up on that play and did not defend the tap back well at all, Simonsson i give credit did well there.

Waqa Blake: 4 tackles missed, 66% tackle effeciency, 99 metres and 3 tackles breaks is fine but he should be doing better with his coin and experience. Again, not a complete disaster like last week but defensively he is just not up to it, dropping off tackles and not reading well at all. I think a shift back to the wing, even though under the high ball he is dreadful too, is the way to go.

Wiremu Greig: Getting on the park for 15mins, opportunity there to take advantage and was meh. He got man handled a few times, just did not do anything to scream out pick me. Honestly Makatoa was better, it such a shame but hope Greig gets another shot and is able to redeem himself.

Josh Hodgson dumb penalty: What was he thinking there, he played decent last night but that penalty was dumb and uncalled for, leading to a try. Hodgson is capable of changing a game on both ends, it is hit or miss though his hits are high which makes him worthy of being in the squad but that penalty of laying all over Manly player was rubbish.

Moses Goal Kicking: What in sweet Moses is happening here. Now on Fox League commentary it was mentioned the use of another tea, this one being different to his original one, so hopefully that is the issue as that can be an easy fix. But Moses has to ice big moments, he has done them before but not as common or often as a a player commanding $1mil a year should.

Ok so onto the GF rematch at home, let's be positive as besides the GF we lift against Penrith. As for team changes, i would move Simonsson for Blake and if Asi plays well put him in a Centre. Murchie is out and Doorey could be also. If that is the case, Momoisea could start but he is listed on the bench for Cup tonight so not sure what is happening there unless BA is getting some minutes into him for next week, or Matterson slots straight into the back-row. As for the bench with Murchie out, i think Ogden will come on the bench with Rodwell out. So it'll be a bench of Momoisea/Matterson, Ogden, Greig, Makatoa. Whoever starts out of Momoisea and Matto the other will go to the bench. If Doorey plays, Matto on the bench as a swap with Murchie. A smokey could be Toni Mataele getting on the bench, but i do not think this is the right game to play him.

On to next week, enjoy your weekend.