Beating the Eels

[SeaEagleRock8]

Pretty important to get our season off on the right foot. NRL this year looks harder than ever, with many strong outfits, and our Round 1 opponents are no exception.

Eels apparently were excellent in defence in their trial against the Panthers, as they usually were last year.

With Ma'u, Moeroa and Scott they have an excellent backrow, and are generally strong in the forwards, with Matagi adding some punch.

Norman is the key to their attack, he is dangerous, and with French, Radradra, Jennings and Co out back they have the ability to score points.

Not sure if they have a goal kicker, maybe Gutho?

The Manly players will have their confidence up, especially having toughed it out against a strong Chook outfit in the trial. We will be very determined and the difference may come down to home ground advantage. Sure hope so!

I see Manly are currently narrow favourites to win, not that that will count for anything. No ref blunders please (and how annoying is it, when contemplating a close game, that this idea pops into my thoughts 😡)

Manly by 2

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Fair dinkum I'd even take Manly by 1, and in extra time if it came to that!

And what a start to season 2017 that would be BUT, the Squeals certainly have had the wood on us for a few years now, and on paper their side looks a fair bit better than ours.

I think there will be a decent crowd, Sunday arvo , first game of the season but it's not named " Lottoland" for a good reason , it will be a lottery.

 

[pjayz]

It will be interesting to see if they play both Vave and Matagi off the bench, or whether they are fighting for the same spot?

My first thought was that the Eels will win, mainly due to the turnover of players for us, and recent history between the clubs - I am now not so sure.

After seeing the halves combine quite well in the trials, the forwards looking better than last year and Walker showing that he means business - we could get them.

I am keen to see what our backline will be as I want to see some speed and excitement in there with Kelly. I am also keen to see if Perrett will be fit to snag a bench spot. These would be the only two possible changes from the trial team against the chooks.

There is something about Walker this year. I have been a critic of his defence and ability to set-up his winger; however, he seems to be on another level in the pre-season and he could potentially tear Parra to pieces.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

I am keen to see what our backline will be as I want to see some speed and excitement in there with Kelly

His speed chasing a deft kick might give us a scoring option. It won't be easy to carry the ball through their line.

 

[pjayz]

His speed chasing a deft kick might give us a scoring option. It won't be easy to carry the ball through their line.

True, but it's the threat of his speed and step that puts the defence in two minds - then cracks can start to appear. He will also have Siro down his edge in attack, so his creativity could see Kelly find a gap or two.

 

[Fluffy]

#MIGOTY

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

True, but it's the threat of his speed and step that puts the defence in two minds - then cracks can start to appear. He will also have Siro down his edge in attack, so his creativity could see Kelly find a gap or two.

No, Kelly is being considered for left centre, whereas Siro will be on the right with DCE and Walker.
Whoever is on the left will be opposed to Takairangi who last year was a very awkward customer.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Tough game.
But - No Vave. No Auvaa. And potentially no Norman as he's still struggling with the hamstring injury.

Our boys will be primed. Baz will have them chomping at the bit. Our forwards will dominate. They won't be ready for the ambush that awaits.

Only reason the Eels have had the wood over us recently is they've been cheating the cap. Facts are that after their team came under the cap last year they lost more games than won. I'm not convinced they are as good as people say. Semi is on borrowed time. Kenny Edwards has pending assault charges also. Auvaa still banned for his assault charges. Terepo still out due to drinking driving. They're a real classy bunch.

This game will be won in the forwards in my opinion. Our pack made more metres on avg than the Eels in 2016 and I don't see why we can't do that round 1. Now we have a second legitimate halves option, Walker back centre, fully fit Turbo, endless metre eaters in Tafua and Uate....our back line will be capable of turning the forwards hardwork into points.

Bring it on.

I feel better already after reading that!!

 

[Shoe1]

I'm surprised we are favourites

 

[nightster]

Tough game.

Our boys will be primed. Baz will have them chomping at the bit. Our forwards will dominate. They won't be ready for the ambush that awaits.

Only reason the Eels have had the wood over us recently is they've been cheating the cap. Facts are that after their team came under the cap last year they lost more games than won. I'm not convinced they are as good as people say. Semi is on borrowed time. Kenny Edwards has pending assault charges also. Auvaa still banned for his assault charges. Terepo still out due to drinking driving. They're a real classy bunch.

This game will be won in the forwards in my opinion. Our pack made more metres on avg than the Eels in 2016 and I don't see why we can't do that round 1. Now we have a second legitimate halves option, Walker back centre, fully fit Turbo, endless metre eaters in Tafua and Uate....our back line will be capable of turning the forwards hardwork into points.

Bring it on.

they will now!

 

[pjayz]

No, Kelly is being considered for left centre, whereas Siro will be on the right with DCE and Walker.
Whoever is on the left will be opposed to Takairangi who last year was a very awkward customer.

I was thinking Siro was on the left.

 

[Fluffy]

Siro has been playing on the right - pretty much in the same manner as Gifty was for us, add to that Walker is right centre taking over from Lyon and we have a similar right side to before albeit not yet proven and unlikely to get to the same level but Gift and Lyon in their prime may never be equaled again.

 

[Eagles2nv]

Whilst I would love a win rd1, and it would mean alot the team and fans.

We lost Rd1 in 08 and 11 and they turned out ok 😉

 

[The Who]

Siro has been playing on the right - pretty much in the same manner as Gifty was for us, add to that Walker is right centre taking over from Lyon and we have a similar right side to before albeit not yet proven and unlikely to get to the same level but Gift and Lyon in their prime may never be equaled again.

Gee I long for the days when players could move all around the field and not have to stay on the right or the left side. I'm even old enough to remember when one centre actually played inside the outside centre. Imagine that, one centre combining with the other!
No wonder there are so few players today, like Cliffy, Phil Blake and Fulton, who can play what is in front of them.
Rugby league has gone backwards because of over coaching and the influence of compartmentalising players like they do in American football.

 

[Harvies elbow]

Bring back Rambo Ronny for a one off to take " pills" Norman out and your jobs done.
We win.

 

[Top End Eagle]

Parra backline - French, Hoffman, Takarangi, M Jennings, Radradra. Norman and Gutho in the halves. King at hooker. Forwards galore including Frank and Kaiser Pritchard.

Only place we beat them is in the halves. If our forwards show up and can hold their own we can win but kick chase has to be like the old days and smashing French and Hoffman on the return. Don't kick it to semi. Make their power based forwards turn and chase and have workers like Jake and api and Nate Myles cleaning them up in defence.

I think we will learn a lot about our season from this first game win lose or draw.

 

[Kevinward777]

I'm feeling remarkably confident about the Eels game. Much more so than I was round 1 against the Dogs last year.

 

[Clay]

I won't be surprised if Parra give us a touch up.
Hoping that's not the case but I can't remember the last time we won the first round.
I would guess 05/06?


EDIT: Just looked it up 2012 vs warriors 26-20


EDIT2: Prior to that it was 2005 against the Warriors same score line 26-20.
Bizzare

 

[Woodsie]

Have total confidence in our forwards and halves.

Big worry for me is our defence out wide being able to contain French, radrarara, Jennings, takarangi et al.

If we don't leak too many points we can win

 

[midsteyne]

I have totally blocked the last two seasons,this mix is like days of old.the manly spirit lives in these fine young men.
Manly by 8