StEely Matt
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Raiders v Eels Preview
Wednesday, June 6, 2007 - 5:59 PM
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/5508/Default.aspx
This has Eels written all over it.
The Raiders are edging ahead as the standout Jekyll & Hyde outfit of 2007. They have won three of their five games at home this year, including a merciless demolition of the Dragons two weeks ago. But they have lost two of their six away games including succumbing to the Titans last week thankfully for their fans theyre at home this week so perhaps it will be Dr Jekyll who materialises.
The Eels are shooting for four straight wins, having disposed of highly rated North Queensland, the Warriors and the Wests Tigers in succession. Their 30-point hammering of Tim Sheens men last Monday was the best exhibition of consistent flowing attack of any side all season. Theyre building solidly and ominously appear a few games off reaching their plateau yet.
Watch out Raiders: And incredible eight of the Eels starting 13 ran for more than 112 metres against the Tigers, led by wily fullback Luke Burt (161m) and captain Nathan Cayless (144 metres). It was razzle dazzle stuff; theyll be in the mood again. So look out.
Watch out Eels: The Raiders are averaging 30 points each game on home turf this year. They are masters of the cold, greasy conditions and feed on the errors their oppositions fall victim to.
Coach Michael Hagan will have impressed upon the likes of Jarryd Hayne, Feliti Mateo and Luke Burt that they cant afford to play with the casual one-handed ball security they displayed last week. It was highly entertaining but in Canberra its probable theyll well, drop the ball.
Where it will be won: At dummy half and with offloads. The Eels tag-team combination of PJ Marsh and Mark Ridell are blending superbly, giving the team a host of options at the ruck and initiating the plays that allow the Eels to spread the ball.
With such a solid base Tim Smith now has more time to size up his plays rather than just throwing long balls. And as far as offloads go, the Raiders made just seven last week, with no player making two. The Eels made 27 against the Tigers, headed by Eric Grothe (six) and Cayless (4). Enough said.
The History: Played 41; Raiders 19, Eels 22. That statistic is echoed in the mixed fortunes recently the Raiders have won five of the past eight clashes but the Eels have won the past two, including a 36-8 caning in round 4 at Parramatta.
In Canberra the Raiders hold a 9-4 advantage, although the Eels snuck home 18-12 there last year for their only win in the national capital since 2000.
Conclusion: The Eels second-phase play recently has been simply unstoppable. If they limit their errors and they make nearly four per game less than the Raiders as it is theyll get the points.
Heartening for the Raiders last week was the fact they attempted a comeback after being down 28-0 at halftime and scored the only two tries of the second half. They dont mind playing their own brand of open footy (21 points per game) but concede seven points a game more than their opponents. They appear outclassed.
Match officials: Referee Jared Maxwell; Sideline Officials Steve Lyons & Peter Kirby; Video ref Pat Reynolds.
Televised: Foxsports 3 Live 5.30pm
* Statistics: NRL Stats.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007 - 5:59 PM
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/5508/Default.aspx
This has Eels written all over it.
The Raiders are edging ahead as the standout Jekyll & Hyde outfit of 2007. They have won three of their five games at home this year, including a merciless demolition of the Dragons two weeks ago. But they have lost two of their six away games including succumbing to the Titans last week thankfully for their fans theyre at home this week so perhaps it will be Dr Jekyll who materialises.
The Eels are shooting for four straight wins, having disposed of highly rated North Queensland, the Warriors and the Wests Tigers in succession. Their 30-point hammering of Tim Sheens men last Monday was the best exhibition of consistent flowing attack of any side all season. Theyre building solidly and ominously appear a few games off reaching their plateau yet.
Watch out Raiders: And incredible eight of the Eels starting 13 ran for more than 112 metres against the Tigers, led by wily fullback Luke Burt (161m) and captain Nathan Cayless (144 metres). It was razzle dazzle stuff; theyll be in the mood again. So look out.
Watch out Eels: The Raiders are averaging 30 points each game on home turf this year. They are masters of the cold, greasy conditions and feed on the errors their oppositions fall victim to.
Coach Michael Hagan will have impressed upon the likes of Jarryd Hayne, Feliti Mateo and Luke Burt that they cant afford to play with the casual one-handed ball security they displayed last week. It was highly entertaining but in Canberra its probable theyll well, drop the ball.
Where it will be won: At dummy half and with offloads. The Eels tag-team combination of PJ Marsh and Mark Ridell are blending superbly, giving the team a host of options at the ruck and initiating the plays that allow the Eels to spread the ball.
With such a solid base Tim Smith now has more time to size up his plays rather than just throwing long balls. And as far as offloads go, the Raiders made just seven last week, with no player making two. The Eels made 27 against the Tigers, headed by Eric Grothe (six) and Cayless (4). Enough said.
The History: Played 41; Raiders 19, Eels 22. That statistic is echoed in the mixed fortunes recently the Raiders have won five of the past eight clashes but the Eels have won the past two, including a 36-8 caning in round 4 at Parramatta.
In Canberra the Raiders hold a 9-4 advantage, although the Eels snuck home 18-12 there last year for their only win in the national capital since 2000.
Conclusion: The Eels second-phase play recently has been simply unstoppable. If they limit their errors and they make nearly four per game less than the Raiders as it is theyll get the points.
Heartening for the Raiders last week was the fact they attempted a comeback after being down 28-0 at halftime and scored the only two tries of the second half. They dont mind playing their own brand of open footy (21 points per game) but concede seven points a game more than their opponents. They appear outclassed.
Match officials: Referee Jared Maxwell; Sideline Officials Steve Lyons & Peter Kirby; Video ref Pat Reynolds.
Televised: Foxsports 3 Live 5.30pm
* Statistics: NRL Stats.
