Pre-Game Manly v Eels [Round 22, 2021]

[globaleagle]

Back-rower Ryan Matterson said his team had “drawn a line in the sand” and needed to perform because “words are cheap.”

“We’re not here on the Gold Coast for a holiday – we’re here to do a job,” said Matterson, revealing Parramatta players had spoken about making a statement against Manly for each other, family, friends and for all of western Sydney struggling in lockdown.

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[Waz13]

I like our chances against Souths but they are 17 and 3, that isn't down to luck. They can leak points but their attack is ruthless. With the same error/penalty count we had last week Souths would've put more on us than the Storm did.

I acknowledge they’ve taken care of teams they’ve needed too and I think beat Easts early on which is prob their one decent scalp outside Parra. They like us have had a very favourable draw. I also just think they are more at our level than say Melb or Penrith. it’s a weird season this year in that there are a core group of good teams (top 6) and the rest really are ordinary. Of the 6 there are 2 standouts. I can’t recall seeing a more lopsided comp TBH.

 

[Eagles4Life]

Looks a tad girlie


Just sayin 😉

More than a tad mate @eagleron

 

[Waz13]

This game decides if a top 4 is a possibility. In not too fussed win lose or draw as long g as we compete hard and have a high completion rate. Obviously its best to finish 4th and get 2 bites of the cherry and I think we are capable of knocking off Storm week 1 BUT if we lose we can plan for a 5th or 6th finish and keep out boys fresh for a big run home in the semis.

If we had games at home in the finals I’d be good with 5 or 6. But neutral venues just creates lottery games and I believe the chance of an upset greater. Especially with how unpredictable the refs are. I def think we need to be top 4 and getting a shot at Melb week one.

 

[Nordburg]

If we had games at home in the finals I’d be good with 5 or 6. But neutral venues just creates lottery games and I believe the chance of an upset greater. Especially with how unpredictable the refs are. I def think we need to be top 4 and getting a shot at Melb week one.

I’m not as concerned with neutral venues given the teams ordinary form at Brookvale the last few years and the games will be in SE QLD so the fields will be dry and firm which suits this team

 

[Captain Moondog]

Back-rower Ryan Matterson said his team had “drawn a line in the sand” and needed to perform because “words are cheap.”

“We’re not here on the Gold Coast for a holiday – we’re here to do a job,” said Matterson, revealing Parramatta players had spoken about making a statement against Manly for each other, family, friends and for all of western Sydney struggling in lockdown.

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Even cheaper by the cliche.

 

[EOL now nesting on the GC]

NRL 360 are doing their best to fire up the Squeels especially with the Tommy centered Match preview film.

'one side has a superstar...... the other doesn't........' hmmmmmm true but still ammo for the dirty mongrals.

 

[Snake]

The start is going to be vital in this game.

The Eels will come off the back fence and if things click, they'll build in confidence and ride the wave of momentum. If we put a couple on early, heads will drop and it'll feel like more of the same for them.

They actually started well against Souths and it was evenly poised until Walker exploded.

It's really about the mental game against the Eels. If we can spook them early, we'll win. If they get their tails up, they can put a score on.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

It's really about the mental game against the Eels. If we can spook them early, we'll win.

They are already well-spooked before the game's even begun.
Even if they get a good start our side's mentality is not at all fragile. The difference is Eels are going in hoping to play well enough to win, we are going in knowing we'll play well enough to win.

 

[maxta]

The start is going to be vital in this game.

The Eels will come off the back fence and if things click, they'll build in confidence and ride the wave of momentum. If we put a couple on early, heads will drop and it'll feel like more of the same for them.

They actually started well against Souths and it was evenly poised until Walker exploded.

It's really about the mental game against the Eels. If we can spook them early, we'll win. If they get their tails up, they can put a score on.

Was gunna post, but no need to - this is the blueprint imo

 

[pjayz]

I agree with most on here. Parra are not a team to come back after falling behind. They like to play out in front from the get go, otherwise they lose confidence and struggle to wrestle back momentum.

 

[Waz13]

The start is going to be vital in this game.

The Eels will come off the back fence and if things click, they'll build in confidence and ride the wave of momentum. If we put a couple on early, heads will drop and it'll feel like more of the same for them.

They actually started well against Souths and it was evenly poised until Walker exploded.

It's really about the mental game against the Eels. If we can spook them early, we'll win. If they get their tails up, they can put a score on.

Snake have you watched Parra over the past month? Their attack is insipid. They can barely score a try let alone put a score on. I do agree they will come out firing but to think they will go on a score lots of points against us is a bit OTT. Plus they have lost Mahoney and Moses is playing with a broken back. One of their tough set starters in Fergo is out and RCG has been arguably their best middle forward the last 2 years and he’s not there. Given what’s in the line for us If we can’t dismantle the Eels we are not actually top 4 worthy imo.

 

[silvereagle]

The start is going to be vital in this game.

The Eels will come off the back fence and if things click, they'll build in confidence and ride the wave of momentum. If we put a couple on early, heads will drop and it'll feel like more of the same for them.

They actually started well against Souths and it was evenly poised until Walker exploded.

It's really about the mental game against the Eels. If we can spook them early, we'll win. If they get their tails up, they can put a score on.

I think we will increase their current woes after Saturday. We are playing at a very good standard as a team despite some nagging individual errors. This is a great opportunity to raise that standard ahead of the finals. Tommy and Shu were relatively quiet by their own standards last week so expect to see some serious damage inflicted on the poor old sqeels this week.

 

[QueefRichards]

A bit worried about this one with no Sipley or Paseka

 

[Shoe1]

They are already well-spooked before the game's even begun.
Even if they get a good start our side's mentality is not at all fragile. The difference is Eels are going in hoping to play well enough to win, we are going in knowing we'll play well enough to win.

You’re forgetting that Matterhorn has drawn a line in the sand.

 

[Woodsie]

Hold your horses ... there is a game afoot.

Manly have blown out from $1.19 to $1.20 ... while Parra have firmed in the betting from $4.50 to $4.40 ...

 

[wedgetail eagle]

NRL 360 are doing their best to fire up the Squeels especially with the Tommy centered Match preview film.

'one side has a superstar...... the other doesn't........' hmmmmmm true but still ammo for the dirty mongrals.

Agree.
NRL360 were going on ad nauseam, about Parra not having a “superstar“ player & that they only had one player in game 1 of Origin, this year.
But, they did have Moses as a replacement in Origin ‘21 & Ferguson & Gutherson in recent years. Also, Reed Mahoney was named in the Qld ‘21 Origin squad.

 

[Snake]

Snake have you watched Parra over the past month? Their attack is insipid. They can barely score a try let alone put a score on. I do agree they will come out firing but to think they will go on a score lots of points against us is a bit OTT. Plus they have lost Mahoney and Moses is playing with a broken back. One of their tough set starters in Fergo is out and RCG has been arguably their best middle forward the last 2 years and he’s not there. Given what’s in the line for us If we can’t dismantle the Eels we are not actually top 4 worthy imo.

Not being contrary for the sake of it but I've seen far too many teams completely turn it around after a couple of horrible weeks. Come to think of it, we did it earlier in the year.

 

[Snake]

Agree.
NRL360 were going on ad nauseam, about Parra not having a “superstar“ player & that they only had one player in game 1 of Origin, this year.
But, they did have Moses as a replacement in Origin ‘21 & Ferguson & Gutherson in recent years. Also, Reed Mahoney was named in the Qld ‘21 Origin squad.

Yeah the argument about the Eels roster kicked off in another thread.

Personally, I think they have one of the strongest rosters in the competition. I don't believe that players are or are not elite in a black and white sense. It's all down to how they are playing at any given moment in time.

Take Penrith as an example. Luai was struggling to break into FG and Clearly was a promising up and comer with a bland game, void of enterprise. Neither were considered elite. Then the switch got flicked and they started rolling and all of the sudden both are Origin reps and Cleary is spoken of as one of the best players in the competition. Hynes was not an elite player until he took his opportunity this year.

There are players in that Eels roster that could go to another level in the right system under the right coach. Tedesco was treading water at the Tigers (he was thought of no more or less than say Gutherson is now), went to the Chooks and rose to the best player in the game.

Paul Kent is kidding himself if he thinks their roster is the problem. Even a guy like Waqa Blake could be anything; big and fast. Yet, under Arthur, his game is a mess. They have potential everywhere you look but can't take it to the next level.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

With the way their captain mouthed off at Opic their playing group may be fractured. I expect the contract circus surrounding him at present isn't helping. They have their backs to the wall and that makes them dangerous. This is our chance to completely derail their season. Gee I hope we take it. We need a solid start with minimal errors to break them down and Turbo to have a big game. I agree with a previous post here that if we can't beat them this weekend we don't deserve to be in the top 4.