The Cumberland Throw

Match Preview – Eels vs Bulldogs (Round 17)

       

Date: Thursday 29th of June

Venue: ANZ Stadium

Gates Open: 5:20 pm

Kick off: 7:50 pm (NYC 5:35)

Head Referee: Ben Cummins

Assistant Referee: Peter Gough

Head to head: Played 140, Eels 60, Bulldogs 75, Drawn 5

Head to head odds: Eels ($ 1.45), Dragons ($ 2.85)  

Broadcast: Live Channel 9 (Broadcast kick off: 7:30pm)

 

Last four encounters:

 

  1. Eels 20, Bulldogs 12 at ANZ Stadium (2016)
  2. Eels 20, Bulldogs 6 at ANZ Stadium (2016)
  3. Bulldogs 28, Eels 4 at ANZ Stadium (2015)
  4. Bulldogs 32, Eels 12 at ANZ Stadium (2015)

 

Preview:

Opening round seventeen will be the Parramatta Eels taking the Canterbury Bulldogs. The Eels and Bulldogs rivalry dates back to the 1980s as both clubs dominated the early part of that decade.

This encounter shapes as a must win match up for both teams. The Eels need this win to help consolidate their position in the top whereas the Bulldogs need the win to stay in touch with the top eight. The Bulldogs are in 13th position on the ladder and sit four points adrift of the Eels who sit 8th on 18 points. The Eels could create a 6 point gap between themselves and 9th place if they manage to defeat the Bulldogs on Thursday night and with one bye left in the bank the Eels prospects of playing finals football for the first time in nine years would look very strong indeed.

With so much at stake, this match should be a ripper!

 

Value Bet:

This week’s value bet is for Eels fullback come winger Bevan French to claim the first try. French has a history of claiming the first try when he plays on the wing and is at $8.50 in from $9 at the beginning of the week. (all odds via Sportsbet).

In the first try market, the Bulldogs have Brett Morris at $11 and Marcello Montoya out at $14. The Eels have Semi Radradra at a very short $7.50 (Bevan French at $8.50) and form fullback Clint Gutherson, who claimed the first try in the Eels last win against the Dragons, out at $12.

 

Interesting fact: The Bulldogs have not scored a victory against the Eels in almost 2 years, their last win against the Eels coming in round 19 of the 2015 NRL season.

 

 

It will be a big game for: Cameron King.

Eels new number nine Cameron King comes into line up as a replacement for the luckless Kaysa Pritchard who tragically suffered a season ending knee injury in the Eels win against the Dragons. King’s first NRL game for the Parramatta Eels will be his first NRL game 733 days.

Since debuting for the Dragons way back in 2013 King has had his own battles with injuries. Before making his debut in 2013 Cameron King was a highly touted rookie and seemed destined to have a bright future in the game. But the game can be cruel.

Cameron King is very different to Pritchard. Whereas Kaysa is one of the fastest players at the club and has the potential to explode out of dummy half, King is a more creative, ball playing style of dummy half. Aiding King will be utility Will Smith who has been very impressive when interchanging with Kaysa Pritchard.

 

 

Danger man:

This week’s danger man is Bulldogs five eighth Josh Reynolds.

The Bulldogs playmaker may not be the most naturally gifted player, but he is probably one of the games greatest competitors. When he is on the park the Bulldogs are noticeably a better team all round.

Reynolds returned from injury last Friday night against the New Zealand Warriors but was unable to help his team secure the victory. No doubt he was a tad underdone after his time on the sidelines. However, the Eels can expect “Grub” to compete on every play for 80 minutes. It’s just how it is.

 

Team lists:

 

Parramatta Eels (8th coming into the round)

 

  1. Clint Gutherson
  2. Semi Radradra
  3. Michael Jennings
  4. Brad Takairangi
  5. Bevan French
  6. Corey Norman
  7. Mitchell Moses
  8. Daniel Alvaro
  9. Cameron king
  10. Tim Mannah (C)
  11. Manu Ma’u
  12. Kenny Edwards
  13. Nathan Brown

 

  1. David Gower
  2. Tepai Moeroa
  3. Suaia Matagi
  4. Will Smith

 

  1. Marata Nuikore
  2. Siosaia Vave
  3. Nathan Davis
  4. John Folau

 

Coach: Brad Arthur

 

Late mail: No late changes expected for the Eels, expect them to line up 1 through 17 come kick off.

 

Canterbury Bulldogs (13th place coming into the round)

 

  1. Will Hopoate
  2. Brett Morris
  3. Josh Morris
  4. Chase Stanley
  5. Marcelo Montoya
  6. Josh Reynolds
  7. Moses Mbye
  8. Aiden Tolman (C)
  9. Michael Lichaa
  10. Sam Kasiano
  11. Josh Jackson
  12. Adam Elliot
  13. David Klemmer

 

  1. Raymond Faitala Mariner
  2. Danny Fualalo
  3. Francis Tualau
  4. Matt Frawley

 

  1. Andy Saunders
  2. Kerrod Holland
  3. Asipeli Fine
  4. Brenko Lee

 

Coach: Des Hasler

 

Late mail: No late changes expected for the Bulldogs expect them to be 1 through 17 come kick off.

 

Two key match ups:

 

 

 

Clint Gutherson vs Will Hopoate:

The first key match up is a battle between fullbacks as Eels superstar utility back Clint Gutherson prepares to face off against Bulldogs marquee man Will Hopoate.

Gutherson was in superb form against the Dragons scoring two tries and a total of 14 points, personally outscoring Dragons 10. If this wasn’t impressive enough, “The King” also made a whopping 215 metres from 11 runs with two line breaks and two tries of his own. Having Gutherson at fullback for the Eels at this point in the season almost gives them a third playmaker with Corey Norman and Mitchell Moses already playing the halves.

Being in such outstanding form has likely placed Gutho into Dally M contention this year, something that few would have predicted.

Gutherson’s fullback opponent, Will Hopoate has had a solid season thus far. Whenever he has been on the park you can notice a substantial improvement in the Bulldogs attacking game. The former Eel, offers the Bulldogs a running fullback with a big body at the back. He is at his most dangerous close to the opposition quarter as he is more than capable of carrying multiple defenders over the try line.

Hopoate may not be the games fastest fullback but his powerful frame make him a dangerous opponent.

 

  

 

Mitchell Moses vs Moses Mbye:

The second key match up is a battle between halfbacks as Eels young gun Mitchell Moses comes up against talented Bulldogs half Moses Mbye. Both are searching for their best form and each will have a crucial role in the fortunes of their team.

Moses was fairly impressive for the Eels against the Dragons in what was arguably his best game since joining the club. In addition to setting up a try to Bevan French, Moses’ kicking was pretty much on point all game as he found the ground with almost every long kick. Along with Corey Norman, Moses was able to add a nice finishing touch on each of the Eels sets coming out of trouble.

Although Moses often looks physically outmatched when defending against some of the games more damaging ball runners, his increasing familiarity with Eels defensive patterns will solves some of the issues. No doubt there’s plenty of room for improvement.

Bulldogs halfback Moses Mbye has been struggling to find his best form at the Bulldogs so far this season. He has always been more noted for his ball running than his ball play, but if he want to stake his claim for Thurston’s vacant Origin halfback role, he’ll need to be more than a one trick pony. The Eels may need to watch a highly motivated Mbye in this match.

 

My tip: The Bulldogs will be without both James Graham and Greg Eastwood and this has severely hindered their chances of defeating the Eels.

Despite injuries to both Scott and Pritchard I’m tipping the Eels to come out on top in this one. Expect it to be a close encounter for the at least the first half but the Eels will run away with the victory in the end, Eels 30, Bulldogs 12.

 

Man of the match: Clint Gutherson, Corey Norman or Nathan Brown

 

Enjoy the game, GO THE EELS !!!

Nathan

 

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2 thoughts on “Match Preview – Eels vs Bulldogs (Round 17)

  1. Jimmy Corbo

    I will stick my neck out and tip a budding partnership between Moses and Tepai will bloom. Moses has a great ability to find his man on the outside of his defensive opponent with a great pass which suits Tep’s flourishing running game.

    This is a massive game in the context of the season with Origin hit Storm and the bye to come, could be the difference between fighting for 5th-6th spot or scrambling for 8th.

    C’mon the Eels………

  2. John Eel

    Given that the Dogs have not beaten the Eels since Rd 19 2015, do we know what the actual head to head is between BA and Dessie. You get a sense that BA is starting to gain the upper hand certainly in recent times.

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