Eels best v Sharks

[bartman]

That's Perpignan, joining ESL in 2006. Next year they will still play in the French league under their UTC Catalan name before forming the elite squad that goes up to Super League. Players are trying to get their noses in early by signing with UTC for next season.

 

[yy_cheng]

Bartman, if you have broadband, you can watch in on nrl.com.au under the video gallery

 

[yy_cheng]

Brian has always said that Webster was the smartest player at parra.

I couldn't believe our backline movements and some set plays as well.

 

[bartman]

Ta YY, usually you have to wait 48 hours for them to put it up there...

Ooh! Just checked, it's there already!! And it's still Sunday here, so it can be my feature viewing tonight...

 

[bartman]

Just watched the game on the NRL site - the earliest I've got to see a non-Uk televised game yet! Good performance by all!!

For mine, Hindmarsh was great, just non-stop. Thorman impressed, always had a go and tried (successfully) some interesting things in attack. Between him and Witt we always had a last tackle option, and they both made key tackles at times. Petersen did very well, and Hopkins and Webster were impressive too.

 

[The Colonel]

I don't know about anyone else but I thought Corey Pearson had a good game tonight as well - he actually stayed out of halfback :lol: and more seriously took thye ball up to the line. His offloads were dangerous for the opposition at times creating plenty of second phase of which there has been a lack this year.

 

[Utey]

Thats been our biggest demise, not being able to create second phase plays. We miss solomona becuase of his uncanny ability to offload. 2001 was highlighted by these 2nd phase plays.

 

[yy_cheng]

Tsoulos I think has now taken over from solomona and he is better than SOlo in defense.

We are missing Cayless as well who provides alot of second phase play.

However, Vella, hindmarsh and widders have been unable to offload this year.

 

[Utey]

Tsoulos is young and maybe pass 5/10 passes which maybe rushed or not needed. But he looks uninjured again and i like the look of the depth of our pack if they stay uninjured.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

Witt was completely overshadowed by Thorman, thorman & Hindmarsh were our best.

My prediction of Webster a must in Firsts also payed off, Peterson & Burt also had blinders.

 

[The Colonel]

Witt was completely overshadowed by Thorman, thorman & Hindmarsh were our best.

Individually Thorman overshadowed Witt. Witt however was able to do what he is capable of and that was organise. Witt's kicking game, in fact both their kicking games, should receive much credit for the win as well.

 

[True EEL]

well i have said all year that Thorman should be playing 5/8 and not halfback, as this is where he is better suited to use his running and short passing game

pity he has been stuffed around all year and is going back to the ESL???

and Michael Witt played well in a good organising game even though Thorman did start to dominate calls and plays in the second half

was just pleasing to see Witt allowed to play halfback and Thorman allowed to play 5/8 and for them to gel to a degree and us have a good game and even win

 

[Parraren]

Spot on Colonel. This is probably why the Witt/Thorman combination has not worked very well in the past in First Grade because Thorman was given the job of organising at halfback which he struggles with. Thorman is more of a ball runner and Witt is definitely the better organiser of the two. The game v Sharks was the first time they were switched around with Witt playing half & Thorman slotting in at 5/8th and it worked a treat. It's a pity it wasn't tried earlier in the season.

It will be interesting to see if Thorman is retained at 5/8th this week if Dykes is fit to play?

 

[True EEL]

as i said, if this combo had been given a chance at the start of the year (as preeched by myself and others constantly) perhaps things could have turned out better

perhaps.......Eels having a better season, Thorman and Witt improving their games and Thorman developing as a player and wanting to stay in the NRL?????

 

[oldmancraigy]

True Eel - I reckon that if they'd played together all year we would've won at least 1 more game - they've both been pretty well fit all year, so they would have a great combination up by now.... and if we only had 1 more win then we'd be looking down the barrel at the top 8....