The Eels couldn't have picked a better week to meet the Sea Eagles, who go into this match with a number of key players missing. Both Brett Stewart and George Rose make a massive difference to the Sea Eagles side and they're going to be hurting without those players.
I've been bearish on the Sea Eagle's hopes in 2010 even before these injuries, tipping them to be around the wooden spoon. A player like Matt Orford who was the hub of almost everything they did, cannot easily be replaced and while young Kieran Foran is a handy player, he's got a lot of years ahead before he learns how to direct a team around the park. I also see him more as a five-eighth than a half. To me, that was always going to mean a massive load falling on Jamie Lyon. That was very much how it played out last week for the Sea Eagles. Anything that looked threatening through the Manly backline last week, had Lyon in it and he came up with the first two try assists. And that was with Brett Stewart in the side. Without Stewart, Manly is looking too much like a one-man band to be successful in 2010.
If I was Daniel Anderson I'd be targeting Lyon from the first minute of the match. Blunt Lyon's attacking brilliance and the Sea Eagles really have nothing, and certainly not enough ammunition to penetrate the Eels. If Chris Bailey pulls out and young former Eel Trent Hodkinson comes into the side, Lyon is going to find it even harder to get involved.
Manly's strength is clearly their forwards. Interestingly, they're real forward power last week came off the bench. Perry and King did a good job for the Sea Eagles but it was only when Brett Kite and George Rose got on the park that the Sea Eagles started to roll over the top of the Tigers. Rose was central to that. He bent the Tiger's defence backwards and that helped Kite make good metres as well. Kite is a very effective prop when he is partnered with a bulldozing big bopper like Rose, or someone like Michael Weyman, but he'll find it tougher to make those big metres without Rose making that initial dent. That said, Matt Cross is no slouch so we'll still need to be ready for that second 20 minute attack.
Fortunately, we'll also have Fuifui Moimoi coming on to the park to combat that strong second half of the first half. If Daniel Anderson has been considering whether to start Fuifui this is not the week to do it. Poore and Cayless can hold their own against King and Perry, we need Moimoi to match up against Kite and Cross.
The Eel's forwards don't need to dominate Manly, they just need to not give up the 50 metre marches down the park that they allowed the Dragons to get away with last week.
If they can do so, then Manly showed last week they're going to be susceptible to the Eel's expansive game. Lots of ball movement, hitting the fringes, offloads and inside balls all proved broke down the Manly defence last week and in the end the Tigers were scoring at will. The Sea Eagles look like they will be adding even more inexperience into their defensive line-up, which isn't going to make things any better for them. I'm sure we'll work towards Tony Williams wing. He comes up with some very bad reads so I'm sure we'll see Jarryd Hayne chiming in on that side of the field, in an attempt to create the extra man and force Williams to make some decisions. And on the other side Ben Farrar I think will be matched up against Eric Grothe, which is kind of a man on boy scenario. I think our wingers are going to have a big night.
In all honesty, I think we're going to put a score on the Sea Eagles. They'll be down on confidence and I just don't think they have the manpower. I think they're in for a very long season and it starts on Sunday.
1Eyed Tip: Eels by 24
Replies
GO PARRA!!!!
You have nailed your preview here. I too would use these ploys. I'd add a plan to run Kite and Rose around a bit. We could have Hayne, Burt and KK hanging off Cayless' & Fui's hips, keeping those two big fellas on the hop.
I hate manly with a passion as they steal our juniors and laugh at us when they win. If Parra only win twice this year(not likely)I want it to be the two manly games. LET'S GO PARRA,LET'S GO!!! Smash 'em into oblivion..........
Last year it was the under strength Roosters and then the Sharks.
This game will give us a glimpse of what we can actually expect this year.
I'm really hoping for a structured, disciplined, clinical approach to this game. If we do the little things right and play football when it's time to play football, there is no reason why we can't head in to half time a little in front and blow them away in the 2nd half.
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