Will EvansSeason Preview 2009 - Parramatta Eels
March 4th 2009 08:11
Parramatta Eels
After their stunning late-season charge in 2007, the Eels were picked by all and sundry to be one of the top sides to challenge Melbourne's supremacy last year. But along with the Cowboys, they were the flops of 2008. After off-field controversies involving their young stars early in the year, Parramatta's season of promise was mired in inconsistency. A new coach in Daniel Anderson has sparked renewed enthusiasm at the west Sydney club, but he needs their misfiring youngsters to rebound for the Eels to return to contender status in 2009.
Strengths: Individual brilliance. Jarryd Hayne, Krisnan Inu and Feleti Mateo are among the most gifted footballers in the NRL, and have several other potential matchwinners around them. Halfback Brett Finch is the glue holding the cluib together and is far more valuable to the Eels than he is given credit for. There were calls for Nathan Cayless to relinquish the captaincy after several years of disappointing finishes, but his confidence in his ability to lead will be through the roof after taking NZ to World Cup glory, and his guidance should be a feature of the club's 2009 campaign.
Weaknesses: Depth could be a problem after an almost non-existent recruitment drive. Plenty of experience has been lost in the forwards with the departure of Mark Riddell, Chad Robinson and Daniel Wagon, while the loss of impressive rookie Tony Williams was a major blow. Parra will rely heavily on untried forwards stepping up to the mark this year.
Recruitment: Woeful. Cronulla rake Kevin Kingston is their only signing of note, but he only played games for the Sharks in 2008 and doesn't offer the variety and robustness of Riddell.
Youth brigade: The development of Parramatta's recently blooded players is one of the keys to their season. Forwards Weller Hauraki, Brendan Oake and Junior Paulo need to take their game to another level in 2009. Solid winger Taulima Tautai was one of the unsung rookies of last season and one of the Eels' most consistent. Internationals Hayne and Inu, both only 21, will shoulder plenty of responsibility. while there are big wraps on 2008 Toyota Cup captain and Junior Kangaroo prop Tim Mannah.
Rep drain: Cayless will skipper the Kiwis again and could be joined for the Anzac Test by Inu and Fuifui Moimoi. Hayne and Mateo will be pressing hard for NSW selection, while 2009 represents club legend Nathan Hindmarsh's final opportunity to play at the elite level.
X-factor: Anderson is expected to pitch Jarryd Hayne into the No. 6 jersey. If the move pays off, Hayne's combination with halfback and Mateo at lock could prove to be the most dangerous scrumbase trio in the NRL. Mateo was one of the stars of the 2008 premiership, Finch is a great team player, and Hayne has apparently banished the demons of last season.
Under pressure: Former international winger Eric Grothe is likely to be given a first grade start, but the enigmatic flyer is surely on his last chance. Grothe was banished to Wentworthville in the NSW Cup last year after sustained indifferent form. Word around the traps is he's turned it around in the pre-season, which is great news for Eels fans, as Grothe in full flight is one of the game's greatest sights.
Ready to explode: Feleti Mateo produced the incredible on a regular basis at five-eighth in 2008, despite his side's inconsistent form. Hayne's shift to pivot will allow Mateo to inject himself into a game at will, instead of being shouldered with the responsibility of producing the big play in every set. A big chance for a debut Origin jumper.
Predictions: The Eels' season comes down to Hayne, Mateo and co. firing and the first-choice squad remaining relatively injury-free. Look for this side to produce some of the season's most sublime attacking football, but despite typically tireless performances from the inspirational Hindmarsh, Parramatta's pack lacks the grunt and depth to propel the club to the finals.
Eleventh
After their stunning late-season charge in 2007, the Eels were picked by all and sundry to be one of the top sides to challenge Melbourne's supremacy last year. But along with the Cowboys, they were the flops of 2008. After off-field controversies involving their young stars early in the year, Parramatta's season of promise was mired in inconsistency. A new coach in Daniel Anderson has sparked renewed enthusiasm at the west Sydney club, but he needs their misfiring youngsters to rebound for the Eels to return to contender status in 2009.
Strengths: Individual brilliance. Jarryd Hayne, Krisnan Inu and Feleti Mateo are among the most gifted footballers in the NRL, and have several other potential matchwinners around them. Halfback Brett Finch is the glue holding the cluib together and is far more valuable to the Eels than he is given credit for. There were calls for Nathan Cayless to relinquish the captaincy after several years of disappointing finishes, but his confidence in his ability to lead will be through the roof after taking NZ to World Cup glory, and his guidance should be a feature of the club's 2009 campaign.
Weaknesses: Depth could be a problem after an almost non-existent recruitment drive. Plenty of experience has been lost in the forwards with the departure of Mark Riddell, Chad Robinson and Daniel Wagon, while the loss of impressive rookie Tony Williams was a major blow. Parra will rely heavily on untried forwards stepping up to the mark this year.
Recruitment: Woeful. Cronulla rake Kevin Kingston is their only signing of note, but he only played games for the Sharks in 2008 and doesn't offer the variety and robustness of Riddell.
Youth brigade: The development of Parramatta's recently blooded players is one of the keys to their season. Forwards Weller Hauraki, Brendan Oake and Junior Paulo need to take their game to another level in 2009. Solid winger Taulima Tautai was one of the unsung rookies of last season and one of the Eels' most consistent. Internationals Hayne and Inu, both only 21, will shoulder plenty of responsibility. while there are big wraps on 2008 Toyota Cup captain and Junior Kangaroo prop Tim Mannah.
Rep drain: Cayless will skipper the Kiwis again and could be joined for the Anzac Test by Inu and Fuifui Moimoi. Hayne and Mateo will be pressing hard for NSW selection, while 2009 represents club legend Nathan Hindmarsh's final opportunity to play at the elite level.
X-factor: Anderson is expected to pitch Jarryd Hayne into the No. 6 jersey. If the move pays off, Hayne's combination with halfback and Mateo at lock could prove to be the most dangerous scrumbase trio in the NRL. Mateo was one of the stars of the 2008 premiership, Finch is a great team player, and Hayne has apparently banished the demons of last season.
Under pressure: Former international winger Eric Grothe is likely to be given a first grade start, but the enigmatic flyer is surely on his last chance. Grothe was banished to Wentworthville in the NSW Cup last year after sustained indifferent form. Word around the traps is he's turned it around in the pre-season, which is great news for Eels fans, as Grothe in full flight is one of the game's greatest sights.
Ready to explode: Feleti Mateo produced the incredible on a regular basis at five-eighth in 2008, despite his side's inconsistent form. Hayne's shift to pivot will allow Mateo to inject himself into a game at will, instead of being shouldered with the responsibility of producing the big play in every set. A big chance for a debut Origin jumper.
Predictions: The Eels' season comes down to Hayne, Mateo and co. firing and the first-choice squad remaining relatively injury-free. Look for this side to produce some of the season's most sublime attacking football, but despite typically tireless performances from the inspirational Hindmarsh, Parramatta's pack lacks the grunt and depth to propel the club to the finals.
Eleventh
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