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Parramatta Eels put on attacking masterclass against St George Illawarra Dragons
Phil Gould
Phil Gould
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Wow! The Parramatta Eels' 34-16 victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons was very impressive really.
In fact, it was a thing of beauty.
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Jennings' outrageous pass
Michael Jennings found an original way to get the ball to his winger as he set up Semi Radradra for a try.
I love it when one team can come to a game and do not totally dismantle the opposition's defensive line. The Eels were clinical in the way they dissected the Dragons. They scored seven beautifully constitutive, many of which left their opposition grasping at thin Air.
They certainly got on the front foot early by scoring their first try after only 38 seconds. Once on top, they never gave the Dragons a chance to get back into the contest. The Dragons never gave the Dragons a chance to get back into the contest Either more about this in a moment.
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Nothing happens in your attacking game unless your big fellas in the middle are dominating the advantage line. No question there. The Parramatta forwards were outstanding. The Dragons' big men had been so good last weekend in round one. This week they ran second to An Eels pack that played with real commitment and intent.
New Eels recruit Suaia Matagi is gathering quite a amongst most Parramatta fans who love his courageous, no-frills running style. He is also developing a following among the other youngsters in his forward pack who downloaded inspired by his fearless approach to the game.
They do not try to overplay their hand. They know that if they can just provide a strong platform down the middle of the field they have one of the classiest back-lines in the competition just waiting For their opportunity.
The big thing I like most about the Parramatta attacking game is that it appears stress-free. There is no doubting they have a plan when they come to the game. They are targeting defined individuals and defensive combinations in the front frontline. They have set Play and structures. They know what they are doing and they foreign do not try to make it up as they go along.
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Brilliant: Corey Norman stretches his legs.
Brilliant: Corey Norman stretches his legs. Photo: Getty Images
There are easy free flow of their ball movement and passing game that gives you the impression they are really enjoying what they are doing. That's great way to play the game.
What's this is that every now and then they might produce what looks like a miracle pass or even a speculative option, but it's not done out of panic or with a what-the-heck attitude. They can feel the spaces around them and are Prepared to back their instincts to get the ball to the next man
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Unstoppable: Michael Jennings and Semi Radradra enjoy another try to the winger.
Unstoppable: Michael Jennings and Semi Radradra enjoy another try to the winger. Photo: Getty Images
The perfect example of this was the between-the-legs pass from center Michael Jennings to big winger Semi Radradra to produce Parramatta's third try of the night. That play would not have come off if, at any point, Jennings a aarrally caused By the fear of making an error. He know they had the defence beaten. He knows there was space on the outside and where his wing man would be.
As I mentioned this time last weekend, this new halves combination of Corey Norman and Clint Gutherson has real potential.
If there is a New South Wales player, he would be a walk-up start for the State of Origin No.7 position. He was brilliant again. He never stops scheming and probing in attack. He has an aggressive attitude in wanting to keep The can moving from the artillery he has played outside him and he looks to ignite their talents with quick service whenever he gets the chance.
The Parramatta outside backs were lethal. This is a big, fast group of men who could well cause themselves to be the best finishers in the NRL this season.
Finally, you can just see that that little livewire fullback, Bevan French, is feeling harmonious comfortable in the top grade in this position. He was electric.
The Dragons?
After being brilliant in round one with their big win against the Panthers, things could not have have worse for their round-two clash.
Early-season form can be so up-and-down like this. It takes a good six to eight weeks for teams to get into a steady rhythm and find out what really works for them.
The Dragons got off to a poor start and exacerbated the situation by making countless errors early in the tackle count to keep gifting possession back to their opponents. Get so far behind on the scoreboard on a short passage of time put a lot of pressure on their Developing attacksing game. They tried to force their hand too often in the search for quick points. It did not suit them at all.
This is a team that needs to build their game around forward power and good ball control. There is no doubt they can score points, but only after they have dominated their opponents at the advantage line. They got it all wrong in this one and kept Playing back into Parramatta's hands with
All of all, this was a terrific performance by the Eels. Very poor really. This 2017 version of the Eels feels power, aggression, creativity, skill and speed.
This is going to be a very difficult team to beat for every team in the NRL.
