If the Eels lose this weekend, this will be why.

Just watched the raiders v dogs game. Now I'm watching the Eels panthers game. There is one major thing that stands out to me, and that is, The Raiders have so many more mid field set plays and shapes than parra do. In fact parra have none.Almost every tackle the raiders get up play the ball and have so many complex attacking shapes that they stab straight up through the guts of their opposition. And they are absolutely on song, I'm talking 4 player attacking set shapes straight up the guts involving both halves and the hooker aswell as a forward or an outside back with everyrun thatt they run when pushing up mid field. The ball is always moving. The ball is never in the hands of one player for more than a second when they raid up The middle in mid field and it connects to 3-4 players each run all in a tight little attacking shape like the pointy end of an arrow changinging formations with each run.They chew up so many meters and look really well rehearsed and skilled in midfield attacking raids.They never spread the ball wide or play left to right style of footy like parra does, they play quick play the balls and have really good direct speedy set pieces that aim direct & straight through the middle and they look fast when they do it. They don't even need to think about it, it's like they been doing it for years already.You can see the raiders players all setting up in perfect formation with each run.In contrast, watching this eels game, parra are simple 1out hit up players relying on individual talent and athletic ability. The raider a attack looks months ahead of the eels attack. In addition, the raiders defended as good as the eels ever have this season. That defensive effort against the dogs was top shelf. The dogs could not get out of their 30m zone and were forced to kick on the 5th from their own 30m zone 5 or 6 times in a row.I think the eel forward pack is slightly stronger but the shapes the raiders run mid field is what allows the raiders forward pack to destroy other teamsWatch the first half of raiders game and then you will see what I mean!All u need to see is the first half because the game was over by half time. Raiders dominated.The other major thing was the errors dropped balls and penalty count comparison. The raiders are no where near as sloppy as the eels. This could be a blow out against parra if they don't fire this week.Can't see the eels winning this one !They will need to be flawless. Atleast as good as they were against NQL or the dogs in rounds 2 & 3!

"God he looks old in that pic, that's what this case has done to him.
Look i know Melbourne would say no, but i would still hold the card of he cannot play us in Round 1. If they give us a player that can be the same rule.
Melbourne want it done to…"

"Yeah but need cap space as they have a lot of players off-contract and have no cash. So if they can get say $300k of Ramien's deal left for example, that can be given to a player or two this year as a top up and get them cheaper on the cap next year…"

"So Storm get Lomax and Ramien, Parra get X(released player) and Sharks get salary cap space? I thought Sharks were a bit thin on outside backs too now with some injuries "

Replies

slip April 7, 2016 at 7:06pm

Parra are due for a big score, but not sure if it will be against the Raiders.
- ParramAddict > slip April 7, 2016 at 9:47pm
  
  As long as its not against us
Jneb April 7, 2016 at 7:09pm

Hope so slip.
I watched the raiders very carefully, even their outside backs are in complete unity. They are all so switched on to each other.

If the raiders keep playing the way try played against Te dogs they will be top of the table very soon.

They look so well coached.
- slip > Jneb April 7, 2016 at 7:12pm
  
  We haven't seen the Raiders against a top side though. Parra have played decent teams every week.
Enforcer Eel April 7, 2016 at 7:11pm

Thanx Ricky
Jneb April 7, 2016 at 7:14pm

Can't believe they're getting Junior. Wow! Canberra are looking like a top 4 side for the next 5 years the way they going.

Jeff lima was out against The dogs one of their biggest boppers and one other, that pack will be fierce in 2017.
Jneb April 7, 2016 at 7:36pm

Picking Peni Terepo in a game like this is exactly what Ricky Stuart would have wanted. BA thinks this is gonna be a game of who can hit the ball up hardest and defend the best. It's not!!!
Gower should have been picked for his offloads and ability to find a gap and make tackle busts and create.

The eels are going to look extremely one dimensional against the raiders if they lose and that will be the story of the of the night.
- Big Dave > Jneb April 7, 2016 at 8:28pm
  
  You just could not resist bringing Gower up could you. Just get over it, he is a plodder and not needed anymore. Gower was important in the past but not this season. When he started last week in the frontrow and one of his first runs he saw a big impact coming and he turned his back and backed into the defensive line I thought BA would be pissed. As soon as I saw that run I immediately knew BA would drop him when you consider the size and physicality of Canberra.
Taylor April 7, 2016 at 7:53pm

Raiders with out Sia Soliola will hurt them. Having a 5 day turn around and having to back up with travel, will add to that.
Will be a very close game, could go either way
- Big Dave > Taylor April 7, 2016 at 8:35pm
  
  Sia is a massive loss for Canberra and would be on par with us losing Jr Paulo.

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