Confucius the ancient Chinese Philosopher born in 551BC must have followed Rugby League all those years ago. The great man's ancient quotes seem tailor-made for us Eels fans.
Confucius Say: The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... These are the keys to unlocking the door to excellence.
There are no truer words for our players to adopt for Eels fan, right now, with the thought of taking on the might of the 2 peat Panthers after starting 0-3. One would think we will have to be at our best and then have things go our way to be in front after 80 minutes.
Make no mistake our boys can do this. They have risen to similar challenges in the last few years after being written off. Defeating the Melbourne Storm last year, taking out the Cowboys in a thriller, Roasting the Roosters mid-season. Annihilating the Broncos. And finally Beating Penrith at Penrith to break their massive winning streak. The boys did this with Belief. The will to win.The desire to succeed. And now that great Urge to smash the Pennies after taking us out in the grandfinal. There will be no better place to be then Parradise on Thursday Evening at 8pm
Can King Gutho our leader, the man with more desire to win then most lead us in the true tradition of an old warrior, channel one of our greats in Ray Price ? He was a man that never gave up, that forever put the steel into the Eels and unlocked our team through his desire to succeed, take us into the furnace and unlock our season with a win.
When in command: Don't ask for support, Inspire it.
Teams:
Parramatta Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson - 2. Maika Sivo - 3. Will Penisini - 4. Waqa Blake - 5.Bailey Simonsson - 6. Dylan Brown - 7. Mitchell Moses - 8. RCG - 9. Josh Hodgson - 10. Junior Paulo - 11. Bryce Cartwright - 12. Ryan Matterson - 13. J'maine Hopgood..........14 Matt Doorey - 15. Brendan Hands - 16. Wiremu Greg - 17. Makatoa
Penrith Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards - 2. Suni Turuva - 3. Izac Tago - 4. Stephen Crichten - 5. Brisn To'o - 6. Jarome Luai - 7. Nathan Cleary - 8. Moses Leota - 9. Mitch Kenny - 10. James Fischer Harris - 11. Luke Garner - 12. Liam Martin - 13. Isaah Yeo ......... 14. Soni Luke - 15. Scott Sorenson - 16.Spencer Leniu - 17. Jaemon Salmon
Confucius Say: Life is really simple but we insist on making it complicated.
So too is our defense.
Who amongst us is sick and tired of seeing our edges not working hard, our centres not sliding and our wingers not marking their man? Should we play the blame game here? Is it BA and his defensive style, is it that certain players are not up to it, or is just plain dumb luck? Don't be afraid to have your say on your team.
For mine, I feel that our pack will take a harder edge with Ryan Matterson back from sabbatical. Let's face it, he owes his teammates, he owes his coach, and he damn well owes us fans. I for one have voiced my opinion in regards to Ryans decision to take a suspension. That being said, I've decided to let it go. Have you let it go yet?
Defense wins games and our Eels have conceded their fair share of tries and then some, in the last 3 weeks - to be the worst defensive team in the competition, statistically.
The Josh Hodgson debate has raised its head, is he quick enough, does he still have it, is he fit enough to play 80 minutes. I can say for certain that Hodgson looks great when fresh and very very ordinary when fatigued. Our defensive lapses and shapes take a battering when Hodgson plays fatigued, and opposition tries occur. The Panthers through Luai and Cleary will take advantage within moments of this and put us to the sword.
Our coach has come up with a plan this week.*
In a sense, he has thrown his players playbook out the window, and surpised some fans by changing his mind. The debut of Brendan Hands, the young lad that I did a piece on here at the start of the week, that some may of read. This young man has been handed his debut off the bench to replace a tiring Hodgson mid game. How many minutes will he get, lets hope that is determined as the game progresses and an eagle-eyed coach actually uses him as soon as the need arises. If I was a betting man i think the odds are 3-1 that he sees about 30 minutes game time. What are your odds - more time or less time. This kid played like a machine last weekend. Who here has seen him play and what did you think?
Defense is simple: set a line and move together. Let's hope that some don't make it complicated. KISS.
Confucius say: Our Greatest Glory is not in never falling, but in rising everytime we fall.
This year has started as one of our worst, and we are all feeling it. How bad can it get? 0-3, 0-4, 0-5. They are all real possibilites wouldnt you agree, but one thing shines out in this team, its the way Gutho talks before games, its the way Dylan when under stress looks cooler, its the way Junior Paulo preys to his god, its the way RCG takes it personally, its the way our coach works harder, its the way Mitch talks more, its the way after every time Parramatta are on their knees we rise back up. Our club has endured more then most teams in history, but we get back up and we keep on punching. This game is going to go the distance as they say. RCG and Junior up against Moses Leota and Fischer Harris. I cant see our boys taking a backward step, the venom within RCG to show his old club what they are missing out on, the desire to show Freddy Fitler the NSW coach that he was wrong to pamper to the boys that wear Pink on the footy field. Perhaps not politically correct but its damn acurate. Big bad Reagan is set for a big one, he lives for these days and I personally think it will be a highlight of this game. Get ready for the agression get ready for the big hits. I'd hate to be playing for the Pennies pack this week.
RCG to be Man of the match. Who do you think will lift and go beyond to seal the win?
Confucius Say: Success depends on past preperation, without such there is sure to be failure.
We have only won 4 from 11, but I'd argue that was in the past.
This is a new team, a team void of numerous players that have left this year. Bad roster management, bad salary cap management, whatever the reason it's a fact. We are no longer these teams.
This is Parramatta 2023 and whilst it appears we have been asleep at the wheel, let's not forget that we can score tries. Sivo and Simonsson up against To'o and Turuva " whoever he might be". To'o will be a handful and will find space out wide. His kick chase needs to be nullified and with venom if we are to stop him. Cleary's bombs as we all know will bring rain and it will be all hands-on-deck to get enough players back to help out. As long as Waqa doesn't have to touch a high ball I've got confidence that Hodgson and Hands can put pressure on Cleary to take away his time when kicking.
I hope BA is on the ball this week, things like setting up for a drop goal, is all about preparing. All the basics. Penisni picking a ball up. Dylan playing the ball correctly. Gutho not throwing a forward pass. Mitch kicking goals. Hodgo getting back onside, Cartwright not throwing the miracle hope pass. Sivo not kicking on the first tackle. All these come back to preparation. It's so important to our success. All reports this week indicate the boys are fired up. I'm sensing an ambush. A good old fashion ambush. Tell me I'm wrong. But, it's what we need to win this one.
Confucius Say: Roads were made for Journeys not destinations.
What a road we have been travelling on, L,L,L,L, will our Eels continue on this road or will they hop off this week and take a street to the right. L,L,L,L,W. Thats what roads are for, to travel your own journey. Can we see the boys return to the winners circle against a team playing for their 3rd Grandfinal in a row. We ruined their journey last year beating them at home, like last time , this time Mitch will have to be at his best kicking us to glory. Cleary will have us on the back foot and in bad field position, Mitch will have to counter. Every goal kick will be crucial. Can Mitch return to the winners circle and answer his critics about winning us the tight games. I feel we are about to see the best of Mitch, with the return of his playing partner Matterson packing into the second row, one gets the feeling Mitch will be more comfortable with the lines Matterson will be running just like the old road home, Mitch and Matterson know each others game and the benefits should provide oppurtunities for Blake and Penisini on the end of grubber kicks and spreading through the hands. Talking of Hands, Brendan in this case is now at the begining of his own journey. I wont be surprised if we see him slip over the try line for a 4 pointer from close range, when the Panthers take their big men off for a rest. Keep an eye out.
Confucius Says: Individualism is like pissing in a white suit, it feel good and it shows.
Mmmmmmmmm The old NRL have it in for us playing teams fresh off the bye, Is it fair, You know what, I say its not damn fair, we might as well throw in that we have the hardest damn start to a season then anyone ever before. Lets use that to our advantage, fire up , get to the game, get to the pub, hell get your Eels dressing gown on and watch from your loungeroom, but come Monday when we get to work or see our mates we can throw this right back in their face and revel in how our team has come back against the premiers. We are in this - 3 losses, but only by 4 points. Take heart Eels supporters - we have been in a position to win all 3 games in the 79th minute. Yes we have defended poorly, but we can score points, we have shown it. This brings me to the elephant in the room - Our individual , Dylan Brown, he is his own man and does play to the beat of his own drum just like an old Penrith Panther once did Freddy Fittler. Dylan Brown has started slow, got into it a bit, had a good game last week, now we need him to stand up. He is our x factor- like it or not. If Dylan fires up and makes space we win its that simple. When Dylan is on fire, running the ball, creating space for others, he is in his element, and we win. Look this week for Dylan to get even more involved, because when Dylan pisses the opposition off with his skill , it feels good and it shows on the scoreboard.
Confucius Say: The man who moves a mountain, begins by carrying away the stones.
The man to move the mountain, J'maine Hopgood. How good is he going? This sees our strongman, our highest workrate player, the man with more offloads then a backhoe come up against his old mates and in particular the man that kept him out of first grade Isaah Yeo. This matchup is one for the ages, both men will work themselves to a standstill, both will be in the thick of it. This matchup is worth the price of admission on its own. Hopgood has been on fire, not only with his hard roll your sleves up type grunt work but the finese in creating space and second phase play with his offloads in traffic. This second phase play whilst taking 3 defenders out of the line is really where it starts for us, when turning nothing into something. Just like like taking away the stones , Hopgood can tapreparationke away the defenders. He has taken all that he has learnt from being Yeo's understudy and brought it to the Eels. A future Queensland Origin star in the making, this is where our attack can flourish, Mitch and Dylan will work off the back of this, the space created will see Pensini and Blake get opportunities outwide, they just have to use their brains, remain calm, draw the defensive player and our wingers will be in for 4 pointers. If we do this enough we can move the mountain men from our path. What do you think, where will our points come from in your opinion.
Bottom Line
My prediction is Eels to win by 2 in one of our grandest moments. What's yours?
Either way, don't miss it. As they say, it's the battle for the west. But I think the Eels are setting an ambush to blow that damn mountain right out of the way. One little stone one little moment at a time.
Replies
Didn't we beat Penrith at BlueBet last year in round 9? Don't want to be that guy my apologies still a great blog and way better than i could ever do. Great work BE.
I have a good feeling on this one, backs to the wall again, Matterson has point to prove, we hate Penrith as a playing group.
We most certainly did LB , as i wrote we broke there winning home record in one of our finest wins of the season.
I see the typo your referring to. Perhaps its time i got benched. hahaha
Again i do not want to be that guy as this was a well done blog.
Absolutely outstanding blog mate, thanks for the time you took and the great read.
Ive said it for years, we are the type of group that play best when our backs are to the wall and we are copping criticism.
Its like we need the extra motivation to fire up, because without it we can get a bit flat and unmotivated.
Hopefully 3 losses will fire the lads up but i think we are in a slump and it will continue.
We just arnt playinjg like a team and seem to be lacking purpose and lacking leadership.
We are in a 100% grand final losing team slump, and finding it hard to get motivated.
We will turn it around, but who knows when.
yeah snakey - Cheers bud...... we could go 0-5 to start. What a story for the ages though to come back afterwards, i, like most Eels supporters value a real good ambush. I think its a real possibility. Love sticking it to my mates and would love sticking it to the rap listening, hand signaling mountain puss hhhmmmm men that tore our grandfinal run away from us.
Really top shelf first preview mate, thanks
Just to reiterate what Snakey Daz, BEM and co have said top blog, BE !
And thanks for helping out, mate. It's great to have other ideas and thoughts go into these weekly things.
I like your optimism and glass-half-full too. A good counterbalance for some of us middle-aged wet blankets (like me), hahaha.
Our defence (17th worst) and poor completion rates (15th third worst) reflect some attitude problems and cohesion issues, and perhaps even leadership issues at the club. We're also conceding a lot of metres (like last year). It's a small miracle we managed to stay in all three contests.
For me, it's all pointing towards mental, attitude and cohesion issues. And digging deeper, I'm not convinced our behind-the-scenes culture is all there.
After reading Snakey's comment, I remembered that great study done by Sam Walker (The Wall Street Journal’s deputy editor) of what makes good teams great. A study spanning tens of thousands of teams across all team sports from the 1880s. And he found a common denominator of great teams. It wasn't having a team of superstars or the best coach even.
It was having great leaders that "were willing to do whatever it took to help the team win, whether they got credit for it or not" to quote him.
Jack Lambert (Pittsburgh Steelers’ middle linebacker, "quarterback of the defense") was a great example. He had mongrel and made sacrifices for the team.
He purposely left blood on his jersey as a message to his team.
So, when you look at our leaders, and attitude in defence, it kind of makes you understand why we might have issues, regularly, and lack killer instinct as a team.
Exhibit A. Mitchell Moses. Our on-field general. The highest paid player in our club, soon to be one of the highest in the game. We've offered a great deal over 4 years. But, does the club or any of his team mates know if he's staying or going? He's had some good moments (last week) besides his very unreliable goal-kicking that has kicked us in the guts. But, what does he really want and what's he actually playing for now? Is it our club and jersery? Or just himself? If he wants the money go to the Tigers or Dolphins. Perhaps, his head is not all there, right now.
Exhibit B. Matterson. Refused to pay the fine and preferred almost one-month off (on full pay). In principle, of course. But, wait, he was rushed. Not clear headed perhaps. So, what happened to the principle? A mistake. He doesn't drink mind you. What about his team mates? He couldn't have chosen a worse time to take time off. We could go into Gutho's weaknesses and contractual games but, let's stop here.
What's the message he's giving to all our other players downstream? And the fact others accept all this as being okay, is another concern.
The other issue is mongrel and aggression, an important ingredient in highly successful teams. Great teams had mongrel and aggression. Do we have it? Manly seems to bully us at times in the game. Gibson spoke about have 6 or so tough nuts, as did Alex Ferguson who also talked about seeking out players who are "sore losers". I'd argue we're in short supply here for whatever reasons.
Even last year, our best in 13 years, we needed quite a few floggings and beltings to get our heads into gear from R23 (three weeks out from the finals). Right after a 26-0 R22 flogging from Souths (yet another one). So, the warning signs we there last year throughout the year. We might need to hit rock bottom, before we get our heads in the right zone.
In saying all that, and admitting we may not ever be that great team we all want that can reach the highest of pinnacles, but if we can adjust our attitude and cohesion, we can get our season on track.
Happy to help out. 👍
Nice post HOE The only thing I would add is "Controlled "mongrel and aggression lead by smarts. That is a one percenter we have not mastered by this coach. Once you get that right we will be a respected top 4
Outstanding loss of your preview virginity, Blue Eel.
As for Thursday night ... there are some key areas of obvious improvement needed by the Eels, but I worry their means toward improvement will render them sitting ducks.
1) Completion rates R1-R3 have been 80%, 73% and 64%. H2 completion rates have been 85%, 65% and 68%. The Eels need to complete above 80% to trouble the Panthers, but their execution has been poor, so they might stow any adventuroous play just to bump the completion rate? Panthers will strangle them out of the game if the Eels play predictably.
2) Moses' kicking = 57%. He is sacrificing points in close games (lost by 4 each game). Moses must convert better, but a poor kick chase or poor field position to put attacking kicks to Edwards (who has been vulnerable late in games against the Eels) will doom the Eels. Eels thus need to improve their kick pressure, kick return and kick defusal even if Moses improves his kicking, and this starts to sound like too much to do.
3) The Eels have missed 26, 25 and 27 tackles in first three rounds. They must increase their tackle intensity and stop missing so many. But possession swings challenge even the best defenses, so any big possession swing Panthers way is going to challenge what is again a porous defense. The Eels were 9th in defense in 2022, so can a defensive turnaround occur within a week if it has not over the off season?
4) The Eels have made 12, 14 and 12 errors. Less errors or Panthers will dine out. Full stop.
My head tells me 0-4 and I am glad Blue Eel had to put on the brave face this week. My heart says upset of course.
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