The Cumberland Throw

The Preview – Round 14, 2019: Eels vs Broncos

Date: Saturday, June 15, 2019

Venue: BankWest Stadium, Parramatta

Kick Off: 7:35pm

Referees: Henry Perenara, Liam Kennedy

Head-to-head: Played 57 Eels 21 Broncos 33 Drawn 3

Odds: Eels $1.80 Broncos $2.05

Broadcast: Foxtel, Kayo

Last Four Encounters:

Broncos 18 Eels 10 Suncorp Stadium (2019)

Eels 52 Broncos 34 Suncorp Stadium (2017)

Eels 28 Broncos 14 ANZ Stadium (2017)

Broncos 38 Eels 16 Suncorp Stadium (2017)

 

The Warm Up

After another false dawn against the Rabbitohs, the Eels reminded everyone of of their lack of resilience in a second half capitulation against the Sharks.

If images of the Sharks bench laughing on the sideline with ten minutes to go aren’t embarrassing enough, Paul Gallen opened the wound and poured in salt when he declared that it wasn’t a tough game physically and agreed with Phil Gould’s suggestion that the Sharks clocked off due to boredom.

There should be no subtlety in responding to these remarks. The Eels forwards have been insulted and ridiculed. They’ve been publicly called soft by an opponent. The Parra pack won’t get a chance to respond to the Sharks, but they can demand respect via their on-field performances from this point onwards.

The Broncos boast some of the brightest young forwards in the game, with Haas, Pangai Junior and Fifita laying the platform alongside Lodge and Gillett.

Having so much youth in the team has its risks, and the Broncos inconsistent performances are probably to be expected. Throw in a new coach and it was more like a certainty. But brighter times are on the horizon and I’ll be locking Brisbane in for a top 8 position next season.

It’s been a tumultuous week for the Eels after the headlines generated by Tim Mannah’s attempts to seek an immediate release.

Fortunately, it’s a return to BankWest Stadium.

It might just be the telling factor.

 

Having a Punt

Last week once again proved to be so near and yet so far for anyone following the punting tip. The suggested NSW TAB special bet coupling Feki or Sivo to be either first or second try scorer @$3.00 came so very close, with Sivo crossing for the third try.

This week I’m steering away from special offers and returning to a favourite market of mine – the line/over under double. Take Parra giving away 1.5 points coupled with over 38.5 total match points @$3.40.

The favourites in the first try scorer market are:

Eels: Ferguson $10 Sivo $10

Broncos: Oates $9 Isaako $10

 

Feed Your Footy Brain

The Eels have a decent overall record against the Broncos, especially in recent seasons.

The last ten clashes have been split, five apiece.

The two sides have clashed seven times during Arthur’s tenure at the Eels, with the Broncos just ahead by four wins to three.

Both Arthur and Seibold spent part of their formative coaching years under Craig Bellamy at the Melbourne Storm.

 

Tracking: Michael Jennings

Although Michael Jennings is one of the Eels oldest players, he is arguably one of their most consistent performers in 2019.

Jenko has turned back the clock.

In a team struggling for any semblance of consistency this season, Jenko has completely turned around an atrocious 2018.

The blistering acceleration and evasion have returned and the former Origin star currently leads the Eels for tackle breaks – at an average of 3.3 per game.

In only half a season, Sivo and Jenko have formed a lethal left side combination that the Eels would surely be trying to lock up for the next couple of years.

If the Eels get up this weekend, that left side is certain to have featured prominently.

 

Danger man: Corey Oates

Tall, fast, powerful. To be specific, he’s 192cm and 105kg – the Broncos winger is built like a back rower but his long strides make him deceptively quick.

At just 24 years of age, Oates already boast 133 NRL appearances and 90 tries. And we’ve seen examples of his athleticism throughout his career.

From long range tries, to spectacular, gravity defying dives into the corner, Oates offers a range of attacking weapons out wide. With a frame that has him towering over most opponents, the high ball to his wing is always an option for Broncos kickers.

Oates is currently averaging 158 running metres per game, and his charges are crucial for Brisbane’s set starts. His 3.5 tackle breaks per game place him third in the Bronco’s list, sitting just behind Haas and Bird.

As a left winger, Oates will be lining up against Blake Ferguson. The Eels recruit has been near faultless off bombs this year, but Oates will offer another level of competition.

You can just sense that both wingers will be up for it.

 

Team Lists:

Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Josh Hoffman 5. Blake Ferguson 6.Jaeman Salmon 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Kane Evans 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11.Shaun Lane 12. Manu Ma’u 13. Nathan Brown

Interchange: 14. Ray Stone 15. Peni Terepo 16. David Gower 17. Marata Niukore 18. Daniel Alvaro 19. Tepai Moeroa 20. Brad Takairangi 21. Will Smith

Broncos:  Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jamayne Isaako 6.Anthony Milford 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11.David Fifita 12. Matt Gillett 13. Tevita Pangai

Interchange: 14. Andrew McCullough 15. Jaydn Su’A 16.Thomas Flegler 17. Patty Carrigan 18. Richard Kennar 19. Shaun Fensom 20. Patrick Mago 21. James Segeyaro

 

Eels Middle vs Everyone

Ridiculed by their opposition, criticised by commentators, lambasted by some of their own fans – the Eels middle are firmly in the spotlight this week.

Parra sit at or near the bottom of the NRL in key metrics such as run metres conceded, missed tackles and ineffective tackles. Many of these numbers are either produced directly in the middle third or eventuate from the spaces created via problems in that part of the field.

Make no mistake, issues such as line speed, contact, wrestle, getting off the ground and communication are focus areas at training. But when it comes to finding resilience or effort on effort on game day, the Eels have been on a fortnightly shift.

Turning up this week is the immediate task. Turning up every week must be the goal.

The Broncos forwards have the youthful energy, the size and the talent to throw eighty minutes of challenges at the Eels.

Will the Parra forwards step up?

Only they know the answer.

 

And The Winner Is?

Last week I correctly tipped the Sharks. But I did so believing that it would be a decent contest.

So basically I was right about the Sharks but wrong about the Eels.

And yet, after such a horrible display, Parramatta enters Round 14 clinging on to 8th place.

This week could either galvanise the club or send its season spiralling into the Premiership abyss. And what a week it’s been.

The media have ripped into the club over its performances.

The players have been ridiculed by the opposition and critics.

The club captain has sought a release.

Ridiculous rumours have circulated privately and on social media.

And yet the team has been through much worse – see the 2016 season.

The last time I successfully tipped Parra, I did so without a firm reason. I called it “the vibe”.

After selecting the Sharks last week, I’ve reversed my tip this week and taken the Eels.

The team will step up this week. Should they be beaten, it will be because the Broncos have earned the victory.

 

Eels 32 Broncos 16

 

Man of the Match – Shaun Lane

 

Eels forever!

Sixties

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27 thoughts on “The Preview – Round 14, 2019: Eels vs Broncos

  1. Colin Hussey

    I am very much divided on this game, my last two weeks of tipping have been terrible, I see danger in the form of how Boyd has been playing the last few weeks at the back, as he’s had the fumbles and certainly down in his performances of the past, if he is on, he can direct the team ok and with plays to Oates, and Milford at his best, provide them with some VG skills, Oates also tends to come inside a bit as well and adding impact

    The game though should be won in the forwards, & I think our pack is going to face a big challenge, but with Brown back he should help in a bit way, but the others also have to do the same. I look forward to Stone having more time as well.

    A very cautious tipping from my heart is eels by 7, lets hope the honouring of Kaysa at the game may bring more out from the eels as well.

    1. sixties

      Colin, I deliberately avoided mentioning the likes of Milford and Boyd because it’s my belief that the result will be determined by attitude. And the attitude of the Eels will be seen in the defence in the middle against the Broncos pack and Oates set starts. It needs to be a game won on merit, not one that sees the opposition laughing with ten to go and then calling Parra soft a couple of days later.
      If the players can’t turn up and have a genuine 80 minute dig this week, it will be impossible to tip them any week.
      I reckon they will rip in.

      1. Colin Hussey

        sixties,, for me the aspect of attitude has to be accompanied with full blown motivation from every one of the players. Without either, they will be hard pressed to find a cure for their softness, and I hate saying these things, but as bad as it is to see the bad losses but reading the opposition players comments regarding last weeks effort is the most hurtful I have ever heard.

        Pride, attitude, motivation, respect for themselves, club and supporters must be there, maybe they could even now be shown video of these very points in a clip of Kaysa’s game plays over his too short career,

        1. sixties

          The staff are very aware of the comments Colin. How much is made of it, I can’t be sure. The motivation and desire to contest every moment that they can will be tested when adversity comes their way in the game. Then it will be tested when the effort has to be backed up in the following weeks. I expect ebbs and flows over the weeks when it comes to energy. I expect much better when it comes to that desire to contest and win moments in games, especially the stuff that doesn’t earn headlines.

          1. TolEelts

            Hi, I just viewed BA’s presser, when asked, he replied that it is not his job to motivate the individual players. He said they are professional players and should motivate themselves. I am not against BA, but could this be the reason why the team are not consistent in their performance – no motivation from the coach?

          2. sixties

            I have no issue and here’s why. I’ve watched him coach players individually during sessions. But to publicly declare that it’s not his job to motivate the players individually puts the onus back on the players – and lets be fair dinkum – they need to take that individual responsibility.

          3. Colin Hussey

            Its an interesting comment by the coach, and some have picked it up in the same way as TolEelts has, however I disagree with him and agree with the coaches comments. Thing that I see that those criticising the comment from the coach is that they are not taking what was said in the context of the whole comment. That being its not his job to motivate them EVERY WEEK!.

            He is 200% correct, if the players themselves cannot motivate themselves, they simply have no real right to be in the top squad or any squad for that matter. A loss should motivate the players to win the next game, then when that game is won, they continue with at the very least with the same motivation but, it cannot stay at that level, rather each game has to have incremental increases in the motivation, and desire to win.

    2. Dave

      Boyd, last few weeks? Haha he’s been awful all year. I was at suncorp last week and watched him all game and he was terrible. He is so bad at taking the dummy even the ball did it and got round him after one kick, he needs to retire

  2. Rowdy

    I love your Previews Sixties. This one has the content to inspire our pack to do what we know they can do, but have often lacked for one reason or another since our early season good start. Having Nathan Brown back and starting is a huge bonus as he leads by example and therefore inspires his teammates. Our bench is clearly a mix of experienced older heads and youthful enthusiasm with Marata finding his role in the middle and Ray Stone about to show why he has been considered a definite future NRL player. I don’t think we will see any nervous dropped balls and silly penalties come from him this week.
    Parra by a plentiful, good winning margin!

    1. sixties

      Rowdy, you know there is always a reason for me writing something, I’ve been fairly blunt about our poor form whenever we’ve spoken recently – I don’t live in fantasy land. The Eels are favourites in the betting market, but that’s only because it’s a home game. Based on last week, and the form vs Storm, Cowboys and Riff, they should be long odds. But they will step up this week.

  3. pete

    Thanks for the great preview.
    This game is surely a measure of how the team is responding to the coaches message. A few players are playing for their future the next few weeks, interesting times.
    The Broncos forwards are strong and their backs are class as well.
    1. I’d expect Oates out wide on his wing to be taken into touch by Fergo. Fergo needs a blinder.
    2. when their set play bringing Oates in behind Milford onto opposite side running between Lane, Jennings should be shut down by Sivo smashing him (legally) into oblivion. The other things would be to have our forwards be involved in protecting the middle with Reed and Moses side. We need quick play the balls and dummy runs. If we can defend our line and put pressure on their new half we will outscore the Broncos. Despite the referee I’m still positive.

    1. sixties

      When we carry the ball, we have to fight for faster play the balls, just as the opposition does with us. Don’t let the opposition set their defence line and get good line speed. Of course refs come into the process here – see Moses vs Souths. Earned a quick play the ball and Reynolds should have been penalised and binned. However, whenever you are contesting for that right, you are at least putting pressure on the refs.

  4. Disgusted eel

    Personally I am disgusted by the way Mannah was treated as a scapegoat and dropped to wenty. There were a lot worse players than him and he has been one of the most consistent props we have who actually tightens up our middle. It is embarrassing for our club the way he has been treated. Who would want to come here if that is how we treat players? Dumb club off the field dumb team on the field. God help us.

    1. Seth hardie

      good call Disgusted Eel. I like the fact Mannah has voted with his feet . It must be a real insult to him that Evans is considered in front of him. Timmy is still streets in front of this bloke. Another rather clueless decision.

      1. sixties

        I’ve not agreed with the decision to drop Tim, and that’s based on what I’ve observed from his games this year and his professionalism at training. I’m not aware of why that happened. No doubt it sends a message, but I didn’t agree at all.
        That said, he’s not the only player in rugby league dropped to reggies that people like me don’t agree with. Current Origin stars have been through that. David Gower is the ultimate example of a man that has never been secure in first grade, yet always battles back.

        I was stunned when news broke this week about a likely move to the Tigers, but it’s my understanding that seeking a release is Tim’s decision.

  5. Richard Cranium

    If I was the coaching staff, I’d be taping the comments Gallen made up on every wall in big bold lettering for the rest of the year

  6. MAX

    Sixties, is there any truth in the rumors that BA is not on talking terms with at least a half a dozen players. Ray Hadley suggested this the other day when talking about Timmy Mannah’s departure. This is exactly how they are playing!!!

    1. sixties

      This type of garbage has been raised before by Hadley and others.
      In the past, when he was supposedly not speaking to Corey Norman, I’d watch the two of them laughing together at training.
      I’ve seen no evidence of this current rumour, nor had I heard of there being any issue prior to now. Hadley knows nothing.

  7. Jetta

    Sixties haven’t you figured out that our awful poor form in the middle is directly due to a void in on field leadership? Who are the alphas and leaders among our forwards? No one that’s who. Not any of them possess that aura that inspires those around him to lift and fight with clenched teeth. I’m sorry I know you’re a big BA fan but he has to be blamed for allowing this. He should have seen this coming frankly and moved heaven and earth to make sure we have enough leaders in the team. Brown is the only semblance of a forward leader now that Mannah is gone.

    1. sixties

      Jetta, I agree that the team lacks that forward leader. I believe we are missing what Beau Scott provided in terms of that on field competitiveness. That said, all players need to take ownership of their role. One leader wouldn’t be enough right now.

        1. Colin Hussey

          I am looking forward to the various reviews of this game, I used the Fox live updates in the 2nd half and was pleasantly surprised when I did, seeing the eels just scored the last first half try.. Played solitaire during the second half. Less stress than listening to it on the radio if I get reception.

  8. !0 Year Member

    If we get 3 repeat sets, during the game, we will win. Having this extended possession will not gas our forwards and they will play better.

    1. Rowdy

      I agree with that and the result is now there for all to see! BankWest stadium is becoming a real fortress for the Parra team and fans. The boys love playing there and we love watching and cheering them on.
      BTW, I tipped by Parra by a plentiful margin and backed them at 13+

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