Eels line hardest to cross

PARRAMATTA's recent defence is the best in the league, just ahead of that of premiership frontrunner Melbourne.Since the Eels' belated charge towards the finals started in round 15, Parramatta has conceded fewer tries than any other team in the NRL and have won all five games.

Opposition teams have only managed to cross Parramatta's tryline nine times, with Storm, a side lauded for its watertight defence, the next best with just 10 tries conceded in the same period.

The Bulldogs (13), Brisbane (14) and New Zealand Warriors (14) round out the top five.
All teams except the Bulldogs have had a bye.

Eels second rower Nathan Hindmarsh said the team's newfound bite in defence had helped to take the club from 14th on the ladder five matches ago to 10th and within sight of the top eight after beating Wests Tigers 34-6 on Sunday.

"Our attitude has changed a bit," Hindmarsh said.

"We're working a lot more for each other, whereas, at the start of the season, I suppose we were more individuals.

"You've got to look after the player beside you and (defence is) about getting up when you're absolutely buggered and making the next tackle if you have to.

"Our defence wasn't that bad at the start, it was just inconsistent.

"This time we're defending for the full 80 minutes instead of defending in 20-minute patches, like we were at the start of the season."

The Eels have accounted for South Sydney (30-10), Canberra (18-12), Newcastle (46-12), the Warriors (20-12) and Wests Tigers (34-6) since they began their late challenge.

Storm, by comparison, has taken on and beaten some genuine contenders for the title, including the Bulldogs (16-12) and Brisbane (10-4).

Canberra (22-12), Newcastle (24-16) and the Sharks (28-12) round out the sides losing to Melbourne.

"It's nice we're matching a side that's leading the comp by six points, but we've played a few different teams than they have," Hindmarsh said.

"But we are starting to enjoy it again and there are a few more smiles around. If we keep the ball rolling, who knows what could happen at the end of the year?"

Hindmarsh paid tribute to coach Jason Taylor, who was appointed in a caretaker role following the decision by Brian Smith to walk out on May 15 after 10 seasons at the helm.

The Test second rower also said there was no telling how far the side could go if it maintained its defensive mindset, especially against fifth-placed Manly welcoming back Brett Stewart, Steve Bell and Steve Menzies at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday night.

"I don't think we won any back to back at the start of the season, and it was the Canberra and then the Newcastle game after that where we really got a lot of confidence," Hindmarsh said.

"Once you get your confidence back, players get faith in their own ability back and it all seems to fit in."

Just as impressive as the Eels' defensive effort over the past six weeks has been their attack.
After losing halfback Tim Smith with a broken collarbone against Newcastle earlier this month, it was widely believed the Eels' momentum would come to a grinding halt.

However, New Zealand international Jeremy Smith, who will join Taylor at Souths next year, was called in the following week after serving a four-match ban for pushing referee Sean Hampstead.

"Jezza was playing there a bit, while Timmy was playing reserve grade, so we knew what he was capable of because he'd been playing well," Hindmarsh said.

"It's sad to see we've got to let players like Jeremy go because we're still developing him and he's a good player to have around in your club."

The Australian