You don’t expect me to be objective do you?
I’ll try just a little.
Parramatta v Melbourne, Sunday 5:15pm, ANZ Stadium
The Storm are a formidable footy side. Their precision and discipline is well known. They play a tight game and are difficult to score against. Their regular season defence was second best in the comp. But throw in the individual brilliance of Slater and Inglis and you have that extra that was missing from the Dragons and Bulldogs.
A few weeks out from the finals playing Manly the Storm looked tired and devoid of any real ideas in attack. Bellamy then tweaked things to make sure Cronk and Finch understood their roles a little better. That has helped unleash the Storm who have flown into the Grand Final on the back of some very dominant performances. They do look very ominous indeed.
Slater is just playing amazing football. The grubber and regather to score against Brisbane was just magnificent. Even if the Eels do kick well and keep the ball away from Slater, he is still dangerous around the ruck and the Eels will need to really watch their defence.
If the Eels do want to keep Slater quiet then they need to mark Cameron Smith carefully. He is a big part of the Storm go forward. But he does play with one of the best forward packs in the competition. It doesn’t get any tougher for Parramatta.
And that is what the Eels will want. Their fairytale run to the Grand Final has seen them take on and beat almost every team in the comp. A win over the Storm will just emphasise how good they have played. In fact, the Eels march to the finals started with a win over Melbourne back in round 19. But that was a weakened Melbourne who also were not in the best of form. But the Eels were not exactly playing the same way then as they do now.
Yes their expansive second phase play is getting a lot of praise but their defense has really tightened up. And I’m not worried about the supposed defensive issues with the Reddy/Grothe side of the Eels defence. Anderson will have some contingencies there.
Speaking of Anderson, while the talk is of Bellamy’s ability to get teams to the big games, Anderson is no slouch either. His record for finals in Super League is similar to Bellamy’s. His St Helens side were only premiers once out of three appearances in the Super League Grand Final.
The Storm will be wanting to cut off Parra’s second phase play. And I reckon they will for the first 20 minutes or so of the game. But this will tire them out. One aspect of Parra’s run of wins has been how they get on top of sides in the second half. There is a little bit of rope-a-dope with Parra. And the toughness of the Eels’ run will work in their favour. They are battle hardened and the excitement of playing in a Grand Final will keep them going.
And the second half is where this game will be won. It will be one hell of a contest but as the game wears on the Eels will find a way home. Remember, the crowd will be predominantly Parra supporters and that will have a big impact on the game.
And don’t discount the old Eels legends handing out jerseys and well wishes before the game. A part of Parra’s turnaround has been the welcoming back to the club the Eels’ greats of yore.
And I’ll be there. I was there in 2001 and also for the preliminary final in 2005. The pain of defeat I know well. And to be honest, it doesn’t worry me even though I know how dejected I’ll feel. With a win, I have no idea of the territory. It has been many years. I expect though that tears will be shed as just a few were back in 1981.
For those wanting to have a punt, I’m going the Eels 13+ and Hindy for the Clive Churchill medal.
GO THE EELS!
14 responses so far ↓
Mountain Boy // Oct 2, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Two teams left, each with one firm hand on the trophy. At some stage one team will lose the tug-o-war and their grip, the other will get both hands on, raise it overhead and shout to the heavens, whether the heavens are listening or not…
Round 19 review – dId I sAy ThIs ?? …Dont be too surprised when we see a few more “Parra too good for the Storm” type of results before the regular season is out.
A Parra win, everyone would agree, would certainly not surprise any more.
If there is an unknown quantity here, it’s the effect of Grand Final week on Parramatta. Melbourne are almost Grand Final veterans – so you would think they have a big advantage in the week leading-up.
I know Brad Fittler, one of the coolest customers you would find both on and off the field, but before a Grand Final or State of Origin game in his younger days – his stomach would churn so badly in the sheds, he would throw up.
It’s all well and good to be laughing and joking during Grand Final week as both teams seem to be this year. That won’t tell you what’s on the inside. Even the opposite, it could be a sign of “nerves in disguise”. You may see a few stomachs churning as the camera pans the changerooms minutes before kick-off. Sometimes an indicator that a seed of doubt has entered the bloodstream of a player or players. Always fun from the outside looking in
So who will win this one? There’s no sure thing to assist this time. I’ll probably just watch on as a footy fan and hope the refs and touchjudges don’t make a mess of what could be a great game.
Eg. Dear touchy : if a ball sails 5 metres past the cornerpost touch in goal, please don’t give a 40-20. Not saying this changed the game last week for the Bulldogs, but it certainly didn’t help.
Mountain Boy // Oct 2, 2009 at 1:01 pm
The bureau is hounding me to put this one in though – False confidence may be in the air about a Sydney team playing an out-of-Sydney team. Read the tale of woe and ask if the home team means all that much…
Sydney teams that have beaten Out-of-Sydney teams in the G/F:
1987 Manly beat Canberra
1991 Penrith beat Canberra
2002 Easts beat Auckland
2005 Wests beat Nth Qld
2008 Manly beat Melbourne
Out-of-Sydney teams that have beaten Sydney teams in the G/F:
1989 Canberra beat Balmain
1990 Canberra beat Penrith
1992 Brisbane beat St George
1993 Brisbane beat St George
1994 Canberra beat Canterbury
1997 Newcastle beat Manly
1997 (SL) Brisbane beat Cronulla
1998 Brisbane beat Canterbury
1999 Melbourne beat St George
2000 Brisbane beat Easts
2001 Newcastle beat Parramatta
2007 Melbourne beat Manly
Shaun // Oct 2, 2009 at 11:38 pm
Well, the most important decision for the week has been made. I’ll be wearing my gold 2007 jersey, the father-in-law the blue one (I think that is a 2006 vintage). The 2008 white one is not really suitable and the 2001 and 1993 (original) versions are a little too small at the moment.
I’m excited but calm. What will be will be has been the mantra of the finals and no reason to abandon that now.
On the day itself, I’ll feel everything for 80 minutes from bay 624. I’ll die with each Storm play and be resurrected with each Parra run.
It will be tremendous and there will be no holding back. And if we win, I still can’t contemplate how that will feel.
This what we fans want all season. I’m glad that I’m among the lucky ones to have their side playing on the day.
Shaun // Oct 3, 2009 at 1:21 am
Watch for Oscar on Sunday night.
Go Oscar and go Hindy.
Mountain Boy // Oct 3, 2009 at 9:23 pm
I agree cancer is a terrible illness. It affects us all at some stage, though. Even kids from Melbourne – no doubt a few Storm supporters too. Not sure what the story then is meant to achieve other than sway sentiment toward Parramatta, (as if they are far worse off than any other city in Australia).
No offence to poor suffering kids like Oscar, but for crying out loud, are there any more stories that might wrench the heart of Shayne Hayne and Tony Archer Parra’s way??
Thats friggin it – GO STORM.
Shaun // Oct 3, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Given Archer seems to always give the 50-50 the other way when reffing Parra why not?
Oscar is going to be part of the pre-match show bless him. And after the season we’ve had, it is good to hear of the good players do off the field. I’m sure that Storm players do this as well and is something that should be celebrated more often no matter the club and player.
Mountain Boy // Oct 4, 2009 at 11:45 am
Robert Finch, father of Brett, owner of two Grand Final runner-up medals thus far. Good on you Robert, time to give Brett a winner’s medal.
Shaun // Oct 4, 2009 at 9:21 pm
It’s done. Like I said before, losing is something that I’ve experienced before. You know what to expect but that still doesn’t ease the hollow feeling in the pit of your stomach.
All credit to the Storm. They are deservedly the team of the decade. They took their chances and knew what to do to win. They are the great side of this decade and a wonderful achievement given the salary cap.
The Eels looked off their game at times and a little unsure. The Inglis try was a good example. That should have never been scored but the Parra seemed to hold off taking the ball.
But the effort of Hindmarsh was oustanding. Even from up on high, what he did was tremendous and deserving of the CCM if the score was different. He was one of the best on field as was Fui Fui who pulled off big hits in attack and defense. I believe there is some controversy over his try. The Front Rowers Union have called him before a committee to ask why he scored a try like a back.
Parra can hold their heads up high for a great finish to the season. A side with a journeyman halfback and a sensational but raw rookie came close to wresting the game from one of the all time great club sides since the salary cap was introduced.
With Poore, Shackleton and Tahu on board next year and Kris Keating back, the Eels will be there again on grand final day. We won’t be waiting another 8 years.
Shaun // Oct 4, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Heartbreaking photo of Hindy after the match.
wpd // Oct 4, 2009 at 10:43 pm
I think that the ‘touch’ or ‘basketball’ approach has a future but at this stage Bellamy’s rehearsed moves (again and again) still have the upper hand.
Mountain Boy // Oct 4, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Shaun, I read your gracious and humble comments – but I know it masks a still raw and burning pain that no Gaviscon or Buscopan will make go away any time soon. The next morning is a killer too, when you realise, no, it wasn’t just a bad dream. Chrissy Amphlett sure sung the truth about pleasure & pain.
I will say in Grand Final ‘09, I think the better team won the day/nighter. Parra were definitely close to catching up – and I may have thought differently if they had. I think the Storm did well to get the ball carrying arm tied up and prevent the offload – which was the key to Parra’s success of late. Hindy I’m guessing got a bit frustrated by all this, and ‘enterprisingly’ got a couple of handy penalties noticing the Storm hand around the football so often. I would think Parra’ s offloads were down by about 75% on recent times. I give the credit for that to Melbourne’s awareness of needing to tie the ball up early. Taking a risk and tackling high, but showing great discipline to keep the tackles below the head.
I’m not a coach, but from a coaching perspective, when it was clear this area of Parra’s game was being nullified, I would have thought, they would have sent a message out to counter this by playing a deeper backline, allowing more time to offload, and also to draw defenders out of the line. That’s what I would have done anyway. The attacking structures of decades past have been lost on our game and I’m not exactly sure why?
Another thing I saw, unless my eyes were playing tricks, was Parramatta playing (seemingly) without a halfback???? – where most team’s halfbacks are controlling the play, the “go-to” man, a leader, the centre of most attacking plays, and the steady head to settle/motivate troops around them when needed. I hardly spotted Robson (at least where he was meant to be) – or doing much more than a simple hand-off. Didn’t fit any of the descriptions above in this one. If it was Anderson’s ploy to limit his time with the ball – it certainly was a strange one. It’s said that Grand Finals are won by team with great halfbacks. Parra it seems were looking to mythbust this theory, and not surprisingly (and yes with helpful hindsight), they failed to disprove this one. The question begs, will they continue to attempt to disprove this theory in coming years? Or shall they continue the search for a “great” 7 to fit the winning recipe? Seems that Parra have been looking ever since Sterlo retired, and history tells they have never quite found one. Purchases for next season are a positive, must the missing ingredient remains.
I fear my Penrith Panthers with Luke Walsh will continue to watch a few Septembers from the bleachers. He’s good but he’s not great. Fingers-crossed though, maturity will make a difference to his star rating.
Thanks to all contributors and readers. For the most-part its been fun. I’m happy that people don’t agree with everything I’ve said too, but that I’ve still felt free to say what I think. I have enjoyed reading others thoughts too. Its good for the mind, as you only learn when you hear things you haven’t heard or thought about before, so that means I’ve learnt some things.
Bye for ‘09.
Mountain Boy // Oct 6, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Sorry – had to add one more. All this crap about the Slater penalty costing Parra victory. Funny, no news columns reporting about the Krisnan Inu hand across collarbone causes pain to head penalty ? I would be embarrassed if a player in my teams colours did that in a Grand Final. Ans would Melbourne have been sooking about that one if Parra had won? I doubt it. Grow up Parra.
Shaun // Oct 6, 2009 at 8:58 pm
MB, the Parra fans I know have the Slater incident way down on the list of reasons why the game was lost.
The consensus was the poor first half, a poor kicking game, poot fifth tackle options and not contesting the ball that Inglis caught to score were the main contributors to the loss.
Yes, a few blew up over the penalty but as heads have cooled, it has faded into being a contributor to losing the game. It was lost before then even if Parra were only 6 points behind with 4 to go.
Mountain Boy // Oct 7, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Certain teams tend to have a core of fans that will 100% blame a loss on something other than their team – usually the ref. The Dragons for example have this core, but their core is much, much bigger.
I wasn’t implying that you one of these fans. Sorry if you thought I was. I was just using the site to voice the opinion.
When I thought the game was ultimately decided, was when Burt, who had kicked so well, missed the Moi Moi conversion. 4 points behind would have meant no field goal attempt, and game-on right up til the 80th minute.