First of all, thank you to Capn for doing this each week. I've knocked off his template, and in attempting to do this, I've realised how much work goes into it. Secondly, and more importantly, condolences to Captain C Normz. I'm sure I speak for everyone on here when I say that your blogs are anticipated and devoured hungrily, and you are in our thoughts in what I'm sure has been a trying time.
With that said, on to the Match Day Blog! I hope I got the formatting right.
Warriors vs Eels (Round 13) OFFICIAL MATCH DAY BLOG
Date: Friday, June 2nd
Venue: ANZ Satdium
Gates Open: No idea sorry, get there early I reckon
Kick off: 7:50pm (NYC U20s 5:35pm)
Head Referee: Ashley Klein
Assistant Referee: Chris Sutton
Head to head: Played 37, Eels 20, Warriors 17, drawn 0
Head to head odds: Warriors ($2.15), Eels ($1.74)
Broadcast: Live Channel 9: 7:50pm
Last four encounters:
01. Warriors 22, Eels 10 at Mt Smart Stadium (2017)
02. Warriors 18, Eels 40 at Mt Smart Stadium (2016)
03. Warriors 17, Eels 12 at Pirtek Sadium (2015)
04. Warriors 29, Eels 16 at Mt Smart Stadium (2015)
Preview: This will not be as in-depth as Capt’s, so please bear with me. The 9th placed Eels take on the 13th placed Warriors in a game that both team will want to win to push their case for a spot in the top 8. The Eels are coming off a win against the poorly performing South Sydney Rabbitohs, with the final score not reflecting the dominance the Blue and Gold showed. The Warriors will be buoyed by a win over the Broncos, albeit an Origin depleted side.
Value Bet: My value bet for this one is for the Eels to defeat the Warriors by a margin of 13+, the Eels are at $3.75 to defeat the Warriors by a big score. Now onto the first try favourites for both teams, the Warriors have both Ken Maumalo at $11 and David Fusitua at $13.00 as their first try favourites whereas the Eels have Bevan French at $10.00 and Semi Radradra at $8.00 as their first try favourites. I’ve chucked a tenner on Ken Maumalo any time tryscorer, into Semi for 2 or more, and Eels to win 13+.
Interesting fact: This will be Kieran Foran’s first time facing the Eels fans in Australia. Rugby League fans are not known to be a forgiving lot, so he can expect a hostile reception. This is also only the 2nd time the Warriors have played at ANZ since losing the 2011 Grand Final.
It will be a big game for: Semi Radrada. The big Fijian has started to find his groove, and another week with his centre partner Brad Takairangi will be of great benefit to him. Expect the fan favourite to start the sets well, and hopefull do the same when finishing them!
Danger man: This week’s danger man is the aforementioned Kieran Foran. The Warriors number 6 has been in good form for the Warriors, and he brings a calm and steady experience to a team that badly needs it. He has the ability to change a game with crisp passing, strong running, and an excellent kicking game.
Team Lists:
New Zealand Warriors (13th coming into the round)
01. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ©
02. David Fusitua
03. Blake Ayshford
04. Solomone Kata
05. Ken Maumalo
06. Kieran Foran
07. Shaun Johnson
08. James Gavet
09. Issac Luke
10. Ben Matulino
11. Bodene Thompson
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Simon Mannering
14. Nathaniel Roache
15. Sam Lisone
16. Albert Vete
17. Bunty Afoa
18. Jacob Lillyman
20. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Coach: Stephen Kearney
Late mail: No changes expected for the Warriors, they are expected to be 1 to 17.
Parramatta Eels (9th coming into the round)
01. Bevan French
02. Semi Radradra
03. Brad Takairangi
04. Kirisome Auva'a
05. Josh Hoffman
06. Clint Gutherson
07. Mitchell Moses
08. Suaia Matagi
09. Kaysa Pritchard
10. Daniel Alvaro
11. Manu Ma’u
12. Tepai Moeroa
13. Nathan Brown
14. Beau Scott (C)
16. Kenny Edwards
18. David Gower
19. Will Smith
20. Marata Niukore
21. Nathan Davis
Coach: Brad Arthur
Late mail: No late changes expected for the Eels, expect them to be 1 to 17 in this one.
2 key match ups:
01. Suaia Matagi vs James Gavet. Both of these big men will look to get the forward packs rolling on. Gavet has been playing very well, while Matagi has been quiet since the opening few weeks. Hopefully our 8 can get the upper hand.
02. Mitchell Moses vs Kieran Foran. The old against the new. The past against the future. This is a matchup that all Eels fans will be watching closely. Whilst Foran is arguably the better player now, the signs we have seen for the last two weeks from a motivated Moses point to a bright future for the young Parramatta halfback.
My Tip: Coming into this game the Warriors have displayed some very questionable form and have struggled to win away from home. I expect the Eels to continue their run and win this one convincingly.
Man of the match: Clint Gutherson or Manu M’au
Enjoy the game, GO THE EELS !!!
Replies
There were a bunch of photos, but for some reason they exceeded the character limit, so please use your imagination.
OUTSTANDING effort Pete, lovely work, eels by 6
Thanks mate, I'm not keen to do it again! I wrote a bunch about how Jennings was one to watch after missing out on Origin before I remembered he was injured.
Massive work from Capt to do it each week, with such depth. And this year will be the first he gets to do finals blogs, so there's even more work there!
Did well mate
Not good enough. I prefer Snake's match day blogs! ;)
Eels by 12.
Thanks Bup, good pickup.
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