#Casey McGuire says Parra ready to do it by halves

[Parra Pride]

Ben Roberts is tipped for a return to the number 6 jersey for the Eels. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: The Daily Telegraph

INJURED Eels five-eighth Casey McGuire has backed Ben Roberts to finally do the Parramatta No. 6 jumper some justice and help the embattled club move off the bottom of the NRL ladder.

McGuire will on Monday learn if a pectoral injury will be season-ending after he broke down in the first half of Saturday night's heart-breaking 14-12 loss to the Dragons.

While McGuire was just starting to feel settled with halfback Chris Sandow, he said Roberts would more than make the most of his opportunity if given the call-up by coach Stephen Kearney.

Roberts has already been dropped twice to the NSW Cup this season since his off-season arrival from Canterbury, but would have take great heart in helping Wentworthville to a 58-18 thrashing of Manly yesterday.

He booted eight goals and set up a bagful of tries.

McGuire said Saturday's effort against the Dragons showed the Eels had finally showed some urgency in defence, and despite the loss, was an effort that could spark a mid-season revival.

The 32-year-old added a settled halves pairing was the one thing Parramatta had missed in recent years, and hopefully Roberts and Sandow were the answers.

"I've got big wraps on the forwards who have done a really good job for us, I just think if we can get a halves combination to settle and work well with Jarryd (Hayne), we could trouble a few sides,'' McGuire said.

"I thought Saturday night was a big step forward for us with the way we defended.

"Our defence has been really bad this year. Last year in most games we defended well, we just didn't get the results. But this year we've been disappointing (in defence).

"If we defend like we did against the Dragons, and with the same passion and blokes working hard for each other, our attack will come. But it will mean nothing if we go backwards next week.''

McGuire, who debuted for the Eels in 1998, only to return home after success at Brisbane and the Catalan Dragons, said he had been lucky with injury most of his career and could not complain about the timing of his pectoral injury.

Hayne can also play five-eighth, but never looked comfortable in the position for City, and saved his best at fullback.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-do-it-by-halves/story-e6frexnr-1226368579413

Roberts has already been dropped twice to the NSW Cup

When was he dropped the first time?

#DTAtTheirBest

 

[Eels Dude]

What if What if What if

 

[strider]

"I thought Saturday night was a big step forward for us with the way we defended.

"Our defence has been really bad this year. Last year in most games we defended well, we just didn't get the results. But this year we've been disappointing (in defence).

"If we defend like we did against the Dragons, and with the same passion and blokes working hard for each other, our attack will come. But it will mean nothing if we go backwards next week.''

f**k SK - let casey coach the team! .... I hope they are all talking like this at training

 

[Maroubra Eel]

We're the best talkers in the game mate!

 

[The Stig]

Doing it by halves hey. Well they have certainly learnt how to do it by 16ths

 

[Gronk]

When was he dropped the first time?

#DTAtTheirBest

Pretty sure that Roberts has been dropped twice. He played for Wenty for a week or two, then was promoted when Sandow was dropped. Then after that he was dropped again.

Can't be positive as my therapist tries her best to block these memories with weekly shock treatment.

 

[Parra Pride]

Pretty sure that Roberts has been dropped twice. He played for Wenty for a week or two, then was promoted when Sandow was dropped. Then after that he was dropped again.

Can't be positive as my therapist tries her best to block these memories with weekly shock treatment.

I only remember him being injured.

#AndI'veGotFairlyGoodMemory

 

[TheParraboy]

rd 13 Game vs sharks

3 - Roberts
2 - Sandow
1- Burt

 

[Parra Pride]

TPB you've just condemned Roberts to have a shocker.

#IHopeYou'reHappy

 

[E_Cantona]

Id be stoked to see Roberts back this week. Best option for 5/8 we have at the moment.

And Jennings to replace Morgan!!

 

[IN THE KNOW]

Id be stoked to see Roberts back this week. Best option for 5/8 we have at the moment.

And Jennings to replace Morgan!!

Yes i would agree , i remember 2010 when Jennings made Aus school boys the ten 20s coach put him straight in ahead of Morgan . He has bulked up over the past 2 months weighing in now @ 96kgs and at 6foot3 abit bigger than morgan

 

[Stagger eel]

both savage and Toutai had big games yesterday, time to start clearing the decks and giving these guys a shot.

 

[IN THE KNOW]

both savage and Toutai had big games yesterday, time to start clearing the decks and giving these guys a shot.

I thought Savge was ok , but Vai looked disinterested, failed to support Mckenzie when he scored , and should have passed to Mckenzie but took the tackle when his winger was unmarked. Heard he wants to go back to 20s.Might have other things on his mind

 

[Stagger eel]

I thought Savge was ok , but Vai looked disinterested, failed to support Mckenzie when he scored , and should have passed to Mckenzie but took the tackle when his winger was unmarked. Heard he wants to go back to 20s.Might have other things on his mind

that's interesting, yeah i noticed that against the Tigers last week, he has the care free INU type attitude about him...

 

[IN THE KNOW]

that's interesting, yeah i noticed that against the Tigers last week, he has the care free INU type attitude about him...

Maybe thats why the other guys have been put back to 20s to freshen up and start to dominate the nyc, my backline for the 20s that would give the 20s comp a shake, GAGAN,RARADA,BLAIR,JENNINGS ,TOUTAI,WEHBE,SEAGE

 

[IN THE KNOW]

I know blair is at nrl but if we could win something,nyc i think the club would turn itself around especially if nolan signs the best of the young ones up,interesting to note 2007 chs u15 contained blair,jennings,wehbe,hopoate