StephenP
ArnoldNRL Club Analysis for Season '08 - Parramatta
March 7th 2008 00:31
Parramatta Eels
Attack – 9/10
Defence – 8/10
My prediction – 4th
Defence – 8/10
My prediction – 4th
Parramatta head into season 2008 with high expectations of delivering the club their first premiership since 1986, and the Eels of ’08 certainly contain the firepower to go all the way. Coach Michael Hagan has a tremendous blend of experience and talented youth at his disposal, and will be looking to guide his side to another grand final appearance.
The Eels possess one of the few backlines capable of mixing it with the high flying Storm and Sea-Eagles, and with old heads Cayless and Hindmarsh leading a pack full of experience, the signs are there that Parramatta will be thereabouts cum late September. With attacking weapons Hayne, Inu, Grothe, Burt, Mateo and Tim Smith in the side, nothing less than a top 4 finish will be expected.
Strengths-
Widely regarded as having one of the strongest junior competitions in the league, Parramatta’s premiership hopes will again rest with a bunch of local young guns. While the likes of Krisnan Inu, Jarryd Hayne and Feleti Mateo burst onto the NRL scene in ’07, coach Hagan is again set to unleash a new batch of talented rookies in season ’08. Weller Hauraki, Junior Paulo and Matt Keating are just some of the young stars that Hagan will provide more game time with this season, and combined with the long term signatures of Ben and Tim Smith, the Eels are set to remain a force for seasons to come.
Weaknesses-
Having lost eight experienced players over the off-season, the Eels may well struggle if hit with injuries. While Parramatta’s forward depth is again strong, the Eels look to be a bit light on in experience in the outside backs if injuries strike their main starting five.
Their success this season will also largely depend on the availability of their precocious half Tim Smith – if he can again find his best form after an off season marred with controversy, then the Eels could indeed go all the way.
Best Team-
1- Luke Burt
2- Krisnan Inu
3- Ben Smith
4- Jarryd Hayne
5- Eric Grothe
6- Brett Finch
7- Tim Smith
8- Fuifui Moimoi
9- Mark Riddell
10- Nathan Cayless
11- Nathan Hindmarsh
12- Chad Robinson
13- Feleti Mateo
14- Josh Cordoba
15- Joe Galuvao
16- Weller Hauraki
17– Todd Lowrie
Trial Matches-
22/02/08 v Penrith Panthers @ Lavington Oval, Albury
01/03/08 v Sydney Roosters @ Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
2008 Gains and Losses –
Gains –
Joe Galuvao (Souths), Ben Raftery (Cronulla), Ben McLennan (Grafton)
Losses –
PJ Marsh (Brisbane), Timana Tahu (Super 14 Rugby), Blake Green (Cronulla), Aaron Cannings (Gold Coast), Justin Tsoulos and Nathan Tannous (Canterbury), Richard Fa’aoso (Newcastle), Ian Hindmarsh (retired)
*Please join me tomorrow for my Analysis of the Penrith Panthers 2008 season.
Cheers,
StephenP
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