Match Preview: Can Penrith's D step up?

The last time Penrith and Parramatta met, the Eels managed to lose despite racking up nearly 40 points. Thankfully, their defence has improved a lot since that game, which was really the last dissapointing game that the Blue and Gold produced.We had that match shot to bits and the Eels knew it. Seemingly able to score a try whenever they needed it, the Eels would return to their defensive line and give up a try as simply as they had scored one. It was great entertainment, but ultimately incredible frustrating when we ran out of time to get that last try we needed to win the game.On face value, our defence has improved a lot more than Penrith's has. That match seemingly galvanised our team to start playing for each other in defence and no team has since managed to put 20 points on us. The Panthers on the other hand, have continued to show defensive deficiencies, not the least of which was their 54 to 24 thumping at the hands of the Broncos.If the Panthers don't defend a lot better than have over the past couple of months, they're not going to be able to beat the Eels who have enough strikepower in their team to stake for three or four tries in every match. If however Penrith can keep the Eels down below 20 points, they're going to be hard to beat.Take Jarryd Hayne out of the equation and Penrith arguably have more attacking strikepower than the Eels. If Frank Pritchard runs hot he can demolish you single-handedly. So too, can Michael Jennings. And he did, the last time we met. Indeed, across their lineup the Panthers have attacking players who can offload, run hard and like to chance their hand. You should never feel confident that you've got the Panther's measure, because they can put on four or five tries in a twinkling of the eye as they did when staging that remarkable comeback against the Warriors.For their talented attacking players to be effective, however, the Panthers props need to stand up. They're desperately missing Petero Civoniceva and don't really have another prop in their lineup who gets them rolling forward like that seasoned international does. Parramatta will again look to Fuifui Moimoi to get their momentum happening. When Moimoi has a red hot game, the Eels seldom lose.It's worth noting that teams are starting to realise this and they're targeting him in defence. The Tigers did a particularly good job last week, getting off their line very quickly to meet him early and for the first time in a long time he was kept below 100 metres for the match. I don't know if Penrith have the manpower to be as aggressive or effective as the Tigers were.I've no doubt, the Panthers will look for their two big guns first and foremost. Michael Jennings will be aiming to repeat his walloping of Joel Reddy, but one of the most satisfying aspects of Joel Reddy's game is he learns from his mistakes and I don't think Jennings will find it as easy this week. However, the Eels will still have to keep a very close eye on this flash as give him space and nobody can stop him.So while Jennings remains a danger, I'm actually more worried about Frank Pritchard. So far Daniel Mortimer has stood up to every defensive challenge thrown at him, but if their is a player in the game who is going to exploit Mortimer's size, then it's Pritchard. Penrith scored a try when Nathan Smith ran over the top of Mortimer last time in, so I have no doubt they'll see that as Parramatta's primary soft zone. A side benefit of running a lot of traffic at Mortimer is you'll take some of the charge out of his attack as well.I'm very glad that Feleti Mateo is in this side. One week, a team is going to do a job on Jarryd Hayne and work out how to shut him down. Quite frankly, I don't see it being Penrith, but there has to be some concern still about our ability to score points when Hayne is not involved. Having Feleti as another point of attack releases a lot of that pressure because if you overly concentrate on Hayne, a player like Feleti can take full advantage of that.I'm expecting Krisnan Inu to have a big game. He and Brad Tighe have had a few good battles but with Inu coming right back to his best, I think he could be the player that Penrith doesn't give quite enough attention to, and he could be the guy that cuts the Panthers to shreds.

"Yup, nek minnit players are all being refered to as ' they ".
" So let's cross over to Mick Ennis on Fox . So Mick what did you think of Mitch Moses tonight ? , yes Braith they played a great game tonight , they kicked well and they had 2 try…"

"Yeah umm no. They aren't exactly business's of the calibre you'd be looking for to be a board member. I love The Crow , and have had many conversations with him over the past 20+ years, and he'd be the first to tell you he's not the right person. As…"

"And to be honest, if they went I couldn't give a fuck. Better the new coach gets to build his own squad than to be left with overpaid players that don't want to be here anyways. As we've seen at other clubs , halves and FBs aren't that hard to find…"

Replies

David August 27, 2009 at 5:38pm

Yeah I agree that Inu will probably cut them to shreds. His form last week was brilliant. This week it's either going to be extremely stunning or shocking compared to last week. If he gets to goal-kick, I reckon he will be brilliant.
- NZ Eel Fan > David August 27, 2009 at 6:21pm
  
  I agree David, Inu's game improves when he does the kicking, i think it is a way for him to feel really involved in the game. Hes not bad at it also!
Ace Eel August 27, 2009 at 6:23pm

If our "D" doesn't STEP UP...it will be good night Parra 2009.....
Jarrod August 28, 2009 at 8:31am

I actually have a lot of confidence in Reddy this time around to contain Jennings. He will have learnt from his mistakes last time round and he will put 120% in stopping him.

You're right though 1eyed. Mortimer is going to need support to tackle their big men.
Eelectric August 28, 2009 at 10:15am

Did you see Reddy rush up AGAIN on Benji last week which then allowed him to offload and pass to the winger who scored in the corner. Rushing up and putting pressure on an attacking player is fine if you get your man, but if you don't - it's costly. Hopefully he doesn't do the same against Jennings tonight.
- Jarrod > Eelectric August 28, 2009 at 10:18am
  
  I think to an extent he needs to come up against Jennings. But not all the time and too much as Jennings will adjust. We can't let Jennings wind up and catch the defense moving backwards or he will kill us.
ParraMagic August 28, 2009 at 4:34pm

Reddy needs this type of experience, as going into the finals he could be lining up against Inglis,Hodges,Morris or Lyon...

This reply was deleted.

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