Thursday, March 25, 2004
Play Ratings
1Eyed Eel apologises that we weren't able to update the site during the week due to work commitments but we're back now and how nice is it to return after the Eels notched up their first win of the season.
We finally got round to watching the game and while the win will do the team's confidence the world of good, there are obviously still plenty of problems that need to be addressed. The two biggest ones, handling and goal-line defence were no better than they were the previous week. However, thankfully, instead of running into a team that was on fire, the Broncos could not have played any worse, spilling the ball just as frequently as we did and showing little co-ordination in attack.
That said, we're not going to be too hard on the Eels this week as they did notch up a win after a week of intense scrutiny and pressure. So our ratings for the game were: (Figures in brackets are total for year)
1. Luke Burt - 7 (10)
After his shocker last week, was far better this week. He was electric in defence, scoring one individual try and creating another for Eric Grothe. Still was not as safe as the Eels would like, though, however he showed he's going to be a potent attack weapon throughout the rest of the year wherever he plays.
2. Wise Kativerata - 5 (9)
Eels fans have not taken to the big Fijian and he was given a tough time on Parramatta bulletin boards this week, but I though his performance was fair. Made a large number of hit-ups consistently helping out the forwards to work the ball out of our quarter.
3. Matt Peterson - 5 (10)
Continues to try hard, without shining in the centre position. Did some good things - particularly in cleaning up in the in goal but made a few mistakes in both attack and defence.
4. David Vaeliki - 5 (10)
Was also let down by poor handling on a couple on occasions, but was always difficult to bring down when he got the ball.
5. Eric Grothe - 6 (12)
Showed sensational speed to score a run away try and like Kativerata did more than his share of work in the hit-up department. But also like Kativerata continues to drop ball that puts the Eels under pressure.
6. Daniel Wagon - 6 (11)
Made a number of very important tackles and was dependably solid in attack. However, gave away some silly penalties and was marched for back-chatting.
7. Adam Dykes - 8 (15)
Has made the half-back position his own and was always dangerous whenever he got the ball in his hands. Is very unpredictable, much like Jason Smith was when he was at his best for the Eels, and was a constant handful for the defence.
8. Aaron Cannings - 6 (10)
Took the ball up strongly, but again made some attacking and defensive errors. That said, it was a promising performance and 1Eyed Eel thinks he has probably played his last game from the bench.
9. John Morris - 6 (11)
Looked dangerous, although could have been more involved for longer periods of time.
10. Michael Vella - 3 (7)
Started the game by being bumped off on a couple of occassions by Shane Webke and it didn't get any better throughout the match. Was quite effective tackling in numbers, but dropped the ball on three occasions, missed some tackles and gave away a couple of key offside penalities.
11. Nathan Hindmarsh - 8 (14)
Made 43 tackles, many of which were highly effective and scored a great try using his great strength and pace. Did give away a couple of penalties though, to mar an otherwise faultless performance.
12. Nathan Cayless - 6 (12)
Solid captain's knock again. Threw a silly pass, but also popped a corker that almost led to a try. Still settling into second row but getting better.
13. Lee Hopkins - 5 (10)
Played well until an eye injury saw him leave the field early in the game.
14. James Webster - 7 (7)
Was a highly effective interchange player. Gave great service out of dummy half, made a fantastic line break that almost lead to a solo try and provided some necessary spark off the bench.
15. Craig Stapleton 6 (12)
Has also been terrific off the bench. Got good game time, witnessed by his 28 tackles and always took the ball up effectively including a couple of barnstorming charges. Unfortunately, could be blamed for some ineffective goal line defence that resulted in a couple of Brisbane tries.
16. Adam Peek 5 (5)
Workman-link effort.
17. Luke O'Dwyer 5 (5)
Showed touches of class on debut, particularly his deft pass that resulted in the Nathan Hindmarsh try. However, made a couple of errors and cost Parra a try but being caught offside from a kick. Does look to have all the skills and is an exciting young prospect.
We finally got round to watching the game and while the win will do the team's confidence the world of good, there are obviously still plenty of problems that need to be addressed. The two biggest ones, handling and goal-line defence were no better than they were the previous week. However, thankfully, instead of running into a team that was on fire, the Broncos could not have played any worse, spilling the ball just as frequently as we did and showing little co-ordination in attack.
That said, we're not going to be too hard on the Eels this week as they did notch up a win after a week of intense scrutiny and pressure. So our ratings for the game were: (Figures in brackets are total for year)
1. Luke Burt - 7 (10)
After his shocker last week, was far better this week. He was electric in defence, scoring one individual try and creating another for Eric Grothe. Still was not as safe as the Eels would like, though, however he showed he's going to be a potent attack weapon throughout the rest of the year wherever he plays.
2. Wise Kativerata - 5 (9)
Eels fans have not taken to the big Fijian and he was given a tough time on Parramatta bulletin boards this week, but I though his performance was fair. Made a large number of hit-ups consistently helping out the forwards to work the ball out of our quarter.
3. Matt Peterson - 5 (10)
Continues to try hard, without shining in the centre position. Did some good things - particularly in cleaning up in the in goal but made a few mistakes in both attack and defence.
4. David Vaeliki - 5 (10)
Was also let down by poor handling on a couple on occasions, but was always difficult to bring down when he got the ball.
5. Eric Grothe - 6 (12)
Showed sensational speed to score a run away try and like Kativerata did more than his share of work in the hit-up department. But also like Kativerata continues to drop ball that puts the Eels under pressure.
6. Daniel Wagon - 6 (11)
Made a number of very important tackles and was dependably solid in attack. However, gave away some silly penalties and was marched for back-chatting.
7. Adam Dykes - 8 (15)
Has made the half-back position his own and was always dangerous whenever he got the ball in his hands. Is very unpredictable, much like Jason Smith was when he was at his best for the Eels, and was a constant handful for the defence.
8. Aaron Cannings - 6 (10)
Took the ball up strongly, but again made some attacking and defensive errors. That said, it was a promising performance and 1Eyed Eel thinks he has probably played his last game from the bench.
9. John Morris - 6 (11)
Looked dangerous, although could have been more involved for longer periods of time.
10. Michael Vella - 3 (7)
Started the game by being bumped off on a couple of occassions by Shane Webke and it didn't get any better throughout the match. Was quite effective tackling in numbers, but dropped the ball on three occasions, missed some tackles and gave away a couple of key offside penalities.
11. Nathan Hindmarsh - 8 (14)
Made 43 tackles, many of which were highly effective and scored a great try using his great strength and pace. Did give away a couple of penalties though, to mar an otherwise faultless performance.
12. Nathan Cayless - 6 (12)
Solid captain's knock again. Threw a silly pass, but also popped a corker that almost led to a try. Still settling into second row but getting better.
13. Lee Hopkins - 5 (10)
Played well until an eye injury saw him leave the field early in the game.
14. James Webster - 7 (7)
Was a highly effective interchange player. Gave great service out of dummy half, made a fantastic line break that almost lead to a solo try and provided some necessary spark off the bench.
15. Craig Stapleton 6 (12)
Has also been terrific off the bench. Got good game time, witnessed by his 28 tackles and always took the ball up effectively including a couple of barnstorming charges. Unfortunately, could be blamed for some ineffective goal line defence that resulted in a couple of Brisbane tries.
16. Adam Peek 5 (5)
Workman-link effort.
17. Luke O'Dwyer 5 (5)
Showed touches of class on debut, particularly his deft pass that resulted in the Nathan Hindmarsh try. However, made a couple of errors and cost Parra a try but being caught offside from a kick. Does look to have all the skills and is an exciting young prospect.
