The "Bronze Millstone" by Angie Whitson Sculptures: History can be a Millstone around one's neck.
According to H.G. Wells: "History is a race between education and catastrophe".
The Eels and Tigers, knee-deep in this Wellsian World, meet in Friday night's Spoonbowl in front of a sellout Campbelltown Stadium baying for blood.
It's been twelve years since the Eels played the Tigers here, and it did not end well. Smoked Eels was on the menu.
The Eels face a record 15th wooden spoon, the most of existing clubs, whilst the Tigers face their 3rd spoon in three-straight years.
Teams
Venue and Time: 6pm AEST at Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Ground Conditions: Good
Weather: Expected to be fine
Tigers: 1. Heath Mason 2. Junior Tupou 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Josh Feledy 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Isaiah Papali’i
Bench: 14. Latu Fainu 15. Sione Fainu 16. Fonua Pole 17. Alex Twal
Reserves: 18. Tim Johannssen 19. Alexander Lobb 20. Reuben Porter 21. Kit Laulilii 22. Tony Sukkar
Head Coach: Benji Marshall
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Blaize Talagi 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Daejarn Asi 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Shaun Lane 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Joe Ofahengaue
Bench: 14. Joey Lussick 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Luca Moretti 17. Ofahiki Ogden
Reserves: 18. Jake Tago 19. Matt Doorey 20. Ethan Sanders 21. Haze Dunster 22. Wiremu Greig
Interim Head Coach: Trent Barrett
Kelma Tuilagi (back from injury) and Sean Russell (back from illness) are in the starting team with Jake Tago dropped to 18th. Shaun Lane shifts to prop with Ofahiki Ogden dropping back to the bench, while Dan Keir drops out (head knock last week). Aidan Sezer (shoulder) is is doubt. Junior Tupou shifts to the wing (Solomon Alaimalo out with head knock) and Josh Feledy starts at centre.
Campbelltown Sports Stadium: A sell-out is expected tomorrow night. The record is 20,527 set on 14 August 2005 (Tigers defeated the Cowboys 28-16).
12 Years: Since Last Campeltown Matchup; Advantage Tigers
The last game played here between the Eels and Tigers was twelve years ago (R22, 2012).
Back then, the Tigers slaughtered the Eels 51-26 despite the Eels leading 22-18 at the break.There's a Mark Twainian sense of eery co-incidence seeing that's the story of the Eels this season as well; Back-End Blues.
The advantage here seems to swing the Tigers' way.
The Tigers have won the last two straight at Cambelltown (defeating Raiders 48-24, Souths 18-16). Before that, for around four years (2021-24), the Tigers lost ten straight.
The Eels have an atrocious record outside of Commbank: only winning once this year (1 / 12) outside Parramatta. The Eels have only won two from their last sixteen (2/16) outside of Parramatta since mid-2023.
But oddly enough the Eels last lost to the Tigers outside Parramatta five years ago (2018) - losing their recent two games against the Tigers at Commbank.
Struggle Central
The Eels are aiming for two-staight wins for the first time this season, and the first since mid-2023 (R17).
The Tigers are aiming for three-straight wins for the first time in six years, since 2018.
The Tigers are aiming for two wins in a season against the Eels for the first time in twelve years, since 2012.
Galvin broke the Eels' defence in R4, 2024 for the 17-16 Tigers win and has been impressive this year. Gus Gould rates him the "best teenage prospect" he has ever seen.
Changing Cycles: Closer
The cycles between the Eels and Tigers has been narrowing of late, on a downward trajectory for the Eels. Recent results suggest this game could go either way.
The Eels have won 2 of the last 4 games between these two (2022-24). That's in contrast to the dominant period before that where the the Eels won 7-straight (2018-2021).
Additionally, recently, most games have been close between these two with five of the last seven games decided by 8 points or less: 1,1,4,6,8.
The one-point victory for the Tigers against the Eels in their last encounter (17-16, R4) typies this. The Eels imploded in the back-end of that game when they seemed in control of the match well into the second half.
Getty: Tigers pull off a one-point upset (R4, 2024) in their last encounter against the Eels at Commbank.
If the Eels lose...
The Eels would equal the Knights (4 Spoons) with the most in NRL history.
The Eels would also gain their 15th spoon edging closer to Western Suburb's 17 spoons (the most in the game's history).
The Eels (15 spoons in 78 years at 19.23%) would surpass the strike rate of Western Suburbs (17 spoons in 92 years at 18.47%)
If the Eels concede 28 points or more, this season become the highest points ever conceded in a season by an Eels' team.
Getty Images: Sivo scored a hatrick last week. Eels winger Maika Sivo has scored 19 tries in his past 12 NRL games. He has the highest strike rate of any Eel in history- higher than Radradra. With two more try he will above Steve Ella into fourth position for all-time tries for the Eels.
Hindmarsh: "You Sheet Yourself" and "Tense Up"
On Tuesday earlier this week, Nathan Hindmarsh spoke to James Graham on The Bye Round podcast talking Spoonbowls.
"I have been thinking about this game [tomorrow night's spoonbowl] for months," Hindmarsh let off a Fraudian slip.
"No, I shouldn't say months. Weeks. Several weeks. It was going to happen. We could see it. The writing was on the wall."
"[And] I was listening to some bloke. I think it was Sharon Woods who was saying no one cares who comes last. Bullshit."
No-one cares who comes last. Bullshit.
Nathan Hindmarsh on the Bye Round with James Graham, 3 Sept 2024
"Your fans care if you come last. And then record book show you've come last."
"And a lot of people will remind you that you came last and you've got a spoon, and that's something you don't want on your on your resume."
History's ghosts can haunt the best of us.
The 2011 Spoonbowl: Eels v Titans in the Gold Coast that Hindmarsh and Mannah were a part of
Hindmarsh also described his own experiences in the 2011 Spoon Bowl where they defeated the Titans to avoid the spoon, but then won back to back spoons for 2012-2013.
"What was it like playing in a spoon bowl?", Graham asked.
"Oh mate you sheet yourself you."
"Honestly, you do you you do tense up it," Hindy didn't hold back.
It does feel like a final.
Nathan Hindmarsh
"I know this it'll sounds silly to the to the audience but you don't want to come come last."
"And if you if you're going home from playing up there [Gold Coast] back to Sydney with a spoon, mate, I would have been locked inside. Mad Monday wouldn't have existed."
Tim Mannah also expressed the same sentiments as Hindmarsh in an earlier podcast on Graham's The Bye Round (25/8/24) explaining how intense it felt.
"It's very rare you're playing for that [the spoon in a spoonbowl]. You usually know leading into it, who's going to get it."
"But when you're playing the person that you're competing against that position um it was yeah it felt like like a big game."
We won it [2011 Spoonbowl] and we celebrated like we won the comp.
Tim Mannah, on the Bye Round with James Graham, 25 August 2024
Hands: Leaving as winners
For Brendan Hands who fronted the media yesterday it seemed a lot simpler. For him it was simply a matter of ending the season well and on a high.
"For all the boys leaving, we want to send them out as winners as well."
He was asked about the end of game implosion against the Saints last week where the Eels went from 44-12 to 44-40 in eleven minutes conceding 28-0; 5 tries to nil.
"We've got a little bit to clean up. It's happened a few games to us."
History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme.
Mark Twain
"The last three months, we feel like we've been playing good footy. It's just been some individual errors and things like that which have let teams back in. Tries against the run of play and that," Hands continued.
He reasoned that the Eels had lost games due to a lack of experience as there are a lot of "young players out there."
"They also played pretty good footy [Saints]. Every bounce they seemed to get, besides that very last one."
"They threw caution the wind and it kept pulling off for them."
"[But] We can fix that [back-end implosions]," Hands explained.
The Eels' in 2024: The Back-end Curse; Clockwork-Like
If we extraopolated the last quarter (above graph) over 80 minutes we’d be looking an average losing score of 56-12 which would equate to conceding over 1300 points for the season (the worst in history is the 1999 Wests that conceded 944 points).
The Eels have been in most games - in 20 of 23 games, either ahead or within 6 points behind at some point in the second half.
The problem is they have lost the back-end of 21 of 23 games.
We've had plenty of contests slip out of our fingers this year.
Shaun Lane, 4 September 2024, pre-game R27
Lane: We deserve better
Shaun Lane also fronted the media yesterday with candid messages.
"I am not very proud that I am competing in a spoon bowl."
"But it is what it is, mate," Lane lamented.
Lane was keen to put this year behind him. He also added he couldn't fault the "effort" of the team during the year.
"[But] We've had plenty of things not go our way."
Lane admitted the spoonbowl was a 'kick in the guts" for fans and they also "deserve better" as well as all the staff and players.
"In our opinion, we don't deserve to get the spoon."
"So, we're going to go out there and show everyone we deserve better."
The Eels are favorites at $1.64 and the Tigers are $2.27.
Most NRL Spoons 1998-2023 (existing clubs)
| Rank | Club | Spoons |
| 1 | Newcastle | 4 |
| 2 | Parramatta | 3 |
| 2 | Bulldogs | 3 |
| 2 | Souths | 3 |
| 5 | Wests Tigers | 2 |
| 5 | Wests | 2 |
| 5 | Titans | 2 |
| 5 | Penrith | 2 |
| 9 | Cronulla | 1 |
| 9 | Roosters | 1 |
| 9 | Melbourne | 1 |
| 9 | Brisbane | 1 |
| 9 | Cowboys | 1 |
| 17 | Manly | 0 |
| 17 | Dragons | 0 |
| 17 | Warriors | 0 |
| 17 | Dolphins | 0 |
Most Spoons (existing clubs)
| Rank | Club | Spoons |
| 1 | Parramatta | 14 |
| 2 | Souths | 8 |
| 3 | Bulldogs | 6 |
| 4 | Roosters | 5 |
| 5 | Knights | 4 |
| 6 | Panthers | 4 |
| 7 | Cowboys | 3 |
| 8 | Sharks | 3 |
| 9 | Titans | 2 |
| 10 | Wests Tigers | 2 |
| 11 | Storm | 1 |
| 12 | Broncos | 1 |
| 13 | Raiders | 1 |
| 17 | Dolphins | 0 |
| 17 | Dragons | 0 |
| 17 | Warriors | 0 |
| 17 | Manly | 0 |
Note: Currently non-existent Western Suburbs Magpies have 17 spoons in 92 years (at 18.5% strike rate). If the Eels lose on Friday night they will have 15 spoons in 78 years (at 19.23%) - a higher strike rate than Wests.
The Albatross around one's neck: History's ghosts can haunt the best of us.
Replies
Great blog HOE! I couldn't care less if we get the spoon. This year has been a disaster. Last or second last makes no difference. Theres no sugar coating it. The board needs to go. Fall on their swords. That will be the next headlines.
Watching the best teen prospect, that we let go at the start of the year. Hopefully next year onwards and upwards.
Well we may not be the top team but I dont believe that any club supporters group could match Parramatta's match day blogs from the 1EE.
This may go down as in an infamous year but we can also say it was the year that Hoey out did not only all the other clubs but also the so called professional scribes.
Well done mate you have left everyone in your wake and that includes TCT who have given up and they have not even continued their "gradings".
If you continue with your resilience, not only will we be top 4 next year but minor premiers to boot.
Thanks Pops.
I'll have a peek at TCT. Had a quick-listen to that TCT podcast interview with John Muggleton (the one where Sixties sounds like a towncrier shouting at the LC). The one Mick recommended. Interesting listen. Woke up everyone in the car.
Thanks Darren. I wish I had your mentality.
It's going to take me some time to get over another spoon. Weeks, months, probably.
It's going to get raised constantly next year if we get it either to drive a knife into us or a measure of improvement.
Amazing Work HOE, can't remember a game being sold out to decide the wooden spoon..the ratings numbers from this game might break some records for a 6pm fixture - don't know what to expect tomorrow, glad this season ends tomorrow night
Thanks, mate. Mick. And it's great to see you back in the site. We missed you when you were out.
Like you, I can't wait for this season to end. I just can't handle another spoon.
Cheers for kind words HOE, lets hope we get up tomorrow night and look forward to next season
Actually got around to listening to the TCT Muggleton podcast this afternoon at your suggestion Mick. Good call to do so and thanks for the "heads up".
Yeh I have a lot of respect for Muggs and I found some of his comments and frankness refreshing, I liked the innovative approach he is recommending and the concept of doing something fast and first. (a lttle of what we were trying to encourage with the Chieka/ McDermont approach ).
His comments re Scott W are very interesting and again I like the innovative thrust.
Being a contrarian I like anything that gives an alternate option, and I found it interesting and surprising when he was negative the spiral pass (did I hear that correctly, I always though Rugby passes were cleaner than leagues?).
I also picked up the commentary re Blair (strength and conditioning coach) with regard to the different styles of conditioning of the Polynesian's and Caucasians. He didn't know much about Moa (defence) but was pretty scathing on our defence and our approach to it(no shocks there). He said he saw Parra's outside backs had seemingly learnt nothingin the past 8 years and emphasised the huge differences in defending in the centres compared to wings and Parra's seeming indifference to understanding that by interchanging wingers and centres on a regular basis. He also offered that Lomax can handle both very well and that the preference of where Lomax plays was more in terms of team balance.
On another matter I was interested in his views on the immortals from Parramatta and his preferences were Price and Cronin over Burt and Sterlo.....brought goose bumps up when he talked about everyone was scared to make a mistake because Price would likely job you and then tell Gibbo to get "so and so" off the field.
Brought back memories of Ken Thornett when he was captain coach and his forwards were not doing what he wanted. He took 4 of them out the back of the Leagues club and gave each of them a hiding, telling them to fit in or fcuk off. That story has been around for a long time, we still are not sure if he belted them one at a time or took the whole lot at once LOL.
Recommend some of the "drop kicks" on here have a listen to this guy, there is an old fashioned toughness about him.
Finally he is obviously been a Parramatta supporter for a long time and seemingly has not missed much and watched many of our games. Makes you wonder with his background as one of the best defensive coaches in the business that we never (seemingly) tried to harness him, even as a consultant.
Nice summary Pop's" I found it interesting and surprising when he was negative the spiral pass (did I hear that correctly, I always though Rugby passes were cleaner than leagues?) " I found that comment interesting as well from Muggo , just watched Jerome Hughes throw a fast flat pass cut out a player and hit the winger with a spiral bullet pass great passage of play from the Storm - for me the major take out was the importance of repetition when it comes to skills, shapes, block plays and set plays done don't matter is skills is not a focus.
Yes, you right, I missed representing that point of "repetition" actually you would think that should be an oxymoron but how many times have we said " you would swear that the player's just introduced themselves to each other at the start of the game. Lol
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