Date: Sunday, 24th March, 2019
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park
Kick Off: 4:05pm
Head Referee: Ben Cummins
Assistant Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Head-to-head: Played 156 Bulldogs 83 Eels 66 Drawn 7
Odds: Bulldogs $2.15 Eels $1.73
Broadcast: Foxtel, Nine
Last Four Encounters:
Eels 14 Bulldogs 8 ANZ Stadium (2018)
Bulldogs 20 Eels 12 ANZStadium (2018)
Eels 20 Bulldogs 4 ANZ Stadium (2017)
Eels 13 Bulldogs 12 ANZ Stadium (2017)
The Warm Up
How important is it for Parramatta to follow up the win against the Panthers with a quality performance against the Dogs?
To “borrow” from a TCT reader, John, it’s akin to scoring a try then getting to your kick in the set after the kickoff.
I reckon that’s the perfect analogy. The value of the win is diluted if the Eels don’t follow it up against Canterbury. How the Eels perform will be a measurement of their mindset.
In 2017, the Eels enjoyed a 16/8 win-loss ratio. However, the team was notorious for playing to the level of their opponents – lifting against the competition’s heavyweights but dropping when playing against the less favoured clubs.
A return to that mentality would be disastrous against a Bulldogs side feeling the sting of harsh criticism after their first up humiliation against the Warriors.
What the Eels know all too well is that Canterbury is a proud club. Indeed they they always manage to lift against the Eels, and their motivation will be in high gear as they look to redeem themselves in front of their home fans.
Critics will tell you that the boys from Belmore have a poor roster. Supporters will point to the youth in the side and claim that it’s a team of the future.
What the Dogs have in their favour is that they are facing an Eels team missing five of their top 17, including three key forwards. If ever they have the opportunity to immediately turn a loss around, it’s against a depleted Parra team.
Get ready people. This could be a nail biter!
Having a Punt:
I was on the money last week with one of my favourite markets – first half exotics. That combination of wet weather and a fired up Eels looked like money for jam and hopefully we got a few winners from that.
This week I’m diving into a TAB special market. You can couple Blake Ferguson scoring at least one try with an Eels win @$3.50.
The first try favourites are listed below:
Eels: Sivo, Ferguson both $9
Bulldogs: Reimis Smith $10 and Christian Crichton $11
Feed Your Footy Brain
Lane congratulated by George Jennings
Shaun Lane returns to play the club where it all began. The 198cm second rower appeared in 14 games for the Dogs back in 2015. His first appearance for the Eels last week marked him as a player to watch in 2019.
The last clash at ANZ Stadium drew the smallest attendance since 1996 for a match between the two clubs. The Eels took the honours 14 to 8 but it was difficult to generate any atmosphere with a crowd of only 8 437. This was in stark contrast to that magical night in 2009 when nearly 75 thousand supporters yelled themselves hoarse in the preliminary final at the same venue.
Where have all the punters gone?
Hopefully some will return this weekend.
Tracking: Reed Mahoney
The questions about Reed Mahoney’s place in the Eels spine were answered in emphatic fashion against the Panthers. The rookie dummy half topped the Eels count with 30 tackles at an impressive 94% effectiveness. The Queensland Under 20s Origin representative thrives in the contact.
Watching “Cash” bounce out of tackles to cross the line in the second half, supporters were reminded of the tenacity he displayed in his nine NRL appearances in 2018.
Mahoney has been a standout during this pre-season and was the front runner for the top job before Kaysa Pritchard took a break from footy.
With Dylan Brown’s debut, Mahoney has been re-united with his NYC halfback. This combination might have slipped under the radar, but some Eels faithful will recall their combination from the back end of 2017 and the start of 2018.
It’s a combination to keep your eyes on.
Danger Man: Kieran Foran
It seems like a lifetime ago that Kieran Foran was heralded as the most significant Eels signing since Peter Sterling. He was the five-eighth to lead the Eels to the promised land of consistent finals football.
Of course, Foran would play only 9 games in the Blue and Gold before parting ways with the club in what was a disappointing period for both parties. Recently Foran has publicly acknowledged the support he received from the Arthur family. It speaks volumes for the Arthur family, as well as serving as a reminder that people and relationships matter.
At nearly 29 years of age, the Kiwi international is now in his 11th season of first grade. Although he has struggled to reproduce the premiership winning and international form from early in his career, I can’t help but feeling that the more he finds peace away from footy, the more likely he is to provide a return on investment for the Dogs.
At his best, Foran is a strong ball runner who puts the defence in two minds because he digs deep into the line. He is a composed half and that composure rubs off on his team mates.
The less effective, less confident Foran on display over the past two years has caused the opposition and supporters to forget how dangerous he can be. People only recall the off-field issues.
That might be about to change.
Team Lists
Bulldogs: 1. Will Hopoate 2. Christian Crichton 3. Kerrod Holland 4. Marcelo Montoya 5.Reimis Smith 6. Kieran Foran 7. Lachlan Lewis 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13.Adam Elliot
Interchange: 14. Jeremy Marshall-King 15. Danny Fualalo 16. Corey Harawira-Naera 17. Sauaso Sue 19. Jack Cogger 20. Nick Meaney 21. Chris Smith 22.Ofahiki Ogden
Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Josh Hoffman 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Daniel Alvaro 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tepai Moeroa
Interchange: 14.Jaeman Salmon 15. Tim Mannah 16. Kane Evans 17. David Gower 18. Bevan French 19. Oregon Kaufusi 20. George Jennings 21. Andrew Davey
Junior Paulo vs Dylan Napa
Welcome home Junior Paulo.
It’s great to have Junz back home.
The Eels big man makes his first NRL appearance in the Blue and Gold since his mid season departure in 2016. Given his cameo in the St Marys trial, it’s a return which is highly anticipated.
The 2018 version of the Eels was criticised for being too small and easily bullied by their opponents. Cue the recruitment of the big unit known as Junz.
At around 125kg, the Samoan international is among the biggest in the game, yet he’s a much fitter version of the 150kg+ prop who fronted for the Raiders at the start of the 2018 pre-season.
Expect the big collisions in defence. Enjoy the ferocious charges carrying the football. Look for the second phase play generated from his carries. Junior Paulo could just be the most influential player on the field this week.
Is it fair to say that Dylan Napa has been a human headline for all the wrong reasons? His controversial tackling technique and leaked snapchat videos have become synonymous with name. Undoubtedly, the Maroons prop would be looking to “big” performances on the footy field this season to turn the dialogue around.
At his best, it’s difficult to argue about how damaging Napa can be. Those big defensive hits – hello Paul Gallen – keep the opposition forwards on notice that he’s waiting for them. He’s not going to threaten the try line or make the explosive line break, but you know that the Cook Islands international is going to do what props need to do – make the hard yards.
Another outstanding feature of Napa’s career has been his durability. After debuting with seven games in 2013, he’s averaged an impressive 23 games per season between 2014 and 2018. In an interesting sub plot, Sunday’s game will see him line up against good mate and former Rooster, Kane Evans.
And The Winner Is?
The Eels are down on troops. The Bulldogs are hurting.
Can you smell an ambush in the making?
The loss of Terepo, Ma’u, Brown, Jennings and Smith takes away both power and pace from the Eels line up, but the victory over the Panthers was built on defensive attitude and game management. Every player called in last Sunday proved their worth.
On paper, the Dogs ball control was the difficult to fault against the Warriors. They completed at close to 90%, but unfortunately for them, asked very few questions with the ball in hand. Furthermore, you don’t get 40 points put on you without some major defensive deficiencies (how’s that for alliteration?).
Even allowing for a Bulldogs bounce back, the Eels look to be a better balanced side. The two packs are evenly matched but the Dogs will probably rely far too much on their forwards to get the job done.
It won’t be a comfortable afternoon for the Eels but they should get the job done.
Eels 28 Bulldogs 16
Man of the Match – Junior Paulo
Eels forever!
Sixties
I wouldn’t say having Smith out would put us in anymore disadvantage as many would take Salmon over Smith.
Salmon for mine can cover most back positions and lock also being a good defender . I’m sure he will be doing extras at dummy half this week.
Salmon at Lock chiefys? Not sure about that – but we will see. Smith did ok last week I thought. The squad have to back up last weeks effort.
Yes there’s no doubt Salmon could fill a gap in the back row if there’s any injuries. He’s there more to fill in the backline.
Must win game; yes we are down on troops but these games are must win if we want to get that confidence like 2016/17. Ball control; enthusiasm on and off the ball and limit errors / penalties. Seems simple..but they can do it. Stay focused for 80 mins.
Nailed it Milo. They know the Dogs will come out firing.
I see a win, but it will be a hard won type. The dogs will be gee’ed up and the coach will run in their display over the ditch from last weekend, they have 3 backs that on their day can cause havoc, Hoppa, Holland and Foran, add to them Lichaa who has been given some put downs, and there could be danger in those areas.
With Hoff and Salmon in the centres for us, its smacks of some concerns, haven’t seen the hoff there much for a long time, and newbie in Salmon will need to swim hard against the current to make it upstream, will the dogs be replacing bears in their quest for a meal?
Our forwards need to work the whole 80, and hunt as a pack, and run like them as well, with no drop in intensity, but also more than against the riff. The fitness of Jnr will be very much tested by the opposition.
Eels by 8
Taka is in the centres with Hoff Colin.
I agree about the intensity mate. They can’t afford to let it drop.
I mention Hoff and Taka in the centres mate, the concern is how long has it been since Hoff was in the centres seems a more foreign position to me? Taka being the senior of the two has to readjust to the backs as well.
A neighbour up here is also a rabid eels supporter and we had a yarn today, he has some concerns as well with the centre pairing, and the three dog backs I mentioned.
I will be immensely disappointed if we do not win. but its still a danger game for mine.
Normally I’m very cautious of the bounce back factor but not so much on this occasion. Why? It’s only round 2. The Eels haven’t won back to back wins for almost a year and the boys will be eager to prove that they mean business this year. I have no doubt that BA has challenged them to back up last week’s win with another strong effort. If we turn up with the right attitude we’ll win, plus Paulo will want to have a huge game in his first for the season.
Jetta, I’m champing at the bit for this first appearance from Junz.
I always get nervous about Para n Panthers and Parra n Bulldogs. Normally a hell of a game.
Gee , a coin flip in it I reckon.
That’s the way it’s always been hasn’t it mate. They are always tough contests.
Sixties, I get your vibe, quickly read the Bulldogs teamsheet and you think ‘not a bad roster, some top players there’. And I distinctly recall Foran putting us to the sword in a Warriors game by playing solid, composed, wait for the moment football. Not a great habit, but I remember these things better than birthdays.
The big thing is definitely our mindset and roster improvement. Ball control and discipline will put us in great winning position. Just don’t gift the Dogs soft ground and play them into form.
The weaknesses in the Dogs roster are quickly highlighted by critics BDon, but I’m wary of the quality players on the roster and hoping that we dominate them and don’t let them hit form.
If we are to make the eight in season 2019 these are the games we must win. Dogs were the worst performing team in Rd 1 so despite our worrying injury toll this is a game we should and must win.
It is important that we develop a hard edge to our game and as we did last week focus on patience and commitment.
The players need to put adversity like injuries aside as they have done before under BA and go on and win despite the setbacks.. In 2017 in one game (I can’t remember the opponent ) we defended about 3,000 tackles on our line without conceding a try. That is the type of commitment that we need to display on Sunday.
That tackle count might be slightly exaggerated. I think the number was closer to 15 or so.
You build seasons on defensive efforts like that John. You hope you don’t have to do that much work, but if you do, then those big digs count for plenty.
With the loss of browny n his offloading abbilaty I think having junior Paulo in the side with his offloading abbilaty at the line n the good doctor David Gower coming of the bench I think we can tire out the dogs with our offloading.
For mine I think we can do a job on them they looked very poor in attack and defence. If we had peni n Manu n Michael Jennings also this week I say the score would be even bigger. But in saying that if our half’s control there kicking game n get a few 40/20’s n cash Mahoney control’s the ruck our back will have a field day. I think Ferguson will back 2 trys n sivo 1 Moses 1 marata 1. Moses 5\5 with the boot.
Score Eels 30
Bulldogs 6
Mom Ferguson
#Eels4life#
In the past these are the games we’d always lose. I really hope the 2019 version is different. I believe we’ve got the better roster and more points in us. I guess time will tell…..
Just finished watching a great performance against last year’s premiers. Greg L was great, same Mcilwick, Goolagong, Keighran & Buttfield. We’re certainly going forward. I think we’ll win, and by margin.
Also down by 10 last year, Eels would have turned their toes up. Brown & Mahoney are long term keepers
Have to agree re those players on show, GL showed his scoring ability in vg show, Goolagong was also strong.
Is Goolagong on a Wenty contract?
No idea John but I noticed he played both on the wing as well as centres, looks a good prospect for me. I also thought Stone went ok while on the paddock