2017 NRL Season Preview - Parramatta Eels
Parramatta Eels NRL Season Preview
2016 Review - The Eels 2016 season was ruined by scandal and controversy as the Club imploded off the field, culminating in a 14th placed finish. Despite a season of undoubted progress on the field, the team was engulfed by a series of dramas that ultimately cost this Club and their fans a shot at finals glory. The 12-point penalty for the massive Salary Cap breaches hit the Club hard as they were forced to not only drop right out of the race to the finals, but forced to offload Nathan Peats mid-season as well as Junior Paulo. The Salary Cap scandal might have had some positives in that it weeded out a fractured old Board and paved the way for improved governance at the Club, something that has been sadly lacking for much of the past 5 or 6 years at Parramatta. To add insult to injury, Parramatta were forced to watch their marquee signing and Captain Kieran Foran go off the rails and quit the Club mid-season, while Corey Norman copped an 8-game suspension for drug possession and Semi Radradra threatened not to return from Fiji to play for the Club.
On the field the Eels did their Club and their fans proud by winning 13 games from 24, a position which would have seen them finish in 7th place ordinarily. The highlight, for me, about this side was their mentality and their effort every week amidst the turmoil engulfing their Club. Brad Arthur, for mine, was probably the Coach of the Year the way he kept his players performing week in, week out, when everything suggested they should just pack it in and go through the motions with little to play for over the final couple of months. Defensively the team was physically and extremely committed, finishing with the 6th best defence in the NRL, conceding just 19 points per game. Before injuries and mid-season trades forced them to pick a much weakened squad, Parramatta looked a Top 4 outfit in the first half of the season. Where Parramatta struggled at times was in the spine of their team. Whilst Michael Gordon did a solid job at fullback, the side really struggled for spark and creativity in the absence of players like Norman, Foran and Peats. While their forwards rolled their sleeves up and did an admirable job, inside the opposition 20 Parramatta became slow and predictable as their season petered out somewhat.
2017 Gains - Parramatta have managed to pick up a few handy players despite having tossed talent due to the Salary Cap mess the Club found itself in. Josh Hoffman is a solid and reliable winger who should be able to finish off set plays and be safe under the high ball. Kirisome Auva'a has had his troubles off the field at South Sydney, however I am a fan of him as a strike centre. He is a little bit in the Joey Leilua mould from Canberra in that he is powerful and strong and capable of slipping an offload or being hard to stop close to the try line. Nathan Brown can be a bit of a hot head, however he was South Sydney’s best forward at times last year, playing with plenty of aggression and intent and getting over the advantage line. While I don't know if Frank Pritchard at 34 years old is the same player he was 4-5 years ago, he adds further depth to a forward pack along with the underrated Siosaia Vave from Manly. Other signings for the Eels include Jamal Fogerty (Burleigh Bears), George Jennings (Panthers) and Will Smith (Panthers)
2017 Losses - Considering the fallout from the Salary Cap scandal, the Eels have managed to retain most of their high profile players. Michael Gordon was one of the fall guys taking up an offer to go to the Roosters after being a reliable fullback and goal kicker for the Eels last season. With Danny Wicks deciding his heart was no longer in it, Parramatta will need someone to step up and lead the engine room as Wicks was impressive last season. Other losses for the Eels included Tyrell Fuimaono (Rabbitohs), Kieren Moss (Bradford), Anthony Watmough (retirement), Kieran Foran (Warriors), Luke Kelly (Rabbitohs), Vai Toutai (released) and Mitch Cornish (Roosters)
2017 Player To Watch - Bevan French - I think this kid is something special and I am not surprised Brad Arthur is confident rising star Bevan French will be an immediate success at fullback in season 2017. French had a brilliant rookie season in First Grade last year when the 21 year old scored a remarkable 19 tries in 13 games. When he was moved to fullback in the final two games, he racked up 5 tries in a couple of scintillating displays. French appears to have it all - lightning speed, good football instincts and an impressive passing game and he could really add another dimension to the Eels spine this season.
2017 Draw (Moderate)- With parramatta stadium being demobilised the Eels will have to become accustomed to playing at ANZ Stadium with 12 home games locked in there for the next couple of seasons. Parramatta have an opportunity to start the season on the front foot with games against Manly, Saints and the Titans to open the season. They also have 6 of their final 7 games at ANZ Stadium which should set them nicely for a charge into the finals. The Eels don't get a ye until Round 16 which is the longest any club in the competition has to wait until their first bye.
2017 Forecast - 4th (16 wins) -
I'm going to stick my neck out this season and say this side can sneak into the Top 4. Every year I look for a couple of sides that can rise up and surprise people and I think maybe this year it might be Parramatta. Last season I think this side would have made the Top 4 if it wasn't for the turmoil and injuries that engulfed their final couple of months. I really like the look of their backline depth with Beven French moving to fullback adding another dimension to their attack. Semi Radradra is a weapon outside when he is fit and focused and they have good depth in the centres with the likes of Jennings, Takarangi and Auva'a. Some people might have a question mark over their halves, however I think Corey Norman will have a point to prove this season even though he was outstanding when on the park in 2016. I think he is ready to go to the next step as the sides leader. I think Clint Gutherson can make a good fist of the Number 6 jumper and provide a decent enough foil for Norman, even though I’m not totally convinced about him as five eight long term.
I am worried about the no Parramatta Stadium factor as the Eels have often saved their best football for their intimate home ground over the years. However they have a large and passionate supporter base and if they are playing good football they will still enjoy majority home support at ANZ Stadium. Parramatta have outstanding power and depth in their back row and off their bench and I expect them to play the same physical style of football they employed for most of 2016. I really like Manu Ma'u as an edge running back rower and he is particularly dangerous close to the try line. With the likes of Vave, Edwards, Pritchard and Gower likely to miss their starting side, the Eels have some real grunt and back up if they were to lose a couple of troops in the forwards. Ideally they would have a young hooker to come in and replace Isaac De Gois as, whilst he will be do a solid and dependable job, there is no doubt he is in the twilight of his career and slowing down a fair bit. Overall I just think for this team to win 13 games last season was a remarkable achievement and, without the distractions of last year, I think they can really thrive as a team and make the finals. Most people will probably have this team on the fringe of the Top 8, however I think Bevan French might be a young star and, with plenty of motivation for Brad Arthur and his side, I’m backing them to win 16 games and come 4th.