Sportal : v Tiggers

[yy_cheng]

http://www.sportal.com.au/league.asp?i=preview&id=2233

Eels v Tigers

VENUE & TIME: Parramatta Stadium, Friday night - 19:30 AEST
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 12, Eels 7, Tigers 4, draws 1
COVERAGE: Channel 9
LAST TIME: Eels 26 - Tigers 16 at Parramatta Stadium, round 7, 2005

WALKING WOUNDED
The Eels regain the services of lock Glen Morrison (knee) plus suspended duo Chad Robinson and Fui Fui Moimoi. Strong centre Ben Smith is out for three more weeks with an ankle sprain, while hooker PJ Marsh will miss another week with a similar injury.
Dean Halatau's return from off-season shoulder surgery for the Tigers has been put back until round nine, while five-eighth Benji Marshall has decided against surgery after dislocating his shoulder in round five and will return in round 11. Skipper Brett Hodgson is out for up to three weeks with a broken hand. Young Shannon McDonnell returns from injury to replace him at fullback and Scott Price and Ben Galea will co-captain the side.

FORM
The Eels have managed just one win from their opening five matches, the most recent being an 18-44 drubbing at the hands of neighbours Penrith at home. They led at half-time in that match and should have gone on to win it considering the Panthers had lost star playmaker Craig Gower in the first half through injury. A crisis meeting by the players was held the day after this embarrassing display. Something is amiss in Eel territory.
The Tigers returned to their attacking best on Sunday with a comprehensive 26-point win over the hapless Sharks. It was an important result for the reigning premiers, who have been criticised of late for not being able to perform without Marshall in the line up.

WHO'S HOT
Tigers hooker Robbie Farah made a brilliant return from a broken hand last week, setting up four of his side's seven tries against the Sharks. His ability to confuse the defence with his creative dummy-half play will be invaluable to the Tigers over the coming weeks without the services of Marshall. This kid has all the skills and is sure to represent at Origin or Test level one day.

WHO'S NOT
Eels hooker Mark Riddell will miss this match through suspension after a stupid cheap shot on Penrith hooker Luke Priddis during a scrum in round five. The frustration of a poor start to the season is really showing on some Parramatta players.

KEY MATCH-UPS
Tim Smith v Scott Prince
Nathan Hindmarsh v Ben Galea
John Morris v Robbie Farah

LIKE TO SEE
Eels halfback Tim Smith rediscover the spark that made him one of the hottest young players in the game last year. Currently he is kicking and passing and not much else - he needs to take the line on more. So far it's looking like a case of the dreaded second-year syndrome for the young Queenslander.

WOULDN'T LIKE TO SEE
More ill-discipline from Eels players when things aren't going their way.

WE THINK
The Eels have had two weeks to clear their heads and work out what is going wrong at the club. The bounce-back factor is big these days in rugby league and lost pride will ensure Parramatta do not falter here in front of their home fans. The Tigers will miss Brett Hodsgon's valuable attacking input from the back a lot more than people expect. Eels by 6.

 

[strider]

LIKE TO SEE
Eels halfback Tim Smith rediscover the spark that made him one of the hottest young players in the game last year. Currently he is kicking and passing and not much else - he needs to take the line on more. So far it's looking like a case of the dreaded second-year syndrome for the young Queenslander.

ummm - thats all he ever really did .... he just did a very good job of it in the past :lol:

 

[strider]

WOULDN'T LIKE TO SEE
More ill-discipline from Eels players when things aren't going their way.

actually - personally I'd like to see us go the biff if things aren't working out ... get rid of some of that built up frustration

 

[ParraDude_Jay]

Eels hooker Mark Riddell will miss this match through suspension after a stupid cheap shot on Penrith hooker Luke Priddis during a scrum in round five. The frustration of a poor start to the season is really showing on some Parramatta players.

Didn't he say he was sticking up for Marcus? I think the one week suspension was worth it.

 

[Macca_]

WE THINK
The Eels have had two weeks to clear their heads and work out what is going wrong at the club. The bounce-back factor is big these days in rugby league and lost pride will ensure Parramatta do not falter here in front of their home fans. The Tigers will miss Brett Hodsgon's valuable attacking input from the back a lot more than people expect. Eels by 6.

Couldn't agree more with this.

Without Benji there, Hodgo really steps up in the attacking line and gets involved. He takes a lot of pressure off the halfs by doing this. And he adds that bit of an x factor to the attack. No Benji, no Hodgo, it's all up to Prince. I think they'll trouble to score points against us. We need to make sure our defence is strong, and if the attack clicks, we should win this game.

 

[eloquentEEL]

How is Hindy vs Galea a key matchup :lol:

 

[Macca_]

Don't under rate Galea. Been in great form for them.

 

[Morenito]

Id rate Whatuira v Tahu a better matchup!

 

[Twizzle]

I dont understand why everyone is picking us to win

 

[coca-cola]

if our boys go out there on friday, give it their best shot and remember that teamwork makes the dream work, we will get the 2 points. its pretty simple.

 

[Stagger eel]

if our boys go out there on friday, give it their best shot and remember that teamwork makes the dream work, we will get the 2 points. its pretty simple.

if only it could be that simple, even without their 1 and 6 they've still got a stack of points in them.

 

[Maroubra Eel]

if our boys go out there on friday, give it their best shot and remember that teamwork makes the dream work, we will get the 2 points. its pretty simple.

.....teamwork makes the dream work......

thats beautiful , I think I'm gonna cry

 

[eloquentEEL]

Don't under rate Galea. Been in great form for them.

that's all well and good... but they're trying to compare him to GOD!

 

[ParraAds]

that's all well and good... but they're trying to compare him to GOD!

Lets hope the lord can make some hit ups this week.

 

[Macca_]

that's all well and good... but they're trying to compare him to GOD!

Not really... They are just saying it's a key match up. And it is.

If Galea plays aswell as he can, he is very dangerous.

And with all respect to Hindy, he has become nothing more than a tackling machine in recent times. In attack, there is nothing right now. He needs to lessen the work load and be more productive with the ball.