Eels, it's time to stand up
Phil Gould | August 9, 2009
How the hell are Parramatta still in contention for the finals? Every year the NRL's top-eight finals system rewards mediocrity.
With a record of only eight wins and 10 losses for the season so far; and a negative for-and-against differential of 78, the Eels do not deserve to be a semi-final team - not yet, anyway.
As there are still five matches to go in the regular season, I guess there is still time for them to justify their place among the best sides in the competition. However, it's absolutely ridiculous that a team can perform as the Eels have done for most of the year and still find itself in with a chance of competing in September.
If you examine their week-by-week performances since round one of the competition, it shows a textbook example of inconsistency. Some of their performances have been downright terrible. Occasionally they give us a glimpse of their true colours but these bright moments have been few and far between.
Only in the past two weeks of football have the Eels displayed anywhere near their true potential. If they can maintain this level for the next five weeks, then perhaps we can stomach them as a finals team.
Their upset win over the Bulldogs a fortnight ago came right out of the blue. On that occasion they played with a passion and commitment that has been lacking in most of their performances for the past two years.
They backed it up with a good win against the Sharks last week at Toyota Stadium, keeping the Cronulla side to zero while comfortably scoring 30 points of their own. But, let's be honest, the Sharks are heavily under-manned at the moment and are running equal last in the competition. It's hardly a good guide when assessing whether or not this represents consistency of effort from the Eels.
We will know more after today's match against the Knights at Parramatta Stadium. We will also get a guide as to whether the Eels' fans are ready to get behind this late-season charge at the play-offs. Their home crowds have been very disappointing this season. If the Eels have truly captured the imagination of the old Blue and Gold army, then there's no excuse for there not to be a healthy show of support for the local boys when they strut their stuff this afternoon.
ANDERSON, HINDMARSH, HAYNE AND MORTIMER
Parramatta would not find themselves in this current position if not for the outstanding contributions of coach Daniel Anderson, Nathan Hindmarsh, player-of-the-moment Jarryd Hayne and rookie-of-the-year Daniel Mortimer.
At the start of the season, I wrote that Anderson had his work cut out trying to turn this club around. The Eels had lost a number of experienced players since last season and had been quite inactive in the player market to replace them.
Added to this, Anderson had to change what I saw as a ''pub team'' mentality that had eroded the quality, resolve and consistency of this very talented group of footballers.
As the week-by-week results have shown, Anderson has taken over half the season to get attitudes in check and have this side playing to its potential.
His own demeanour has been equally impressive. He looks far more confident these days. His stint and tremendous success enjoyed over in the English Super League have done him wonders in the way he speaks and presents himself. He has looked and sounded like a man in control, even during the times when his team has been poor. He exudes leadership and players soon respond.
Hindmarsh leads by example and has been a shining light for his side for several seasons now. This man not only should have been first picked for NSW State of Origin this year, but he should have been NSW captain. I still can't believe they left him out.
Hindmarsh represents everything Origin football demands and the Blues were poorer for his absence in this year's losing series. In my last year as NSW coach in 2004, I saw Hindmarsh grow in stature during that series and some of the things he did for the team during preparations for that winning series had me convinced this man would one day lead his State. These are the things selectors and fans never see.
Hindmarsh has again held Parramatta together during the tough times to give them this late-season chance at glory.
Jarryd Hayne has experienced the highs and lows of professional football. He is on top of his game at the moment and easily one of the most influential players in the NRL. Quite simply, he makes things happen.
When he first arrived in the top grade at the Eels, I regularly stated he had been one of the most impressive lower grade and junior rep players I'd ever seen. His impact in first grade was immediate, giving all who witnessed a real indication of his potential.
As is the case with many young players, early success is soon blunted as they come to terms with the grinding examination the NRL provides, plus the notoriety, publicity and scrutiny that comes with being a high-profile footballer. From a distance it appeared Hayne had lost his way and I even questioned whether this talented young man had fallen out of love with the game.
Ever since he represented Fiji in the World Cup last season, Hayne has become a very different person. His form has been outstanding this season. I don't need to elaborate. You've seen it for yourselves.
Hayne is the man at Parramatta these days and he's their best chance of winning enough games to qualify for finals football.
Don't underestimate the effect Daniel Mortimer has had on the mentality of this Parramatta team in the back half of the season, either.
Sometimes it takes the unbridled passion and enthusiasm of a rookie to wake the senior players from their slumber and remind them why they really play this great game.
Mortimer is not only a talent but his enthusiasm also has been infectious. Anderson has been smart in playing him at five-eighth, so this promising youngster is not burdened with the responsibility of steering this team around the park at such a tender age. Instead, playing at No.6, Mortimer has been allowed to concentrate purely on support play and capitalising on the good work of others. He has also shown us the ''Mortimer'' flair with his occasional chip-and-chase routines but primarily this bloke has excited his teammates and given them a new lease on their football lives.
In time he will wear the No.7 jersey and it looks as if he will be a good 'un!
CONCLUSION
As yet Parramatta have not done enough to deserve a place in finals football. However, there is a time in every season when, as a team and as individuals, players need to stand up and make a statement about who they are and what they believe in.
For the 2009 Parramatta Eels, that time has come. Today is the day. No excuses.
