2021 Rd3: Eels v Sharks GAME DAY THREAD @ BankWest Stadium 27/3

[Generalzod]

Before Moses went off, I was frustrated that our shape still looked clunky. Tackle 4 and 5 plays are not even in the same ballpark as the bunnies. I know it’s hard when you compare with the best, but we struggle to put centres and wingers in space and the repeat set from grubber is an underused skill. It’s only when Gutho drops in that we are hitting the ball with pace and putting their edge on their heels.

I thought he had a great game Gutho, I like him as a player...Cronulla made the Eels work hard for that win.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I think hiney111 mentioned us and pace, Opacic is solid and a good squad member. Not sure permanent centre is the way to go with him. However if everyone else plays to their potential, then it wont matter as much. Though Peninisi may get a crack at some stage

was listening to a podcast or show this year, can’t remember which one. They basically mentioned the storm don’t spend much on centre’s, its where they try to save cap space. And they fill the spot with cheapies / players looking for opportunities

 

[strider]

was listening to a podcast or show this year, can’t remember which one. They basically mentioned the storm don’t spend much on centre’s, its where they try to save cap space. And they fill the spot with cheapies / players looking for opportunities

they do go through alot of centres ..... olam won't stay cheap too long - though maybe he enjoys his boating

 

[Eelementary]

What did everyone think of Niukore? At the game, I felt he was good defensively but not much in attack. He did do a flick pass for Blake 1st try.

I thought the opposite, tbh - he looked threatening in attack, but was [understandably] carved up on defence a few times.

 

[Soto]

What did everyone think of Niukore? At the game, I felt he was good defensively but not much in attack. He did do a flick pass for Blake 1st try.

Was also at the game and he was absolute menace and brute in attack. Many times took 2 and 3 players to bring him down. I know quite a few people around were commenting Waqa has lost his spot. Whilst I'm not quite convinced yet, Nuikore is an absolute beast who you wouldn't to tackle or be tackled by.
Sharks put Treacy on his side to beat him for pace. Tactically very good move but it didn't pay dividends like they would've hoped.
Nuikore can move, probably not as agile as Waqa but i think he has a better read of situations.

 

[strider]

I thought the opposite, tbh - he looked threatening in attack, but was [understandably] carved up on defence a few times.

He did a great job in the try .... but other than that I thought he basically played an edge forward role, ie ran hard at the defensive line hoping to break through .... I reckon had he been up against an opposition centre he might have actually barged through, but he ended up against another edge forward who had very solid defense cos the sharks had injuries ..... I'm not saying he played bad - he has been great filling in .... but I think we need someone else more suited to centre

 

[Joshuatheeel]

He did a great job in the try .... but other than that I thought he basically played an edge forward role, ie ran hard at the defensive line hoping to break through .... I reckon had he been up against an opposition centre he might have actually barged through, but he ended up against another edge forward who had very solid defense cos the sharks had injuries ..... I'm not saying he played bad - he has been great filling in .... but I think we need someone else more suited to centre

yep, his attack is basically run over the top of the opposition player. He isn’t really going use foot work / speed to create a 2 on 1 ...

 

[Hindmarshisgod2]

First game I missed in 30 years due to heavy intoxication.

Did BA do anything stupid?

 

[84 Baby]

First game I missed in 30 years due to heavy intoxication.

Did BA do anything stupid?

No but you did. That blonde with the massive cans you made out with had an equally massive Adam’s apple

 

[IFR33K]

I thought the opposite, tbh - he looked threatening in attack, but was [understandably] carved up on defence a few times.

Yeah he was threatening all night, looking to trample players. He’s fast becoming one of the better performing players. Yes he got beaten a couple times on the outside, but which centre hasn’t been beaten? That fergo try was a bit of brilliance by Marata.

 

[Glenn]

Early on when Cronulla were easily making meters, the forwards went missing in both attack and defense, and for three or four tackles it would be wingers or centers taking the hit ups. Thankfully Cronulla couldn't fully captialise on the field position they had early on.
Also with the loss of MM needed someone to step up and direct the side around the park. I was hoping Dylan would've stepped up, but worryingly seems to have regressed this season so far.

 

[Gary Gutful]

No but you did. That blonde with the massive cans you made out with had an equally massive Adam’s apple

I don’t know where you were looking but I saw two apples....and a banana!

 

[Eelementary]

Yeah he was threatening all night, looking to trample players. He’s fast becoming one of the better performing players. Yes he got beaten a couple times on the outside, but which centre hasn’t been beaten? That fergo try was a bit of brilliance by Marata.

Don't get me wrong - Marata was great.

But he was [understandably] beaten for pace, and agility, a few times last night.

Still - he was more threatening in attack than Waqa, and the great thing about Marata is that when he made contact, it stuck.

Too many times, Blake has gone to make a tackle, and fallen off at contact.

Niukore's hits stuck.

It's just that faster players caused him some trouble - which is understandable, given he is a forward playing centre.

 

[Twizzle]

My usual morning after ramblings.

I reckon Kafusi's PCM would be an impressive stat, same with Lane to a lesser extent, thought he made better than his usual metres last night

How good is Fergo when he gets some f**king ball, and how much better is our right side defense with Niokore at centre, and what a f**king game he had.

Be interesting to see what happens with the Windmill, you could not possibly take Niokore out of centre, NSW cup maybe, or back up winger perhaps ?

Reed and Gutho always in the votes, they are having a great year, they both stepped up with the kicking duties to cover for Mitch, and Smith wasn't too shabby, he really is improving for a back up utility player.

I reckon we got the best two running props in the NRL.

Sivo really needs to speed up his play the balls, I dont see any need for him to fake injuries on just about every tackle, man up son.

 

[yy_cheng]

Marata was awesome.

The try he setup he used footwork.

Its all relative and i thought his attack was better than the majority of waqas.

His defense was heaps better.

If you watch the other players when defending, they know they don't need to come him to help marata out.

When Waqa is there, fergo came in coz he never trusted that waqa would make the tackle.

Fergos form went down hill when waqa joined.

The mongrel that marata showed surely can replace nrown next year

 

[Hindmarshisgod2]

No but you did. That blonde with the massive cans you made out with had an equally massive Adam’s apple

I wish that was the worst of it

 

[yy_cheng]

The player who pisses me off now is drown

After that interview where he dais he can't focus during the game,

There have been so many simple drop balls from him in crucial field positions over the post few weeks that really stopped our momentum

 

[eels_fan]

The player who pisses me off now is drown

I agree. I think he’s started the year average at best. Even when we lost Moses he didn’t step up, it was Gutho and Smith who had to run the team.

I really looked forward to him kicking on this year and going up a level.

his defence is first class, and that’s great, but his attack has been poor to say the least. All he has is to run.

 

[Soren Lorenson]

The player who pisses me off now is drown

After that interview where he dais he can't focus during the game,

There have been so many simple drop balls from him in crucial field positions over the post few weeks that really stopped our momentum

Drowns defence has been 9.5/10 this year. Attack, only 6/10. No doubt he's got some improvement in him, but he's still better than most.

 

[Twizzle]