Parra throw up a wall of Eel strength
PARRAMATTA has become the stingiest defensive team in the NRL in another indicator its 34-year title drought could be coming to an end.
According to Fox Sports Lab, the Eels have conceded just 96 points in nine matches, the fourth-lowest total of any team in the NRL era.
They old adage that defence wins premierships could ring true again. Two of the three teams above them on the list — the 2010 Dragons and the 2013 Roosters — went on to win the title.
That defensive resolve won the Eels the day against Newcastle on Sunday, and the 10-4 win marked the sixth time this year Parramatta had conceded 10 points or fewer in a match.
“We just turn up for each other. We’ve got a really tight squad at the moment,” Eels skipper Clint Gutherson said.
“The players we bring in are there to do a job and they know they have to do their job or they are letting the team down.
“We’re going to look back at this in six, seven, eight rounds and it doesn’t matter how you win it, it’s about the two points.”
What makes Paramatta’s defensive strength all the more impressive is the changes in personnel in recent weeks.
Mitch Moses has been missing with a calf injury, Nathan Brown has only just recently returned from suspension, Ray Stone is out with a broken hand and Peni Terepo
and Kane Evans have also missed games.
Amid all those changes, the blue and gold wall has held fast. Coach Brad Arthur made defence a priority in the pre-season and the Eels are reaping the rewards no matter who they put on the field.
Stand-in halfback Jai Field, who is 85kg wringing wet, was superb in defence against Newcastle under heavy pressure from backrower Lachlan Fitzgibbon, and Brown continued his excellent form, playing the full match in his comeback.
“Browny comes back off two weeks and he’s straight into his job,” Gutherson said.
“We’re not going out there and asking him to do crazy stuff, he’s got to go out there and stick to the plan.”
Parramatta is saddling up for another grudge match with Manly, which will have extra spice after the Sea Eagles were denied a matchwinning try due to a controversial forward-pass call in the Eels’ 19-16 win in Round 4.