7.50pm, Thursday, 24^th August 2017

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, QLD

This match has a definite Semi Finals feel to it. The Eels will look to show why they are worthy semi-finalists and keep their Top 4 dreams alive. The Broncos are also looking to cement their spot in the Top 4 after a scratchy performance against the Dragons last week.

These two teams played one of the games of the season just a few weeks ago and I really can’t see this clash being any different. This is a must watch encounter, no matter which team you support.

Let’s look at the numbers between these two sides.

Last 10 Games

Parramatta has a reasonable record against a team which has been a mainstay of finals football. The last 10 games sees the Broncos just ahead with 6 wins to Parra’s 4.

Score Aggregate

Eels – 180

Broncos – 211

Score Average

Eels – 18

Broncos – 21

Quick Facts

• The Eels and Broncos have played each other 51 times.
• Broncos have a 31 – 20 win majority over the Eels.
• At Suncorp, they have played each other 17 times with the Broncos leading 11 wins to 6.
• The Eels at Suncorp have played there 21 times for a 6 wins to 15 losses.
• The Eels past 10 appearances at Suncorp have seen them win 4 of those 10 games.
• 2017 – Parra sit in 5^th spot with 14 wins and 8 losses. The Eels score 19.2 points p/g and concede 18.5 points p/g.
• 2017 – Brisbane are currently 2^nd with 15 wins and 7 losses. They score at 24.7 points p/g and let in 16.9 points p/g.

By Quarters (And Golden Point)

Both teams start well and the first half will be key. Even though the Eels pegged back the Broncos after they come out of the blocks hard last start, the Eels will not want to have that repeated.

With showers expected and a mild night in Brisbane come kick off, handling is going to be paramount and ball shifting could be down to a minimum. Last game went end to end, side to side. With the likely greasy conditions, it will be up to the forwards to lay good ground work up the middle before using the ball on the edges. Points could be at a premium in this game.

Attack:

*average per game (Ranking)

Defence:

*average per game (Ranking)

Discipline:

*average per game (Ranking)

The statistics alone would be indicative of a comfortable Broncos win. However, these numbers weren’t very different just on a month ago when the Eels overpowered Brisbane. What we can take from this data is that going to Suncorp and beating the Broncos is a difficult task.

Parramatta need to be smart and keep the errors and discipline in check. You don’t want to give Brisbane cheap metres and extra sets for them to attack.

Our fringe defenders in Moeroa and Edwards need to be fully focused as the Broncos centres in Moga and Roberts can inflict big damage on both sides. Moga rates highly with run metres (7^th at 3194m), whilst Roberts can add to his line break tally. He and Milford work well together on that right side. Roberts has 14 line breaks (10^th ranked) many courtesy of a Milford offload. Milford sits 10^th in offloads with 37. Also in the Top 10 offloads list is Adam Blair with 41. So our middle defenders need to wrap that ball up when going in for tackles.

This should be a great game of rugby league and I can see it going down to the wire. Reading into the Eels press this week, it seems that they are feeling confident and very much up for this match. This puts a lot of confidence in this Blue and Gold Army member for an Eels win.

Yours in Blue and Gold

Colmac

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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