Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Player Ratings: Eels vs Panthers
Wade McKinnon: 5 (94)
His running game was great as always but made some uncharacteristic errors, most notably his attempt to get a pass away under pressure that saw the Panthers score and get back on level terms.
Ashley Graham: 3 (62)
Still seems all at sea on the wing. Made some bad judgement errors fielding kicks, the first of which enabled Luke Rooney to open the scoring for the Panthers and then put the Eels under enormous pressure when he was driven back into goal when attempting to bring the ball away from his line. Has had a tough season playing out of position. Let's hope a solid off-season can see Graham fulfill his undoubted potential next year.
Dean Widders - 7 (135)
What footwork this guy has for a big man. Was always dangerous with limited opportunities.
Luke Burt: 5 (123)
Was probably the man to blame for not lining up on his man when Rhys Wesser scored. Didn't really get into the game in attack.
Matthew Petersen: 9 (115)
Just keeps getting better and better. Scored a try and effort to bust tackles then slip a fantastic pass to put Wade McKinnon away was sensational. Constantly beat his opposing winger and also came up with at least one try-saving tackle.
Chris Thorman - 5 (49)
Missed tackle on Preson Campbell was the turning point of the game. Lovely kick, though, in behind the line should have resulted in a try for Hopkins late in the game.
Michael Witt - 5 (51)
Parramatta looked directionless again at times, especially late in the game when either Witt or Thorman needed to step up and control the team.
Corey Pearson - 6 (72)
Defence was good but was hardly seen in attack with only three hit-ups all game.
Lee Hopkins - 7 (91)
Plenty of effective running out of dummy half. If only he'd been able to touch down on the Chris Thorman grubber!
Michael Vella - 6 (128)
Like Pearson, hardly seen in attack with just four hit-ups.
Nathan Hindmarsh - 7 (146)
Tried to get involved at every opportunity but the Panthers did remarkably well to contain Parra's most dangerous player
Craig Stapleton - 8 (146)
Absolutely worked his tail off all night. Made 41 tackles and 11 hit ups.
Daniel Wagon - 7 (122)
Nice pass to put Widders over the line early in the game and contributed his usual defensive excellence.
James Webster - 6 (44)
Made a positive contribution when he came onto the field with one great line break.
Adam Peek - 7 (77)
Outshone starting front rowers Vella and Pearson. Has really stood up since coming back from suspension.
Justin Tsoulos - 6 (95)
Did his job and helped counter the big Penrith forwards.
Nathan Cayless - 8 (64)
Inspirational return to NRL. Almost single handedly reversed the tide of the game making great metres on his hit-ups and was always there trying to put pressure on the kicker. Showed how important he is to the Parramatta side and why the Eels have struggled without him.
His running game was great as always but made some uncharacteristic errors, most notably his attempt to get a pass away under pressure that saw the Panthers score and get back on level terms.
Ashley Graham: 3 (62)
Still seems all at sea on the wing. Made some bad judgement errors fielding kicks, the first of which enabled Luke Rooney to open the scoring for the Panthers and then put the Eels under enormous pressure when he was driven back into goal when attempting to bring the ball away from his line. Has had a tough season playing out of position. Let's hope a solid off-season can see Graham fulfill his undoubted potential next year.
Dean Widders - 7 (135)
What footwork this guy has for a big man. Was always dangerous with limited opportunities.
Luke Burt: 5 (123)
Was probably the man to blame for not lining up on his man when Rhys Wesser scored. Didn't really get into the game in attack.
Matthew Petersen: 9 (115)
Just keeps getting better and better. Scored a try and effort to bust tackles then slip a fantastic pass to put Wade McKinnon away was sensational. Constantly beat his opposing winger and also came up with at least one try-saving tackle.
Chris Thorman - 5 (49)
Missed tackle on Preson Campbell was the turning point of the game. Lovely kick, though, in behind the line should have resulted in a try for Hopkins late in the game.
Michael Witt - 5 (51)
Parramatta looked directionless again at times, especially late in the game when either Witt or Thorman needed to step up and control the team.
Corey Pearson - 6 (72)
Defence was good but was hardly seen in attack with only three hit-ups all game.
Lee Hopkins - 7 (91)
Plenty of effective running out of dummy half. If only he'd been able to touch down on the Chris Thorman grubber!
Michael Vella - 6 (128)
Like Pearson, hardly seen in attack with just four hit-ups.
Nathan Hindmarsh - 7 (146)
Tried to get involved at every opportunity but the Panthers did remarkably well to contain Parra's most dangerous player
Craig Stapleton - 8 (146)
Absolutely worked his tail off all night. Made 41 tackles and 11 hit ups.
Daniel Wagon - 7 (122)
Nice pass to put Widders over the line early in the game and contributed his usual defensive excellence.
James Webster - 6 (44)
Made a positive contribution when he came onto the field with one great line break.
Adam Peek - 7 (77)
Outshone starting front rowers Vella and Pearson. Has really stood up since coming back from suspension.
Justin Tsoulos - 6 (95)
Did his job and helped counter the big Penrith forwards.
Nathan Cayless - 8 (64)
Inspirational return to NRL. Almost single handedly reversed the tide of the game making great metres on his hit-ups and was always there trying to put pressure on the kicker. Showed how important he is to the Parramatta side and why the Eels have struggled without him.
