Everything we know about Brad Arthur suggests he’s a no-nonsense type of guy and judging by his team selections for Round 1, that’s the style of football Parramatta will be focused on.
In all of his pre-season interviews, Arthur has made a point to talk about his expectations in defence and for the Eels to play tough and aggressively. If you look at the side he has picked that has flowed through his selections. Indeed, at almost every selection point he’s picked the bigger, more powerful player.
Hence, Semi Radradra and Vai Toutai win out over the smaller Ken Sio, Ryan Morgan and Justin Hunt. Hence, the inclusion of power second rowers Manu Ma’u, Kennedy Edwards, Kelepi Tanginoa and Peni Terepo over more workman-like back-row options. Ben Smith’s big body and heavy defence, no doubt stood him in good stead, too.
It would appear that Brad Arthur’s first objective is to win the collisions. An on-going criticism of Parramatta’s forward pack has been that while they have held their own, they have seldom dominated opposition packs. Go-forward has been something Parramatta seemed intent on stopping the opposition from achieving, rather than something they aspired to themselves.
Fuifui Moimoi’s selection in the starting pack over Darcy Lussick is further testament to that. Moimoi wins most every collision he enters and he sets a platform for the rest of the team to follow. Fui may be getting on, but judging by what appears to be Brad Arthur’s intent there will be no more important player for the Eels this year.
A lot has been made of the winger selections, but Radradra and Toutai will ensure the Eels get powerful starts to their sets. The Eels now boast a massive back three that we can expect to take the first three carries of every set from a kick return. Toutai is a work-in-progress but the unavailable Jacob Loko-aside there is no better player in the club to work the ball out of backfield from dummy half.
The fact that we carry these two big boys in our wing, probably explains the return to a more traditional 13 in Ken Edwards. The Eels had great success with Darcy Lussick playing as a third prop in the lock position, but when you’re looking to use your big backs for more of your hit-ups, it probably alleviates the need for that third prop. Between Smith, Ma’u and Edwards, the Eels have a few more options on the fringes than they had last season and all three are aggressive defenders.
Perhaps the most interesting selection, assuming we go with 1 to 17 is on the bench. Despite being used in the backrow last year, Peni Terepo’s role looks more likely to be as a prop as Arthur has selected only three genuine front rowers in Mannah, Moimoi and Lussick. That seems a little at odds with the general philosophy of the bigger the body the better, although Terepo does bring more power to his game than either Gower or Allgood.
We might also presume that Brad Arthur is hell-bent on establishing some stability and consistency in the halves. It emerged very early in the pre-season that Kelly would have first crack at the seven jersey and despite some strong performances from Chris Sandow, the more brilliant players has not been able to change Arthur’s thinking. Peats selection at the sole hooker, and the likelihood that he’ll play eighty minutes, again shows that Arthur wants to get his spine in place and work around that.
Attacking wise, I think we can look at Arthur’s preference for power runners as a strong indication of the type of structures we’ll be employing. Short-balls have been few and far between in Parramatta’s arsenal, but we saw the Eels score off a number of soft passes in the trials and I’m predicting that will be a feature of Parramatta’s attack. Arthur will be hoping that Parramatta’s fringe players can be intimidating enough to allow space for the likes of Hayne looping around the back and Hopoate and Tonga out wider. Again, that’s been a glaring short-coming of Parramatta’s attack in recent seasons, with almost zero penetration on the fringes. With Ma’u, Edwards and Tanginoa (and Smith close to the line) the Eels do have some power runners who will pose a threat of the short-ball and that should suit Kelly, as he seems far more comfortable with that kind of delivery than the flat faceball or longer cut-out pass.
Joseph Paulo’s inclusion can be viewed as a tick towards Arthur’s intent that when the Eels get into good field position they won’t be afraid to use the football. It will be interesting to see how Arthur manages a situation where he might have Hayne, Kelly, Paulo and Norman all on the field together as all of those players like to drop into a play-making role. While Paulo has his detractors, I maintain he’s one of the NRL’s most unique players and if used more effectively, he could be a point of differentiation for the Eel’s attack.
Tough physicality aiming towards earning a right to play some footy, looks to be where Arthur is aiming us towards. There doesn’t sound like there is going to be any rocket science about it, but the real test of Arthur’s coaching ability, will be whether his players can execute - an achievement that our last couple of coaches have fallen short of.
Replies
Good analysis and I have to agree re Arthur choosing size over skill. Particularly important against this weeks opponents.
I desperately hope that we have 5th tackle options this year as previous years we have been clueless often after a good set and platform laid by the forwards.
Nice Blog and I agree.
I am a little puzzled with Edwards at 13 what Paulo's role will be, it will be interesting to see but it almost feels like another trial for the 13 position. Maybe he will be a utility covering both Peats and Edwards??? Don't get me wrong I actually prefer Edwards to Paulo at lock.
I agree that Ma'u, Edwards and Terepo will surprise a few teams and fans thier power running will give us something we have not had in our toolbox in a number of years.
Size - tick
Execution - ????
If this side (which is probably one of the biggest back lines in the comp) can execute well and keep mistakes to a minimum they'll do OK. But as with any side, you make regular errors (like we have for the past few years) you WILL get scored against.
I agree with your analysis Phil, he's definitely chosen the biggest side he can. Seems he's raising the bar in that regard. (And I can't see Sandow making it back anytime soon with this rationale)
Thats a really good point on Sandow...
I think Ben Smith might make way for Sef Paulo later on in matches, and he'll play a role similar to that of Glenn Stewart.
Toutai is terrible he will have one good game in 20 and then 1eyed will sing his praises. I believe 1eyed and BA are getting special services from the man vai..
Paulo, Norman and Hayne can and have kicks goals.
Paulo actually has a better percentage than Sio at 75%, Norman and Hayne around 50% accuracy.
I really like this well written article 1eyedeel, as Parramatta supporters we mostly look at the glass half empty and always tend to take a negative approach to everything. It's certainly a tough gig being an Eels supporter, you become accustomed to disappointment.
In saying I am prepared to Brad a go, he has made some subtle yet suprising moves, I like the fact it shouldn't matter what your reputation brings, all players should be accountable for their efforts and he needs to make sure that everyone knows there are replacements if they don't perform, this is a must.
Time will ultimately tell as to whether or not he has made the right choices but at least we have some options, mediocrity will no longer be accepted, here's one Parra supporter who is hoping the only way is up, surely we can't get any worse, could we?
I think guys like mau, Edwards and terepo are crucial because not only are they strong powerful runners but it's their footwork at the line that will be a great asset especially Edwards. This should give us a new dimension to our play that we have been seriously lacking over the years.
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