Eels have the form defence atm

[Chip and Chase]

Eels line hardest to cross
By Stuart Honeysett
July 27, 2006

PARRAMATTA's recent defence is the best in the league, just ahead of that of premiership frontrunner Melbourne.

Since the Eels' belated charge towards the finals started in round 15, Parramatta has conceded fewer tries than any other team in the NRL and have won all five games.

Opposition teams have only managed to cross Parramatta's tryline nine times, with Storm, a side lauded for its watertight defence, the next best with just 10 tries conceded in the same period.

Eels second rower Nathan Hindmarsh said the team's newfound bite in defence had helped to take the club from 14th on the ladder five matches ago to 10th and within sight of the top eight after beating Wests Tigers 34-6 on Sunday.

Hindmarsh paid tribute to coach Jason Taylor, who was appointed in a caretaker role following the decision by Brian Smith to walk out on May 15 after 10 seasons at the helm.

The Test second rower also said there was no telling how far the side could go if it maintained its defensive mindset, especially against fifth-placed Manly welcoming back Brett Stewart, Steve Bell and Steve Menzies at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday night.

The Australian


It's going to be a tough ask this week I reckon. Hopefully Bell will play so we have a bit of penetration, and let's hope they are right about Menzies coming back.

 

[Fluffy]

they have had an easy run of late as well and a good injury record.

the wheels will fall off starting this weekend with any luck

 

[Canteen Worker]

They will be tough to beat at Slime Stadium but we can do it if we turn up to play.

 

[Mike]

We're coming onto the business end of the season, it's time to lift.

These are the types of games we need to win if we are to make some noise. The Eels at home will be a good test.

The team placed alot of emphasis on winning the game previous to our first bye this season. I'd like to see them use the same motivation to win this weekends '4 point' game.

 

[The Wheel]

Hopefully our forwards play with the same emotion & venom as the 2nd half against Penrith. If so with Bell/Stewart back and Ox playing against a relative novice we can put plenty of points on them.

 

[PJ]

The last couple of weeks have had all the Eels slime who slinked away sooking back spruking their team again....hopefully this week we can put the chokers back in their box!!!

 

[ManlyBacker]

After this weekend they will be goooorrne.

 

[Nutzcraw]

Here's an indication on how Parramatta is really going.... look who they have beaten to get to where they are:

Warriors x 2 - the warriors were a shadow of themselves in these games and they didn't get them while they were in their "hot streak"

Tigers x 2 - Since losing benji they have been crap.. they were atrocious against parramatta on sunday.. it could have been 13 on 4 and wests wouldn't have scored.. they got no attack anymore

Souths x 1 - Otherwise known as the fighting bye

Canberra x 1 - Playing well this year but not a real quality team

Newcastle x 1 - Hooray!! They have beaten a top 8 side

Roosters x 1 - The Burpengary Jets under 13's can beat them at the moment.

Only quality sides they have beaten are canberra and newcastle only one of which being a top 8 side and they were dissappointing.


It will be a test but not because they are playing great footy but because these wins have given them confidence and any team with confidence is dangerous