FRIDAY, 2^nd JUNE 2017

ANZ STADIUM, SYDNEY

This week we see the Eels v Warriors Version 2.0 or Eels v Foran V2.0. Any way you look at it, the Eels need to keep on their winning ways to keep in contact with the top 8.

A good start is vital for the Eels in this match. Usually the Warriors have a good run through the Origin period as they are hugely unaffected by the series. Though the Eels have no Origin players, a stack of injuries for the blue and golds make this an even playing field for a Warriors team which normally doesn’t like playing away from home.

So, let’s look at the history between these two teams.

Past 10 Games:

The past 10 games sees the Warriors with 6 wins to Parra’s 4 and an aggregate score of Warriors 240 to the Eels 211.  This provides us with a match average score of Warriors 24, Eels 21

In total, the Eels and Warriors have played each other 37 times with the Eels leading 20 – 17.

Surprisingly, this will be the first time the Eels and Warriors have played each other at ANZ Stadium. Parramatta have played 66 games at ANZ with a 29 – 36 win/loss record. The Warriors also have a poor track record at this venue, having played 17 games at ANZ with a 6 – 10 win/loss account.

For 2017 the Eels sit on a 6 and 6 win/loss record whereas the Warriors are 5 and 7.

The Eels average points for 2017 stands at 18.3 for and 21.0 against, with the Warriors at 18.0 points for per game and conceding 21.6 points per game.

Wins By Quarter

As you can see both teams enjoy a great start. The final 20 minutes continue to be the Eels Achilles Heel, having lost this period on no less than 11 occasions this year.

One stat that can be of significance is that twice the Warriors have led at half time and lost the game. Eels have won once when behind at half time.

Attack:

*average per game (Ranked)

Defence

*average per game (Ranked)

Discipline

*average per game (Ranked)

As per pervious weeks all stats are fairly close with these two teams. Neither side are setting the competition alight stats wise but we all know that both teams can turn it on at any given moment. Both teams are definitely guilty of not playing the full 80 mins, but in saying that, in modern day footy, a quick fire 10 minute period can set up a win at any time in the match and both teams are very capable of producing a magical 10 minute period.

Parramatta’s kicking game needs to be on song this week and they must kick away from Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. RTS ranks very high in runs and also run metres. His kick returns are very dangerous, but so too is his middle running. He can dart out of dummy half and pop up mid field to gain valuable metres for the Warriors against tiring forwards and poor markers.

If we can find the turf with kicks and let their bigger wingers turn and run the ball out, not only does it nullify RTS’s returns but also tires out the wingers Fusitu’a and Maumalo who both turn like the Queen Mary on kick returns. Parramatta have used this tactic effectively before against the Warriors, especially when Manu Vatuvei was playing on the wing.

It will be interesting to see whether such tactics are employed this week.

Go the Eels

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.

Champion Data

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