Previews vs Cowboys

[Gronk]

Eels v Cowboys
Parramatta Stadium
Friday, 7:35pm AEST

A couple of weeks ago this game would have been a battle for the wooden spoon, but in that time Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen have suddenly kicked into gear.

The Parramatta Eels have not.

Ever since losing Brett Finch the Eels have lost their direction in attack, and structure in defence. Last week they “tried hard” against the Broncos, and still lost 40-8. It is becoming dire for Parramatta, with the Sharks’ equally abysmal start to the season the only thing saving the Eels from the bottom of the ladder.

On paper these teams are not separated by much – just a couple of freaks in the Cowboys’ no.1 and no.7 jerseys. But the way Parramatta are defending right now – or rather aren’t defending – those two players have the potential to break this game wide open.

Watch out Eels: Staring back at Parramatta’s talented but under-performing backline will be some very familiar faces. Four of the Cowboys’ outside backs spent their junior years at the Eels, and after being snapped up by other clubs or the Cowboys, have certainly reached their potential.

Ben Farrar, Ashley Graham, Willie Tonga and John Williams have all been in and out of first grade this season due to injury, suspensions and drops in form, but this week they head back to familiar territory at Parramatta Stadium together.

Each player is a noted try-scorer and their finishing ability will be needed by Thurston and Bowen, who are masters at creating long- and mid-range breaks. Taulima Tautai and Etu Uaisele are relatively inexperienced in the NRL and they can be exploited on the edges.

Parramatta’s defence through the middle is average at the moment and Thurston will be directing the ball through the Eels’ slow props for Bowen to bust through.

Watch out Cowboys: The one positive to come from Finch’s defection is the opportunity for Kris Keating to take on a greater role within the Eels’ attack. The blond-haired half is exciting and has broken through every defensive line that has come at him since Finch left. While he may not be a long-term solution at halfback, Keating has the potential to be a five-eighth when left to play his own game, rather than organise the entire side.

The Cowboys’ defence, particularly through the middle, needs to watch for Keating to combine with brother Matt, who is a smart playmaker out of dummy-half. The pair are quick and deceptive, and most of the Eels’ attack through the middle will come from the Keating brothers.

Where it Will be Won: The Cowboys’ and Eels’ packs have not been dominant this year, and therefore rely on the backs to do what they can to get around the opposition defences. Neither side has particularly mobile forwards, so watch for the smaller players including Bowen and Keating to burst through at will.

Cover defence then becomes the key. The Eels will be playing without Nathan Hindmarsh, one of the best defenders in the game, so if the Cowboys make a break the rest of Parramatta’s hard men will need to aim up and fill that gap.

For Parramatta, making the break is not a problem. Too often the final pass is going astray, or the support is not present. The Eels have made 26 line breaks this year, yet scored just 16 tries. The Cowboys have made only 20 line breaks, yet scored 27 tries.

The History: Played 22; Eels 12, Cowboys 9, drawn 1. The Eels hold the upper hand over the Cowboys – just. But at Parramatta Stadium they hold a decisive 8-4 advantage.

Conclusion: The Cowboys should win this one easily. They have strike power throughout their entire backline, and are just now finding their feet as an attacking unit.

Conversely, Parramatta’s defence is too loose and unstructured, and a player like Thurston will be rubbing his hands together at the prospect of uncommitted defenders.

The Eels need to go into this game with more self-belief… but the only way they will gain confidence is from an unlikely win.

Match Officials: Referees – Jason Robinson & Gerard Sutton. Sideline Officials – Daniel Eastwood and Jeff Younis. Video Ref – Sean Hampstead.

Televised: Channel 9 – Live 7.30pm (Qld), delayed 9.30pm (NSW); Fox Sports – Delayed 10.30am Saturday.

http://www.nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=54665

 

[Redback71]

pretty much sums things up I suppose apart from the bit about Finch we had very little direction when he as here also.

But 1 thing where missing regards finch I think is his defence

 

[yy_cheng]

For Parramatta, making the break is not a problem. Too often the final pass is going astray, or the support is not present. The Eels have made 26 line breaks this year, yet scored just 16 tries

This is the key. If we score those tries, not only do we get points, we get the next set of 6.

We drop and spill balls which not only means more defense but a big drop in confidence.

If those last passes stick, the confidence in the team will grow in leaps and bounds.

 

[woddy]

and if we had 2 decent props we could play FuiFui at inside centre on accasion and smash any team within 20m from their line

 

[bartman]

Ever since losing Brett Finch the Eels have lost their direction in attack, and structure in defence.

That's laughable... I've been one of Finch's lesser critics (until the nature of his departure), but I don't think he was doing much in either of those categories?

 

[Parra Steve]

I have to say i think Kris is a great defender, maybe im just a poor judge, but i like his style, always gets down low and targets the players legs.

 

[Tin Man 4.24]

Ever since losing Brett Finch the Eels have lost their direction in attack, and structure in defence

.
Phil Gould, what are you doing writing for NRL.com?

 

[Gronk]

Preview: Eels v Cowboys

Scott Brooks, Sportal


VENUE & TIME: Parramatta Stadium, Friday May 1, 7.35pm (AEST).
COVERAGE: Channel 9
LAST TIME: Eels 16 - Cowboys 4 at Parramatta Stadium, Round 20, 2008.
WALKING WOUNDED: Eels coach Daniel Anderson has been forced to make one change from last week with veteran back-rower Nathan Hindmarsh out for one match due to suspension. Winger Eric Grothe remains on the sidelines with a back injury. Cowboys lock and Aussie Test hopeful Luke O'Donnell will be unavailable after copping a one-match ban for fighting.
FORM: The Eels have copped it over the past two weeks, conceding 88 points and scoring just 26 to remain in 15th spot on the NRL ladder. The effort was there against the Broncos last Friday night, but the reality is they lack the cattle to produce anything of substance when playing the gun sides. This is an unstable club on all levels at present. Just ask under siege CEO Denis Fitzgerald.
After such a poor start to the season, the Cowboys have notched two wins on the trot, their most recent being a convincing 14-point victory over reigning premier Manly. A couple of their bigger names are starting to hit their straps.
WHO'S HOT: Star duo Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen were at their scintillating best for the Cowboys against Manly last Saturday night, but it was the quality 80 minute performance of five-eighth Travis Burns that really caught the eye. The fiery pivot refused to take a backward step in both attack and defence against his former club, making life easier for the heavily-targeted Thurston.
WE THINK: The Cowboys look too strong across the park for the Eels who will obviously be reeling from the loss of their heart and soul Nathan Hindmarsh. The Eels lack a player with capabilities to guide the team around the paddock and their forward pack really isn't first grade quality with the likes of Galuvao and out-of-form duo Ben Smith and skipper Nathan Cayless seemingly making up the numbers. Cowboys by 16.
TEAMS:
Parramatta Eels:
Luke Burt, Etu Uaisele, Jarryd Hayne, Taulima Tautai, Joel Reddy, Feleti Mateo, Kris Keating, Nathan Cayless [c], Matthew Keating, Fuifui Moimoi, Todd Lowrie, Ben Smith, Joe Galuvao.
Interchange: Jeff Robson, Weller Hauraki, Tim Mannah, Brendan Oake.
North Queensland Cowboys:
Matt Bowen, Ben Farrar, Ashley Graham, Willie Tonga, John Williams, Travis Burns, Johnathan Thurston [c], Shane Tronc, Aaron Payne, Antonio Kaufusi, Carl Webb, Scott Bolton, Steve Southern.
Interchange: Ben Harris, Steve Rapira, Matt Scott, James Tamou, Dayne Weston (one to be omitted).
Referees: Jason Robinson & Gerard Sutton

http://sportal.com.au/league-match-preview-display/preview-eels-v-cowboys-69498

 

[Gronk]

The Eels lack a player with capabilities to guide the team around the paddock and their forward pack really isn't first grade quality with the likes of Galuvao and out-of-form duo Ben Smith and skipper Nathan Cayless seemingly making up the numbers.

Nuff said really.

 

[strider]

but other than that, we are dead certs ... :|

 

[Twizzle]

anyone would think we weren't playing well

 

[slippy]

I'm missing Eels news this week.
There is a distinct lack of coverage on our footy team this week compared to last. Is this a good sign? Or have they just given up on trying to find cliches for us to say leading up to the game. I've got a funny feeling about friday night.
I might go chuck a sly $10 on the Cowboys at 13+ - I know its rough but at least either way I gain something. I'll be spewing if they beat us 1-12.

 

[NorthShoreEel]

Listening to the BSB this morning - there has been over $100,000 put on the Cowboys in different forms of betting (mainly taking the -4.5 start). Less than $3k has been placed on Parra. Each week, the spoon odds are dropping for Parra. We are just lucky, that the Sharks are under us, and a few other teams are still on 4 points. (I cant believe that Moanly are still in the market to win the comp! I would lay that all day)