Admire your loyalty to the Eels JustARandom but a few points
Interested that you consider Matterson and Asi danger players for Manly. Matterson is generally a second row/ lock, with some 5/8 experience while half back Asi was third pick for the Eels behind Arthur this season before Arthur moved to Manly. Hmmm. I guess you don't know Schuster who per game is the second highest try assist player this season. Also Manly have four of the fastest payers in the game in Weekes, Koula, Saab and Garrick. And did I mention Olakau'atu and Sam Fainu? Hmm. Gutherson, yes he needs to be watched. Would you say you have any other game breakers? Good luck though
I didn't say I consider them danger players. I said, with them as halves, Parramatta (as a team) could trouble this Manly team on paper
I'm looking at the teams as a whole. Not based on individuals
My main reasoning for this, is more because Parra have not moved Gutherson to half, which would have also forced a reshuffle on the edge
They have kept the edge and fullback (as much of the team/line as possible) unchanged, and brought in Matterson to play in his old position
Everyone also seems to be overlooking the fact that Matterson was a 5/8 till he started at Roosters
He was also the Junior Kangaroos halfback, selected over players like Cameron Munster. Link below
Ryan Matterson 5/8 - Halfback
On paper, as individual players, Manly has a team capable of beating any team in the competition
Cohesion, without certain key players, is a different matter all together
But the same could be said for Parramatta. Which is why, as I said in my last post. I think this game could go either way. Toss a coin
If either team exploits a weak link, it could get ugly
But it is more likely, with untested halves pairings, it will be a fairly conservative grind
And if that is the case, that suits Parras style
I am hoping JA has a blinder for Manly ...
If he does and Manly wins, I wouldn't actually mind Parra losing
It is a win/win for me this week, really
Kinda like State of origin. I support Qld and think they will win, but I'd also like to see Moses steer NSW to a win, with everyone underestimating him
JA playing Parra this week is the same
But I think this will be a tight game in most regards
If big Jake had been playing for you guys, I probably would have picked Manly in my tipping, because he is the key motivator for Manly in the grind. But without him, I'm thinking Parra 1-12
Best of luck guys 🍀