It shouldn’t surprise that Ricky Stuart has retained the same team that defeated the Broncos. I’m a big fan of rewarding wins, with players keeping their spot - it’s the type of mentality that helps you build a winning culture. But that aside, I think belatedly that Ricky Stuart has found a much better formula with his backline.
Jake Mullaney: Mullaney provides pace, which is something that Parramatta backlines have gone mostly without, for way too long. However, it’s absolutely pointless having Mullaney in the side, if we fail to execute basic backline sweeps because Mullaney’s the type of player that will run through a hole but he’s easy meat when marked up. Much like Luke Burt in past Eel’s sides, Mullaney’s performance will tend to be a result of the efforts of those players around him. The downside with Mullaney is his kick returns, which
Ken Sio and Vai Toutai: I’ve been an unabashed fan of both these boys all year, so I’m glad to see them reunited. Much like Ryan Morgan, I believe we’ve been through the tough period with Ken Sio and it’s all upside from here-on in. He’s suddenly become very solid under the high-ball and he’s an exceptional finisher. Vai Toutai helps balance this team in one key regards - outside of Jacob Loko he has the best second tackle run in the club, and that’s desperately needed with Mullaney at the back. Toutai’s tackle breaks and momentum on the bring back are key to us being able to work out of our own end. Vai’s still got a lot to learn and will face a much bigger test this week, with the Broncos knowing he’s in the side and likely to target him both defensively and with kicking.
Ryan Morgan and Ben Roberts: I’m sure Ryan Morgan actually started last week’s match on the wing outside Roberts, before swapping into the centres on the other side of the field. Anyhows, that observation aside, it’s difficult to argue that last week’s centre pairing was unequivocal success. Ben Roberts is an athlete - and as an athlete he goes well in the centres, with his ability to use his footwork. If I’ve got my sides right, Roberts is likely to line-up against David Stagg which is a much easier task than going head-to-head with Justin Hodges. As it is, having two experienced players in the centres is something the Eels have fielded far-too-rarely this year, and I think it will makes a massive difference to our defensive capabilities.
Jarryd Hayne and Luke Kelly: I’ve been on record as saying since Luke Kelly joined the club that these two are the best-balanced halves combination that the club has. For starters, I think they're probably the best two organisers in the side. Hayne’s authority as the side’s top player, means authority is placed back where it should be - in the halves, while Kelly is arguably the club’s best talker. Hayne’s brilliance means that Kelly doesn’t have to overplay his hand and throw face-balls which just aren’t his go. I believe their combination will grow as Kelly gets more comfortable playing with Hayne, and they’ll get the best out of our outside backs.
I’ve always believed that success in Rugby League is getting your balance right. Get the balance wrong, as we have with two many young players or poor communicators in our backline, and you’re always going to be up against it, particularly in defence. I see this backline as having probably the best balance of any we’ve fielded this year. Pace from the back, wingers that have strong ball-returns, experienced centres and our best pair of organisers in the halves - one steady and one flashy. There are defensive problems - Roberts is prone to fall-off tackles, and Vai Toutai and Ken Sio can both make poor decisions, but this isn’t a side that I see teams racking up 50 points against. Importantly, there are points in this backline too. It’s a backline that will probably conceded a few tries, but importantly there’s enough flair in the backline to score just as many. Which means we can compete. I’ve not felt like that for much of the year.
Replies
Mullaney was ten times the player he has been on Friday with Hayne in the halves. He's elusive as they come and when Hayne puts him in space, particularly as the result of a sweeping backline movement, he's shown he's equally adept to setting up tries as scoring them himself.
I agree re: Ben Roberts, he looked so dangerous every time he had the ball. I think he's far more effective as a runner and not a playmaker, as we've seen with some of his decision making and execution. When all he has to do is beat the defender, he's a totally different player. He played centre in his early years at the Dogs too if I'm not mistaken.
I like the idea of Kelly as half and Sandow as a super-sub, like QLD used to do with Cooper Cronk. Come on late in the half and fill in at dummy and just look for opportunities, also covering for injuries. He would have a field day with tired forwards looking toward half/full time. Plus Kelly provides a calm head and organisation that offsets Hayne's flair.
I'll seriously cry if Hayne plays out the rest of the year at five-eighth and then goes back to fullback.
Honestly, as a club the stability that we would get out of moving to five-eighth, finally gives you as a side a foundation to work from. Hayne takes over captaincy next year solo. Again, I've got massive issues with fullback as captain. When he's up in the line, getting his hands on the ball constantly, able to lead by example and authority, we'll finally get some leadership - which it is sounding like, he's finally up for.
I just don't see that you step up - say I'm the man - then go back to what I consider a less-important role.
So I refuse to answer your question, miatch.
Yeah but Norman was assured 6 jersey to move from broncos.
What I would do if I were Stuart is have Hayne on one side of the field Norman on the other with Sandow as the link man. It doesn't matter about numbers, put the 13 on Haynes back.
Having said that, Norman would be stupid (note, I do think Norman is stupid) if he didn't entertain the possibility of Hayne (who has played at 6 several times, including in a rep game, who's coach has said that 6 is his best position) would at some point opt to play at 6.
It will be interesting. Up until that game, I reckon he was only looking at ESL for a contract next year, but might be a few clubs that will consider him as a centre.
I think Norman has to prove he's a better half than our other options, but I think that is potentially what I'd like to see. How I view this matter is that I reckon it's pretty easy to match anyone up with Hayne. When I start thinking about the other options, all of a sudden I'm looking at weaknesses in their games and how they'll pair up together.
I would much rather wallace
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