First of all, congratulation to the boys for beating the Dogs in what felt like the battle of the monsters (Mannah and Kasiano collision was massive). I just wanted to put in my review on the game (my two cents i guess). I look back at 2015 and always asked myself, would we have made the top 8 if we could grind teams out and put them to the sword the last 10-15 minutes and immediately know we couldn't.
However i look at our team this year and focusing primarily on the second and third game and immediately notice the big difference in defense. As a lot of people point out, defence wins you games. We were trapped on our line for a solid 5-8 minutes, however the boys kept fronting up and pushing into their face. We usually would break by the third repeat set. However we kept turning up for one another and we were rewarded with a try on the other end.
Looking at the backline and the difference between 2015 and 2016, you see class, you see weapons. Flash has given us something we were missing all year last year, his positional play is outstanding. Semi at his usual best and Jennings should us what they can do on that side. Taka as per usual delivers strong runs and tackles. Gutherson probably has a poor start to the season, though his game against Dogs was something else.
As for Foran and Norman, i am a believer in that Foran brought a new dimension out of Norman. He has given him the confidence and belief that he can achieve anything. I am starting to believe we can go a long way this year.
And now for the big boys. We will miss Paulo next season but damn how good are we looking in that department (WE WERE MISSING MANU). I seriously believe when Manu is back we are going to be a different side, a scarier one. The boys kept the line speed up and kept giving it to the most fearsome pack of the comp. No one shied away from a big run or a big hit. Big props to IDG for keeping that middle tight and offering what Peats gave us.
Go the EELS, this is the year of the Eel. BRING ON THE TIGERS.
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Good blog and you have summed it all up pretty well. Love the pic!
The Eels seem to have strike all over the field this year, and as I've been saying all off-season, with limited injuries and suspensions the Eels could be a top 4 side and will surely be a top 8 side.
Things are deffenently looking up at Parramatta, on the field anyway!