A Great Eels Victory

Eels 22 - Roosters 20

The Eels led 22-0 at half-time, but the Roosters were the better team in the second period and late tries from wing/fullback Amos Roberts and centre Ryan Cross gave the visitors hope of snatching an unlikely victory.

The Roosters were hard on attack once more with one minute to play, but referee Sean Hampstead controversially gave the Eels a scrum feed even though replays suggested he should have ruled in favour of the Roosters.

Nathan Hindmarsh again led the way for the Eels, working himself to a standstill in attack and defence despite backing up from the gruelling State of Origin match on Wednesday.
Parramatta second row Chad Robinson, playing against his former club, opened the scoring in the eighth minute when he split the markers from dummy half and dragged stand-in fullback Jamie Soward over the line.

The Eels continued to dominate, playing with a confidence that has been missing for much of 2006, and they led comfortably at the break after posting three tries in the 10 minutes before the interval. Centre Brett Delaney scored the first after fullback Jarryd Hayne batted back a John Morris cross-field kick. Morris, whose kicking and passing constantly pressured the Roosters defence, then finished a brilliant 60-metre movement after interchange Dean Widders had put centre Timana Tahu into space.

Daniel Wagon then extended the advantage just seconds before the break after Roberts and Soward were unable to clean up a pin-point Jeremy Smith kick. Rossters coach Ricky Stuart roasted his players at half-time, but the spray returned almost immediate results; the visitors starting the second stanza with more intensity, and Chris Flannery scored just two minutes in.

Hampstead originally ruled the Queensland utility was brought down short of the try line, but he avoided an embarrassing gaffe by referring the decision to video referee Graeme West.
The Roosters then reduced the deficit to 12 points when Craig Wing finished a spectacular break from boom centre Iosia Soliola, but they were ultimately unable to reel in the Eels.

In a further boost for the Eels, halfback Tim Smith returned to form today in Premier League, named player's player in the Eels' 41-26 win over Newtown.

PARRAMATTA 22 (B Delaney J Morris C Robinson D Wagon tries; B Delaney 3 goals)

SYDNEY ROOSTERS 20 (R Cross C Flannery A Roberts C Wing tries; C Fitzgibbon A Roberts goals)Referee: Sean Hampstead.Crowd: 13,044, at Parramatta Stadium. AAP

Eels 22 - Roosters 20

Eels vs Roosters Round 12

Eels v Roosters Preview

Eels v Roosters Parramatta StadiumSunday, 3pm

Parramatta needs to win at least 10 of its final 14 games to make the eight. It’s a bad sign when those equations emerge before the comp is half over.

Form: The Eels are struggling after four straight losses and with little sign of a revival on the horizon. The Roosters have been patchy but have managed to stay in touch with the pack.
History: The Roosters have had the better of the Eels over a long period and in their past seven meetings, Parramatta has won only once.

Danger sign: Fuifui Moimoi. He is used only in short spurts but he can wreak explosive havoc when he is released from bench-warming duties.

Best Bet? Should be a close result so there is likely to be value in Parramatta at the handicap.

Money-spinner: Both teams have been guilty of running hot and cold this season.

Source: Big League

Tim Smith stays in Premier League for another Week

The road back to first grade got a little longer for Parramatta halfback Tim Smith after he was overlooked for Sunday's NRL clash against the Sydney Roosters.

Dumped by new coach Jason Taylor from first grade last week for turning up drunk to training, Smith will again play in the Eels Premier League side on Sunday. Taylor said the 2005 Dally M rookie of the year, who has struggled to match the form he displayed during his stellar first year in the NRL, failed to do enough in Premier League last week to warrant a recall.

"He was considered but I just think that he needs to stay there a little bit longer," Taylor said.

"He's just been down on form a little bit and I think to put him back in before he plays well in Premier League wouldn't be doing the right thing by the team or Tim."

"He needs to get a good game under his belt, he'd be the first to admit in the Premier League game last week."

Smith's form this year has mirrored that of the Eels, the 2005 minor premiers mired near the bottom of the NRL ladder. Taylor, who has had just over a week in the top job following the shock resignation of Brian Smith, said he had no doubts Tim Smith could recapture the form that had him touted as a future representative player.

"He's just trying too hard, he's just got to get back to concentrating on the simple things and it will come for him," Taylor said.

"He's a great player, it's been a tough year for the whole club so far, and I think just take the pressure off him a little bit."

"He's fine with why it's happening and what he needs to do about it."

Smith's partner in crime Mark Riddell, who was also dumped to Premier League after failing to even show up for training after his drinking session with the young halfback, was recalled to first grade and will start the match on the bench.

Joel Reddy will start the match at fullback for the injured Wade McKinnon, while Roosters coach Ricky Stuart has included prop Adrian Morley in his side despite the Great Britain international being diagnosed with ligament damage in his hand on Monday.

Stuart will give Morley until match day to prove his fitness, but he is rated as being extremely doubtful. In other team news, Newcastle coach Michael Hagan has switched five-eighth Kurt Gidley to fullback to cover for the injured David Seage (hamstring) for Friday night's match against St George Illawarra.

Youngster Jarrod Mullen, who will play for the NSW under 19s in Wednesday night's State of Origin curtain raiser, is the new pivot. The Dragons have prop Luke Bailey (suspension) back in their line-up, but internationals Matt Cooper (hamstring) and Jason Ryles (hand) are still another week away at least.

With his four State of Origin players expected to back up, Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes has pushed Sonny Bill Williams back to the centres for Saturday night's meeting with Brisbane.
The Broncos have Brad Thorn in the starting line-up for Shane Webcke, who is expected to return from a rib injury next week.

© 2006 AAP

Parramatta Eels after Round 11

After eleven rounds of the NRL competition in 2006 the mighty Parramatta Eels find themselves at the bottom of the heap running second last. The only team beneath them are perennial wooden spooners South Sydney.

The Eels currently sit on six points and are 10 points adrift from the leaders, where 5 teams currently sit on 16 points. The task of making the top eight isn't beyond them just yet, but based on their performance to date it is a very unlikely proposition. But I would like nothing more than for them to prove me wrong.

Another point to note is the position of the Warriors. They currently sit on six points equal with the Eels, however they have a superior for and against record. Lets not forget however the Warriors were docked 4 points before the season started due to salary cap issues. For them to now be sitting above the Eels on the ladder is embarrassing.

Lets hope this week is a bit more settled for the Eels. Hopefully Tim Smith and Mark Riddell can come back into the side as well as Grothe, Hindmarsh and Tahu after coming back from Origin duties. Jason Taylor now has a full week with the side and can put his own print on the side.

Also look for news on whether Jaime Lyon will be returning to the Eels for season 2007. A decision is expected soon, as early as Monday. This would be a major boost to the side and will hopefully sway some of those looking elsewhere to stick with the club.

Round 11 - Sunday Results

Bulldogs 32 - Sharks 24

Roosters 28 - Bunnies 26

NRL weekend Update - Round 11

Panthers 30 - Eels 20

Warriors 34 - Wests Tigers 12

Knights 22 - Raiders 12

Sea Eagles 34 - Storm 12

Two more games remain to be played on Sunday. The Bulldogs take on the Sharks, and the Roosters take on the Bunnies.

Updated scores to be provided at completion of both games.

Taylor hopeful of Eels turnaround

NEW Parramatta coach Jason Taylor believes he's seen enough in his first week in charge at the Eels to suggest a climb up the NRL ladder is not too far off.Desperately short on manpower after Origin call-ups, injury and disciplinary issues robbed him of eight key players, Taylor was heartened by what his side dished up in going down to Penrith 30-20 at CUA Stadium last night.
As expected after a tumultuous week in which long-time coach Brian Smith handed in his resignation and playmakers Tim Smith and Mark Riddell were stood down for turning up drunk to training, the Eels came out all guns blazing to open up a 10-0 lead.

They were eventually overrun by the Panthers juggernaut, but stand-in coach Taylor said he was proud of how his depleted side stayed in the game right to the death.

"It was good for us to have to do it a bit tough tonight and then still work and fight as hard as we did," Taylor said after the match.

"If we had everyone here and we went out and won comfortably, it might have been a bit of a false feeling. I wouldn't wish it any different to be honest.

"I'm glad that those boys are in Origin because the deserve to be in there, we had a few guys out with injury. "

"We need to realise it's a tough game and if we've got players out it doesn't mean we throw the hands in the air."

"At the moment it's an attitude thing for us. We improved that tonight, we've got to keep improving it."

While Taylor admitted it was easy getting his side up for last night's game, he was enough of a realist to know that the job would only get tougher from here on in. He at least has a few extra days to prepare for his next assignment with the Eels not hosting the Sydney Roosters until next Sunday, when New South Wales trio Nathan Hindmarsh, Timana Tahu and Eric Grothe should be available after completing their Origin commitments.

Similarly Tim Smith and Riddell would also be available for selection again, but Taylor said their reinstatement to the top grade was "not cut and dried at this stage". "It's important now that we regroup and go out and do it again next week," Taylor said.

One player who won't be there next week is fullback Wade McKinnon who underwent plastic surgery on a facial injury today. McKinnon was rushed to Nepean hospital last night after appearing to cop a stray elbow from Matthew Cross as the Penrith prop crashed over the match-winning try 15 minutes from time. Scans cleared McKinnon of any fracture but surgery was required to repair a facial wound after his bottom row of teeth were pushed through his lip.
The incident was not placed on report but was sure to come under the scrutiny of the match review committee.

AAP

Penrith 30 - Eels 20

Parramatta's season of misery has continued, with Panthers prop Matthew Cross adding insult to injury as they beat their local rivals 30-20 in a spiteful NRL clash at CUA Stadium.
Playing for the first time under caretaker coach Jason Taylor after Brian Smith walked out on the embattled club on Monday, the Eels - missing eight first graders - again came up empty despite a more spirited performance.

But the biggest talking point after the match was a controversial 65th minute try to Cross, who seemed to cock his forearm as he barged over the line. In doing so he made contact with the jaw of Eels fullback Wade McKinnon, who was immediately taken to hospital with a lip laceration and suspected broken jaw.

Acting Parramatta captain Glenn Morrison immediately implored referee Steve Clark to refer the incident to video referee Chris Ward, yelling "I've just lost a player because of an elbow".
But Clark dismissed the pleas, despite the fact hooker PJ Marsh also complained about Cross leading with the elbow just a few moments later.

The game threatened to explode at the half hour mark, when Penrith hooker Luke Priddis accused opposing rake Marsh of headbutting in a scrum. In the end it was Priddis who had the last laugh, scoring two first-half tries and setting up two others to hand the Eels their eighth loss of the season and almost certainly bury their chances of making the semi-finals.

The Eels came out in the opening exchanges showing a spirit that had been missing for much of their 2006 campaign, with cult hero Fuifui Moimoi leading the way. The visitors jumped to a 10-0 lead with two tries in the opening eight minutes, with barnstorming prop Moimoi instrumental in both. Eels centre John Williams scored the opening four-pointer in just his third first grade game, just moments after Moimoi busted open the Panthers defence.

And then the Tongan-born New Zealander did it all himself, stepping past Joel Clinton and barging past Rhys Wesser and Frank Pritchard for his side's second try. While Moimoi had his moments, the dominant figure in the first half was Priddis, a constant threat to the Eels out of dummy half.

He burrowed over from close range in the 22nd minute and then scored an opportunistic try two minutes before the break, pouncing on a loose ball in-goal after a Luke Lewis kick deflected off opposing five-eighth John Morris. In between times he was instrumental in setting up tries to fullback Wesser (26th minute) and winger Michael Gordon (34th).

A try right on the halftime buzzer from Parramatta lock Glenn Morrison kept the visitors in the contest, but Cross' try all but ended any chance of an Eels revival.

Source: AAP

Morrison ... reportedly set to leave Parramatta.

GLENN Morrison, Parramatta's stand-in captain tonight, is about to kick-off an exodus from the club by signing with English Super League club Bradford.

In further proof the Eels purge is far from over, despite the departure of coach Brian Smith on Monday, chief executive Denis Fitzgerald last night admitted there would be significant player changes to coincide with the arrival of Michael Hagan in 2007.

Up to a dozen players with first-grade experience could be about to follow Smith out the door.
While Morrison's agent was keen to play down the situation on the eve of tonight's clash with Penrith at CUA Stadium, Yorkshire sources said that the world champion Bulls would announce his signature within days.

"I spoke to Morrison this afternoon and we're considering our options," manager Wayne Beavis said.
"He's got other things on his plate this week. He's got a game tomorrow night, there's been some turmoil out there and he's been made captain.

"He's got a contract to stay (at Parramatta) if he wants to, but we've always had an agreement that if he wanted to go beforehand, given his age and all that, he could go."

Morrison, 30 in two weeks, previously admitted only to an informal approach from Hull.
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On Morrison's possible departure, Fitzgerald said: "We're willing to have a look at that situation."

Fullback Wade McKinnon has asked for permission to negotiate with rival NRL teams, his agent saying four clubs have indicated their interest. Dean Widders, John Morris, Brett Delaney, Aaron Cannings, Luke Burt and Paul Stringer are among other players who face an uncertain future in western Sydney.

Fitzgerald said: "We consult Michael (Hagan) in terms of whether he would like to keep them or not."

The Daily Telegraph

Several players set to leave the Eels

In what looks like further blow to the Eels it has been reported today that several leading players are looking to play elsewhere. The most immediate of the these is Glenn Morrison (article above).

Also it has been no secret that other players including Dean Widders, John Morris, Brett Delaney, Aaron Cannings, Luke Burt and Paul Stringer are also deciding on their future with the club. Add to this Wade McKinnion's name who has asked for permission to negoatiate with other clubs. All this mid-season jockeying for contracts and a player future does not look good for the Eels. If there is anything to learn over the current season it is that any club which doesn't have its off field affairs sorted, will perform very poorly on the field.

Now the players have to take some blame, after all they are the ones out on the field. However I am a firm believer you are only as strong as your leader. And the Eels current leader is none other than Denis Fitzgerald.

Denis Fitzgerald will never be talked about as one of the best and most astute chief executives. The past twenty years without a premiership will testify to that. It is only more apparent at the moment with the controversy involving Brian Smith. I am sure there are a lot of people out there reading this very article who could do a better job. And let's not mention how he has managed to get a lot of former Eels legends offside, Peter Sterling included.

In my opinion I'd much rather see Denis leave his position, than see the players leaving. A side doesn't just go from minor premiers one season to also rans the next, especially when they have essentially retained the same bunch of players.

Grothe finally in Origin again


Six years after a knee injury robbed him of an Origin debut, Parramatta winger Eric Grothe will finally emulate the deeds of his famous father and take to the field in the sky blue of NSW.

On Wednesday Grothe was called into the Blues squad for next week's State of Origin rugby league opener at Telstra Stadium, replacing centre Matt Cooper after the St George Illawarra three-quarter failed to recover from a hamstring injury.

Cooper, who initially sustained the injury on the weekend, broke down during a training session on Tuesday afternoon, and was officially ruled out on Wednesday morning. Grothe's inclusion in the Blues line-up completes a remarkable resurrection for the Eels winger, his representative career appearing to be in tatters only a week ago when he failed to front for a City Origin team medical after a big night out on the town.

But after an apoplectic phone call to ARL chief executive to explain his actions, all was forgiven, and now he and Grothe snr are set to join Steve and Mat Rogers and John and Martin Lang as the only father-son combinations to play Origin football.

"I just wanted to explain what happened, that I'd made a mistake, that I didn't do it intentionally and act like I was bigger than the game," Grothe said of his call to Carr.

"I just wanted to say sorry."

"I didn't really think I'd get to play at this level again, but it's happened and I'm just excited. I don't really know what to think, I haven't really had time to think about it yet."

He could do worse than to emulate his famous father's Origin debut, Grothe snr scoring two tries in his first match in 1981 and finishing his career with three tries from nine appearances for NSW. The Parramatta flyer's inclusion on the wing will cause a backline reshuffle, with Eels teammate Timana Tahu to move into the centres.

Just who his centre partner will be next Wednesday night will be decided on Thursday, with Mark Gasnier to undergo a fitness test on his injured hip.

Gasnier ran with the rest of his Blues teammates at this Wednesday morning's session at the Randwick Barracks, and said he wanted to make a decision as early as possible in order to give his replacement - Penrith's Luke Lewis - as much time as possible to prepare for the match.
Such is the uncertainty of whether he will play, official team photographers were forced to take two different shots - one with Gasnier in the frame and the other with Lewis in his place.

"I think it has to be made tomorrow," Gasnier said of the decision.

"If I am fit to play then (Lewis) should be available to go back and play for his club, it's important to club football as well and just for the preparation side of things too.

"Origin's not exactly an un-intense game so to speak, you've really got to get your head around it and a week's a good time to do that."

"I feel okay but it is an injury which can react sometimes later, so I'll see how it is tomorrow and make a decision with the medical staff."

NSW coach Graham Murray said Gasnier's availability would determine exactly how the three-quarters would line up, though it is assumed Parramatta pair Tahu and Grothe will reprise their role with the Eels and play together on the left.

"We play together at club level, so I think they'll keep that combination going," Tahu said.

"I always wanted to play on the same side as Eric. The last couple of games we've been playing together, talking a lot during training, through the week, and we're getting a pretty good understanding."

© 2006 AAP

Taylor drops Tim Smith and Mark Riddell

Jason Taylor has today dropped Smith and Riddell as one of his first acts as caretaker coach of the Eels. Both players were intoxicated before a scheduled team rehab session yesterday. They have also been fined $5000 each.

In another change to the side Matt Petersen's run has finally ended in the top grade. Unfortunately Matt has been outclassed on the field this season and I can only see him coming back into this side due to injury. He just isn't cut out for the big league at the moment.

Also there have been some forced changes due to injury and Origin. Nathan Cayless is out injured, and Nathan Hindmarsh and Timana Tahu are out due to Origin committments. This may soon include Eric Grothe as he is on standby for the Origin side. Coming into the side as replacements are Jarryd Hayne, Luke O'Dwyer, Jeremy Smith, Zeb Taia, Josh Cordoba and Daniel Wagon.

So this weeks Parramatta side is going to have a very different look and feel to it. The captain, the halfback, and their inspiration in Hindmarsh are all gone. And Brian Smith is no longer on the sideline overlooking the team. Taylors task at the moment is not the most enviable but with the talent at this disposal I am sure a turn around in fortune is not to far off. Watch for a big performance on Friday night against the Panthers.

Brian Smith Quits as Eels Coach

Brian Smith tonight announced his resignation as Parramatta Eels coach effective immediately. The decision has come as a shock despite the poor form of the Eels. Smith has stated in a brief interview that he did not believe he was the right person to lead the Eels out of their current position (third last on the table after 10 rounds).

Despite some strange calls in terms of team selection of late, I am a firm believer that Brian Smith is one of the best coaches going around in the NRL. This was his 10th year as coach of the Eels and while he didn't deliver that elusive premiership he has still been the coach of a very successful team over that time.

Clearly the ludicrous decision by Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald to announce Smith's replacement before the current season kicked off, has played a major part in the teams problems, and now the loss of their coach. Right now there would be a lot of Parramatta fans preferring to see the back of their bumbling chief executive Fitzgerald, rather than Smith. I am one of those.

But lets not dwell too much on board room politics. Somehow the Eels are going to have to pick themselves out of the gutter and come out and play 80 minutes of blistering football and win Friday night's encounter against the Panthers to get their season back on track. It has been proven over and over, that teams in this type of position usually leave their best football until after the coach has left the building. So here's my tip for an Eels win on Friday night.

In the interim it is yet to be confirmed in a Board Room meeting tonight that Jason Taylor is to take over the coaching role. However lets not forget it has already been announced that Taylor is South Sydney bound next year. But then again I suppose the Eels players are used to having a coach who is heading somewhere else next season......

Bulldogs 22 v Eels 18

Another disappointing display from the Parramatta Eels and once again on the wrong side of the scoreboard after 80 minutes of football.

Before I hand you over to the official AAP report on the game, let me state that I find Matt Petersen's continued presence in the side very disappointing. He is nothing more than a Premier League player at best and again displayed that he is very slow learner. Petersen has a habit of coming off his wing when not necessary and these costly errors more often than not result in a four pointer for the opposition.

Now I don't want to bag the guy too much because at the end of the day there is no doubt he is trying his heart out on the field doing his best for the Eels. But Brian Smith is the person who picks the best 17 players each week and right now Petersen just isn't one of those.

Game Report

Bulldogs utility Reni Maitua has ended a nightmare week on a high note, scoring two tries to help inflict a 22-18 defeat over Parramatta to leave the Eels' NRL season in tatters.

Parramatta, one of the favourites for the title at the start of the season, are now in danger of being out of semi-final contention after posting just two wins after 10 rounds of the competition.
The Eels, last year's minor premiers, will now need to win at least 10 of their last 15 games to have any chance of contesting the finals series.

The news was better for Maitua, who was fined $15,000 on Friday by the NRL club for a high-range drink driving offence on Anzac Day.

Maitua, a P-plater, returned a blood-alcohol reading of 0.165 when pulled over for a random breath test at Cronulla after a drinking session with teammates. The 23-year-old, who is off contract at the end of the season, will have half of the fine suspended pending possible further breaches.

His two first-half tries proved crucial, with the Eels unable to peg back the home side despite a late try to Nathan Cayless raising hopes of a comeback victory.

Eels winger Matt Petersen paid the price for coming in off his wing in the third minute, with NSW hopeful Andrew Ryan throwing a superb cut-out pass for winger Hazem El Masri to score and then convert his own try. The Eels levelled the scores through a 12th-minute try to five-eighth John Morris who ran through a gap after Matt Utai rushed up out of the Bulldogs' line.
Maitua scored the next two tries to give the Bulldogs an 18-6 lead at halftime.

Both four-pointers were the result of clever hands from the Belmore club, the first after good lead-up work from forwards Tony Grimaldi and Willie Mason in the 17th minute. And with just three minutes before the main break, Maitua was again the beneficiary after the ball travelled through six sets of hands to extend the advantage.

The Eels hit back six minutes into the second stanza with a try to cult hero Fuifui Moimoi, who displayed good athleticism to come up with the ball from a John Morris chip kick.

But two second-half penalty goals to El Masri proved the difference.

Source: AAP

Sunday 14 May 2006

Bulldogs vs Eels

Grudge matches don't come much bigger than this. The Eels tackle the Bulldogs in what is so far a dismal season. A win here against the odds would bring a lot of relief.

The team is clearly struggling but you can just feel that if they can get one good win under their belts things might just turn around very quickly. The quality across the park is the envy of most teams. But Parrmatta is playing low confidence football at the moment and none more so than last years find of the season Tim Smith.

Tim is suffering badly from second year sydnrome and some of his displays this year have been well below par. His kicking game is struggling, and while he still has the zip and crispness to his passes, he is making a lot of wrong choices. It looks like he is trying to hard at times and would be well served just doing the basics right at the moment and helping get the side over the line where it counts the most.

Another interesting news item that came up during the week was the possible return of Jamie Lyon to Parramatta colours. Such a move would be fantastic. The talent, experience and versatility he has would be an absolute blessing. The possibility of him playing at 5/8th and Tim Smith firing as half-back next season is enough to have Eels supporters feigning amnesia at his past indiscretions. Imagine the pair of them playing together. They would be the envy of every other team in the competition.