Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Can anyone beat Parramatta?

Watching Parrramatta destroy Penrith on Friday night I asked myself "Who can beat the Eels?"
Going through the teams I'm not sure anyone can at the moment.
And here's why...
-DRAGONS-
The fact that the wheels appear to have fallen off is of less importance than the fact that when they are on their game, and I'm treating this assessment as though they are going to bounce back to their best, the Dragons play with a very structured defence. This has proven to be ineffective against the Eels current attacking style and in particular Jarryd Hayne. The Dragons have been found out for a try or two against certain plays, but they are a smart defence and adjust to shut down that play meaning all the attacking work done during the week gets thrown out the window.
The Eels don't do the same thing twice and that will bring the Dragons undone (as we may see this Friday)
-BULLDOGS-
The Dogs have been grinding out some results lately and appear to have gone down a notch from their best in spite of taking the lead for the minor premiership. The Parramatta defence has been overlooked a lot with their current run providing so many attacking highlights, the fact that they have only conceded double figures in one of the last 6 matches. The Bulldogs theoretically have the attack to worry them, but they last met with The Dogs in better form than they currently are and the Eels only just starting to get the current form, but not near to how good they are now. That match ended with Eels winning 27-8. They match up surprisingly well with the Dogs. Both have impact Props, hardworking second rowers, and dynamic outside backs. The 2 differences are Parramatta have a dynamic fullback while the Bulldogs have a safe one, and the Dogs have experienced but tiring (and now injured) halves while the Eels have youthful and exciting halves really clicking at the right end of the year.
-TITANS-
The Titans were the last team to beat the Eels, but the Eels were playing horrible football and sitting in 3rd last while the Titans were 3 from the top and playing in their fortress at Robina. Even still, the Titans were only able to win by 6 points.
I also have fears for the Gold Coast defence. It is a pre-requisite to have a very solid defence to beat Parramatta, and quite frankly the Titans don't have that defence and while I can see them scoring some points in a clash with the Eels, I can't see them preventing a Blue and Gold rush of 30 plus points.
-STORM-
Given the above comment the only defence in the league that isn't already listed that is strong enough to stop Parramatta breaching the 30 point mark and that is the Storm. However Melbourne also have only the 11th best attack in the league and the way that the defence has been steeled at Parramatta the Storm wouldn't put a point past Parramatta and therefore can't win.

So if Parramatta are able to maintain this form (or even close to it for that matter) they are looking the goods to take out this years title.
You tell me who can beat them?

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