Eels Blogs

I mentioned last week that I was going to trial a couple of new things for the last match and what follows is a new way to do the Player Ratings. As many of you who have been around here for a while know, we used to do player ratings after each match but 1) finding the time to watch a match closely enough to decide on half-point ratings got beyond me and 2) rating players after losses just got depressing. However, I came across another player rating style, that I’ve seen seems to work really well elsewhere and it’s kind of a fun, not too serious way doing it, so I thought I’d give this a shot. Feel free to let me know what you think. I’m thinking next year, we share this round with whoever comes up with a nice theme.

So I present to you the Eels vs Newcastle player ratings to the theme of Star War movies. (It’s basically a one to five star system). Apologise for the geeky choice in themes, but it was the first thing that came to mind.

5. Episode V. Empire Strikes Back

Definitely the best of all the Star War movies. Dark, broody. The snow scenes are a visual feast. And of course, one of the best plot twists of all time as Vader is revealed as Luke’s father.

Unfortunately, quite clearly, there was no real Empire Strikes Back performances on the weekend. However, that would be a pretty crap way to start this series, so I’m bracketing Junior Paulo into here. Not least, because I swear to god at one stage during the match that Seffa Paulo reached out to Jo and said “I am your father, Junior”. I swear it, I do. I’d proudly like to point out that I declared that Junior Paulo would be the young forward who would surprise everyone this year, and he has done exactly that, and he’ll displace a few of our more senior props next year given the footwork he boasts for a kid of his size.

- Junior Paulo (see above)

4. Episode VI A New Hope

The original Star Wars. Not quite the best, but hey, it started the a legend. I can’t help but consider it apt that we throw Ken Edwards in here. Is Kenny our new hope. Maybe, maybe not. It’s hard to say that at this stage, but gee, it’s nice to have a player with a big of aggression.

- Ken Edwards. (see above)

- Matt Keating. Made 36 tackles, came up with a 40/30, got a few strong runs out of dummy half and got back in cover to stop that early try. A solid display for his final outing in Blue and Gold.

3. Episode VI. Empire Strikes Back

We were all hoping this might be the match that Jarryd strikes back. Alas, much like the movie Jarryd had his share of hits and misses. Actually, they were mostly misses but the try he created for Sio was just brilliant. Not as good as an ewok, but still pretty good.

- Jarryd Hayne (see above)

- Fuifui Moimoi - By his standards, he had actually had a pretty ordinary game, but that chase back, was just awesome.

- Ken Sio (Played out of position in the centres, but I thought he held his own up and got a try.)

- Patrick O’Hanlon (I thought Paddy had a strong dig out there - topped the hit-ups, three offloads and not a single missed tackle)

2. Episode III. Revenge of the Sith

The best part of the Revenge of the Sith is Jar Jar Binks doesn’t feature and doesn’t do any talking. Nobody talks in our defence, which pretty much didn’t feature.

- Vai Toutai

- Reni Maitua

- Luke Kelly

- Tim Mannah

- Peni Terepo

- Joseph Ualesi

1. Episode I. The Phantom Menace

I was really excited when they announced the new Star Wars movie. Yes, Darth Maul’s double lightsaber was cool but who couldn't cringe every time Jar Jar Binks appeared on screen. All of the players bracketed here, made me cringe at some point during that match.

- Daniel Harrison. Sorry to Harrison, but he never had any hope of playing in the centres. This one star rating really goes to Ricky for playing him here.

- Semi Radradra. Semi, you forgot to put your hands on.

- Joseph Paulo. Sorry but that tackle, or should I say those multiple attempted tackles, that led to that late Newcastle try was just abominable and I can’t get it out of my head.