Not pretty but Eels haven't let games slip
Andrew Stevenson | April 3, 2009
PARRAMATTA'S new-found defensive resolve has kept the team's head above water so far this season, with the Eels notching two wins from three games heading into tonight's clash with the Roosters at the SFS.
But an 18-16 win against Canberra last weekend was well short of glamorous, and coach Daniel Anderson gave his side a severe baking at half-time.
Halfback Brett Finch readily concedes the Eels dodged a bullet - even if the coach didn't miss them.
"We didn't play too well but to get the points was a positive result but we understand we'll have to play a lot better to beat the Roosters," Finch said.
Although Anderson was distinctly unimpressed with the quality of the performance, he still found some satisfaction.
"He was pleased we showed some fight towards the end and were good enough to win the game but we're still a long way off where he wants us to be," said Finch, a former Rooster.
This week the Eels have been attempting to retool their spluttering attack.
"We're struggling to find any rhythm, any consistency in our attack," Finch said. "Our defence has been really good, and that was what we struggled with last year. I think our two wins [against South Sydney and Canberra] have been based around really good defence. Hopefully, we can continue that on and improve our attack."
In attack, the big challenge has been to bed in new five-eighth Jarryd Hayne.
"It's a big change for him but we've got him closer to the footy," Finch said. "On the weekend, he came up with an intercept and he found the right pass for the try that put us ahead. That's what we want him to do.
"We understand it's not going to happen overnight but he's a talented kid, and you could really put him anywhere and he's going to play well for you."
The Roosters have been unimpressive - even in victory over Canberra - and have lost big-name forwards Willie Mason and Nate Myles, who were suspended by the club for drinking.
"We played them last year when they had six or seven Origin players out, and they really gave it to us," Finch said.
"They out-enthused us, they were dominant for the whole game, and they put a pretty big score on us. They've got a few injuries and a few players out but they've still got Braith [Anasta] and [Mitchell] Pearce there, who control the side really well, and we certainly won't be underestimating them. They've still got plenty of talented players around."
Meanwhile, AAP reports it's been a tough start to the season for the Roosters, but coach Brad Fittler is maintaining faith in his misfiring and suspension-hit side. With Mason and Myles stood down for tonight's clash after breaching the club's alcohol policy, and the signing of the Bulldogs' Nick Kouparitsas falling through, the Roosters' back row is severely undermanned.
The Roosters have lost two of their opening three matches, and Fittler admitted he had found the going tough, but is convinced the form his side showed for most of last season is just around the corner.
"It's been tough, and sometimes you question yourself and ask are you doing things right," he said. "But you have to stick with what you believe in and, by doing that, I am sure it will come right."
