Eels’ lethal left will be a big challenge
AS a right edge we set high standards defensively for ourselves last year, and there’s no better time to return to that benchmark than against Parramatta’s lethal left side tonight.
Semi Radradra, Michael Jenning, Manu Ma’u and Corey Norman form one of the most dangerous quartets in the league and it’s a big challenge for us.
Corey Norman’s running game is his real strength and uses the players around him like Ma’u and Jennings really well.
We’ve had a few changes to our edge during the year which have been disruptive with Justin O’Neill’s hamstring and Coen Hess coming into the starting side, but we need to rise to the challenge.
Parramatta are a team well known for being big and physical and like to take teams on through their middle. They played a great game last weekend and got back into the dangerous side we know they are.
I thought last weekend was another good step in the right direction for us as a team.
We were able to control the game for a majority of the time and in the end came away with a good win. It was great to see Scott Bolton play the first 40 minutes straight, for a front rower that is a huge effort and one that deserves to be noticed.
He’s been great for us this year and has become a real leader in our forward pack.
It’s a great honour to be named to play for Australia again next weekend. Although individually I’ve had things I’ve had to work on this year, its good to know Mal has stayed loyal with the team that toured England last year.
I’ll use it as a confidence boost and the handy thing is as a bench utility for the Kangaroos, I can focus on my own game and really concentrate on my own role within the team.
Given it’s the last- ever mid year Test it would be good to claim the win and finish the concept on a high.
We’ve had a couple of close wins and when you look at our 5- 3 record, it’s easy to forget that.
We haven’t been happy with a whole game yet, but it’s always a good sign to get some wins when we haven’t been playing as well as we’d like.
This weekend is another chance to play at home and play well in front of our home crowd.
We never take playing at home for granted and always appreciate the support we get from our members and fans.
Hope to see a packed crowd tonight for Friday night footy!