1. Gutherson
2. Sivo
3. M Jennings
4. Blake
5. Ferguson
6. D Brown
7. Field
8. Campbell-Gillard
9. Mahoney
10. Paulo
11. Lane
12. Matterson
13. N Brown
Interchange:
14. Gower
15. Utoikamanu
16. Niukore
17. Takairangi
Reserves:
18. Alvaro
19. G Jennings
20. Smith
21. Davey
IN: None
OUT: None
Referee: Ashley Klein
Replies
Eels deserve to be favourites, even without MM (and Evans).
I think the only way the Moaners can get close to us is if our kicking game replicates the Knights game, where it was mostly poor to sometimes diabolical. Our last play options were poor in the first half as well. Without building pressure by kicks for field position and repeat sets, any team in the 6 again era is vulnerable to big swings in possession against them if they commit errors and concede penalties. If our kicking game is even just passable we're OK
How have the Eels favoured under referee Klein? Any idea of weather forecast for this game? Depends on crowd numbers too. If the Manly players stay more than 1.5 metres apart in the scrums that will benefit the Eels as well.
Klein reffed the Eels vs Raiders game. And he had some howlers: the Croker forward pass, the Moses bat-back backwards/line ball called forward, Rapana punching Sivo. Etc.
It will be Eels vs 17.5
Why wouldn't BA name Moses on the extended bench, just for the mere fact to fcuk with Manly's mind?
Good idea.
He should've.
Love that mind game idea
Why.
I dont see the point in giving the tigers a lift up for next year either, Im thinking it should be about our club moving forward. If Utoikomanu fits that bill then well and good, but if it dosnt and we have players already that fit the bill. mmmmm just not sure why we would help the tigers out and provide further invaluable experince to Utoikomanu, if we dont need to. Im happy to let BA work out which is best in the situation.
We'll be fine. Without Turbo, Walker and Fonua-Blake they lose a lot of attack.
The Manly side isn't horrible though, so we need to play to our normally high standard.
If we can simply finish our sets with some polish this week and apply pressure we'll be far too strong for Manly to hold out. Parra by 16.
Over on the silvertails site, the theory is we are primed for a loss. We are getting ahead of ourselves and starting to get cocky and perhaps will be complacent this Saturday.
They don't rate us much and think we've been lucky with the draw and haven't been too impressive - playing many of the 9 rounds at home - IN FRONT OF AN EMPTY STADIUM DICKHEADS. Where's the home ground advantage?
Anyway point is, they have lost 3 on the trot, everyone is writing them off, they are playing at home in front of their fans, Klein's in the pocket already. They will be desperate, we may be flat - I hope they aren't right and we pump them by 50 but gut says we win in a tight contest by 8.