Parramatta's injury woes leave them facing mission impossible against North Queensland.

THE video of choice for the Eels’ flight to Townsville on Sunday should be an obvious one after they were lumped with a 20.5 points start by the TAB against North Queenland on Monday night — their longest price in two years.Without 10 regular first graders including Anthony Watmough, Chris Sandow, Corey Norman and Danny Wicks and against a backdrop of off-field turmoil, the Eels will attempt to spring the upset of 2015.And if the 11th placed Eels are looking for inspiration, the tight-knit Parramatta squad should download the video replay of a match just over 12-months ago, which ironically featured the Cowboys.Expected to steamroller through an almost unrecognisable Cronulla Sharks side, who without 17 regular first graders were handed a TAB record 30.5 points start, the Cowboys were guilty of taking their opposition for granted.It would ultimately take two Johnathan Thurston field goals to sink the brave Sharks 20-19.On Monday night, Parramatta will attempt to keep their slim finals hopes alive by completing the miracle Cronulla couldn’t with a victory the bookies simply refuse to consider possible.The last time the blue and golds played in an NRL match with a greater points start was in round 26, 2013 — the year they collected the wooden spoon for finishing last.On that occasion, the Eels were handed a 22.5-points start and were subsequently thumped 54-6 by Newcastle at Hunter Stadium.Currently sitting second on the NRL ladder, the Cowboys are undeniably a better side than that of which were forced to overcome what would’ve been the most embarrassing defeat in the club’s history.Paul Green’s side are third favourites ($4.50) for the NRL premiership behind the Sydney Roosters ($3.50) and Brisbane ($4) and will start short-priced $1.10 favourites to topple the Eels.“This is the biggest line we’ve given the Eels since their wooden spoon year in 2013,’’ TAB’s Gerard Middleton said.“It looks a mammoth task for a team coming off a confidence sapping defeat and with huge personnel issues.“They’ll be without their regular halves with Corey Norman injured and Chris Sandow suspended and on the outer.Read full article: http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/eels-v-cowboys-parramattas-injury-woes-leave-them-facing-mission-impossible-against-north-queensland/story-fni3ga7r-1227453438510?utm_content=SocialFlow&utm_campaign=EditorialSF&utm_source=TelegraphSport&utm_medium=Facebook

"See when your in the race for talent are we really in the race.
JR interviewed and talked with all these guys and we got Pezet for a year.
This is one of the issues that has to change going foward we can't continue to put up note interest and just…"

Replies

slip July 23, 2015 at 11:25am

Blame the injuries. Lol A fully fit Parra would compete in the forwards, but not the halves.
- Ham Sammich > slip July 23, 2015 at 11:39am
  
  And that's where we've been at for most of the year. Our forwards have shown they can match it with every pack in the competition. Our halves haven't been able to capatalise on their good form for the most part. That should all change soon.
Premier2018 July 23, 2015 at 11:40am

If Parra can go in with a good attitude to this game, I see no reason why we can't get an upset.

Last time we played we gave away a massive lead.

If everyone plays with energy and positivity we can win any game.
- Eel for life > Premier2018 July 23, 2015 at 12:19pm
  
  im sorry, but we cant win with Luke Kelly at halfback
The royal OON July 23, 2015 at 12:08pm

Fark your good
Mitchy July 23, 2015 at 12:14pm

Could not agree more slip and ham. But I like this backs to the wall we have in front of us; it could bring some players out and show us who is made of the right stuff; a shame we have no Watmough and Wicks, but we can go ok.
Mo July 23, 2015 at 12:19pm

F the TAB F everyone let's do this.
GRUNTA - Death of a Salesman July 23, 2015 at 12:26pm

BA is predominantly a forwards coach.
Maybe we should sign Matt King as our backs coach?
Carl July 23, 2015 at 12:33pm

The product will get us over the line and also the crab man
qup2c July 23, 2015 at 12:57pm

We will compete for the first half trailing by 8 pts

but lose by 20 by FT

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Parramatta's injury woes leave them facing mission impossible against North Queensland.

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