Date: Monday, 22 April, 2019
Venue: BankWest Stadium, Parramatta
Kick Off: 4pm
Head Referee: Gerard Sutton
Assistant Referee: Chris Butler
Head-to-head: Played 39 Eels 21 Tigers 15 Drawn 3
Odds: Eels $1.85 Tigers $2.00
Broadcast: Foxtel
Last Four Encounters:
Eels 24 Tigers 22 ANZ Stadium (2018)
Tigers 30 Eels 20 ANZ Stadium (2018)
Eels 17 Tigers 16 ANZ Stadium (2017)
Eels 26 Tigers 22 ANZ Stadium (2017)
The Warm Up
What value do you place on a home game?
People who’ve forgotten more about football than I’d ever know have told me that a home game is worth 4 – 6 points on the scoreboard. The odd crowd penalty or 50/50 decision are great contributors to such an advantage.
Though the Tigers might see BankWest Stadium as one of their numerous home grounds, it’s likely that ninety percent of the anticipated thirty thousand in attendance will be sending them a message to the contrary. They’ll be made to feel as welcome as Paul Gallen at the Caxton Hotel.
Will the Eels be pumped or anxious about playing in front of a capacity crowd in the first match at their new home? There’ll undoubtedly be an air of expectation in what will likely be a festival atmosphere.
However, this won’t be a match played in front of casual spectators there for an event. Around twenty thousand people will take up their season ticket spots on Monday. Once the game settles down everybody, players and spectators alike, will be in footy mode, and it becomes another match where sticking to game plans and trusting systems will be the focus.
The Tigers would be buzzing after their sensational win against the Broncos. In contrast the Eels will be aiming to bounce back after some physical battering from the Raiders.
Whoever wins will be very pleased with their first quarter of the season.
Having a Punt
Some people might not believe that I’d tip an opposition player, but the punt is all about getting a return on your coin. For that reason I’m going to look at the score a try at any time market with NSW Tab and nominate Mahe Fonua @ $2.30. He’s an aggressive winger with a high involvement rate and I think he’ll feature prominently in this clash.
If you’re looking for an Eels win option, dig into the Head to Head/Over Under Double market and take the Eels win coupled with over 38.5 match points @ $3.60. Three of the past four clashes have returned over 40 points, and with fine weather predicted, I’m tipping that both teams might open up a bit more than they have in the first five rounds.
The favourites for first try scorer are listed below:
Eels: Ferguson $8 Sivo $9
Tigers: Fonua $11 Thompson $11
Feed Your Footy Brain
The Tigers have four former Eels in their line up. Matterson, Twal, Aloiai and Eisenhuth all represented Parramatta in lower grade football, but had to seek greener pastures to make their NRL debuts. For the Eels, Mitch Moses and Ray Stone can trace their roots back to the Tigers.
There are inexperienced forwards with less than 20 NRL games to be found in both teams, in both the starting pack and the bench. Mikaele (4) and Garner (11) have commenced their top grade journey for the Tigers, whereas Stone (1), Kaufusi (4), Mahoney (14) and Niukore (19) highlight the new brigade coming through for the Eels.
Tracking: Ray Stone
Ray Stone is one of the most popular Eels players yet to cement an NRL spot. The aggressive forward has a legion of fans, including those who’ve seen very little of his play but know of his reputation.
Ray Stone in action for Wenty.
After graduating from the NYC at the end of the 2017 season, Stone earned an NRL Development Contract for the 2018 season. A raft of first grade injuries saw Stone make his debut off the bench against the Storm in Round 22 last year.
Although the Eels have looked to up-skill the mobile Stone to take on a replacement dummy half role, the 95kg forward plays his best football as a lock/middle forward.
Stone takes no prisoners with his defence. Although on the lighter side against some of the big units running around in the middle third, anyone hit by a Stone tackle will testify to the impact from his collisions.
Just as the 21 year old’s power and mobility is his strength in defence, the same qualities assist his attack. Stone enjoys playing close to the action, and his high involvement keeps the defence on their toes. In one memorable NYC clash, he crossed for four tries, and two weeks ago he crossed for a double in the Wenty Magpies demolition of the Jets.
Older Eels supporters might just liken Stone to 1970s hard man, Ray Higgs.
Danger man: Josh Reynolds
When the big bloke upstairs was handing out talent, Josh Reynolds was like the person stuck on the end of a buffet line – he got the scraps. In compensation, he then had his plate loaded up with heart.
Reynolds is like the Tigers version of Gutho. He competes, then he competes, then he competes some more. Maybe that’s not worth $800k per season, especially for someone in the halves, but the former Bulldog might just be the perfect foil for Luke Brooks. He’ll leave the majority of game management in Brooks’ hands, something that the Tigers half struggled to hold on to when playing alongside good mate, Mitch Moses.
Expect Reynolds to constantly bob up in support, and maybe throw the odd grubber into the in goal. Also look for him to get in Eels players faces, throwing in a sledge or two and a bit of niggle in the tackles. It worked for the Raiders last week, so why not try it out again via one of the best in the business.
Even without Perenara in control!
Team Lists
Eels : 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5.Blake Ferguson 6. Jaeman Salmon 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Daniel Alvaro 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tepai Moeroa
Interchange: 14. Peni Terepo 15. Tim Mannah 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Ray Stone 18. David Gower 19. Kane Evans 20. Josh Hoffman 21. Greg Lelesiuao
Tigers: 1. Moses Mbye 2. Mahe Fonua 3. Robert Jennings 4. Esan Marsters 5. Corey Thompson 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Luke Brooks 8. Russell Packer 9. Robbie Farah 10. Alex Twal 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Luke Garner 13. Josh Aloiai
Interchange: 14. Ben Matulino 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Michael Chee-Kam 18.Paul Momirovski 19. Elijah Taylor 20. David Nofoaluma 21. Chris McQueen
Reed Mahoney vs Robbie Farah
Is this a mismatch? A 14 game novice taking on a 287 game veteran who’s done it all in the game.
The 35 year old Farah is enjoying something of a renaissance season. He could be kicking back in retirement, reflecting on career highlights which include a Premiership alongside Origin and International honours.
But it seems that the Tigers rake has a point to prove. The pain of leaving his club was there for all to see when he was photographed alone up on the Leichhardt scoreboard. He then languished in the lower grades at Souths behind rising star, Damien Cook.
That was no way to finish a career.
So, an intense Madge Maguire pre-season has Farah in arguably the best physical shape of his career, and the youthful exuberance of his team mates is feeding off his clever distribution.
Reed Mahoney delivering a precision pass.
How’s this for context? Reed Mahoney was in kindergarten when Farah made his NRL debut in 2003.
The energetic Eels dummy half celebrates his 21st birthday on Monday, but there’s a big job to do before any partying begins. “Cash” might only be at the start of his career, but he’s already a complete professional in his preparation and works hard on developing his skill set. The Queensland Under 20s Origin rep is frequently the last to leave the field at training.
This year we’ve witnessed more running, more kicking and more disciplined service from Mahoney. He’s averaging around 70 minutes of game time in 2019 and 50 tackles seems like a standard defensive output as he throws himself fearlessly into the impacts around the ruck.
This will be no mismatch. Mahoney will leave his mark in this contest.
And The Winner Is?
Imagine tipping against the Eels in their return home! I certainly won’t be doing that.
On paper, there should be concerns about the lack of experience in the engine room for Parra. The Tigers pack and interchange boasts 971 games against the Eels 802, with four of Parra’s forwards having less than 20 NRL appearances on their resume.
I can also find a red flag with the huge doubt over Blake Ferguson. Should he drop out, there’ll be a massive hole in the potential metres from the Eels back three.
The Eels remain without the services of Ma’u and the Browns – Nathan and Dylan, so they will be considerably under strength for such an important game.
But even without key players, the Eels should still have too much firepower for the Tigers. Junior Paulo has been a revelation in his return home, whilst Lane and Niukore have arguably been one of the form back row combinations in 2019.
I’m expecting Moses and Gutherson to push contract issues aside and have blinders.
Eels 28 Tigers 16
Man of the Match – Clint Gutherson
Eels forever!
Sixties
One can only hope that Stone is half the man Ray Higgs was for us. What a ferocious competitor. Made of the same steel as Ray Price. Happy Easter to all.
I’ll never forget Higgs leading a Parra chant on Church St in the 1976 grand final parade.
Who can forget that tongue rolled up unbelievably not bitten off! One of my all time eels favourites, broke my heart when he went to Manly after the Fearnley “blue” I suspect his as well! I have a soft spot for Ray Stone already!
Pops at your age that’s understandable, but wouldn’t be broadcasting it too widely.
I really hope that Stone has a top game, I would like to see him and Kafusi come on at the same time 2 fresh bodies with energy to boot.
I read where Fittler is eyeing Twal as a possible for SOO, I see him having a big game against the eels today.
“Sharks” 16?
We not playing two games tomorrow are we? Regardless of the opponents I certainly hope you picked the score correctly!!!
I know I can’t wait for tomorrow and the general rugby league community seems just as excited. I just hope that the team are able to harness the energy and enthusiasm for good and not evil!
Go Parra!
Fixed Jonboy. The difficulty of writing a preview in the wee hours!
But that is the score I’m tipping.
How good was getting a photo with a couple of legends on Wednesday night!
The nerves are already starting to kick in for me! But I don’t entertain any result other than an Eels win. A good win.
This is Graz
I’m starting to feel some nerves too now. Isn’t that a good thing before an important game?
For some time, I have had a feeling that this game has more in common with its counterpart in 1986 where we smashed the St George outfit who had quite a good side, maybe not a premiership threat but certainly a side similar to tomorrows opponent Wests Tigers.
We, Parra, on the other hand are rebounding from our top 4 finish in 2017 (ignore 2018) which included some bad luck with injuries towards the end of the season proper and in earlier semis just as we had in 1985.
The addition of local juniors and a ring in like Ray Stone has me very excited.
Parra by a comfortable margin to confirm the difference this team has in attitude, fitness and a couple of new signings.
I like the analysis but even more so your words “a comfortable margin” Rowdy.
Do they have comfortable margin as a bet option with the TAB? Might be some sweet action there.
Rowdy is a fair dinkum fortune teller. Either that or a good judge of football
Sixties b4 I blow up again about this ground of ours let me make a few points 1st. (Deep breath taken)
1st is I see our wingers are taller then those of the west tiger’s I think we should bomb the living 💩out of there wingers see how they hand it under pressure in a big game.
2nd. Talking about bombing with “our” stadium the ball will do funny things in the air because of the wind in the shape of the roof. How do you see it playing out.
P,s I noticed a wsw fan was with Glady to open “our stadium” were was a Parramatta eels legend instead of some snotty nose little pain in the ass wsw fan. Not happy Jan 😡 maybe I’m selfish but for the life of me it’s in the heart land of Parramatta. Not Bankstown not Leichhardt not Campbelltown.
#Eels4life#
It’s great to see Ray Stone in the side. I know I have prattled on about it a few times but Ray and Reed Mahoney were the outstanding pair of that 2017 side with their non stop, give everything, leave nothing on the field attitude. A lot of defense is made by Reed, Tepai Moeroa and Daniel Alvaro so Ray Stone, when he comes on, will keep that high work rate flowing, (every side needs these style of players to be successful).
I just watched that Raiders game again and I did a tally of the stats for myself (forwards only) and my results, which might not be exact, but should be close are:
Tepai did 7 more tackles, the same amount of hit ups and more decoy runs in 35 minutes than Marata Nuikore did in 80 minutes.
It seems Brad Arthur has Tepai playing to his instructions of giving everything for the first twenty minutes which allows players like Marata and Shaun Lane to have more energy for attack during the match.
Also involved in that early high defensive workload were Reed and Daniel Alvaro.
For the first twenty minutes:
Tepai-21 tackles,3 runs, 2 decoy runs and a long chase to prevent Crocker from scoring,
Reed-15 tackles, his dummy half role and was also involved in the chase on Croker.
Alvaro-18 tackles, 1 run and 1 decoy run.
Lane-10 tackles, 2 runs 1 decoy run.
Junior Paulo-12 tackles, 2 runs, 1 decoy run
Marata-8 tackles, 1 run, 1 decoy run.
Tepai was pretty well gassed before the chase on Croker but he just would not give up.
Lane has really impressed with his workload, he has certainly been a good buy for us along with Junior (surprisingly high work rate for such a big man) and of course Ferguson who has been a real bonus.
Mitch Moses has really surprised with his tremendous attitude in defense (technique and effort).
Michael Jennings is back to his best and right from the first game he has been playing as a team member not as an individual. I thought he was good in that Raiders game and he shouldn’t have been penalised, but I was expecting Peranara to pull “nothing” penalties out of his hat, so no surprise there. I tried to count the release time of tackled players and looking at it we should have received numerous more penalties if going by the MJ ones.
Terepo’s workrate was good and Evans had a few strong runs and defended well.
Tim Mannah and Gowie didn’t shirk it either. In other words the team really tried hard, just too many mistakes mixed with a bit of bad luck (some ref induced).
On another note Nathan Brown started the year brilliantly, he really ripped in in attack and defense in that first game. It bodes well for the Eels when he returns if going by that short cameo.
Manu Mahu looked really powerful in that trial he was injured in, so he should be a boost to the team when he returns also.
Sixties speaking about Ray Higgs, he was one of the reasons I have continued to follow the Eels. Ray was from Roma and I had met his brothers through a mate from there so it was a big issue for a young fellow to know players who had a brother playing in the top league comp. He was as tough as they come and his brothers Darryl and Adrian also did well at Souths in Brisbane. Hopefully young Ray “Higgs” Stone has as good a run as Ray Higgs had.
All done so good luck to the Eels today.
Trev. (Trevor Campbell)
Great effort Trev. I nearly ran out of breath reading it mate.
Ha thanks Rowdy. I have been occupied with a few things going on at the moment so I haven’t been able to post anything and when I do it all comes out in one go.