Will they or won't they?

Will they or won’t they?

As the 2011 NRL season approaches, Parramatta Eels fans wonder, how will their team perform under new head coach Stephen Kearney? Who will play in the halves? Will they entice Quade Cooper from Rugby Union? The list of questions is endless. But the main question is, can the Eels break the clubs 24 year premiership drought? The 2010 season was a major disappointment for Eels fans after all the hype leading into the year from their miracle run at the back-end of the 2009 season, lead by their custodian Jarryd Hayne. Many believed they would go one better in 2010 with minimal player losses (Joe Galuvao, Kevin Kingston, and Todd Lowrie) and substantial player gains (Justin Poore, Shane Shakleton and Timana Tahu) but it was not to be. As it would happen, Shane Shakleton would tear his hamstring off the bone after playing 20 minutes in the round 1 clash with the Dragons, Timana Tahu would never return to his best form before or after the Andrew Johns Origin race scandal, but even though not many would think, Justin Poore had a quality year with his new club, averaging 99 meters and around 20 tackles a game mostly coming off the interchange bench. As a result of the clubs poor season, head coach Daniel Anderson was sacked with a year to go on his contract. Shortly after, Parramatta appointed Stephen Kearney as head coach with a 3 year deal.  Along with Kearney, came change, he has appointed many new staff members with who he has had previous dealings with, strenuous new training schedules and player signings.

Parramatta Eels gains and loses 2011.

Gains

Reni Maitua- Drug ban

Maitua has signed a two year deal with the club, but will not be able to play or even train with him team mates until the 19^th of May when his drug ban that he received in 2009 for testing positive to the banned drug Clenbuterol runs out. Has a good opportunity to secure the vacant Lock position left by the departing Feliti Mateo. It will be a big challenge for Maitua to get back to his best after so long out of the game.

Carl Webb- North Queensland Cowboys

The big Queenslander has had a couple of lack lustre years at the Cowboys, and as a result was not given a contract extension by the club. Was offered big money contracts from the ESL but chose to stay in the NRL and sign a two year deal with the Eels. Said to be ripping in at training, Webb will most likely come off the bench taking either Poore or Mannah’s spot as either of them moves into the starting side to take the number eight jersey. Can be lazy and will have to be in form to prevent being dropped to NSW cup.

Chris Walker- Catalans Dragons

Walker joins his seventh club on a one year deal with the option for a second. Returning home from his latest stint in the UK with Catalans, Walker has impressed all the right people at Parramatta with Hayden Knowles saying “Chris has a contagious virus called enthusiasm”. Still with plenty of speed to burn, Walker will be looking to snatch the vacant wing spot. Has found it hard in the past to cement a permanent spot in first grade.

Casey McGuire- Catalans Dragons

Also returning from the same club in the ESL as Chris Walker, Casey McGuire has linked up with the club he made his first grade debut for in 1998 on a one year deal. Bringing over 200 games including origin and grand final experience and being able to slot in at hooker, five-eighth or even centre, it could see Matt Keating being pushed back to NSW cup. At age 30, coming back to the NRL after 3 years in the ESL, he may find it hard to perform back at this level.

Chris Hicks- Warrington Wolves

The Ex Panther, Eagle and Wolf, Hicks announced his retirement to return home to Australia but was persuaded to sign a one year deal with the Eels by Stephen Kearney. Even though Hicks will be turning 34 in April, he has had a phenomenal strike rate on the wing for Warrington scoring 76 tries in 81 games including a hat trick in the 2010 Challenge Cup final. He is also an accomplished goal kicker. In the same situation at McGuire, only older.

Paul Whatuira- Huddersfield Giants

Another player coming back from the ESL, Whatuira has over 200 premiership, finals, and test football experience at the ripe age of 29. Has signed a one year deal with a second year option, The ex-Kiwi international will be a definite  starter at centre with the probable absence of Joel Reddy in the first few rounds due to injury. Is a solid and reliable player. Had injury problems before leaving to the ESL, will have to be fully fit to combat the speed of the NRL.

Jordan Atkins- Gold Coast Titans

A big, tall winger/centre from Queensland, Atkins scored a record-equalling four try debut against North Queensland Cowboys in round one 2008. Since then he has struggled to get a first grade spot behind players such as David Mead and Kevin Gordon, so he signed a two year deal with Parramatta. Relatively fast for a big man, Atkins will be fighting for a wing or centre spot but he has a lot of competition. Has a lot of quality, more experienced players ahead of him for spots, will probably start of in NSW cup but will be excellent for back up.

Other Signings-

Brad Murray- Roosters 2010 NYC halfback, in the middle of the Bulldogs/Cowboys betting scandal. Named in 2010 NYC team of the year.

Marmin Barba- Bulldogs NYC fullback/utility. Younger brother of Ben.

Paki Afu- Bulldogs second rower. Big boy with a lot of talent.

Cameron Bruest- Raiders NYC reserve halfback.

Eni Folau- Younger brother of AFL convert Israel. Said to not be as skilled as Israel, but as powerful.

Billy Rogers- Storm NYC Lock. Brought up to the club by Kearney. Said to be in the same mold as Dallas Johnson.

Loses

Nathan Cayless- Retirement

Eric Grothe- Retirement

Feleti Mateo- Told he was not wanted by Anderson was offered big money from NZ Warriors.

Krisnan Inu- Similar to Mateo

Jonathan Wright- Was offered more of a chance to play first grade at the Bulldogs for around the same money Eels offered.

Kris Keating- Offered more money to go to Belmore and will have more of a chance to play five eighth.

Tim Robinson- With Parramatta’s abundance of back rowers, there was more chance to play first grade at Manly.

Parramatta were also linked to a number of players off contract with the club talking to a number of experienced playmakers but were not able to sign any. Some including Quade Cooper, Trent Barrett, Brett Kimmorley, Cooper Cronk and Craig Gower. Ex-Manly halfback Matt Orford expressed interest in cutting his three year deal with ESL club Bradford short to come back to the NRL, with Canberra and Parramatta both in the running for his signature. Due to Stephen Kearney’s history of playing alongside Orford at the Storm, the Eels were favourites to get his signature, but dropped out of the race. It is rumoured that Kearney met with Orford but decided not to continue negotiations because he did not believe he was coming to the club for the right reasons. He has since signed with Canberra.

The 2011 seasons looks bright for The Parramatta Eels, even with big player loses the club has recruited a number of seasoned and youthful players to take their places, which will mean healthy competition for spots. The club still has over half a million dollars left under the cap for the upcoming season and could still recruit another player or so, although Kearney has stated he is happy with the squad the way it is. Look for Parramatta to be very vocal in the player market for 2012, as they have big money to spend.

To have a big year: Tim Mannah- went from strength to strength in 2010 after an excellent debut year in 2009 and was rewarded with a blues origin jersey. Future captain material.

Parramatta too good for Tigers.

Saturday night saw the Wests Tigers take on the Parramatta Eels in which was each side’s second trial match for 2011. It was a hot night in Campbelltown with the temperature nearly 38 degrees and the stadium selling out of bottled water. Both teams fielded near-full strength line-up’s with the Tigers missing notable player such as Liam Fulton, Bryce Gibbs, Mark Flanagan, Gareth Ellis and Todd Payten. Another missing face was funny man winger Beau Ryan, but his absence allowed stocky ex Bulldog Matt Utai debut for the club as he tries to land a deal with the Tigers. On the other side, Parramatta also had players watching from the stands in Fui Fui Moi Moi, Justin Poore, Chris Hicks, Joel Reddy and ex Tiger Paul Whatuira. It took five minutes  for the Eels to score the first points with a mid-field break by centre Ryan Morgan had them at the Tigers try line on the fifth tackle. Jeff Robson pounced on a grubber which was juggled by a Tigers player to score next to the posts. Parramatta were then given a piggyback down field from a penalty for a high tackle, and then were able to force a line drop out. A questionable off season signing, Casey McGuire dived over from dummy half to snatch the Eels second try. Another great run from McGuire saw Jarryd Hayne brought down by Benji Marshall a metre out from the Tigers line, seconds after Justin Horo was hammered by Keith Galloway he was able to get in behind the Wests line of defence to grab another deft grubber to give the away side their third try. Parramatta’s halves kicking games were excellent, a facet of their game that has let them down in the past, was able to gain another drop out which lead to Jarryd Hayne to dance through the Tigers right hand side to score under the posts for a 24-0 lead with Luke Burt successful with all his conversion attempts. Despite being four tries down the Tigers pressed the Eels line and were able to covert an overlap out wide with Lote Tuqiri showing his speed and crossing in the corner. With a tough kick, Marshall was unable to convert. Tigers fans joy was short lived after a Robbie Farah pass from dummy half was intercepted by Nathan Hindmarsh who proceded to run 85 meters and palm off two players then offloading over the top to Justin Horo for his second try. Parramatta went into the break up 30-4. The second half saw both sides eventually make wholesale changes with reserve graders or NYC players showing their stuff. Before their nights were over, Marshall was able to find Parramatta short out wide and long pass was able to allow Tuqiri get over for his second four pointer of the night, Benji then converted from the sideline. With a lot of in-experience, neither team were able to add to the scoreboard with the game ending in a win to Parramatta. Good signs for the Eels with their halves stepping up to handle the playmaking duties which let Hayne sit back and play a supporting fullback role. Strong games from Casey McGuire, Jeff Robson, Justin Horo and Tim Mannah. While in the right field position, Wests were dangerous, with Marshall showing glimpses of his 2010 form which lead him to a Golden Boot award and his team one game away from a grand final birth. Robbie Farah was typically strong and scheming out of dummy half. Lote Tuqiri showed his usual speed and power while scoring his two tries and Keith Galloway was very effective all game in attack and defence putting on some big hits. Injury permitting, he could find himself in a sky blue jersey with more strong performances in the opening rounds of the competition. This weekend the Eels travel to Penrith to take on the Panthers in the annual Battle of the West Cup on Saturday night, while the Tigers tackle the Roosters in the Foundation Cup.

Eels: Robson, McGuire, Horo (2), Hayne. Burt 5 goals.

Tigers: Tuqiri (2) Marshall 1 goal.

Eels re-claim Battle Of The West

Parramatta backed up their trial win over the Tigers with a 30-0 drubbing of The Penrith Panthers at Centrebet Stadium on Saturday night. Once again Jeff Robson, Daniel Mortimer and veteran hooker Casey McGuire were up to the task with the Eels crossing the stripe five times, with Luke Burt successful with all conversions. Ten minutes in things were not looking good for new backline recruit Chris Walker after taking a scoot from dummy half and staying down clutching at a heavily strapped foot, he was assisted from the field with a dislocated big toe. Nine minutes later, Taniela Lasalo opened the scoring for the Eels steaming through a hole virtually untouched running onto a ball from Robson. Fifteen minutes later, the Parramatta number seven was at it again, with a perfectly waited grubber into the Penrith in-goal area for Ben Smith, who had come into the match from the bench for injured Walker, to ground the score just before the dead ball line. Ex Panther Paul Whatuira scored his debut try for the club off a bomb which had been misjudged by winger Sandor Earl. Parramatta's defence was impenetrable, with the likes of Shane Shakleton and Nathan Hindmarsh cutting players down with ease. New Panther Nigel Plum, known for excellent tackling style, was impressive in defence for Penrith, But it was not enough as the Eels came back from halftime adding to the scoreboard. Jarryd Haynes precise bomb into the in-goal was plucked from the air from a leaping Justin Horo to put the visitors up 24 nil. A late shot on Eels six Daniel Mortimer by Luke Walsh started an all in brawl, with the ex Knight coming together with Jarryd Hayne on a couple more occasions during the match. Interchange hooker Matt Keating completed the scoring with a simple dive over from dummy half effort to put the icing on the cake for the Parramatta fans. Penrith were without big names Michael Jennings, Michael Gordon and Trent Waterhouse, with Travis Burns out suspended, he was replaced with new signing Arana Taumata. Injured fullback Lachlan Coote made a successful return from a groin complaint playing 40 minutes off the bench. Other notable missing players were Nathan Smith and Frank Puletua. Parramatta were still missing star props, Fui Fui Moi Moi and Justin Poore. Moi Moi will be back for round one from a broken arm, while Justin Poore's knee has failed to respond to surgery he had done earlier in the off season, and has recently gone under the knife again. Chris Walker's dislocated toe is only expected to keep him out til round two and the latest.

Eels 30
Lasalo, Smith, Whatuira, Horo, Keating tries.
Burt 5 goals.

Penrith
0