Bring on Manly

With the pre-season all but over now we get down to the first match of the season.

Manly, like us, is a bit of an unknown quantity. They have bought quantity, but is there much quality, about their new recruits? Our new recruits, in the main, have quality stamped all over them. They also have a relatively new spine so both teams are hard to gauge, What I do know is our defence will again be top notch throughout the season.

Imo the soft underbelly of Manly is their wingers. Both are suspect under the high ball, particularly Uate, and both have defensive frailties. This suits Parramatta's attack as we like to attack the edges and this is where Manly is most venerable.

In this game hopefully our main worries about our team will be answered:

How will our halves perform?
Who will be our hooker/s?
Will we use 1 or 2 hookers with BA's preference being one.
Who will be our starting props?
Will Bevan be the fullback we have missed since JH went sightseeing overseas?
Will Semi have his mind on the job and be at his devastating best?
Will Edwards be available or suspended (court case pending)?

Anyway let the game begin as I can hardly wait!

"HFK, Fair point. Sure, we could. But balancing incoming youth with experience is almost a perennial issue. A constant cycle. It never really goes away. At least not for too long. "

Replies

Tin Tim February 23, 2017 at 10:50am

I think Manly are a little underrated. They have a good roster, they are playing at home, I really think it's a danger game. I'm hoping our strike players step up and razzle dazzle them off the park.
Y2Eel February 23, 2017 at 11:16am

Manly's Forwards suck... That is all....
- Baby Eel > Y2Eel February 23, 2017 at 11:50am
  
  Some of them
Coach Jim February 23, 2017 at 11:23am

It's a long season with plenty of twist & turns along the way as we have seen year after year. As Eels fans we have had a lot more on our minds than just the footy in recent seasons so it will be great to not have our board embarrassing us week in week out. No one can tell the future but one thing is for sure, The Eels future can only get better. With Burnie at the helm we have professional leadership & that will free up BA & his staff to get on with preparing our team for footy. I look forward to the questions above being answered as the season progresses.

Go The Mighty Eels
christeel February 23, 2017 at 11:36am

Parra 36 - manly 6
- Rise of an empire > christeel February 23, 2017 at 11:48am
  
  I hope your right but I can't see that big of a blowout
Mitchy February 23, 2017 at 11:48am

Manly will start off well IMO; they have a better roster than 2016, and will do better but miss the 8. If Tapau and big head Miles play consistent, they can do well.
Ron February 23, 2017 at 11:51am

When their first grade team consists of Sironen, Uate, Wright, Lane, an under performing Myles, and rejects or rookies who couldn't get a starting spot in their former teams I'm not worried about Manly at all.

And Barrett is a shit coach.
Big D February 23, 2017 at 12:06pm

We have beaten Moanly the last 5 times we have played them. During those 5 games they have had a much stronger team than the one they will trot out in Rd 1. We, on the other hand, have great balance and keen defence. Take out Tom T and Moanly really are clutching at straws. Just on paper Moanly will get towelled up will be much closer to 16th than 8th. That's on paper.