In 2017, when the Parramatta Eels win on the field, we will be announcing three awards presented to the players following the game.
The awards are:
· Rebel Moment of the Week Award
· Grappa Relentless Effort Award and
· Pendle Hill Meat Market Own Your Job Award
These awards are presented to the players as chosen by Eels Head Coach Brad Arthur and the Blue & Gold coaching staff in relation to how they meet the Eels standards and expectations.
See the Round Eight Eels Awards below.
Rebel Moment of the Week Award – Josh Hoffman
Josh Hoffman claims this week’s Rebel Moment of the Week Award for an effort in the 23rd minute of the clash.
The Panthers bombed on the last, and as the ball bounced awkwardly, fullback Clint Gutherson was forced to run back and clean up the ball in goal.
With Hoffman back in goal in support, Gutherson looked to pass the ball to his winger, but the ball slipped from his fingers, forcing Gutherson to instinctively kick the ball, which rocketed towards Hoffman.
Quick reflexes from the winger as he caught the ball at his toes, and he charged towards the field of play, being pinned on the 1m line by the Panthers.
A big effort in a crucial point of the game, and the penalty that followed shortly after, earnt the Eels good field position rather than facing another defensive set on their line off a drop out.
Grappa Relentless Effort Award – Kaysa Pritchard
This week’s Grappa Relentless Effort Award goes to Blue & Gold hooker Kaysa Pritchard.
73 minutes on the field from the hooker who plays well above his weight each week, Pritchard topped the tackle count this week with 53 tackles.
The tackles go alongside his 38m from three runs from dummy half for the aggressive livewire.
Pendle Hill Meat Market Own Your Job Award – Clint Gutherson
Blue & Gold fullback Clint Gutherson earns the Pendle Hill Meat Market Own Your Job Award, for the second week in a row.
A solid performance from Gutherson who finished with 159m from 19 runs, one line break and one try assist.
However what the stats don’t show was Gutherson’s effort off the ball, his kick ahead for Norman’s second try of the afternoon, putting his body on the line to dive on a ball kicked ahead by the Panthers with Bryce Cartwright charging at him and his talk & organisation at the back of the field.