Match Preview: Eels to steamroll Dragons

So the Dragons have fallen in a hole, the question is can they get out of it?Last week's performance really did have to be seen to be believed. For a team that built their game on defence, their performance against the Rabbits defensively was as poor as any side has produced this year. I don't think there is any doubt that they are going to be much better defensively against us this week.However, I have real doubts over the Dragons attack. Over the past three weeks they have not score more than 12 points and the match before that they only managed to put 24 on the defensively inept Panthers.I believe this comes down to the fact that opposition teams have worked out how much of the Dragons attack comes down to Jamie Soward and that if you manage to contain him, then the Dragons lack creativity. They're other primary attacking weapon have been their wingers Brett Morris and Wendell Sailor, but they really only come into their own when the rest of the side is on top.The Dragons have been so consistent this year because of the platform laid by their forwards. However, in recent weeks sides like Canberra have shown that if you play a very physical game against the Dragons and don't let the likes of Michael Weyman roll over the top of you then Saints really struggle to create opportunities.The Eels fowards have not been dominated in the back half of this competition. Led by Fuifui Moimoi they have generally worn down most packs over the course of the eight minutes. This will be a great test for them, though, and its the type of battle they need going into the finals. A few of the packs they've met recently have been pretty soft and they will need to produce good linespeed and aggression in the tackles to stop the Dragons go-forward.Go through the videos of so many of the Saints games and the tries they score look soft. However, what is not shown in the highlights reel is that they earn those tries by doing the tough work, creating overlaps and then finishing very clinically.However, we're for all in intents and purposes in finals footy now. And those overlaps are much harder to earn. Sides work harder in defence, they scramble better and you generally need that bit of class to get the ball over the line.And that's where Parramatta has the edge over the Dragons. There isn't a real superstar in the Dragons lineup. Outside of Soward, Hornby is a solid half back but not a match winner. Matt Cooper and Beau Scott defend very well but don't create tries with blistering footwork or pace. With the exception of Ben Creagh, they're forward pack are hard running tough guys but they don't produce a lot of offloads or skill.I just can't see the Saints being good enough to broach the Eels defensive line the four or five times they're going to need to, to get a win. It's now been eight weeks since any team scored more than 18 points against us and in the past six weeks only one team has gotten into double figures and that was the Wests Tigers off the back of Benji Marshall brilliance. There is no Benji Marshall in the Dragons outfit.When people talk up Parramatta's credentials for the crown, this is the fact that generally goes unsaid. It's the fact that makes me so confident we'll make it eight in a trot on Friday tonight.Yes, we're going to be without Nathan Hindmarsh. In the past this would have been a gigantic concern. After all, Hindmarsh was the guy always chasing back to stop tries, cover up kicks and do all the 1 per centers that can nullify those half chances. But right now, the entire squad is playing with Hindmarsh-like determination. Every time Penrith made a break last week, there were five or six Eels in the chase.You can't replace Nathan Hindmarsh but I feel more comfortable going into this game without the big fella than I ever have previously.So watch out down there in St George town. The Eels steamroller is coming on through.

Its all going to come down to which team enters with the game with the better attidude and confidence.

We as a team have been on fire and confidence is high, however now we have made the finals will that play on the back of the Boy's minds a bit, perhaps too much of a relaxed outlook has been taken?. We also come into the game today playing the competition heavyweights on a friday night, at the pro-dragon atmosphere of Kogarah, will the boy's be over awed?

The Dragons, who looked almost unbeatable when they knocked off a full strength Storm in Melbourne only 5 weeks ago, now look like a dog with 3 legs. Confidence after the Souths game would of taken an absolute bashing, and they must of all thought "what has happened to us, and can we still do it?" Now of all teams they have to play the Eels, most now definetely the form team of the comp. The Dragons must surely be nervous about this game, surely if they were to lose 4 games in a row heading into the finals there would be know way they could recover to win the comp, and i think the players know this.

We all know they Ando and Bennett are great coaches and im sure both will have done their best to have the squads primed for this one. Honeslty if our heads are right and we continue to play to our strengths, then we will win this game, comfortably. However if we fall into the grind with the dragons, they will wear us out and then put some serious points on us in the last 20mins.

In either case I am so pumped for this game, sleep was a struggle last night, i'm sure its going to be an absolute belter.

"Yea I like Samrani as a 17 rather than a starting backrower. Tuilagi will probably be selected this week with Guymer back on the bench or cup. Latu needs a couple more games in Cup before being a chance of NRL selection I would think."

"Yep thats the thing. I dont think anyone expected some players to be so much on the outer and JR blood so many younger players. Its why we are suffering this short term pain. Hopefully its better for the long run."

Replies

waldo September 4, 2009 at 12:04am

Incisuve points, 1Eyed. Yeah, Hindy has earned a rest. Go Parra !
Daneel September 4, 2009 at 12:06am

Nice. Couldn't have said it better myself.

Cant wait to see how it pans out, and of course how both teams respond to thier situation!
Camo73 September 4, 2009 at 6:57am

Thanks for the encouraging take on tonight's game. I was starting to doubt whether we could do it again after watching the footy show last night. According to centrebet we're the outsiders and the panel were talking up all of the reasons why the Dragons have to win tonight. All their points though were to do with what the Dragons should do tonight and not on what their current form has shown them doing. They spoke about how Wayne Bennett is too good a coach to let them lose another and how they have been the form team all year. These two points are true but they were favourites to win their last 3 games also, and we all know that they failed to show up and got beaten.

I'm looking forward to the game tonight. It's the first game in the last 3 that I won't be at. It has been nice watching some live, entertaining footy.

Go Parra. Let's stand up and take this year's crown!!!
JJM September 4, 2009 at 8:05am

I cant believe the challenges parra have had these last 2 months.

Firstly, they had to win 7 games in a row do or die or their year is gone.

Now they are playing the premiership favourites away without hindy.

I think DA secretly loves these challenges as it has enabled parra to keep that underdog status and keep the boys motivated.
blueNgold September 4, 2009 at 9:02am

Its all going to come down to which team enters with the game with the better attidude and confidence.

We as a team have been on fire and confidence is high, however now we have made the finals will that play on the back of the Boy's minds a bit, perhaps too much of a relaxed outlook has been taken?. We also come into the game today playing the competition heavyweights on a friday night, at the pro-dragon atmosphere of Kogarah, will the boy's be over awed?

The Dragons, who looked almost unbeatable when they knocked off a full strength Storm in Melbourne only 5 weeks ago, now look like a dog with 3 legs. Confidence after the Souths game would of taken an absolute bashing, and they must of all thought "what has happened to us, and can we still do it?" Now of all teams they have to play the Eels, most now definetely the form team of the comp. The Dragons must surely be nervous about this game, surely if they were to lose 4 games in a row heading into the finals there would be know way they could recover to win the comp, and i think the players know this.

We all know they Ando and Bennett are great coaches and im sure both will have done their best to have the squads primed for this one. Honeslty if our heads are right and we continue to play to our strengths, then we will win this game, comfortably. However if we fall into the grind with the dragons, they will wear us out and then put some serious points on us in the last 20mins.

In either case I am so pumped for this game, sleep was a struggle last night, i'm sure its going to be an absolute belter.
Jacko September 4, 2009 at 12:17pm

I have a feeling that the boys may not lift as much especially after seeing how relaxed hindy was last night and now that they are in the finals, I really do hope im wrong but. On the other hand who will stop the Haynee feliti show hahaha Go PARRA.
Tinkerbell September 4, 2009 at 1:08pm

This is a lovely positive post and I like to be positive too! Unfortunately, even though you almost had me convinced 1Eyed, especially your point about no team being able to break us defencively, I am still MEGA apprehensive about this game.

I know that St George REALLY have a point to prove tonight. Even though their recent form has been average at best, I don't think Wayne Bennett will let them go into the finals the way they have been playing. I think the Dragons will really lift tonight. Jamie Soward has also been copping it a bit and he definitely has a point to prove.

Further, as wonderfully as we have been doing, the pressure is now slighlty off us. We are guaranteed a spot in the finals and no longer playing 'sudden death'. This may reduce our intensity just a teeny bit.

I hope this post turns out to be rubbish tomorrow morning, I really, really do! It is going to be an awesome game though.
Fui Fui September 4, 2009 at 2:31pm

1eyed, are you aware this has been uploaded to the leage unlimited forum.. seems the only way they can get somethin on there worth reading is to post one of your match reports.

oh yeah, i should clarify... it wasn't me, and i sure as hell aint a member there.
Gil Carter September 4, 2009 at 3:30pm

I haven't been so excited about Parra since '81! - The way we have turned our season around, won 7 on the trot, got rid of DF, new coach (an old boy), creating miracles, where will it end??!! - In 2001, we were the Dragons of this year (only more so) - Nothing's a certainty!! - We will win with a leg in the air!! - Supremely confident!!
- Ross > Gil Carter September 4, 2009 at 5:55pm
  
  Hoping we win, but I am pretty dam sure that Benny has had SG resting on their Laurels on purpose of late, and our record at Kogarah is not crash hot. Good too know we are in the finals no matter what. Go Parra!!!!!!

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