I've long-felt that Parramatta's attack particularly once we hit the red zone is too predictable. More times on not, we go left - Moses to Brown, Lane on the short-ball, Gutherson sweeping around the back and hoping to pull in the centre, then throwing the cut-out to the winger. However, if you're prepared to stay man-on-man on that attacking pattern, it's all very predictable.
However, on the weekend you might have noticed we changed things up to great effect, Gutherson instead of sweeping, stayed on Brown's inside. I've often thought Parramatta do not do nearly as well as they should in supporting the many half-breaks that Brown makes. Not only that, but Gutherson's presence on Brown's inside resulted in the defence not sliding as hard as they might, knowing that there is an inside option looming. In fact, you'll see in the screenshot below how Brommich points at Gutherson and is no doubt screaming at his line to be wary of the threat.
The result is that the Storm lock pushes up to take away that passing option, leaving Brown one-on-one with Kaufusi who doesn't even lay a hand on him, and Hughes who was bracing himself to tackle Shauan Lane is off balance and an easy beat for Brown. Gutherson in that support role ins of course there for the inside try and we go in under the posts.
On the Eels second try, the Eels run a similar yet different shape. Again, Gutherson stays on his inside, but instead of Tom Opacic being the outball behind Shaun Lane, instead Opacic takes the flat run and Lane is the back ball. The Storm totally mis-read the entire play and Opacic's run draws all three defenders. Brown sums up the situation perfect, and given the starting position of Blake who is not even in picture below you can see this is an extremely well-rehearsed play.
Both of these plays are beautifully rehearsed - both given more responsibility to Dylan Brown and on both occassions he absolutely nails both plays. That's a great sign for Parramatta - it points to the fact that his decision making is very good and when you put that with his footballing skillset, I'm tipping Brown to have a monster year and to be in Dally M calcuations. It's also a great sign that perhaps the new recruits into the coaching team, have maybe brought with them some fresh ideas.
Indeed, I don't think I can remember game where Parramatta has such a deliberate game-plan as this did for this match. That attcked down the left and specifically Jerome Huges at every opportunity. When they did very rarely go right, Ice would often come underneath the ball carrier on an X run, which is a play that aims to suck the middle defenders to one side of the field, which I think was done to further open the ability to attack the left and bring these clearly rehearsed plays into action.
I can see Parramatta having a strongly favoured left side like Souths have tended to do, in recent years. At full-strength that side is Brown, Lane, Blake and Sivo which is a huge amount of attacking strike-power, with Gutherson as an option inside and out. The key to making that work is to having plenty of options so that even when a side knows your going to hit that side, they're still not quite sure what shape you are going to run. You would also have noticed that Parramatta is relying very heavily on using their middle forwards to pass the ball in the middle field. That's resulting in Moses sticking more predominatly to the right-side of the field. Right now, that right-side is far weaker than the left, with Moses, Papalii, Penisini and Simmonson. I think when Matterson comes back into the right second-rower role, it will give us more ability to create some shapes off that side but it does lend credence to the fact that the Eels are happy to build their season, rather than bringing out all of their tanks for the opening salvos.
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Great post TKBK. Very astute analysis.
100% Coryn.
Awesome post, TKBK. Great work. So good to see these kind of plays from the Eels & to see Dylan such a focal point in attack.
Coach Crack, you are a noisy little buttplug ain't ya.
Shake and bake bro
Don't waste your time with this fool
👍
Great observations tkbk. Good to see the Eels developing options and spreading the attack points.
Interesting insight into Brommich pointing to the trailing Gutherson, impressive defensive systems by the Storm.
Would be even more cool if Penisini pops up on the left now and then and really give the opposition something to think about.
He is like Jennings and I reckon he passes to his outside more than Jennings ever did.
His footwork would cause some trouble.
Even from a scrum. Take it on the far right and let Penisini float around.
Don't you love it when a player thinks run before passing! Thats what Dylan did to perfection! Dylan running across the field eyes up and locked in at hughes pefect use of his upper body strength - it's really the firsy time we've seen Dylan use deception,speed and strength! Also, the try assist was off the back of a slow play the ball after Jr was cannonballed, give us more Dylan!
I've always said his greatest strength is his running game. His playmaking will develop in time, but for now, run Dylan run.
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