Image above is produced by the Eels' club
"There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it," Alfred Hitchcock assures us.
Eels' fans might anticipate bangs-a-plenty beyond the spectre of another wooden spoon and the rocky road ahead out of the muddy cellar.
Currently the Eels sit equal-last on 16 points in a dogfight with the Tigers, after the latter's upset win over Manly yesterday. With only five wins, the Eels have the least wins of any club in the competition (Tigers have six). The Broncos sit in tenth but four points outside the eight - seemingly out of the finals' mix with only three games left.
Both the Eels as 2022 grand finalists and the Broncos as last year's grand finalists have suffered a fall from grace. Both have only won two of their last ten games (2/10).
The Eels continued their losing run last week against the Roosters at the Allianz Aquatic Centre, while the Broncos snapped theirs with a much-needed monster win over the Titans at CBUS to remind the footy world of what they're capable of.
Tonight's Suncorp clash marks the 67th encounter between the Eels and hosts' Broncos who last met here two years ago.
Teams
Broncos vs Eels: 8pm at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Ground Conditions: Good
Weather: Fine
Broncos: 1. Tristan Sailor 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Joshua Rogers 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Xavier Willison 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan
Bench: 14. Blake Mozer 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Josiah Karapani 17. Martin Taupau
Reserves: 18. Benjamin Te Kura 19. Fletcher Baker
Cut: 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Cory Paix 22. Corey Oates
Head Coach: Kevin Walters
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Blaize Talagi 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Daejarn Asi 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Shaun Lane 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Joe Ofahengaue
Bench: 14. Joey Lussick 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Luca Moretti 17. Dan Keir
Reserves: 18. Jake Tago 19. Matt Doorey
Cut: 20. Ethan Sanders 21. Morgan Harper 22. Ofahiki Ogden
Interim head coach: Trent Baz Barrett
For the Eels, Kelma Tuilagi and Maiko Sivo are starting. For the Broncos, Selwyn Cobbo returns. Also, Tristan Sailor replaces Walsh at fullback, while Josh Rogers and Xavier Willison come in for Mam and Haas.
Key Injuries and outs: The Eels are without Mitchell Moses (biceps, season), J'maine Hopgood (back, season), Junior Paolo, Bailey Simonsson (knee, season), Wiremu Greig (suspension, R27) , Charlie Guymer (ankle, season), Ryan Matterson (TBC). The Broncos are without Reece Walsh (hand), Ezra Mam (foot) and Payne Haas (foot).
Stat Attack
- Over the last three years (since 2022), the Broncos have largely had the wood with the Eels only winning one from five games (1/5).
- Before that over four years (2019-2021), the Eels had the wood on the Broncos winning six from seven games (6/7).
- Eels' utility centre Blaize Talagi has scored 11 tries in his past 12 games.
- Broncos speedster Deine Mariner has scored 4 tries in 2 games against the Eels.
- Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs was in beast mode last week and has scored 5 tries in his past 5 games.
Suncorp Stadium: Bird's Eye View
Suncorp: Five Years & Away Woes
The Eels have a shocking recent record outside Parramatta having only won one game from ten outside Commbank this year (1/10).
The Eels have not played the Broncos at Suncorp for two years and won the last encounter between these two here 53-6 (R24, 2022).
At Suncorp, the Eels have had a good recent record. The Eels have won the last three straight against the Broncos at Suncorp (2020-22) and have not lost for five years (since 2019). But, it should be noted that was years ago in a different cycle (2019-22) where the Eels were generally on top of the Broncos. The see-saw has swung the other way now.
Hands-on: Last Week "We Messed Up" But "It's Still a Great Place to Work"
Last week in round 24, the Broncos came back into winning form bashing the Titans 46-18 at CBUS. In contrast, the Eels continued their losing habits with a 38-14 loss against the Roosters at Allianz Water Park that could have been worse.
Brendan Hands , Kelma Tuilagi, and Trent Barrett faced the media pack this week to talk shop.
Hands earlier this week
"We messed up a few things. We didn't adjust properly to how wet the field was," a matter-of-fact Brendan Hands admitted when describing last week's Roosters' clash earlier this week.
"We're looking to have a better performance this weekend [tonight's Friday night clash]"
"We didn't get it right last week, but the last two months or so [post-BA] we've been playing pretty good footy."
Despite Barrett's admission last week that the group was mentally and emotionally exhausted, especially after the Panthers' heartbreaking loss, Hands denied there were any mental struggles.
"I don't think so," Hands replied to questions about any mental challenges the Eels' playing group was facing.
It's still a great place to come and work. The boys are really still positive.
Brendan Hands tells the media earlier this week (Monday, 19 August 2024)
"You can see how hard we're all working for each other."
"We've got plenty of injuries, which means plenty of boys get opportunities. There's some positives in that."
"Yeah, it's been good getting consistent game time [unlike earlier in the year when BA had a preference for Lussick]."
"I'm enjoying working on my game each week, and trying to build on it. And seeing where I can get to," Hands explained.
"Everyone is working really hard. So, it's no harder than it would be [in better circumstances]"
Hands was asked who is driving the positive attitude in the group - since the BA sacking and a tenure marked by inconsistency with 50 blowout losses. Hands admitted it was "senior leaders" but "mainly Baz" and Gutho.
"I think it would probably be our leaders. Mainly Baz. Baz has been really good. And then Gutho on the back of him, driving it."
There were no questions about or mention of Mitchell Moses. For now, he is recovering from a shoulder injury and seemingly in media silence at this stage despite a whirl of twister-like claims over the last two weeks that he is unhappy with the club.
Giving Back
Tuilagi opens up to the media this week on his return to footy and how he kept his mind occupied whilst injured
Kelma Tuilagi reminded everyone how tough the loss last week was and admitted he's still having ongoing rehabilitation for his shoulder and thumb issues.
He also struggled to watch the Eels' during their losing streak when he had his injury lay off and wants to "give back" to the team and fans.
The keen golfer and former Storm junior also opened up on a barbering course he was undertaking at the Eels' club that kept him occupied during his injury-affected layoff. Despite some of his comrades experiencing "trust issues", he was determined to hone his skills with some of the players at the club such as Sivo.
Some of them [players in the Eels' squad] have trust issues"
Kelma Tuilagi opens up to the media this week, pre-game on some of his challenges
"I cut Sivo's hair. There's not much on there," Tuilagi confessed.
No one could say the same about Trent Barrett who fronted the media yesterday. There was no clear evidence of any Sivo-ish work on top. However, Baz admitted his move to the Broncos next year is "looking likely" .
Baz fronts the media yesterday to talk round 25
Barrett: Edge defence is "Something We Do Need To Fix"
Barrett was particularly concerned about the Eels' edge defence last week against the Roosters.
"Our edges in particular missed a lot of tackles. [But[ A lot of that came at the back end of that game," Barrett told the media.
"That's something we do need to fix."
"Brisbane are missing a few players a bit like ourselves, but they've still got a really good side. A lot of good individuals in there we're going to have to watch," Barrett conceded.
Maika Sivo at training this week hiding some of Tuilagi's honed and polished handi-work
Barrett felt having Maika Sivo and Kelma Tuilagi into the starting team would help the Eels' cause.
"I thought Kelma was really good when he came on last week. We've missed him. He's a powerful ball runner and he helps our halves."
"And just having Maika back gives us another big body."
"They both trained really well today, and they're excited to play."
Patrick Carrigan, the Broncos Captain leads by example, much like the Eels' King
"I slept a little easier knowing Reece Walsh and a few of them guys aren't playing. But Carrigan has had a really good year. And Reyno's back playing."
"They've got a lot of good young players. There's a lot of strike still there," Barrett admitted.
Katoni Staggs' the Bronxos centre was inspirational last week against the Titans
"Kotani Staggs was really good last week," Barrett added.
"We're going to have to play well. We know that. And we know they're going to be desperate."
Putting the Spoon to Bed: Bang
"We haven't really spoken about it [the spoon]. Obviously, in the back of their minds players know where we sit," Barrett admitted.
"That's [spoon] is in our control really."
"We'd like to put that to bed in the next two weeks, hopefully, and it doesn't come down to the last game against the Tigers [R27]"
"We really want to finish the year on a good note."
"They've been pretty consistent with their footy in the last two months. A couple of results could have gone our way, but didn't."
"A win [tonight] for us is really important," Barrett pointed out.
Sportsbet has the Broncos at $1.35 to the Eels at $3.25 for tonight's clash. The Eels have shortened dramatically to collect the spoon after the Tigers' upset win over Manly yesterday. The Eels are now $1.94 to the Tigers $1.85: in a tight dog-fight. Last week the Eels were $8.50 to the Tigers at $1.04.
Replies
Fwaaarkin' deadly blog here mate! Really enjoyed the read.
When will they stop referring to themselves as boys! Fuck me man up.... Spud Carroll would knock our 'boys' heads off even now.
Sivo better dig in tonite, show he's worth holding onto in '25, I'd say it's a forgone conclusion him n Reg are gone, fuck if you listen to whispers Gutho too? Don't react on me for saying it either, smoke n fire ay
Im still in for a win but the Eels may require a little blue pill to keep 'em up. ;)
Thanks, Marty. Appreciate the kind words, mate.
A disappointing night mate.
This season can't end soon enough.
I'm too peeved to add anything else of substance lol.
Yes I a big Tuilagi fan. I recon Ryles will be too. He was not given a proper chance at the start of the year as he was used as a centre or limited minutes off the bench. He really need to be placed on the left with Dylan to develop that lethal combo. They suit each other reallt well. We haven't had a hard running backrower till Niukore and Ice and we have really missed it.
Carty has his moments of X factor and offload but honestly I am on the train that does not want him as our first choice backrower next year.
I have been really impressed by Brazel recently. Reminds me of Liam Martin. Not the biggest attacking weapon. But in defence he is aggressive and leads the line speed. Was always highly regarded but it has took him couple years to find form since that ACL injury. A big pre-season and who knows where he will be in the pecking order.
The last 15 minutes of the game will tell us a lot about where players are mentally being in the bottom 2 in the comp. Hope Barrett,s focus is on building the game with how we finish in overall energy levels
Baz is right, avoiding the spoon is in our hands.
If we are not up for this game, we'll never be up.
Grunta probably a Post worth deleting
. You may feel better later if you did
TAD, What Grunta & that other banana show is how useful a No Dickheads Policy would be on here.
HOE a test of character is an apology when you dig into your soul and realise you have surrenderd to weakness.. Thank you for the time, effort , kindness and intelligence you bring to the site
Plenty of people read and appreciate the blog HOE and sometimes if something is well written it doesn't need a response. A lot of comments isn't the measure of a blog as people are happy to crap on about anything and majority of comments are repeats of what is already been said. The most commented blogs are full of useless garbage responses which as a collective add much less then 1 or 2 quality comments on a great blog.
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