Eels Attack Analysis

[Gary Gutful]

Please tell me a game where we were consistently throwing shape both left and right and it wasn't working. I want to watch it.

Don't take my word for it. Here's what Matty Johns has to say. He agrees with me that it doesnt work when they try it. I cant tell you which exact game or which exact moment but there are countless times where I've seen us play far too laterally (both left and right).

Matty Johns: Panthers test will tell us if Eels are the real deal in 2021​

The Eels are specialists at appearing to be contenders when the finals are on the horizon, but pretenders when the big moments come writes Matty Johns.

This is the important game of the season so far with a number of big storylines.
A Blue jersey is on the line, as is one team’s credibility.

PARRA AGAIN ARRIVES AT A CROSSROADS

In recent seasons the Parramatta Eels have given their fanatical, but long suffering fans hope.

In June the great Peter Wynn of Parramatta’s iconic Peter Wynn’s Score would be strolling the top end of Parramatta road, looking to test drive a bright new Jaguar, maybe a Merc, possibly a red-hot Ferrari, his sports store teaming with Eels fans, ‘Wally’ unable to keep up the demand for the blue and gold merchandise.

But by mid-July the racks are again full and Peter forced toward the second-hand models.

So here we are again.

In a short while the Finals will be in sight and the question is, will the Parramatta Eels elevate or slowly decline?

They must win Friday night.

They’ve got Penrith at a particularly good time. The loss of Nathan Cleary is an enormous factor, he’s been by far the best player in the competition and in recent weeks put on a couple of playmaking master classes.

Add to that the Panthers have five key men backing up from Sunday’s Origin. For these players it’s been a big month, both physically and emotionally.


On the flip side Parramatta’s June has consisted of two byes, a big victory over a Knights side smashed by injury, a huge win over the Tigers and a 26 point win over the Dogs.

It’s not hard to see who’ll have the fresh legs on Friday.

But read the fine print and this is where it gets tricky for Parra, those three big wins have been played on Sunday afternoons, and crucially against the Knights and Tigers the conditions fine and the ball dry.


This plays exactly to Parramatta’s strengths, speed and ball movement.

Friday night, in Penrith the conditions have so often been Parramatta’s kryptonite. Slippery, dewy surface, the ball greasy and difficult to push to the edges.

And Penrith will have a point to prove. They’ll be motivated by the challenge of playing without their brilliant halfback.

Jerome Luai will relish the role of chief playmaker and Matt Burton excited to be finally in the 6 jersey when the side isn’t decimated by State of Origin.

The Panthers will play really tough and test if the Eels can adjust their game to the conditions.

The Eels have a tendency, when under pressure, to play too sideways. I’m a fan of sideline to sideline football but that can only be achieved if you win the battle of the centrefield.

Parramatta need to play tough, Finals style football to win.

If they can’t beat Penrith Friday night, then I see Season 2021 as yet another false dawn.

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[JokerEel]

Our attack is based on Gutho if he is off that night we suffer...

Storm, Panthers, Sea Eagles are the only teams that can go up the middle with their forwards or swing it out and find space for their backs.

When we swing it wide our backs get no room to work.

 

[Noise]

The Eels have a tendency, when under pressure, to play too sideways. I’m a fan of sideline to sideline football but that can only be achieved if you win the battle of the centrefield.

Again, no specific examples but lets say Johns is correct and it's about winning the battle of the middle. We actually win the battle in the middle more often than not but we still don't play sideline to sideline football. We win the battle of the middle, make metres up field, get into attacking field position then work to the right post and shift left. Then come back for a kick.

 

[Delboy]

Just so everyone understands, this blog isn’t a bash the Eels etc! It’s how can we improve and what’s needed for the next step. The roster has moved in the right direction, the playing group appears united , but there is a need to get better, speed out wide would be handy and cohesive attacking structure and how to do that.

There is another forum to constantly bash everything Eels, go there at your peril.

 

[Gronk]

I don't believe we do enough training on attack.

My point is we don't focus on attack as much as we should and it shows.

Serious question: Have you ever been to training ?

 

[JokerEel]

Just so everyone understands, this blog isn’t a bash the Eels etc! It’s how can we improve and what’s needed for the next step. The roster has moved in the right direction, the playing group appears united , but there is a need to get better, speed out wide would be handy and cohesive attacking structure and how to do that.

There is another forum to constantly bash everything Eels, go there at your peril.

Drown & Moses need to be able to play on either side of the field.

If Gutho is not affective during the game have Drown more involved..

 

[hineyrulz]

You originally said we don't make any changes. Glad to see you've changed that view.

If you are suggesting that we should make changes every year, then I'm afraid I'd have to disagree with you on that one.

A change was only made when Gentle left and wasn’t replaced, BA took it on himself and after we were spoon bound a change was made. And we landed the much sort after Kidwell. And who’s asking for changes every year??

But our attack has been gash for a long time with the same long term attack coach surely it doesn’t take a genius to work it out ffs!! But it could just be our players are shit and lazy.

 

[TheRam]

We definitely need to look for something different, but another serious question for you to consider...

When we played Penrith 3 weeks ago and matched them 2 tries each, they scored their 2 tries from (1) a play that started at the right hand post, went right 2 passes and then a big missed tackle by Papali'i 10 metres out from the line and (2) a play that started near the left posts after a settler from Penrith and then shifted left 2 passes before a late offload found a support player who went past some lazy defence from Lane not following and closing the gap. Penrith had nothing in attack that we couldn't defend against, except for missing tackles.

Like my original post asked, is our attacking structure and plan really any different from anyone else or is it just execution?

Again, It is primarily execution and what to do depending on the situation. All teams play a similar game plan now a days compared to decades ago. Brian Smith was the last coach that played differently to others to suit his playing roster and opposition.

 

[Gronk]

A change was only made when Gentle left and wasn’t replaced, BA took it on himself and after we were spoon bound a change was made. And we landed the much sort after Kidwell. And who’s asking for changes every year??

But our attack has been gash for a long time with the same long term attack coach surely it doesn’t take a genius to work it out ffs!! But it could just be our players are shit and lazy.

Everyone said that Barrett was the reason why the Pennys were good and that they would fall in a heap when he left. Then Barrett the attack coach goes to his new club and bugger me why his new team isn't firing on all cylinders. How come ?

 

[hineyrulz]

Everyone said that Barrett was the reason why the Pennys were good and that they would fall in a heap when he left. Then Barrett the attack coach goes to his new club and bugger me why his new team isn't firing on all cylinders. How come ?

Ummm because the Dogs have the worst spine in the comp..........

 

[Eelementary]

This is a genuine question which might not go well on here, but here goes.

A lot of posters are ripping into our attack which I agree can always improve, however I am seriously wondering how different it actually is to the "top" teams in regards to how it is planned, not how it is executed.

When I look at the tries scored by the top 3 team last round, I see nothing different in "how" they are attacking, they just seem to be able to execute it better. They have more players pushing up in support, their individual passes stick more or are better directed, their players might be faster, the first player breaks the defensive line more, and they seem to execute at a faster pace. But the "shape", the "shifts", and the plan seems to me exactly the same as what we attempt to execute.

If this is the case, is it not then simply an issue with regard to our players and their individual skill and effort levels? Their ability to actually execute the play? Even the Dogs have a similar style of attack to the top 3, they just fail to execute well.

Spend the 12 minutes and have a look at these three highlights from last week's games. Tell me where there is something different from what we try and do that results in a try. Something that can be fixed by improved coaching that ISN'T related to the effort or skill of an individual player.

Match Highlights: Storm v Knights

The Storm and Knights face off during Round 18 of the 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership

www.nrl.com

Match Highlights: Rabbitohs v Bulldogs

The Rabbitohs and Bulldogs face off during Round 18 of the 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership

www.nrl.com

Match Highlights: Warriors v Panthers

The Warriors and Panthers face off in Round 18 of the 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership

www.nrl.com

As I said, this is a genuine question because I must be missing something as all I really see different is our players inability to execute at times (and when we do execute well, we score).

My two cents:

Something we do a lot in attack is panic, and go for a hail Mary - we will run it on the last, down the short side, when there is no space there; we will force the ball into Sivo's hands, when there are clearly defenders there to tackle him.

The team lacks composure, and instinct.

That is partially on the players, but partially on the coaching staff.

The Raiders last night were offside all game, and we kept trying to smash them up the middle - as a result, our middles got belted into submission.

Adjustments should have been made to spread the ball early.

Our offloads, and lines in attack, are also very, very predictable - again, this is a player issue, but also a coaching issue. It's the coaches' job to train the players to run the proper lines, offload properly, etc.

The players aren't executing, and they are robotic, and devoid of creativity, and feel for the game.

The coaches don't seem to know how to correct it.

 

[TheRam]

Oh I get that we need to try new things and I have no issue with changing the assistant coaches (or adding to them) but I don't see where out tactics are any different to anyone else.

Here's where I am coming from. If we swapped Waqa Blake with Justin Olam from the Storm, would we be a better side and score more tries with the same tactics? Storm shift it left, Olam gets the ball, beats the first defender and pops a pass to JAC who then scores - this is a consistent play for the Storm. Eels shift it left, Blake gets the ball, jinks, jumps, steps back inside and gets tackled while Sivo catches a cold.

The difference is that Olam is a fast little wrecking ball that can break tackles by running direct and over the top of players. Whereas Blake needs early ball for one on one situations to step and and beat his man. The Storm have the luxury of a outside back that can hurt defenders with the ball in the collision. But if they had Waqa in their team instead, they would make sure they gave him early and quick ball to isolate the defender. This is not so much tactics but knowing how to use the cattle you have to their fullest.

The overall tactics that the Storm play today would stay the same, but slight tweaks would be allowed for to suit the players in the quad. Having one different player in the backline would not change the teams overall tactics. And rest assured that whatever overall tactics Bellamy coached teams play with, you can guarantee that all the other NRL teams will eventually follow.

 

[Eelementary]

I am not sure I think are players aren't up to it - RCG (until recently) has been in career-best form; Brown, Gutherson, and Moses all played for NSW; Mahoney is the best 9 in the comp imo.

Ferguson has deficiencies, but is a try-scorer.

Sivo is a beast inside the 10m.

We have a talented squad on paper, but they are totally incapable of overcoming their adversities.

That points to a coaching issue, to me.

It's not solely on the coaches, but they seem (at least to me) unable to arrest the slide.

 

[TheRam]

Dumb.

We need a geezer who can also bring us more lemons FFS. Actually, preferably some oranges and nectarines as well.

A different coach isn't going to get this current squad performing much better than BA has. To improve further we need to improve our squad as well.

Of course we can do with some real speed, but short of that this roster is very talented and capable of much more then they are currently showing in attack.

We can agree to disagree mate. No shame in that.

 

[Eelementary]

Don't take my word for it. Here's what Matty Johns has to say. He agrees with me that it doesnt work when they try it. I cant tell you which exact game or which exact moment but there are countless times where I've seen us play far too laterally (both left and right).

Matty Johns: Panthers test will tell us if Eels are the real deal in 2021​

The Eels are specialists at appearing to be contenders when the finals are on the horizon, but pretenders when the big moments come writes Matty Johns.

This is the important game of the season so far with a number of big storylines.
A Blue jersey is on the line, as is one team’s credibility.

PARRA AGAIN ARRIVES AT A CROSSROADS

In recent seasons the Parramatta Eels have given their fanatical, but long suffering fans hope.

In June the great Peter Wynn of Parramatta’s iconic Peter Wynn’s Score would be strolling the top end of Parramatta road, looking to test drive a bright new Jaguar, maybe a Merc, possibly a red-hot Ferrari, his sports store teaming with Eels fans, ‘Wally’ unable to keep up the demand for the blue and gold merchandise.

But by mid-July the racks are again full and Peter forced toward the second-hand models.

So here we are again.

In a short while the Finals will be in sight and the question is, will the Parramatta Eels elevate or slowly decline?

They must win Friday night.

They’ve got Penrith at a particularly good time. The loss of Nathan Cleary is an enormous factor, he’s been by far the best player in the competition and in recent weeks put on a couple of playmaking master classes.

Add to that the Panthers have five key men backing up from Sunday’s Origin. For these players it’s been a big month, both physically and emotionally.


On the flip side Parramatta’s June has consisted of two byes, a big victory over a Knights side smashed by injury, a huge win over the Tigers and a 26 point win over the Dogs.

It’s not hard to see who’ll have the fresh legs on Friday.

But read the fine print and this is where it gets tricky for Parra, those three big wins have been played on Sunday afternoons, and crucially against the Knights and Tigers the conditions fine and the ball dry.


This plays exactly to Parramatta’s strengths, speed and ball movement.

Friday night, in Penrith the conditions have so often been Parramatta’s kryptonite. Slippery, dewy surface, the ball greasy and difficult to push to the edges.

And Penrith will have a point to prove. They’ll be motivated by the challenge of playing without their brilliant halfback.

Jerome Luai will relish the role of chief playmaker and Matt Burton excited to be finally in the 6 jersey when the side isn’t decimated by State of Origin.

The Panthers will play really tough and test if the Eels can adjust their game to the conditions.

The Eels have a tendency, when under pressure, to play too sideways. I’m a fan of sideline to sideline football but that can only be achieved if you win the battle of the centrefield.

Parramatta need to play tough, Finals style football to win.

If they can’t beat Penrith Friday night, then I see Season 2021 as yet another false dawn.

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The bolted bit is bang on.

We have some real footballers in this side - Moses, Paulo, Nathan Brown, Lane, and Matterson are all creative, and attacking players, but we tend to panic when we cannot score at will.

 

[Suitman]

My two cents:

Something we do a lot in attack is panic, and go for a hail Mary - we will run it on the last, down the short side, when there is no space there; we will force the ball into Sivo's hands, when there are clearly defenders there to tackle him.

The team lacks composure, and instinct.

That is partially on the players, but partially on the coaching staff.

The Raiders last night were offside all game, and we kept trying to smash them up the middle - as a result, our middles got belted into submission.

Adjustments should have been made to spread the ball early.

Our offloads, and lines in attack, are also very, very predictable - again, this is a player issue, but also a coaching issue. It's the coaches' job to train the players to run the proper lines, offload properly, etc.

The players aren't executing, and they are robotic, and devoid of creativity, and feel for the game.

The coaches don't seem to know how to correct it.

Best reply yet.

 

[Gronk]

Ummm because the Dogs have the worst spine in the comp..........

Maybe they just need better assistants ?

 

[Gary Gutful]

Again, no specific examples but lets say Johns is correct and it's about winning the battle of the middle. We actually win the battle in the middle more often than not but we still don't play sideline to sideline football. We win the battle of the middle, make metres up field, get into attacking field position then work to the right post and shift left. Then come back for a kick.

You seem hung up on specific examples, despite only ever using generalisations to describe your own points.

Here you go:

2020 Rd 6 v Roosters. There is a particularly good example in the 68th minute.

2020 Rd 14 v Dragons. Absolute pig of a game but pay close attention to how we play in the 2nd half. Side to side like a f**ken yo-yo when all we had to do was go through the f**ken middle!

2019 Rd 10 v Cowboys. I reckon we do it at least 4 times in the first half.

2019 Rd 13 v Sharks. I remember screaming at the telly during this game, begging them to stop.

 

[Gary Gutful]

And who’s asking for changes every year??

But our attack has been gash for a long time with the same long term attack coach surely it doesn’t take a genius to work it out ffs!! But it could just be our players are shit and lazy.

You were when you specifically asked me what changes had been made between 2020 to 2021.

Your starting point was that no changes had been made at all. At least your back on your predictable “It’s all the players fault” mantra…which no-one is f**king saying btw.

 

[JokerEel]

Moses as well as he follows the game plan Kick long pass early.

Needs to play more heads up football and take the line on / engage before passing.