Parramatta Eels 2009 season preview
February 12th 2009 07:43
The Lowdown
After being tipped by many as the team to severely challenge the Melbourne Storm for an NRL Premiership, the Parramatta Eels once again fell well short of expectations, finishing season 2008 outside of the finals in eleventh position on the ladder.
Indeed the Eels base their game more on momentum than most teams in the NRL. If they start their season poorly, Parramatta go into a dark void that allows them to play some really stupid football.
This occurred throughout most of season 2008 and it frustrated the hell out of Michael Hagan. So much so that he relinquished his coaching position with the Eels due to stress.
2009 prospects
With Hagan departing due to the Eels shocking 2008 campaign, former Warriors coach Daniel Anderson has been given the task of coaching one of the most brilliant but enigmatic teams in the NRL.
Anderson's appointment however is a great one for the Eels because of his previous NRL experience coaching another enigmatic team in the Warriors.
When he coached the New Zealand club across the Tasman, Anderson led the Warriors to a Minor Premiership and a Grand Final.
Indeed Anderson nearly led the Warriors to back to back Grand Finals in 2003, but fell short against eventual premiers the Penrith Panthers.
Regardless, Anderson knows how to control a team as enigmatic as the Eels, and it could produce some consistent results in season 2009.
No doubt the first thing on Anderson's to do list at Parramatta is to fix the team's attitude in defence.
Although they had the second best effective tackle rate in the NRL last season, The Eels let in over 50 tries defending their ten metre line.
In an area of the field where the side has to be at its strongest, the Eels folded meekly to gift opposition easy points.
Defence wins you the big games and the Eels lost plenty on the back of their attitude defending the try line.
If the Eels do not address this problem quickly, they may once again disappoint.
However, when Parramatta are on their game, few teams in the competition can match their potency in attack.
A few times last season, the Eels looked so polished and breathtaking in attack, highlighted by their win against the Tigers and their loss against the Broncos up at Suncorp.
Feleti Mateo became one of the most serial attacking weapons in the NRL with his offloading ability at times, unmatched.
If the Eels can start season 2009 with early momentum, they tend to never look back.
Prediction
It all comes down to momentum and attitude with Parramatta. If they start well, they can be the most enjoying team to watch and arguably one of the hardest to beat.
When they are off however, they really do look ordinary and things tend to capitulate without a recovery.
On their best form, they are a top four side capable of anything. The start of 2009 will reveal many answers for the Eels.
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