Where to start with the Parramatta Eels.
You could forgive the Eels getting blown off the park by a smoking hot Melbourne Storm side in the opening round but against the Wests Tigers they were simply diabolical.
What could go wrong did go wrong in an error-riddled opening 25 minutes before the Wests Tigers began to find some rhythm and the Eels were carved up right across the park.
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You have to feel for rookie head coach Jason Ryles. Ryles showed tremendous fortitude to move on experienced leaders Clint Gutherson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard in a bid to try and put his own stamp and style on the Eels but from what we’ve seen in the opening two rounds there’s still a plethora of problems to try and resolve.
With captain Mitch Moses also sidelined indefinitely with a foot injury Parramatta are clearly lacking leadership when the blow torch is applied.
Take nothing away from Wests Tigers they gritted through the hot conditions and then powered out the other side with the returns of Api Koroisau and Jahream Bula making them a completely different side.
The boos for Newcastle-bound Dylan Brown from Eels fans were understandable. The Eels faithful have paid their money and they’re frustrated about a player who’s been with Parramatta since he was 15 cashing his chips in.
You can understand Ryles trying to put a positive spin on the round two performance by saying he saw some good signs in individuals but the trouble for the Eels in the immediate is they’ve got a nightmare draw.
Next Sunday it’s the Bulldogs missing Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau but the way Canterbury-Bankstown has started the season you’d still have them as heavy favourites.
Round four is Manly at Four Pines, the Dragons, the in-form Raiders, Wests Tigers again and Cronulla to round out the opening nine rounds.
In the absence of Moses it could become a very steep learning curve for Ryles and the Eels.
And it’s hard to see too many positives out of what the Eels have dished to start the season.
The Sydney Roosters and coach Trent Robinson deserve enormous kudos for orchestrating the upset of the new season with a spare parts side against four-time premiers Penrith on Friday night.
Ryles backs Brown despite 0-2 start | 05:50
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The sight of prop forward Taylor Losalu back on the tools first thing Saturday morning working as a concreter said it all about how gutsy this win was from the Chooks.
The Roosters win continued the theme of upsets with the Warriors also accounting for Manly and the Canberra Raiders dismantling premiership heavyweights the Broncos on Super Saturday.
The Raiders scrambling goal line defence and will to compete on every play was what set the tempo early before Josh Papalii, Corey Horsburgh and Zac Hosking scored a convincing victory over the big-name, big reputation Broncos middle forwards.
The debut of Englishman Matt Nicholson was also brilliant with the 21-year-old bagging a double on the right edge for the Raiders.
What were your likes or dislikes from round two?
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