Round 12
Wests Tigers 8 l. Parramatta Eels 38

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Eels attacking blitz a breath of fresh air
Tue June 5, 2007
Parramatta produced one of the more sparkling performances of any team in 2007 last night to down the Tigers 38-8. The Eels played a brand of football that brings fans to the turnstiles and brings interest back to the game. Ironically the team they did it against was perhaps the team that is the next most likely to produce such attacking football.

Media personalities and commentators have been quick in condemning Rugby League in recent times. Many have claimed that the standard of the competition has been depleted. They claim that the football being played is of a lesser quality to what it was previously. This though is not solely based on the lack of depth available in the NRL due to the salary cap. More importantly the slowing down of play the balls and less open play has seen our once flourishing game turn into a grind and 'wrestle-a-thon', in which single digit scores have become much too common. Two years ago if the fulltime score was 12-10, we had usually seen a great game of football between two top sides. Now any of the sides could be participating in this score line due to the new interpretations around the ruck, and the lack of creativity amongst players.

Constantly our game goes through innovative periods, the 80s was a massive decade of this starting with the innovative attack of the Bulldogs entertainers and the exciting Eels teams, followed by the defensive dominance of the Bulldogs in the mid to late 80s. In the early 90s Canberra and Brisbane revolutionised offence through their aggressive attack at all will theory. And by the time Super League came around our game was at the feet of League connoisseur Andrew Johns. In 1999 Chris Andersons flat style of play came to the fore with Melbourne, winning a premiership based on a four forward rotation off the bench and extremely quick play the balls. Just when it seemed attack was overtaking the game, Ricky Stuart produced a dynasty of his own in 2002, thanks to a rejuvenation of the up and in defence, with the Roosters winning their first title for nearly 30 years. And again when it appeared certain that the Roosters defence style could not be broken, Tim Sheens brought through a bunch of Tiger cubs who electrified the NRL, with a combination of attacking structure made up of 80s flashbacks and superb athleticism. That was in 2005, the NRL was at the height of its popularity, and yet here we are two years later talking about who won the wrestle and looking at the lack of quality halves in our competition.

The change in interpretation was led by a new wave of revolutionary tactics, begun by Craig Bellamy and the Melbourne Storm. In 2006 the competition was dominated by structured sides who relied on forward dominance, defence and winning the ruck in defence tactics: Melbourne, Brisbane, Bulldogs and Manly. As the more structured sides rose to prominence, those who thrilled us in 2005: The Tigers, Parramatta and the Cowboys struggled for the majority of the season. Perhaps this has been the major change, no longer is the ruck won in attack, but now it is won in defence.

In round 12 I saw some signs of hope amongst the league fraternity. The Cowboys-Sharks game was a breath of fresh air with an open game resulting in a frenetic match between two sides at their attacking best. And while Monday Nights match was a comfortable win to the Eels, some of the football played was breathtaking. The Tigers must take some credit in this argument, as they have played the same exciting brand of footy in patches, over the last 2 months. And although this open style of footy may produce the odd land slide win (which TV executives dont like), it still produces as many heart stopping finishes, and may even rejuvenate a legion of fans who have been disenchanted by the NWL, (National Wrestling League).

Lets only hope that if teams like Parramatta, Tigers and Cowboys can keep up this exciting brand of footy, they can compete with the wrestlers come September. I look forward to seeing the result.

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