Parramtta's NSW Cup side began the year winless after the opening 5 rounds and going worse than their NRL counterparts.
Yet while the NRL side flounders, the reserve grade side has returned to winning ways, netting 5 wins from their past 6 games.
They are currently on a 4 match winning streak that now sees them sitting in 8th spot, 2 wins outside the top 4.
It should come as no surprise that the side began stringing together consistent performances once their spine became more settled and their forward pack was provided more regular selection.
A big part of ther success has been the craftiness of Matt Arthur around the ruck, with the rake picking apart the Rabbitohs defence through either brilliant pass selection or sprinting through tiring Souths line.
Props Wiremu Greig and Luca Moretti have also been playing big minutes, while Matt Doorey has churned out 3 consecutive 80 minute performances.
Given first grade's struggles, Trent Barrett may be calling on these guys soon.
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Time to drop NRL players and promote some reserve graders. Lane, Sivo and Lussick dont deserve and more oppurtunities in 1st grade.
I too have seen Doorey look good in bending the line, but then he seems slow in getting back in the line, seeming to rest on his laurels, as it were. Always been uncertain if he's not fit enough, he's had plenty of injuries, or too much like Matto. Reports lately say he's now playing 80 minutes in Cup, and thats encouraging as if he buys in to really being a competitor he could be our new "Papa."
I look at Greig and Doorey the same way. If they can unlock that ability to push through the I'm puffed/tired barrier and go to that next level, they will be legitimate first graders with great futures. At this stage of their careers, it's not so much a fitness/physical thing as a mental thing.
Exactly Mathew.
All good calls Richard, I was encouraged also when I read that Doorey was playing 80 minutes. He is the size and type that suits the modern game, could be a junior Chriton for example. Greig is a bit different in that his style and size is now a bit out of fashion. Maybe if RCG is out that Greig would be the immediate replacement, That said Greig is apparently playing longer minutes as well in Reserves, another good sign.
NB Hopefully someone gets in Doorey's ear about becoming a workhorse and not a show pony, not that I think he has an ego problem, just the direction he needs to go in.
I don't think Greig's size of player is out of fashion, you just can't have too many big boys in the middle. 1 or 2 in your entire forward rotation is ideal because you can use them to get sets rolling, or attract defenders and compress the middle, then you have them paired with a more mobile prop.
Sivo won't get dropped after scoring the tries on the weekend but he should be after seeing his effort on kick defusal and returns. I would put Tago in for him.
Barret did not talk about Matto in the post match press conference which is interesting. If he does return, he would take Hopgood spot. Doorey to join the bench.
MA to 14 and Hands to start.
Yep... seems like it... the absence is just too general, more to it.
I had the chance to watch Reggie's vs Wests at North Sydney oval. It's great to be so up close and hear the tackles and the sledging.
Doorey is ready. He gave his opposite a bath. Sledged him constantly, absolutely monstered him.
Greig was powerful. 10+m per hit up, attracted heap of defenders.
MA didn't have his best game that day but I've seen plenty of him. He's going to play lots of nrl.
Sanders was controlled and accurate.
Martin needs a shot at FG. He's an absolute gun with feet on fire. He could out step his shadow. Give him a shot. If he got into space look out.
Thanks for the run-down Mutts, its encouraging to hear good reports on Doorey, Grieg, MA and particularly Ethyn Martin. The picture you describe of "his feet of fire that could elude his shadow" is the sign that he is a guy that believes in himself. I was excited when I first saw him and I'm a fan.
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