Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Player ratings: Eels vs Sea Eagles
Wade McKinnon - 9 (52)
Stunning performance. Last line of defence was brilliant, stopped three possible tries. On numerous occasions managed to get the ball out of his in-goal when a lesser fullback would have been pinned. Backed up the forwards all day, scored a try, was perfectly positioned for every kick through and was dangerous running the ball back.
Ashley Graham - 5 (20)
This wasn't the game that Graham recaptured his form. Made a blunder from the kick-off that saw the Eels under pressure. Dived too high when going for the corner was was subsequently taken into touch. Also made a couple of errors. Still regaining confidence.
Junior Langi - 7 (56)
Scored a try and looked capable of busting tackles. Is playing with much more confidence.
Luke Burt - 8 (68)
Started the game with great intensity, making some aggressive tackles. Created Chris Muckert's try with some evasive running then scored his own after he picked up a ball and outsprinted the defence. Still having a few problems with his handling which caused him to miss two intercept opportunities. Found his kicking boots, again, too.
Brett Anderson - 7 (12)
The young flyer is almost certain to hold down his first grade spot after this performance. Showed tremendous bravado hitting the ball up from dummy half when Manly were on a big hitting blitz. His tap back created a try for Langi and his kick chase was enthusiastic. Fantastic second game.
Daniel Wagon - 8 (84)
Nearly brought a tear to our one eye, when in the midst of Manly's big hitting blitz, he laid an absolute bone-rattler on Manly's Nathan Tutt. Stood up and said anything you boys can dish out, we can do better (except we'll do it legally). A true captain's knock. Chimed into the line nicely and it was his cross-field bomb that saw Langi score.
Adam Dykes - 7 (79)
Got better and more confident as the game went on. His long-kicking was great again, but he failed to keep the pressure on manly with some poor short kicking. Again, showed his ability to snaffle a try out of no where and his ability to create points will be critical to the Eels as they bid to nail down a place in the top eight.
Craig Stapleton - 8 (86)
Was the player who put his hand up to take over Nathan Hindmarsh's workload. Made 32 tackles and 17 hit ups. Bravo!
John Morris - 9 (69)
What was the difference between the Eels this week and in past weeks? Simple, John Morris. The hooker was absolutely outstanding. Constantly worried Manly with probing dummy half running and the ability to throw a short pass like the one that put Dean Widders over. Had Parramatta going forward all day and did a heap of defensive work as well. This was a performance Danny Buderus would have been proud of and was the extra dimension that the Eels have been missing, of late.
Michael Vella - 8 (70)
Vella was at his inspiration best. His runs were powerful, his defence effective and he showed great courage to take chase after Scott Donald. Just about back to his 2001 form.
Lee Hopkins - 7 (33)
Worked hard in defence and his enthusiasm was infectious as he pumped his team mates up all days.
Jack Afamasaga - 7 (21)
Has added a whole new dimension to the Eels forward pack. He is a dynamic running second-rower who is a constant threat to the opposition. Hugely enthusiastic and we have no doubt the Hindmarsh/Afamasaga second row combination will serve the Eels for many years to come.
Dean Widders - 8 (74)
At his explosive best today. Constantly worried Manly with his powerful running outwide and was rewarded with two tries. The Eels must re-sign Widders ASAP.
Corey Pearson - 8 (12)
Pearson topped the hit-ups with 18 and kept the Eels momentum rolling. Constantly threated to slip a pass, which he did, resulting in Wade McKinnon's try.
Justin Tsoulos - 6 (43)
Was playing tough, hard football until a shoulder injury saw him taken from the field.
Chris Muckert - 6 (12)
Scored a try and looked like he was on his way to cementing a first grade position until he also suffered a shoulder injury.
Shane Muspratt - 6
With Morris on fire, he didn't get a lot of time but managed to score a try in the time he was on the park.
Stunning performance. Last line of defence was brilliant, stopped three possible tries. On numerous occasions managed to get the ball out of his in-goal when a lesser fullback would have been pinned. Backed up the forwards all day, scored a try, was perfectly positioned for every kick through and was dangerous running the ball back.
Ashley Graham - 5 (20)
This wasn't the game that Graham recaptured his form. Made a blunder from the kick-off that saw the Eels under pressure. Dived too high when going for the corner was was subsequently taken into touch. Also made a couple of errors. Still regaining confidence.
Junior Langi - 7 (56)
Scored a try and looked capable of busting tackles. Is playing with much more confidence.
Luke Burt - 8 (68)
Started the game with great intensity, making some aggressive tackles. Created Chris Muckert's try with some evasive running then scored his own after he picked up a ball and outsprinted the defence. Still having a few problems with his handling which caused him to miss two intercept opportunities. Found his kicking boots, again, too.
Brett Anderson - 7 (12)
The young flyer is almost certain to hold down his first grade spot after this performance. Showed tremendous bravado hitting the ball up from dummy half when Manly were on a big hitting blitz. His tap back created a try for Langi and his kick chase was enthusiastic. Fantastic second game.
Daniel Wagon - 8 (84)
Nearly brought a tear to our one eye, when in the midst of Manly's big hitting blitz, he laid an absolute bone-rattler on Manly's Nathan Tutt. Stood up and said anything you boys can dish out, we can do better (except we'll do it legally). A true captain's knock. Chimed into the line nicely and it was his cross-field bomb that saw Langi score.
Adam Dykes - 7 (79)
Got better and more confident as the game went on. His long-kicking was great again, but he failed to keep the pressure on manly with some poor short kicking. Again, showed his ability to snaffle a try out of no where and his ability to create points will be critical to the Eels as they bid to nail down a place in the top eight.
Craig Stapleton - 8 (86)
Was the player who put his hand up to take over Nathan Hindmarsh's workload. Made 32 tackles and 17 hit ups. Bravo!
John Morris - 9 (69)
What was the difference between the Eels this week and in past weeks? Simple, John Morris. The hooker was absolutely outstanding. Constantly worried Manly with probing dummy half running and the ability to throw a short pass like the one that put Dean Widders over. Had Parramatta going forward all day and did a heap of defensive work as well. This was a performance Danny Buderus would have been proud of and was the extra dimension that the Eels have been missing, of late.
Michael Vella - 8 (70)
Vella was at his inspiration best. His runs were powerful, his defence effective and he showed great courage to take chase after Scott Donald. Just about back to his 2001 form.
Lee Hopkins - 7 (33)
Worked hard in defence and his enthusiasm was infectious as he pumped his team mates up all days.
Jack Afamasaga - 7 (21)
Has added a whole new dimension to the Eels forward pack. He is a dynamic running second-rower who is a constant threat to the opposition. Hugely enthusiastic and we have no doubt the Hindmarsh/Afamasaga second row combination will serve the Eels for many years to come.
Dean Widders - 8 (74)
At his explosive best today. Constantly worried Manly with his powerful running outwide and was rewarded with two tries. The Eels must re-sign Widders ASAP.
Corey Pearson - 8 (12)
Pearson topped the hit-ups with 18 and kept the Eels momentum rolling. Constantly threated to slip a pass, which he did, resulting in Wade McKinnon's try.
Justin Tsoulos - 6 (43)
Was playing tough, hard football until a shoulder injury saw him taken from the field.
Chris Muckert - 6 (12)
Scored a try and looked like he was on his way to cementing a first grade position until he also suffered a shoulder injury.
Shane Muspratt - 6
With Morris on fire, he didn't get a lot of time but managed to score a try in the time he was on the park.
