Eels expecting big things
March 10, 2004
ASSERTING more aggression will be the focus of a Parramatta forward pack containing five front-rowers for the Eels' round one clash with the Bulldogs at Telstra Stadium.
Parramatta coach Brian Smith has made no secret of his plan to add more muscle to the Eels outfit with an off-season recruitment drive centred on bringing big to the club.
Former Test prop Michael Vella will spearhead the Eels' front-row assault alongside the experienced Corey Pearson this Saturday, with Aaron Cannings, Adam Peek and Craig Stapleton all named on the bench.
Factor in Kiwi Test prop and Parramatta captain Nathan Cayless, who will start in the second-row, and the Eels' intent against the Bulldogs appears obvious.
"The way the game is going at the moment it is very physical mixed with a bit of skill," Eels captain Cayless said.
"We've decided we want to try and play it a bit more aggressive to try and match it with other teams.
"We trained differently during the off-season, we focused a lot more on conditioning and slightly less on skills.
"So we've got a bit more size not only in the forwards but right across the park."
Expect Cayless to play a similar role to the one which had him rated among the game's top props in season 2001 despite his switch to the back-row.
The only slight adjustment will be the Eels captain spending more time on the field than he has in previous years.
In the Eels' backline, Adam Dykes has been named alongside Daniel Wagon in the halves with promising rookie Michael Witt in Premier League.
Other team news from last night includes a new-look Wests Tigers backline containing four fresh faces to meet the Sharks in the opening match of Saturday night's double-header.
Former NSW Origin pair Brett Hodgson and Jason Moodie will be linked with other new recruits Shane Elford and Scott Prince at the Tigers.
Rookie Benji Marshall has not been named in the NRL squad.
At St George Illawarra, second-rower Lance Thompson has been named on the bench with coach Nathan Brown indicating he may opt to start the match using the big back-rower.
Elsewhere, grand finalists Sydney Roosters have named a powerful line-up to meet the Rabbitohs despite missing Queensland Origin stars Chris Flannery and Shannon Hegarty.
