True Blue Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach believes a lack of cohesion could be the reason behind the Parramatta Eels’ late-season form slump that has them clinging onto fourth place on the NRL ladder.
The Eels were widely regarded as a premiership heavyweight for a majority of the 2020 campaign but have recorded three losses in their past four fixtures to have their title credentials come under scrutiny.
A thumping 38-0 loss to the Rabbitohs in Round 16 and a 20-2 defeat to the Panthers on Friday night have many pundits suggesting the Eels are well and truly out of the race to win the club’s first premiership since 1986.
Roach believes their lack of potency in attack is one of their most alarming problems and questioned whether halfback Mitchell Moses is carrying too much responsibility as the senior playmaker without the injured Dylan Brown.
“It looks like the cohesion has really gone out of them and it doesn’t look like they’re a real happy footy side,” Roach said on Behind Blue Eyes.
“When you watch Penrith play it looks like they challenge each other and their forward pack are all on song.
“But they (the Eels) look a bit rusty to me, a few players are out of sorts and their playmakers (are) especially.
“(Mitch) Moses is shouldering most of the workload and the biggest problem for them is that they find it hard to score.”
The Eels burst out of the blocks with eight wins in their first nine fixtures of the season and claimed wins over fellow top-eight sides in the Panthers, Raiders and Newcastle Knights.
They built an ominous case as the best defensive side in the competition when they kept their opposition to one try or less on five occasions, while the likes of Clint Gutherson, Moses, and Brown built a formidable spine-combination in attack.
Roach has cast doubts over the timing of their form when comparing the current performances of the Eels to fellow premiership contenders Panthers, Storm, Roosters and South Sydney.
“The thing is coming good at the right time,” he said.
“Look at South Sydney they’re exactly what we’re talking about now (when you say) you don’t win the Melbourne Cup in January.
“Parramatta might have peaked too early and they are finding it hard to come back (to form).”
The Eels will look to get their season back on track when they face the embattled Broncos at Bankwest Stadium on Friday night.