Parramatta Eels Blog: The 1Eyed Eel

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Parramatta half-back Michael Witt may be on his way to Manly, with the Eels chasing Kiwi test half back Thoman Leuluai.

The Sydney Morning Herald today confirmed rumours that Witt may be on the way out, writing that: "Witt, 20, who has three years to run on his contract, was advised by Parramatta officials he would be free to leave if a better opportunity arose." It said Manly was expected to announce it had signed the young half today.

The story described Witt as being "dissapointed" by the club's position

"I'm signed at Parramatta for three more years, so I can stay if I want to but at this stage I am talking with them about my future ... that's all I can really say."

Parra boss Denis Fitzgerald confirmed that the Eels had made an offer to Leuluai, who will make his third test appearance against Australia in the tri-nations.

Both Parramatta lower grade teams are for the most part unchanged as they strive to make it to the final four.

This week Michael Witt has been named in the Premier League starting side as number seven with Tim Smith to pivot. Last week, Witt was not named in the starting side but came into the 13 at the expense of Feleti Mateo. Mateo came off the bench, only to be sent off. Mateo has been named on the bench but will likely miss the game through suspension.

The Jersey Flegg side who scored a terrific win over the second ranked Bulldogs last week, not surprisingly, remain unchanged.

PREMIER LEAGUE

1 - Joel REDDY
2 – Matt GRUSZKA
3 – Brett DELANEY
4 – Luke O’DWYER
5 – John WILLIAMS
6 – Tim SMITH
7 – Michael WITT
8 – Fuifui MOIMOI
9 – James WEBSTER ©
10 – Aaron CANNINGS
11 – Chris MUCKERT
12 – Chris ARMIT
13 – Shane MUSPRATT

14 – Steve MOWBRAY
15 – Fred PETERSEN
16 – Feleti MATEO
17 – Jim CURTIS
18 – Jeremiah PAI

JERSEY FLEGG

1 – Brett ANDERSON
2 – Paul MARZELLA
3 – Michael BASAN
4 – Kris INU
5 – Joel ASHER
6 – Blake GREEN
7 – Dane QUEENAN
8 – Zeb TAIA
9 – Scott JONES
10 – Josh CORDOBA
11 – Brendan OAKE ©
12 – Nathan ARMIT
13 – Guy WILLIAMS

14 – Thomas MacGOUGAN
15 – Mark HENDY
16 – Brad McLEVEY
17 – Ben TAIA
18 – Matt KEATING
19 – Simon GREAVES

Parramatta's Premier League and Lower Grade sides have both made it through to the next round of the finals despite reserve grade's loss to Manly.

The Eels Premier League team, which finished the season in sixth, faced up against the third-placed Manly squad. The Sea Eagles got off to an early lead and the game looked beyond them when Feleti Mateo, who started from the bench due to the inclusion of Michael Witt, was sent from the field for a high tackle.

However, the Eels fought back bravely, until the effort told and Manly ran away with the game late to win 40 to 20.

Fortunately for the Eels both the Roosters and Dragons came away with wins, leaving Parra to survive another week.

However, they will now play next Saturday against the very strong Raiders outfit, who finished the season in fourth and trounced the Penrith/St Mary Cougars 40 to 16.

Meanwhile, Parramatta's Jersey Flegg team won their way through to the next round of finals with a win over the second-placed Bulldogs outfit.

The young Eels won 30 to 20 and will now face the Balmain Tigers to fight for a place in the last four. The Tigers finished the season in fourth (the Eels placed seventh) and were pipped by the Cronulla Sharks 26 to 24.

Every single vote for Player of the Year by 1Eyed Eels readers has gone to Nathan Hindmarsh, with Wade McKinnon almost as dominant in taking out the Back of the Year.

Hindmarsh was the 1Eyed Eel Player of the Year for the most points collected during our player ratings throughout the year. He finished in front of Craig Stapleton and Dean Widders.

Hindmarsh then totally dominated voting from 1Eyed Eel readers, collecting every single vote for Player of the Year and Forward of the Year.

Wade McKinnon was overwhelming choice for Back of the Year and Buy of the Year.

The most improved went to Matt Peterson whose game improved out of sight over the course of the year. McKinnon was runner-up in that category.

Despite only playing one first grade game, most Eels supporters believe that Feleti Mateo was the most exciting prospect to emerge, in front of the likes of Rookie of the Year Jack Afamasaga.

Most Eels supporters believe that the signing of PJ Marsh will be most key to Parramatta in 2005. Mark Riddell was voted the second most important signing.

1Eyed Eel Awards for 2004

1Eyed Eel Player of the Year: Nathan Hindmarsh
Reader's Choice Player of the Year: Nathan Hindmarsh
Forward of the Year: Nathan Hindmarsh
Back of the Year: Wade McKinnon
2004 Buy of the Year: Wade McKinnon
Most Improved Player: Matt Peterson
Most Exciting Prospect: Feleti Mateo
Most Valuable Buy for 2005: PJ Marsh

Both lower grades suffered losses against the crack Rooster's outfits last week to leave them both in sixth position coming into the finals.

Premier League will play the third-placed Manly at Brookvale and looks to have a team that, on paper, is talented enough to knock over any of their rivals.

Every single member of the forward pack have tasted NRL this year as have backs Luke O'Dwyer and Feleti Mateo.

The halves, Mateo and Tim Smith both have huge wraps on them and this finals series represents the opportunity for both to show that they're too good for the second division and will be ready for an NRL call up next year.

Parramatta's Jersey Flegg team has been hurt this year with a lot of its best players working their way up to Premier League or better but there is still a lot of young talent in the team, including Josh Cordoba, who played much of the season in Premier League, Brett Anderson who played a couple of NRL matches and Australian schoolboy half Blake Green.

Premier League

1. Joel Reddy
2. Matt Gruszka
3. Brett Delaney
4. Luke O'Dwyer
5. John Williams
6. Feleti Mateo
7. Tim Smith
8. Fui Fui Moi Moi
9. James Webster (c)
10. Aaron Cannings
11. Chris Muckert
12. Chris Armit
13. Shane Muspratt
14. Jeremiah Pai
15. Jim Curtis
16. Steve Mowbray
17. Fred Petersen

Jersey Flegg

1. Brett Anderson
2. Paul Marzella
3. Thomas MacGougan
4. Kris Inu
5. Joel Asher
6. Blake Green
7. Dane Queenan
8. Zeb Taia
9. Scott Jones
10. Josh Cordoba
11. Brendan Oake
12. Nathan Armit
13. Guy Williams

14. Michael Basan
15. Mark Hendy
16. Brad McLevey
17. Ben Taia
18. Matt Keating
19. Simon Greaves (two to be omitted)