Eels vs Broncos (Round 1) OFFICIAL MATCH PREVIEW

Date: Thursday 3rd of March

Venue: Pirtek Stadium

Gates Open: 5:30pm

Kick off: 8:05pm (NYC U20s 5:50pm)

Head Referee: Matt Cecchin

Assistant Referee: Alan Shortall

Head to head: Played 49, Broncos 29, Eels 19 and drawn 1

Head to head odds: Eels ($ 2.30), Broncos ($ 1.65)

Broadcast: Channel 9 (coverage form 7:30pm) and Fox Sports

Last four encounters:

1. Broncos 28, Eels 16 at Suncorp Stadium (2015)
2. Eels 25, Broncos 18 at Suncorp Stadium (2014)
3. Eels 19, Broncos 18 at Parramatta Stadium (2013)
4. Broncos 22, Eels 12 at Suncorp Stadium (2013)

Preview: Well ladies and gentlemen here it is, the official kick off to the 2016 NRL premiership season. It just so happens the honour of kicking off the 2016 season has been given to the new look Parramatta Eels who will host the ever-formidable Brisbane Broncos in what is sure to be an exciting encounter.

In seasons past, this may have been regarded as an easier match for a very strong Broncos outfit. However, the Eels have recruited very well for 2016, acquiring big name players such as Kieran Foran, Michael Gordon, Beau Scott and Michael Jennings. This is sure to make the Eels a very challenging opponent for a Broncos team that went within a whisker of claiming the 2015 premiership. I’m sure every NRL fan, not just the Eels or Broncos faithful, will be eagerly anticipating this match up. My advice – watch this one any way you can, it’s sure to be a beauty.

Value Bet: My value bet for this one is for the Eels to start the game strong with a try, so how can you go past the top try scorer of 2015? Naturally enough my value bet is Semi Radradra to claim the first try, at the juicy odds of $9. As for the first try favourites for both teams, the Broncos have James Roberts at $9 and Greg Eden at $10 whereas the Eels have Semi Radradra $9 and Michael Jennings at $11.

Interesting fact: Semi Radradra will play his 50th game come Thursday night.

It will be a big week for: Kenny Edwards (below).

This week will indeed be a big one for Eels back rower Kenny Edwards. Edwards is highly rated amongst the Eels hierarchy, although this will mark the first time Edwards has competed in an NRL competition game in well over a year. Edwards showed great determination and form in the Penrith trial and has worked his way to back to this position. One could assume he can’t wait to rip in against the Broncos this Thursday night.

Edwards role in this formidable new look Eels pack should be interesting as the Eels have strongly bolstered their back row since his last injury through the signing of Beau Scott, the strong form of Manu Ma’u and the emergence of boom rookie Tepai Moeroa. Nevertheless, after spending so long out of the game, Edwards should be more than ready to take the field come Thursday night.

Danger man: This week’s danger man (from a Parramatta Eels perspective) is Broncos boom young gun five eighth, Anthony Milford (below). Possibly the best signing of the 2015 season, one could assume Broncos young gun Anthony Milford will be looking to help his team go one better in 2016 and claim the premiership. It’s little wonder why the Eels would view Milford as a danger man; Milford possesses blinding speed, freakish footwork, a great passing game and a useful kicking game.

Another factor in Miford’s danger man status is his combination with Broncos halfback Ben Hunt. Milford is a flamboyant, exciting playmaker whereas Hunt is more of a tradesman-like half; it’s the perfect combination of steadiness and flair. Ensuring that Anthony Milford has a quiet game will be high on the Eels agenda when they take the field this Thursday night – it will have to be if the Eels intend on walking away with the valuable two competition points.

Team lists:
Parramatta Eels:

01. Michael Gordon
02. Semi Radradra
03. Michael Jennings
04. Brad Takairangi
05. Clinton Gutherson
06. Corey Norman
07. Kieran Foran (C)
08. Junior Paulo
09. Nathan Peats
10. Tim Mannah
11. Manu Ma’u
12. Beau Scott
13. Tepai Moeroa

14. David Gower
15. Peni Terepo
16. Daniel Alvaro
17. Kenny Edwards

18. Kaysa Pritchard

Coach: Brad Arthur

Late mail: Kieran Foran is in doubt with a troublesome hamstring complaint; Luke Kelly is on standby for him. There is also speculation that Kaysa Pritchard will slot onto the bench somewhere, possibly at the expense of David Gower or Daniel Alvaro.
Brisbane Broncos:

01. Darius Boyd
02. Corey Oates
03. Jordan Kahu
04. James Roberts
05. Greg Eden
06. Anthony Milford
07. Ben Hunt
08. Josh McGuire
09. Andrew McCullough
10. Adam Blair
11. Alex Glenn
12. Matt Gillett
13. Corey Parker (C)

14. Jarrod Wallace
15. Sam Thaiday
16. Joe Ofahengaue
17. Kodi Nikorima

Coach: Wayne Bennett

Late mail: From all reports the Broncos should be 1 to 17.

2 key match ups:
01. Kieran Foran* (In doubt) vs Ben Hunt: The first key match up to highlight will feature a battle of the halfbacks as the Parramatta Eels new superstar recruit, Kieran Foran, squares off against Broncos tradesman performer Ben Hunt.

Over the past couple of seasons you would be hard pressed to find a more consistent and impressive half than Ben Hunt. Despite his great form, Hunt ended the 2015 season in a manner that he would like to forget. On the biggest stage of all, Hunt made an error that would ultimately cost the Broncos the 2015 premiership. Being the player that he is, Hunt will have no problem putting that incident behind him and we won’t have to wait long to see him in the thick of the action against the Eels.

New Eels recruit and captain Kieran Foran has been named to don the Eels seven jersey this Thursday (fitness pending), a jersey made famous by Eels all time great Peter Sterling.

Sterling was the last Eels seven to win an NRL premiership. Many have worn that jersey since Sterling and many have failed to end the Eels premiership drought. Foran may just be the greatest player to take on the half back role since Sterling, and his signing was lauded by many, including Sterlo, as the biggest in the history of the Parramatta.

Foran is a player who has been there done that, he knows what it takes to get his team to the biggest stage of them all and walk away a champion. But the big question is, can he do it at the Eels – in his first year? Only time will tell if Foran can carry the weight of both the expectation and excitement of Eels fans. What better yard stick to start his Eels campaign than Broncos halfback Ben Hunt? With the likes of Foran and Hunt squaring off, this is sure to be a mouth watering match up.

02. Michael Jennings vs James Roberts:

The second key match up to highlight for this encounter is a battle of the centres as livewire new Eels recruit Michael Jennings lines up against the Broncos new recruit and renowned speedster James Roberts. The sequence of events that led Jennings to the Eels and Roberts to the Broncos was quite bizarre, although it’s a series of events that tied together the fates of Jennings and Roberts themselves.

The result is a match up all NRL fans should look forward to –  speedster vs speedster. Parramatta will need to excel on the fringes in defence if they are to stop James Roberts, although that is much easier said than done. Robert’s possesses extreme speed; great footwork and a nice fend – qualities that make him a danger to the Eels every time he gets his hands on the ball.

The inclusion of Roberts adds to the Broncos strike power in the backline and elevates them to 2016 NRL premiership front liners.

In Michael Jennings, the Eels have recruited a centre who possesses pretty much the same skills as James Roberts, the speed, footwork and fend. Despite being a very similar player to Roberts, one could argue Jennings is the better player as he has represented both his state and country, the two highest representative honours the NRL has to offer, albeit that Jennings has been around the NRL traps for a little longer.

This Thursday night we will be fortunate to see both Jennings and Roberts take the field for their new clubs. Whenever such talented players come together, it makes for exciting viewing.

I for one cannot wait.

My tip: This is a very hard game to pick a winner. If you look at both these sides on paper you would possibly have this one going to golden point in a classic encounter.

In reality, the Broncos have the edge. The team that the Broncos will field this season isn’t a great deal different to the one that went within a whisker of claiming the 2015 NRL premiership.

On the other hand, the Eels will field a very different team to the one who took to the park in round 26 of last season. The Eels have new additions to their spine at fullback and half. No matter the quality of these players, every team needs time to make things gel. No doubt, playing a team like the Broncos will be a very tough start for the Eels.

Nonetheless, the Eels are every chance to cause an upset and defeat the Broncos. Parra possesses talent all over the park and have the home ground advantage, which will be huge help.

I have to tip with my head and that means I’m tipping a Broncos victory.

I expect the Eels to be very impressive in their opening encounter but experience and an already formed combination gives the Broncos the edge.

Don’t be surprised to see the Eels cause an upset, but for the moment I’m tipping a score line of Broncos 16, Eels 12.

Man of the match: Ben Hunt or Corey Norman (depending on the victorious side)
From all of the team here at The Cumberland Throw, enjoy the game and get out there and support your team!

Nathan

Credit to the following sources for the images used:

• http://www.parraeels.com.au/content/dam/eels/news/2016/Pre-Season%20February/24%20February%20Training%20Gallery/192A4052.jpg/jcr:content/renditions/cq5dam.web.1280.1280.jpeg

• https://auctiondesq.imgstg.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=item&AuctionID=53526&OrgID=1335

• http://www.parraeels.com.au/content/eels/club/news/2016/02/20/gallery_eels_v_penri.html

• http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/parramatta-eels/kieran-foran-reveals-hamstring-injury-ahead-of-parramatta-eels-debut-20160221-gmzhp9.html

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