The Colonel
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Next year - a Parramatta supporter’s favourite saying since 1986 - is at great debate at the present moment. There are plenty of questions that need to be asked about the coming year and exactly how they will be answered will only be known in time. However, we can draw conclusions to some or many of these questions based on what we already know.
Can Brian Smith take the team to that next level after failing so many times in the past?
There are doubts over Smith’s abilities to take the Eels to the top. Having been close on so many occasions previously the question is warranted and needs to be answered and soon. Smith has chosen teams in the past that rely on talented players and hard workers mixed with rejects from other clubs. Simply put Brian Smith creates champion teams. Unusually Smith has never coached a team that possesses an out and out superstar the likes of Andrew Johns, Allan Langer, Brad Fittler and Laurie Daley. It has ultimately been the undoing of him – Andrew Johns in 2001 and Allan Langer in 1992 and 1993 lead their teams to Grand Final victory over the top of, on paper at least, the better team. Parramatta were undoubtedly the champion team of 2001 looking at the games won, tries scored and conceded and so on. However on the day the Eels fell at the final hurdle. With the emergence of Witt, the signing of Thorman and the likes of Cayless, Hindmarsh and Lyon by his side he may have players that can finally topple this wall he meets each time he makes a grand final.
The biggest question facing Brian Smith at the moment is whether he has been to long at the helm of the Eels. The team has looked stale over the past few years and seem to be at least one year behind the rest of the top four teams who are using bigger forwards and trying to dominate around the rucks. Smith has been relying on the mobile and more skillful forwards to make the room with quick play the balls. He has apparently seen the error of his ways and is trying to catch up with the addition of big and ugly forwards while still trying to retain the skilled players. He now seems to have the team he wants and believes can go the next step.
However, another poor performance next year could see a new coach in 2005. There should be no more excuses from the club or the coach as to why we missed out again.
Has the club signed the right players?
A lot of people have questioned the signing of veteran forward Corey Pearson, inexperienced prop Aaron Cannings, Shane Muspratt, Chris Muckert, Craig Stapleton, Wade McKinnon, Eric Grothe Jr, English import Chris Thorman, Wise Kativerata and in particular Fui Fui Moi Moi. The players that are leaving the club – Daniel Heckenberg, Alex Chan and Shayne Dunley – have all been proven and honest performers. The form of both Dunley and Heckenberg this year has seen them as two of the more consistent performers in a poor season. Why then is the club not resigning them? As their worth has improved on an open market it seems the club has seen better value in signing fringe players from other clubs to bolster the playing ranks. With players probably looking to upgrade or re-sign in the not to distant future it is probably a wise move to sign some players that may not impact as heavily on the salary cap as Heckenberg and Dunley may well have.
The signings of Cannings, Thorman and Eric Grothe are particularly exciting. Thorman is probably the best signing of all and could lead to the foundation of a scrum base partnership that could rival the likes of Daley and Stuart, Walters and Langer and even probably the greatest in Kenny and Sterling. It also adds competition to the five-eight position that has not been seen at the club for some time. Adam Dykes has shown some great form towards the end of the 2003 season that could well place him in the starting job next year. However, having to look over his shoulder at Thorman will hopefully excel him to the bigger and better things that were expected when he first joined.
Eric Grothe Jr in full flight. Just think back to that first try against Wests on his debut, the cracking tries against the Panthers later in the season. If he can return to anywhere near that form and have the right sort commitment the fans will be standing in their seats many games next year the same way his father did. He wants to work hard and his return seems to point to the fact he isn’t concerned about living in his fathers shadow.
Cannings is a player of the future. Big, strong and athletic he can steamroll oppositions with his big frame. Against a tiring defence he will be particularly hard to handle. His fitness needs to improve for a starting role but once it does he will be another exciting player to watch.
Stapleton, Muckert and Muspratt have all had consistent years at their respective clubs. They will add depth and should push for a first grade position. They will hopefully also add some much needed competition and enthusiasm.
Is Michael Witt the answer at number seven?
Anyone who saw this kid slot the kick from the sideline against the Cowboys will be excited about the prospects of a full year in the number seven jersey for this kid. With so many halfbacks come and gone between him and Peter Sterling, arguably the greatest halfback of his era, he has the poise and maturity to be the next long term halfback at the Eels.
The highlight in this writer’s opinion was however when he stood toe to toe with Penrith prop Martin Lang showing he won’t take a backward step to anyone.
Is the current squad good enough?
Hindmarsh, Cayless, Morris, Witt, Vaealiki, Burt, Dykes, Hopkins and Wagon should compose the core of the first grade squad next year. The wing positions and bench spots will be the most contested. With added competition for first grade positions the remaining spots will be fiercely contested.
The lock position will be the most keenly fought position. Wagon has had a mortgage on the spot for some time. With the addition of Muckert, Muspratt and the rise of Ryan Hinchcliffe It would not be surprising to see an entirely different makeup to the back row. Wagon’s ability to play a number of positions could see him a prime candidate for a bench position and the likes of Muspratt, Hinchcliffe or even Hopkins used in the thirteen jumper.
With Hindmarsh an institution in the number eleven jersey his partner could also be a surprise with hints that the captain Nathan Cayless could be moved there to accommodate a front row rotation of Tsoulos, Vella, Pearson, Peek, Stapleton and Cannings. The back row has so much depth with Hindmarsh, Hopkins, Wagon, Widders and Armit joined by Muckert, Muspratt and juniors McMillan and Hinchcliffe.
The backline could also be different with the return from injury of Luke Burt and the addition Chris Thorman, Eric Grothe, Wade McKinnon, Wise Kativerata and Ronald Prince. With Jamie Lyon and David Vaealiki already firmly entrenched in the centres and Michael Witt taking out a mortgage on the number seven jumper the competition will be fierce for the fullback, wing and five-eight positions. Graham and Burt should contest the role of custodian and whoever misses out at number one should find a position on the flank in the number two jersey. Matt Petersen should have first crack at the other wing but could face stiff competition from Grothe, Kativerata and talented newcomer John Williams.
Whoever misses out at number six between Dykes and Thorman should still be in the seventeen-man squad each week to add some impact off the bench.
The emergence of Michael Witt and the addition of Thorman and a fit Dykes coupled with the rise and rise of Jamie Lyon and Nathan Hindmarsh all brought together under the captaincy of Nathan Cayless point towards a 2004 revival by the Eels. Barring injury the top four should be given a real shake. However the team and Brian Smith must overcome the tendency of falling at the final hurdle. If they can do that the team could once again return to the good old days where Parramatta stood tall at the top.
Can Brian Smith take the team to that next level after failing so many times in the past?
There are doubts over Smith’s abilities to take the Eels to the top. Having been close on so many occasions previously the question is warranted and needs to be answered and soon. Smith has chosen teams in the past that rely on talented players and hard workers mixed with rejects from other clubs. Simply put Brian Smith creates champion teams. Unusually Smith has never coached a team that possesses an out and out superstar the likes of Andrew Johns, Allan Langer, Brad Fittler and Laurie Daley. It has ultimately been the undoing of him – Andrew Johns in 2001 and Allan Langer in 1992 and 1993 lead their teams to Grand Final victory over the top of, on paper at least, the better team. Parramatta were undoubtedly the champion team of 2001 looking at the games won, tries scored and conceded and so on. However on the day the Eels fell at the final hurdle. With the emergence of Witt, the signing of Thorman and the likes of Cayless, Hindmarsh and Lyon by his side he may have players that can finally topple this wall he meets each time he makes a grand final.
The biggest question facing Brian Smith at the moment is whether he has been to long at the helm of the Eels. The team has looked stale over the past few years and seem to be at least one year behind the rest of the top four teams who are using bigger forwards and trying to dominate around the rucks. Smith has been relying on the mobile and more skillful forwards to make the room with quick play the balls. He has apparently seen the error of his ways and is trying to catch up with the addition of big and ugly forwards while still trying to retain the skilled players. He now seems to have the team he wants and believes can go the next step.
However, another poor performance next year could see a new coach in 2005. There should be no more excuses from the club or the coach as to why we missed out again.
Has the club signed the right players?
A lot of people have questioned the signing of veteran forward Corey Pearson, inexperienced prop Aaron Cannings, Shane Muspratt, Chris Muckert, Craig Stapleton, Wade McKinnon, Eric Grothe Jr, English import Chris Thorman, Wise Kativerata and in particular Fui Fui Moi Moi. The players that are leaving the club – Daniel Heckenberg, Alex Chan and Shayne Dunley – have all been proven and honest performers. The form of both Dunley and Heckenberg this year has seen them as two of the more consistent performers in a poor season. Why then is the club not resigning them? As their worth has improved on an open market it seems the club has seen better value in signing fringe players from other clubs to bolster the playing ranks. With players probably looking to upgrade or re-sign in the not to distant future it is probably a wise move to sign some players that may not impact as heavily on the salary cap as Heckenberg and Dunley may well have.
The signings of Cannings, Thorman and Eric Grothe are particularly exciting. Thorman is probably the best signing of all and could lead to the foundation of a scrum base partnership that could rival the likes of Daley and Stuart, Walters and Langer and even probably the greatest in Kenny and Sterling. It also adds competition to the five-eight position that has not been seen at the club for some time. Adam Dykes has shown some great form towards the end of the 2003 season that could well place him in the starting job next year. However, having to look over his shoulder at Thorman will hopefully excel him to the bigger and better things that were expected when he first joined.
Eric Grothe Jr in full flight. Just think back to that first try against Wests on his debut, the cracking tries against the Panthers later in the season. If he can return to anywhere near that form and have the right sort commitment the fans will be standing in their seats many games next year the same way his father did. He wants to work hard and his return seems to point to the fact he isn’t concerned about living in his fathers shadow.
Cannings is a player of the future. Big, strong and athletic he can steamroll oppositions with his big frame. Against a tiring defence he will be particularly hard to handle. His fitness needs to improve for a starting role but once it does he will be another exciting player to watch.
Stapleton, Muckert and Muspratt have all had consistent years at their respective clubs. They will add depth and should push for a first grade position. They will hopefully also add some much needed competition and enthusiasm.
Is Michael Witt the answer at number seven?
Anyone who saw this kid slot the kick from the sideline against the Cowboys will be excited about the prospects of a full year in the number seven jersey for this kid. With so many halfbacks come and gone between him and Peter Sterling, arguably the greatest halfback of his era, he has the poise and maturity to be the next long term halfback at the Eels.
The highlight in this writer’s opinion was however when he stood toe to toe with Penrith prop Martin Lang showing he won’t take a backward step to anyone.
Is the current squad good enough?
Hindmarsh, Cayless, Morris, Witt, Vaealiki, Burt, Dykes, Hopkins and Wagon should compose the core of the first grade squad next year. The wing positions and bench spots will be the most contested. With added competition for first grade positions the remaining spots will be fiercely contested.
The lock position will be the most keenly fought position. Wagon has had a mortgage on the spot for some time. With the addition of Muckert, Muspratt and the rise of Ryan Hinchcliffe It would not be surprising to see an entirely different makeup to the back row. Wagon’s ability to play a number of positions could see him a prime candidate for a bench position and the likes of Muspratt, Hinchcliffe or even Hopkins used in the thirteen jumper.
With Hindmarsh an institution in the number eleven jersey his partner could also be a surprise with hints that the captain Nathan Cayless could be moved there to accommodate a front row rotation of Tsoulos, Vella, Pearson, Peek, Stapleton and Cannings. The back row has so much depth with Hindmarsh, Hopkins, Wagon, Widders and Armit joined by Muckert, Muspratt and juniors McMillan and Hinchcliffe.
The backline could also be different with the return from injury of Luke Burt and the addition Chris Thorman, Eric Grothe, Wade McKinnon, Wise Kativerata and Ronald Prince. With Jamie Lyon and David Vaealiki already firmly entrenched in the centres and Michael Witt taking out a mortgage on the number seven jumper the competition will be fierce for the fullback, wing and five-eight positions. Graham and Burt should contest the role of custodian and whoever misses out at number one should find a position on the flank in the number two jersey. Matt Petersen should have first crack at the other wing but could face stiff competition from Grothe, Kativerata and talented newcomer John Williams.
Whoever misses out at number six between Dykes and Thorman should still be in the seventeen-man squad each week to add some impact off the bench.
The emergence of Michael Witt and the addition of Thorman and a fit Dykes coupled with the rise and rise of Jamie Lyon and Nathan Hindmarsh all brought together under the captaincy of Nathan Cayless point towards a 2004 revival by the Eels. Barring injury the top four should be given a real shake. However the team and Brian Smith must overcome the tendency of falling at the final hurdle. If they can do that the team could once again return to the good old days where Parramatta stood tall at the top.
