Here we are again. One day away from Easter Monday and the tradition continues with a big Easter showdown between the Eels and Tigers.

This game always draws a big crowd and I can’t see this game being any different.

Big interest in this game surrounds new Eels recruit Mitchell Moses. Will this be his last game in the black and gold? Will he get his release to join the Eels? I guess we will know just after Monday.

So let’s look at game history between these two clubs.

Past Ten Games:

The Tigers hold a 7 – 3 win record over the last ten games with a score aggregate of Eels 180 – Tigers 248. The score averages out to Tigers 25 – Eels 18.

In the overall history, the Eels and Tigers have played each other 33 times with the Eels leading 18 – 14. The ANZ Stadium record sees the Eels registering seven wins to the Tigers three from their ten clashes.

In breaking this year’s games into quarters, both sides are fairly matched across the first 3 quarters. But once again the Eels have failed to win a 4^th quarter all season. One phase of the game the Eels can get up over the Tigers is the 3^rd quarter. It seems as though the Tigers are slow starters after the break with just 1 win in this time period, whereas the Eels have won 4 times in this time period. Parra can start both halves really well but fall in the final 20 mins.

In attack, the Tigers lead the comp with an average of 12.7 offloads a game with Parra 3^rd with 11.2 offloads per game. With running the ball, the Eels rank 3^rd with 160.7 runs per game with the Tigers 8^th with 155.5 runs per game. But in this, the Eels are only 11^th in the run metres ranks with 1435 metres per game with the Tigers 7^th with 1468.7 metres per game.

Line breaks are close with Eels 3.5 per game and Tigers 3.7.

Defensively both teams are making an equal amount of tackles per game with the Eels at 315 per game and Tigers 314.2 per game. Missed tackles sees Parra with 22 per game and the Tigers 26.8 per game.

Discipline for both sides is an issue. The Eels error count of 11.2 per game sees them mid ranking. The Tigers commit 11.8 errors per game which sees them 14^th ranked.

Parra are giving away 7.3 penalties per game which places them close to the top of the table of penalties conceded and the Tigers give away 6 per game which ranks them as one of the least penalised teams in the comp.

Essentially the stats for 2017 sees little separating these two teams. Its only been lately that Parramatta has started to be questioned about their form whereas the Tigers have been questioned all season.

On paper, the Eels are definitely the stronger team. But the Tigers showed a lot of grit against the Cowboys in Townsville last week to come away with a solid victory – a tough ask in FNQ.

The Eels are looking down the barrel of a 5^th straight defeat and with not many team changes, Brad Arthur will be under immense pressure to make changes. Changes have only been made due to injuries. Furthermore, injuries to back up players have played a major role in changes not being made.

My preferred side would see Takairangi left at centre, with Gutherson staying at 6, Hoffman to fullback and either Auva’a or Jennings shifting onto the wing.

So let’s all get out to ANZ on Monday and make it a huge crowd with a sea of blue and gold.

You can have an opinion on whats happening, but as supporters you can play an important role in lifting the team by getting to the game and supporting our mighty club. Just don’t jump on the good times band wagon. Jump on the ‘Guth’ bus and take a great ride of lows and highs.

Colmac

Champion Data

Stats courtesy of Champion Data. All these stats and more can be viewed on our match centre at http://mc.championdata.com/nrl/ including live game stats.

– Colmac

Champion Data

Follow @championdatanrl

mc.championdata.com/nrl/

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