In these blurst of times, rugby league is virtually our only escape. I was in need of some entertainment on Sunday evening and the Eels provided that in spades.
The 46-6 scoreline was indicative of a dominant performance and one that moved the Eels to the top of the ladder. I believe the NRL season should be suspended forthwith and whatever team is at the top handed the trophy.
The Good
- Kicking Game: Moses and Brown managed this game superbly. Their kicking game built continuous pressure. Brown's short kicks into the in goal kept the outside defenders honest and provided for repeat sets. Moses' bombing accuracy led to multiple Titans mistakes and at least one try.
- Defence: After this performance the Eels are the best defensive side in the competition, having conceded eight points in two games. Granted they've been against two of the weaker attacking sides, but defending your line is about attitude and responsibility. Our defence set up our winning margin. The physicality through the middle was noticeable. Paulo and RCG are incredibly brutal in defence and with Nathan Brown also there, teams are finding it a lot tougher to win the ruck.
- Patience: Parramatta has been accused recently of being impatient. And it's been a fair criticism. We've seemingly thought we could just stroll through teams and are surprised when they repel us. Last night the side was patient, built pressure, exhausted the Titans and then ran over them.
- Second half: Some here have blasted Brad Arthur and his supposed inability to have the team firing after half time. Well yesterday the side piled on 32 unanswered points in the second 40 minutes, completed well above 80 percent and did exactly what everyone had tipped them to do at the start of the game.
The Bad
- Dropped ball: For a period in the first half the Eels on completed around 60 percent. It's not the completion rate you want in the NRL and it provided the Titans with some opportunities that a better side may have been able to convert. At the very least though, good teams defend their mistakes and Parramatta did that. The fact they finished with an 82 percent completion rate indicates they addressed the slide fairly quickly.
- Reed Mahoney injury: It's perhaps the only position the Eels are truly short in and when Reed Mahoney went down there was a collective intake of breath for Eels fans. The livewire rake has been one of Parramatta's best over the first two rounds and him being out for any length of time could seriously hamper the Eels.
- Nathan Brown suspended: Brown will cop a two match suspension after sliding in with his knees on Dale Copley regardless of an early guilty plea. It's likely Marata Niukore will moved into the starting side with one of Oregon Kaufusi or David Gower coming onto the bench.
Replies
YEA PATIENCE, good to see MM use it. And DB getting involved.
It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times. You stupid monkey!
Let's hope the footy can keep going a while longer - lord knows we could do with the distraction. Damn well know I do.
I'm glad someone got the reference. Blurst is a perfectly cromulent word.
I would go so far as to say that its use embiggens us all.
Thanks for the write up Super - not emotional and informative.
For some strange reason my missus banned me from going down to the club to watch the match.
Why did you not mention Nathan Brown looks like being out for two weeks ona charge of some sort?
I wrote this before he was charged.
Fair enough.
Watched the highlights and personally I don't think he should have been charged.
Realy, should have been charaged, hope he gets 2 weeks.
It was a CHEAP shot, he could have pulled out and simply went over him.
Agree, it was a real cheap shot, absolutely on purpose.
Now c'mon Snake how could it be a cheap shot if it is going to cost him so much?
BTW - ORF SEEZUN IS OFFICIALLY BACK!
Be ahfwade
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