yy_cheng
Coach
- Messages
- 18,610
Eels v Panthers
VENUE & TIME: Parramatta Stadium, Sunday - 15:00 AEDT
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 73, Eels 47, Panthers 25, draws 1
COVERAGE: Channel 9, 2GB, ABC Radio
LAST TIME: Eels 32 - Panthers 22 at Penrith Stadium, round 13, 2005
WALKING WOUNDED
Round four wasn't kind to the Eels in the injury department with PJ Marsh and Ben Smith both suffering ankle ligament damage to be out for up to six weeks. Interchange player Peter Lewis damaged his ribs and will miss up to a month. Lock Glen Morrison will miss another week with a knee injury, but the club will regain centre Timana Tahu (hamstring).
Five-eighth Preston Campbell (calf) and winger Luke Rooney (back) picked up minor injuries last week but should be right for the Panthers.
FORM
The Eels blew a 14-0 lead, eventually surrendering to the Cowboys at home last week. As the Cowboys began their charge, the Eels became frustrated and virtually self-destructed. One win from four starts so far this season.
The Panthers suffered their first loss in eight matches, spanning back to last season when they lost in extra-time to the Raiders last week. Led 20-14 with one minute to go, but couldn't hold Canberra out.
WHO'S HOT
For the Eels, second-rower Nathan Hindmarsh continues to astonish with the amount of defensive work he gets through. Made a staggering 63 tackles last week and is the leading tackler in the NRL so far this season.
Panthers forward Frank Pritchard has the potential to be one of the games most damaging ball running forwards if he can just overcome the injury curse. Came off the bench last week and made an immediate impact, setting up a try for winger Luke Lewis and scoring one himself.
WHO'S NOT
Eels prop Paul Stringer. One of several Parramatta players who lost the plot in the second-half last week. He struggled to hold onto the ball and was eventually reported for a high shot. Fellow forward Chad Robinson was no better.
Panthers halfback Craig Gower. Nothing wrong with his general play, but his field goal attempts in Penrith's two golden point games over the last few weeks have been nothing short of ordinary.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Tim Smith v Craig Gower
Mark Riddell v Luke Priddis
Nathan Hindmarsh v Tony Puletua
LIKE TO SEE
Eels winger Eric Grothe in full flight yet again. Watching him stand up Matt Sing and out-pace Matt Bowen last week in racing 75 metres for a try was a sight to be seen for any league fan, especially those lucky enough to be sitting in the Ken Thornett stand at Parramatta Stadium. For a big bloke Grothe Jr is mighty quick.
WOULDN'T LIKE TO SEE
Hindmarsh spend all his energy defending. The Eels have an extremely damaging ball runner on their hands if they can somehow use him a little more sparingly in defence.
WE THINK
The Eels have done nothing so far this season to encourage punters to back them. The loss of some key players through injury for this gives Penrith the edge in what should be close contest. The Panthers look more likely to score tries and have a strong enough pack to hold what the Eels have on offer. Panthers by 8.
http://www.sportal.com.au/league.asp?i=preview&id=2183
VENUE & TIME: Parramatta Stadium, Sunday - 15:00 AEDT
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 73, Eels 47, Panthers 25, draws 1
COVERAGE: Channel 9, 2GB, ABC Radio
LAST TIME: Eels 32 - Panthers 22 at Penrith Stadium, round 13, 2005
WALKING WOUNDED
Round four wasn't kind to the Eels in the injury department with PJ Marsh and Ben Smith both suffering ankle ligament damage to be out for up to six weeks. Interchange player Peter Lewis damaged his ribs and will miss up to a month. Lock Glen Morrison will miss another week with a knee injury, but the club will regain centre Timana Tahu (hamstring).
Five-eighth Preston Campbell (calf) and winger Luke Rooney (back) picked up minor injuries last week but should be right for the Panthers.
FORM
The Eels blew a 14-0 lead, eventually surrendering to the Cowboys at home last week. As the Cowboys began their charge, the Eels became frustrated and virtually self-destructed. One win from four starts so far this season.
The Panthers suffered their first loss in eight matches, spanning back to last season when they lost in extra-time to the Raiders last week. Led 20-14 with one minute to go, but couldn't hold Canberra out.
WHO'S HOT
For the Eels, second-rower Nathan Hindmarsh continues to astonish with the amount of defensive work he gets through. Made a staggering 63 tackles last week and is the leading tackler in the NRL so far this season.
Panthers forward Frank Pritchard has the potential to be one of the games most damaging ball running forwards if he can just overcome the injury curse. Came off the bench last week and made an immediate impact, setting up a try for winger Luke Lewis and scoring one himself.
WHO'S NOT
Eels prop Paul Stringer. One of several Parramatta players who lost the plot in the second-half last week. He struggled to hold onto the ball and was eventually reported for a high shot. Fellow forward Chad Robinson was no better.
Panthers halfback Craig Gower. Nothing wrong with his general play, but his field goal attempts in Penrith's two golden point games over the last few weeks have been nothing short of ordinary.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Tim Smith v Craig Gower
Mark Riddell v Luke Priddis
Nathan Hindmarsh v Tony Puletua
LIKE TO SEE
Eels winger Eric Grothe in full flight yet again. Watching him stand up Matt Sing and out-pace Matt Bowen last week in racing 75 metres for a try was a sight to be seen for any league fan, especially those lucky enough to be sitting in the Ken Thornett stand at Parramatta Stadium. For a big bloke Grothe Jr is mighty quick.
WOULDN'T LIKE TO SEE
Hindmarsh spend all his energy defending. The Eels have an extremely damaging ball runner on their hands if they can somehow use him a little more sparingly in defence.
WE THINK
The Eels have done nothing so far this season to encourage punters to back them. The loss of some key players through injury for this gives Penrith the edge in what should be close contest. The Panthers look more likely to score tries and have a strong enough pack to hold what the Eels have on offer. Panthers by 8.
http://www.sportal.com.au/league.asp?i=preview&id=2183
