Eels Blogs

The more you seek the uncomfortable, the more you will become comfortable

Conor McGregor

While as Eels fans we have tripped far too many times to ever get a step ahead of ourselves, is there a sense something different is building out West this season?

Is this a team who’s stopped searching for excuses in attitude, injuries or missing players, and taken control of their own fate?

Every week, 17 players are turning up mentally focussed, regardless of who is or isn't there.

A heavy criticism of the Eels over the past few seasons has been that success only comes when games flow their way, and they lack the mental fortitude to fight against a game, or opposition, that upsets this.

Phil Gould claimed the side had ‘no underbelly’ previously, Cooper Cronk has echoed similar sentiments consistently, and honestly at times, can we really disagree?

In 2023, however, the Eels will have to spend almost an entire season outside their comfort zone after starting 0-3 & 1-4 & dropping to 15th on the ladder - a direct contrast to the past two seasons where the Eels never left the top 8.

Could this be a blessing in disguise? After a heavy Grand Final loss, and the horror start to 2023, is this team becoming more comfortable & confident in previously uncomfortable situations? 

The Eels look like a team who’s 2022 has hungered them, and who’s 2023 has hardened them.

But again, as Eels fans, we know never to get even a step ahead of ourselves. Another challenge awaits.

Teams

Parramatta Eels Vs Dolphins at Sunshine Coast Stadium, Saturday 24th of June @ 3:00pm AEDT.

Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Bailey Simonson 5. Sean Russell 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Junior Paulo 11. Bryce Cartwright 12. Andrew Davey 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Ofahiki Ogden 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Makehesi Makatoa

Head Coach: B-Rad Arthur

Mitch Moses & Junior Paulo return to the Eels side, with late mail claiming Shaun Lane is also a strong possibility to replace Andrew Davey.

Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Eian Aitken 4. Valynce Te Whare 5. Brayden McGrady 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneth Bromwich 13. Ray Stone 14. Josh Kerr 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Max Plath

Coach: The Master Bennett

Sean O’Sullivan is named in the 19 jersey but is unlikely, however the Fins welcome back huge inclusions Felise Kaufusi & Jeremy Marshall-King.

In form Bailey Simonson talks about the game, how much he loves playing at centre, and how he knew all along from the start that the Eels would come back. He also talks about "staying on top of our form".

Ryan Matterson talks about his five-eighth experience last week, and taking each game week by week.

History

Obviously there is no history between these two clubs, but recent form lines have varied dramatically.

The Eels now sit 2nd in average points scored & 2nd in overall differential, while, and perhaps more importantly, they have risen from 13th to 6th defensively. The Fins have slid to 8th in attack & 11th for overall differential, and 14th for defence.

(Big thanks to HOE & Daz for their ongoing work creating this great table).

There is a dark wily shadow cast over these form lines however, when you consider just how strong Wayne Bennett’s history is against Brad Arthur and the Eels club in general.

Wayne Bennett has also won 13 of 16 games as head coach against the Eels.

Embed from Getty Images

I might be biased, but watching it, I felt the Mitchell was probably NSW's best. He tried hard. He had 80 touches. That's a lot of touches for a half at that level. I thought he was dangerous with the ball, and kicked well...when I see him, we'll be talking about making sure he plays like that for us. .

Arthur on Moses' State Of Origin II performance, earlier this week, media front pre-game

 

Defeating the Dolphins: Isaako and Marshall-King

There is little doubt that Jamayne Isaako is having a career year.

Jamayne leads the competition in points scored this season with 152, he sits 3rd on the try scorers list with 14, and 4th for linebreaks with 18.

Isaako also sits 6th in the competition for run metres with 2,076, and equal 7th in tackle breaks with 63.

Isaako will be a constant threat, and Bennett coachesd sides have a history of tearing our edges to shreds, a big job defensively for these two this week.

Jeremy Marshall King has 8 try assists in 11 games, the best average of any hooker, he also averages the 3rd most run metres per game (53m) in the the hooker stakes & has 3 line breaks.

While the Eels have definitely improved defensively, is our middle still vulnerable? JMK is another Fin in a career year, and he is not afraid to back himself & run.

Is there an argument though, that perhaps the most influential player in the Fins line up is actually Felise Kaufusi?

Felise has gone to another level this season in leading the Dolphins defensively, and with his line speed & contact, he has left a lot of victims in his wake. 

The Bottom Line

We are not here to take part, we are here to take over.

Conor McGregor

The lack of fear the Eels showed in flogging the Rabbitohs on Indigenous round, despite a horror hoodoo & record against them, and with their season on the line, was remarkable, and unlike at times last season, the ’23 Eels have gone on with it.

This game has the potential to sneak under the radar; the Eels are heavily favoured & are finally inside the top 8, the game is on the Sunshine Coast, and there has been a lot of negative media around the Dolphins form that has the potential to inspire an ambush?

They are also fresh from a much needed bye, and they have some integral players back in Kaufusi & JMK.

And don't forget, they have Wayne Bennett.

The road to Grand Final retribution is played out every week for the Eels, that is the uncomfortable situation this team finds itself in, and with that in mind, surely anything short of a win over the Dolphins should be seen as a massive step backwards?

Those are the standards that Brad & the players, to their credit, have now set.

Adversity brings opportunity, and for the 2023 Eels, there’s an opportunity to show they are a far more focused & ruthless beast.

So, who wins? And how does that result likely come about? Where do the Eels win / lose this game?

Good luck Parra.