PARRAMATTA’S Auckland Nines win was a nice tonic to start the season and it’s clear this team will improve, it’s just a matter of how much? Like Manly and the Warriors, Parramatta have recruited brilliantly.
If I had to pick one player in the NRL to play for my life it would be Kieran Foran. Kieran is one of the game’s toughest competitors, very talented and no playmaker plays straighter.
But this move is a big challenge for Foran because he is now the central playmaker. At Manly, while he played his fair share of first receiver, essentially he was like a traditional No.6, with DCE mostly pushing the side around the park. Kieran complemented Daly’s work, either with ball playing or as a runner of the football.
Even in these days of No.7s and No.6s splitting and playing right or left side, there remains a chief ball handler and Foran is now that for the Eels. Corey Norman was fabulous in the Nines and will be crucial in taking creative pressure off Foran. For Kieran to be the player Parra hope him to be, a strong and creative deputy is essential.
The buy of Beau Scott is a beauty. He’ll show the young Eels forwards what consistency is all about. Michael Gordon is a proven performer and a goalkicker who’ll kick at close enough to 90 per cent.
Clint Gutherson and Cameron King are very good young footballers. Gutherson’s versatility and talent are pluses for the backline, while King is an explosive dummy-half who just needs a year without injury.
The late pick-up of Michael Jennings is the icing on the cake. Jennings is still one of the most elusive players in rugby league and will give Parramatta that much-needed attacking reliability when a big play is needed.
The Eels lack depth up front and that really concerns me. Regardless of the attacking talent, you need your front row to dominate the middle third of the field.
The Eels will undoubtedly improve, but so will a number of sides who missed the eight last year. While the Eels will have some great moments, they are still in the process of building the squad.
MY TIP: 11TH
New Parramatta Eels signing Michael Jennings talks to Tim Mannah and Michael Gordon.
BEST 13
1 Michael Gordon 2 Semi Radradra 3 Michael Jennings 4 Brad Takairangi 5 Clinton Gutherson 6 Corey Norman 7 Kieran Foran 8 Danny Wicks 9 Nathan Peats 10 Tim Mannah 11 Manu Ma’u 12 Beau Scott 13 Anthony Watmough. Interchange: 14 David Gower 15 Tepai Moeroa 16 Isaac De Gois 17 Kenny Edwards.
