Half-way through a replay of Souths v Eels
Parramatta were the better side for the majority of that half. They had the bulk of territory and were out-enthusing Souths who appeared to be a little subdued coming off the bye. The problem is and I noticed this in their game against the Knights, they seem obsessed with playing predominately down the right hand side. They throw a few big boppers at them, build a set before handing it off to Sandow and Hayne who have to come up with something and more often than not they tend to over-play their hand and make life too easy for the defence.
What I have trouble understanding is that they rarely seem to go left even though on that edge they happen to have the best try-scoring winger in the game right now, Semi Redradra. I understand that Hayne may run better down that right hand fringe but they've got to mix it up if they want to make it effective otherwise teams are going to get numbers on him and more times than not shut him down.
This is where they really need Corey Norman to step up. I've got little doubt this kid has talent, the problem is he needs a wake-up call to realise that he has the power to become one of the best five eighths in the game right now and he's got to get more involved to help his team out.
Instead, outside of throwing one money pass to Moera for the opening try, Norman was the guilty party behind the two Souths tries. On the first occasion there was absolutely nothing doing for Souths, they looked lost until Norman ran in at this acute angle which gave Souths at least 15m of space to work with on the edge. Poor ol' Semi didn't stand a chance.
The second time around and similar deal except this time Norman races out of the line, isolates Tonga and Burgess is able to power his way over the line easily.
It's those type of plays that make me happy that he's left the Broncos. I still have hope that Arthur maybe able to drag something out him eventually just like Maguire was able to bring the best out of Sutton but boy I'm glad he's no longer the Broncos head-ache.
Will resume the second-half.
