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WHY EELS NEED TO CHANGE GAME STYLE TO ARREST FORM SLUMP
The Eels’ horror season continues, with Parramatta losing their fifth game in six matches after a 30-14 defeat to the hands of the Broncos.
To give Parra some credit, they definitely didn’t deserve to lose by 16 points, having shown plenty of good signs throughout the match, however, Brisbane’s class shined through in the end.
“They are so down on confidence. It is so low,” James Graham opined on Fox League after the game.
“They look like they are lacking in leadership as well.”
Halfback Mitch Moses (who is set to return next week) and fullback Clint Gutherson are two huge losses in terms of leadership.
Despite their absences, Corey Parker doesn’t think leadership is the issue at the Eels, but rather their game style and the inability to adapt.
“I think they have the right leadership in the key areas, but the style of play that they play for mine doesn’t cut it with the better sides for mine,” Parker said.
“While Brisbane weren’t there statistically on the scoreboard, when they got into a cycle and we saw the likes of Payne Haas, Brendan Piakura and the speed and athleticism that Brisbane were able to do through the middle, (Eels props) Ofangauhe and Paulo, they can’t keep up. That’s what it seems.
“It might be a legs tackle then it’s a quick play the ball, then there’s time and space on the edges for Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam... It all stems from the middle.
“We spoke about the confrontation that was going to be in the middle at the start of the game. It wasn’t there.
“You go back to the second half against the Dolphins in Darwin where they just absolutely capitulated, it was the speed of the ruck and the speed in which the Dolphins were able to pull apart the Parramatta team.
“Any team that gets the Eels into a cycle, you can just see it. One quick play the ball leads to another and all of a sudden, an avalanche.”
Yvonne Sampson then asked the panel why the Eels were being “left behind”, with Michael Ennis pointing to one reason.
“I think the big thing for them is that Brad Arthur and the recruitment team have gone with a big style of pack. And when you play with a big style of pack, you need to win field position so you can condense your defensive line and go after sides physically,” Ennis said.
“You hear Brad talk about that regularly. Winning the collision.
“When you don’t have Mitch Moses there to kick the ball 60 metres and put it in a corner, it leaves their forwards vulnerable. It really does and then all of a sudden the opposition side is kicking from 40-50 metres out, driving it long and big forwards have to get back behind the ball.
“As Corey said, every time sides are dragging them into a cycle at the moment, the Eels just can’t go with it.
“Tonight, Junior Paulo had 67 metres, (Ryan) Matterson 60 metres, (J’maine) Hopgood had 80 metres. You look at Payne Haas. He’s punching out 160-170 metres while Pat Carrigan is making 30-35 tackles and running for 140-150 metres as well.”
Foxsports
The Eels’ horror season continues, with Parramatta losing their fifth game in six matches after a 30-14 defeat to the hands of the Broncos.
To give Parra some credit, they definitely didn’t deserve to lose by 16 points, having shown plenty of good signs throughout the match, however, Brisbane’s class shined through in the end.
“They are so down on confidence. It is so low,” James Graham opined on Fox League after the game.
“They look like they are lacking in leadership as well.”
Halfback Mitch Moses (who is set to return next week) and fullback Clint Gutherson are two huge losses in terms of leadership.
Despite their absences, Corey Parker doesn’t think leadership is the issue at the Eels, but rather their game style and the inability to adapt.
“I think they have the right leadership in the key areas, but the style of play that they play for mine doesn’t cut it with the better sides for mine,” Parker said.
“While Brisbane weren’t there statistically on the scoreboard, when they got into a cycle and we saw the likes of Payne Haas, Brendan Piakura and the speed and athleticism that Brisbane were able to do through the middle, (Eels props) Ofangauhe and Paulo, they can’t keep up. That’s what it seems.
“It might be a legs tackle then it’s a quick play the ball, then there’s time and space on the edges for Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam... It all stems from the middle.
“We spoke about the confrontation that was going to be in the middle at the start of the game. It wasn’t there.
“You go back to the second half against the Dolphins in Darwin where they just absolutely capitulated, it was the speed of the ruck and the speed in which the Dolphins were able to pull apart the Parramatta team.
“Any team that gets the Eels into a cycle, you can just see it. One quick play the ball leads to another and all of a sudden, an avalanche.”
Yvonne Sampson then asked the panel why the Eels were being “left behind”, with Michael Ennis pointing to one reason.
“I think the big thing for them is that Brad Arthur and the recruitment team have gone with a big style of pack. And when you play with a big style of pack, you need to win field position so you can condense your defensive line and go after sides physically,” Ennis said.
“You hear Brad talk about that regularly. Winning the collision.
“When you don’t have Mitch Moses there to kick the ball 60 metres and put it in a corner, it leaves their forwards vulnerable. It really does and then all of a sudden the opposition side is kicking from 40-50 metres out, driving it long and big forwards have to get back behind the ball.
“As Corey said, every time sides are dragging them into a cycle at the moment, the Eels just can’t go with it.
“Tonight, Junior Paulo had 67 metres, (Ryan) Matterson 60 metres, (J’maine) Hopgood had 80 metres. You look at Payne Haas. He’s punching out 160-170 metres while Pat Carrigan is making 30-35 tackles and running for 140-150 metres as well.”
Foxsports
