Sunday, March 28, 2004
Player Ratings: Eels vs Newcastle
1. Luke Burt - 7 (17)
Following on from last week's game, Burt is proving to be dynamic in attack. Is backing up the football very well and looks dangerous every time he touched the ball. Still needs to get those couple of unnecessary mistakes out of his game and is still proving ineffective as the last line of defence when defending on goal. Goal kicking was only ordinary.
2. Ronald Prince - 6 (6)
Good debut. Scored a good winger's try then managed to hold onto the difficult cross field kick that would eventually win Parra the game. Parra misses Kativerati's size though running out of dummy half and Eric Grothe was forced to do a lot of extra work in that regard.
3. Junior Langi - 6 (6)
Wasn't very involved and only made two hit ups the entire game. However, his size was useful in defence, and he scored the winning try, so we're not complaining.
4. David Vaeliki - 6 (16)
Strong in defence and did some nice work running out of dummy half. Swapped with Eric Grothe on quite a number of occasions when in attack.
5. Eric Grothe - 6 (18)
Missed having Wise on the other wing and he had to do a lot of tough dummy half work. As always, looked threatening when he got the ball, especially when playing at centre but didn't quite have the impact he has had in the first two games of the season.
6. Daniel Wagon - 7 (18)
Don't be fooled by the six on his back, Wags in still playing as a lock-forward. Great in defence and ran hard in attack.
7. Adam Dykes - 7 (22)
Made a few mistakes and wasn't quite as dominant in attack as he was the previous few weeks but the fact that John Morris was able to take more of a role tonight, is good for the team. Pulled out the match-winner with his cross field kick for Ronald Prince and skillfully guided the team around the park.
8. Michael Vella - 8 (15)
Micky V is back. After an atrocious start to the season, Micky V was clearly out to make ammends tonight. He made a massive 16 hit-ups and ran hard all night. His opening to the game was especially impressive. Was also damaging in defence, highlighted by a corker clash with Ben Kennedy.
9. John Morris - 8 (19)
Was outstanding, particularly when playing in the halves once Webster came onto the field. Scored a try, then threw a pefect pass to put Ronald Prince over and was effective all night. Complemented Dykes perfectly and is really stepping up to the plate as our secondary playmaker.
10. Aaron Cannings - 4 (14)
Broke his arm early in the game so saw little action. Made some good runs but also spilled the ball.
11. Nathan Hindmarsh - 8 (22)
Parramatta must keep Nathan Hindmarsh on the field. His value in defence is incredible. Made 43 tackles tonight and missed only one and just kept cleaning up the defence. Didn't get many opportunities in attack.
12. Nathan Cayless - 6 (18)
A mixed game again from the captain. Threw a super pass that resulted in Luke Burt's try and did plenty of work. However, dropped a few balls and tardy goal line defence was to blame for one of Buderus' tries.
13. Luke O'Dwyer - 5 (10)
Is still finding his way in the NRL. Didn't do a lot wrong, but didn't do a lot right either. Still, he complements the larger Parramatta forward pack, providing good lateral movement and for that reason gives good balance to our defensive line.
14. James Webster - 7 (14)
Parramatta has a terrific winning record with James Webster in the side. Maybe its because of the terrific dummy half service he can provide and which he did so tonight. Maybe, it's the inspirational way he manages to drop big man after big man after they come charging at him in defence. Maybe, it's because he can sneak over for match winning tries. Whatever, the case he was terrific again tonight and we don't ever want to see out of the Parramatta 17 again.
15. Craig Stapleton - 6 (18)
Wasn't quite as effective as he was last week coming off the bench but he was a tireless worker, making hard yards up the middle and tackling tirelessly when coming off the bench. Is ideal coming off the bench as a player who is able to keep the team's momentum rolling.
16. Adam Peek - 5 (10)
Dropped a couple of balls which let down his performance, but aside from that was dependable in defence and made some good metres.
17. Dean Widder - 7 (7)
Widders is the ideal benchplayer. His pace, size and big right foot step makes him dangerous especially against tiring defences and he made a big impact when pitched into the game against the Knights. Gave the Eels mobility they seemed to be lacking in previous weeks and didn't make a mistake, either.
We watched the game live tonight, so we may make some adjustments to these ratings once we see the game on video.
Following on from last week's game, Burt is proving to be dynamic in attack. Is backing up the football very well and looks dangerous every time he touched the ball. Still needs to get those couple of unnecessary mistakes out of his game and is still proving ineffective as the last line of defence when defending on goal. Goal kicking was only ordinary.
2. Ronald Prince - 6 (6)
Good debut. Scored a good winger's try then managed to hold onto the difficult cross field kick that would eventually win Parra the game. Parra misses Kativerati's size though running out of dummy half and Eric Grothe was forced to do a lot of extra work in that regard.
3. Junior Langi - 6 (6)
Wasn't very involved and only made two hit ups the entire game. However, his size was useful in defence, and he scored the winning try, so we're not complaining.
4. David Vaeliki - 6 (16)
Strong in defence and did some nice work running out of dummy half. Swapped with Eric Grothe on quite a number of occasions when in attack.
5. Eric Grothe - 6 (18)
Missed having Wise on the other wing and he had to do a lot of tough dummy half work. As always, looked threatening when he got the ball, especially when playing at centre but didn't quite have the impact he has had in the first two games of the season.
6. Daniel Wagon - 7 (18)
Don't be fooled by the six on his back, Wags in still playing as a lock-forward. Great in defence and ran hard in attack.
7. Adam Dykes - 7 (22)
Made a few mistakes and wasn't quite as dominant in attack as he was the previous few weeks but the fact that John Morris was able to take more of a role tonight, is good for the team. Pulled out the match-winner with his cross field kick for Ronald Prince and skillfully guided the team around the park.
8. Michael Vella - 8 (15)
Micky V is back. After an atrocious start to the season, Micky V was clearly out to make ammends tonight. He made a massive 16 hit-ups and ran hard all night. His opening to the game was especially impressive. Was also damaging in defence, highlighted by a corker clash with Ben Kennedy.
9. John Morris - 8 (19)
Was outstanding, particularly when playing in the halves once Webster came onto the field. Scored a try, then threw a pefect pass to put Ronald Prince over and was effective all night. Complemented Dykes perfectly and is really stepping up to the plate as our secondary playmaker.
10. Aaron Cannings - 4 (14)
Broke his arm early in the game so saw little action. Made some good runs but also spilled the ball.
11. Nathan Hindmarsh - 8 (22)
Parramatta must keep Nathan Hindmarsh on the field. His value in defence is incredible. Made 43 tackles tonight and missed only one and just kept cleaning up the defence. Didn't get many opportunities in attack.
12. Nathan Cayless - 6 (18)
A mixed game again from the captain. Threw a super pass that resulted in Luke Burt's try and did plenty of work. However, dropped a few balls and tardy goal line defence was to blame for one of Buderus' tries.
13. Luke O'Dwyer - 5 (10)
Is still finding his way in the NRL. Didn't do a lot wrong, but didn't do a lot right either. Still, he complements the larger Parramatta forward pack, providing good lateral movement and for that reason gives good balance to our defensive line.
14. James Webster - 7 (14)
Parramatta has a terrific winning record with James Webster in the side. Maybe its because of the terrific dummy half service he can provide and which he did so tonight. Maybe, it's the inspirational way he manages to drop big man after big man after they come charging at him in defence. Maybe, it's because he can sneak over for match winning tries. Whatever, the case he was terrific again tonight and we don't ever want to see out of the Parramatta 17 again.
15. Craig Stapleton - 6 (18)
Wasn't quite as effective as he was last week coming off the bench but he was a tireless worker, making hard yards up the middle and tackling tirelessly when coming off the bench. Is ideal coming off the bench as a player who is able to keep the team's momentum rolling.
16. Adam Peek - 5 (10)
Dropped a couple of balls which let down his performance, but aside from that was dependable in defence and made some good metres.
17. Dean Widder - 7 (7)
Widders is the ideal benchplayer. His pace, size and big right foot step makes him dangerous especially against tiring defences and he made a big impact when pitched into the game against the Knights. Gave the Eels mobility they seemed to be lacking in previous weeks and didn't make a mistake, either.
We watched the game live tonight, so we may make some adjustments to these ratings once we see the game on video.
