This will be an intriguing match between these 2 teams. The last time they met it was an extremely exciting final 15 minutes when Parramatta scored 30 unanswered points, only going down 31-30 due to a Marshall field goal before half time. The Tigers have been out of form of late and stars Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall need to click soon if the Tigers are to play in September. The Eels were out of the race for the finals a while ago but in the past 2 weeks they have shown the type of form that some Top 8 teams wish they had. The Tigers are still the favourties over the struggling Eels but so were the Broncos and the Storm. With superstar fullback Jarryd Hayne on the sidelines the entire team will have to lift and play well to beat the Tigers.
Where it will be won:
This will be a battle of the inconsistent halfbacks. Benji Marshall wears the 7 for the Tigers but has been up and down this season. Chris Sandow has shown glimpses of the form he had last year and last week had one of his best games in the Blue and Gold. With Hayne out Sandow has taken over a lot of the playmaking and kicking duties. 5/8 Ben Roberts also played well last week and on his day can match Marshall in the skills department. The forwards will lay the platform for their respective backlines. The Tigers welcome back Keith Galloway while the Eels will start with Fuifui Moimoi and Tim Mannah up front. Galloway is a large part of the Tiger's forward pack and will lead from the front. Cult figure Moimoi has been at his rampaging best of late so be prepared between a fiery clash between these 2. The backrow for Parramatta is one of the most experienced and currently on of the best in the competition. Captain Nathan Hindmarsh will, as he always does, tackle himself to a stand still and do everything else in between. Ben Smith will be Sandow's protector and his one on one defence is one of the best in the competition. Reni Maitua showed last week why he's been a representative player, expect him to be charged with pursuing Marshall all over the field.
For the Eels, the relatively inexperienced backline could be a weak link but both Ryan Morgan and Cheyse Blair had good defensive games last week and shut down plenty of Brisbane attacks. Jake Mullaney has been in stunning form since his debut against Manly. For the hookers it will be interesting. Farah's been out of form recently whereas Nathan Smith has been one of the most creative and quick thinking hookers in the game recently. If Farah clicks he'll be hard to stop. The Tigers will hope that the match doesn't come down to a goal kicking duel between Marshall and Burt. Marshall has improved but Burt is currently the most consistent goal kicker in the competition, missing only 3 goals this season.
The danger sign for the Eels is if Marshall begins drifting across field and starts playing with confidence. The Tigers are one of the best at playing off the cuff.
The danger sign for the Tigers is if Parramatta spread the ball wide early. The Tigers' defensive flanks have been leaking points as of late and with Parramatta's willingness last week to spread it early we could be in for an exciting match.
Parra by 12.
Replies
Roberts was trending nationally on twitter last week after his knock on v Broncos.
This is a CRUCIAL match for both teams. Parra must win to help avoid the spoon and Tigers will reclaim 8th position.
C'mon Parra #3In_a_row!
Parra by 8
The problems are two fold for the Tigers, if they get out to a lead they seem to clock off and they get more than 2 tries behind they throw the ball around and make a lot of errors.
We just need to pressure Farah out of dummy half and defend strongly out wide, our forwards based on the last 2 games should get over the Tigers pack.
Eels to win by 14.
dont care how we do it - we just gotta win! GWS farked last weeks multi ensuring no pay day from last week.....
Big game from Reni needed to prove it was no fluke, forwards need to put in again, and keep the offloads coming boys!!!
Eels by 4 or 6!
You're looking good so far. Best of luck, KR.
EELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
we will beat them tonight if we are more enthusiastic than them, i think its all it will come down to, ATTITUDE..
Parra by 8 and off the bottom of the table
Remember, 7+ !!!
We have got to play the full 80 to win this, if we slack off for like 20 minutes they will run wild on us! We need Maitua to keep running on the edges and targeting Marshall all night long (Just like what he did with Wallace) I am confident we can win this game.
I'm pretty sure that Maitua's job will be to harass Marshall. Where ever Marshall goes, Reni goes. Marshall doesn't make many 1 on 1 tackles these days because of his shoulders. This means we have to try and isolate Marshall as much as possible to force him to make the tackles and then the holes will open up as he gets tired.
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