NRL Team List
While it is easy to forget just how our last few finals series have played out after eight long years in the wilderness – the first two weeks have deadset been been a case of back to the future. In 2009, 2007 and 2006 do you know who knocked us out in sudden death footy? I apologise in advance for dredging up any repressed memories but the answer would be the Melbourne Storm.
Stretch just one more year further back and peel the scab off another nasty memory to recall that it was the North Queensland Cowboys that spectacularly ended the post-season campaign of the Eels in a 29-0 rout over a roster missing the prime iterations of both Nathan Hindmarsh and Fui Fui Moi Moi.
Our opponents in the first two weeks of the 2017 finals? You know it. The Melbourne Storm and North Queensland Cowboys. Even if time is indeed a flat circle, the Eels have been gifted a chance to break the cycle and right the wrongs of the past in a grudge match 12 years in the making.
Brad Arthur has called upon the services of the same 17 men that sensationally pushed the Melbourne juggernaut to their utmost limits – although there is a minor change to the shadow bench. Peni Terepo pushes Frank Pritchard out of the 21-man team list.
There are some doubts and concerns to monitor though. Cameron King was cleared of any serious damage to his left arm after it was confirmed that he suffered a ‘stinger’ to a nerve. The club will still have to wait for the swelling to subside to fully clear him to play. Tepai Moeroa, as I understand, will need to clear concussion protocol after succumbing to a head knock early on in the loss to the Storm. Bevan French has gone unnamed after failing to over come a troublesome hamstring injury.
We earned our second shot at the title with our whole-hearted effort in the regular season but from here on in it is sudden death footy, folks. The Cowboys will be riding high after their ridiculous come-from-behind extra point victory over the Cronulla Sharks. Fatigue might be a factor for the Cowboys but we can not count on that to decide anything.
I realise that if you are reading this weekly blog you are a dyed in the wool parramaniac and (barring long distance fans) will be turning up on Saturday to attend this fixture without any of my comments. Your commitment to the cause is duly noted but I want more damn it! I want friends and family. I want your friend’s friends and in-laws out there in decked out in Blue & Gold – even if it means bringing your more than slightly annoying brother-in-law along.
Practically every other club has let the code down attendance wise in what was otherwise a brilliant round of footy on the field. This is OUR home final. Our first home final in eight long and bloody years, damn it. Let’s set the standard for the fifteen other clubs and let them know that we are here to stay in the finals. Turn ANZ into a sea of Blue & Gold, a cauldron of noise and hype, a fortress fitting for our head coach and his seventeen unsung heroes.
See you out there.
Parramtta Eels side
1. Will Smith
2. Semi Radradra
3. Michael Jennings
4. Brad Takairangi
5. Kirisome Auva’a
6. Corey Norman
7. Mitch Moses
8. Daniel Alvaro
9. Cameron King
10. Tim Mannah (c)
11. Manu Ma’u
12. Tepai Moeroa
13. Nathan Brown
Interchange
14. Beau Scott (c)
15. Kenny Edwards
16. Siosaia Vave
17. Suaia Matagi
18. Kaysa Pritchard
19. Peni Terepo
20. David Gower
21. Josh Hoffman
This will be the side that takes us to victory in the big dance. French won’t be seen again this year. I’m excited can’t wait I’m going to the game with the family (wife son n his gf) there 1st ever game but its many for me.
#Eels4life#
This game is ours to lose, we need to break the habit of playing to the level of the opposition and it should be a comfortable victory. They were 1 from 6 heading into the finals with the win being a sloppy game against the Tigers on the back of tries from kicks, the Tigers had the game under control and lost the plot late.
For all the plaudits Morgan is getting in JT’s absence, they don’t throw much at the opposition apart from kicks behind the line or the kick out wide to Feldt. If we get on top early and get out to a lead they simply don’t have the artillery to score points. Taumalolo is a freak, super human, but there persistence in using him as a battering ram in the middle makes him easier to defend against because you can get numbers there in defence.
The Cowboys showed enormous heart last week but the Sharks were woeful and kept them in the game with errors, poor defence and many poor decisions in attack. Flanno can rant as much as he likes but 37 missed tackles and 17 errors are not caused by the ref.
This comp has now opened up right up for us to make the GF and the adage of “you only need to beat them once” rings true, lets hope we see the Storm in October.
C’mon Lads……..#09redemption
Jimmy I agree with your comment about Jason tomalolo.
I think greeny is using him all wrong but hey if the cowboys do that oh well there problem.
We just put numbers on him simple.
As for those ppl that do life in Sydney or in nere by hoods from Penrith to Sydney who follow the eels.
Cya all at the game our team n coaching staff need us all there to be cheering our team to victory.
Only 3 more wins to glory n when we do win the GF I’m partying like its 1986 .
E
#Eelsforlife#
Good one Forty.
I reckon the possibility of Tep being rested even if he passes concussion protocol is on the cards and may just open the door for Peni to get a call up and a run off the bench with Kenny E starting (according to Kenny himself)
Peni getting a run with three possible games left gives us another big body with quick legs off the bench to put more pressure on every one of our forwards in the rotation and that’s also a good thing.
Tep getting a rest to his back (not to mention his melon) and freshen up for a big confrontation with Boyd (should never have been captain of NSW) Cordner will be enormous for us in my opinion. I believe Tep has been outstanding recently!