Wests Tigers v Eels: Round 17 preview

[TheDaBoss]

Wests Tigers v Eels: Round 17 preview
Author
NRL.com
Timestamp
Tue 9 Jul 2019, 09:00 AM

Wests Tigers and the Eels kick off the post-Origin period aiming to break out of mid-table mediocrity and launch a serious premiership challenge.

The Eels go into the derby at Bankwest Stadium clinging to eighth spot on the ladder, one place ahead of the Tigers courtesy of points difference.

But fourth place on the table sits a tantalising two points away so the team that triumphs on Sunday gets a shot at inserting themselves in that conversation.

While notionally a home game for Wests Tigers the upper hand belongs to the Eels who boast a 6-2 record at their new stadium. Their co-tenants, in contrast, have struggled mightily at Bankwest with their disappointing 1-3 record including two heavy defeats.


One of those came in the corresponding fixture in round six when they were hammered 51-6 by Parramatta in the facility's grand opening.

Match: Wests Tigers v Eels
ROUND 17 - SUNDAY 14TH JULY

4:05pm
Wests Tigers
Home Team
Wests Tigers

9th Position
Eels
Away Team
Eels

7th Position
Match odds provider: sportsbet
Home Team Wests Tigers Odds
$2.05
Away Team Eels Odds
$1.76
Venue: Bankwest Stadium

Match broadcasters:
Nine Network
Foxtel
LIVE PASS
KAYO
BUY TICKETS
The Rundown
Key match-up
Though in the twilight of his career Benji Marshall has shown he still possesses the ability to impact a game with his poise and creativity, while Mitchell Moses will be looking to add to his 16 try assists this season - the most in the competition.

For the Tigers to win
They will have to exploit their edge on the defensive side of the ball to rein in the prolific Eels attack which sits in the top five in seven different team categories. The Tigers top the NRL for tackles and they will be working overtime to rein in Moses and his wealth of attacking weapons. A feisty performance against the Roosters will give them confidence heading into the derby.

For the Eels to win
With plenty of points in them Parramatta, who have missed more tackles than every side except for the league-leading Panthers, will be focused on tightening up their defence. Maika Sivo will be looking to add to his competition-leading 12 tries. With only Blake Ferguson backing up from Origin and the benefit of a week off they should be fresh and fired up to perform in front of a rabid home crowd.


Brett Kimmorley says
I liked the way the Wests Tigers played last week. They looked great. As is the case with Ivan Cleary at Penrith, it looks like Michael Maguire has needed half the season to get his team playing the way he would like. Benji Marshall’s 300th game is all the motivation they’ll need. Parramatta will be fresh but I don’t think that will be enough. Wests Tigers by 6

Stat Attack
The numbers say Mitchell Moses holds Parramatta's fate in his hands. Not only does he lead the comp in try assists but also in total kicks and he is top five in linebreak assists (4th), points (5th), goals (4th) and kick metres (2nd).

And another thing ...
The Eels may have plenty of points in them but they are far from clinical, ranking third in both total errors and handling errors. If they don't clean up their act they could pay a heavy penalty.

 

[Tigerlily]

**Welcome Back to The Jungle**
Big League Week

WESTS Tigers halfback Luke Brooks says his side will use the hurt of their 51-6 loss to Parramatta in the opening of Bankwest Stadium to motivate them for the rematch there this Sunday.
After the Tigers declared the new stadium as their ‘jungle’ ahead of the opener, they were embarrassed with their biggest loss of the season, but have the chance to reclaim pride this weekend when the sides meet again.
“It obviously wasn’t our best start to Bankwest but we have the opportunity to turn it around this time,” Brooks told Big League.
“That result did hurt, after such a big build-up to the game, so we’ll use the memories of that to help us this time.”
Although Bankwest Stadium has received much praise since its opening, there has also been criticism toward the slipperiness of the playing surface, particularly during evening matches. With blue skies forecast for Sunday afternoon, the Tigers are looking forward to playing on a dry track, according to Brooks.
“We’ve had a couple of games [at Bankwest] and it’s been really greasy and slippery, which makes it hard to throw the ball around,” he said.
“It’s been hard to play on the surface, so if we get a dry track then we can play the style we like to play.”
The Wests Tigers will be hungry for victory following their last-start loss to the Roosters last Friday, where they challenged the defending premiers but couldn’t get the job done.
“We were in the game but it’s a bit disappointing that we couldn’t go on with it. We couldn’t capitalise on what we started in the second half,” Brooks said.
“They’re a very good side and we’ll take confidence from the match, but it would’ve been nice to get the win. We know we can match any team in the competition, but we need to start winning.”
With nine rounds remaining until the finals, the Tigers currently sit ninth on the ladder with seven wins and eight losses, and still have their sights on a top eight finish.
“We’ve obviously got a long way to go but we are moving in the right direction and definitely building,” the playmaker said.
“We’ve still got the goal of making the finals. You’ve seen how tight the competition is.
“We’re not too worried about the ladder at the moment, we’ve got to focus on training and winning every week.”

 

[Harvey]

This is our home game. Can’t believe this grubby journalist when referring to Parramatta described bank west as their home ground.

 

[Geo]

While notionally a home game for Wests Tigers the upper hand belongs to the Eels who boast a 6-2 record at their new stadium. Their co-tenants, in contrast, have struggled mightily at Bankwest with their disappointing 1-3 record including two heavy defeats.

Ummmmm....Fortress

 

[Newtown]

The NRL ladder today (Saturday) is very congested from 6th position down to 15th position. With the season into the 17th round a couple of wins on the trot would see Wests Tigers a true semi final contender.

 

[BalmainJnr]

This is our home game. Can’t believe this grubby journalist when referring to Parramatta described bank west as their home ground.

It’s always going to be viewed as their home ground and it’s never going to feel like ours.

 

[Tiger_Steve]

This is our home game. Can’t believe this grubby journalist when referring to Parramatta described bank west as their home ground.


It’s always going to be viewed as their home ground and it’s never going to feel like ours.

Tomorrow will really test this theory. Our home game, ground decked out in our colours, our supporters in premium seating, our corporate support, our theme song blaring, our occasion celebrating Benjis 300th. If it doesn’t feel like our home ground tomorrow it never will.

I’m fearful there will be twice the number of parra fans to Tigers fans so I’m really hoping our huge supporter base turns up! 2 games, good weather forecasted, Sunday arvo. An opportunity to show appreciation and support to our greatest ever player. What more could you ask for?

 

[Tiger_Fan18]

NRL Team Update: Round 17

Wests Tigers Head Coach Michael Maguire has updated his 19-man squad to take on the Parramatta Eels for their Round 17 clash at Bankwest Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

Kickoff for the match is at 4:05 pm AEST as Wests Tigers look to bounce back after their loss against the defending premiers, Sydney Roosters last weekend.

Benji Marshall has one again been named in the halves alongside Luke Brooks in what will be his 300th NRL game. Captain Moses Mbye has been named to return in the centre as he returns from the Queensland Maroons camp.

Ben Matulino (knee) remains sidelined, allowing Josh Aloiai to start up front alongside Alex Twal, with Matt Eisenhuth once again filling the lock role.

Josh Reynolds and Oliver Clark have dropped out of the 21-man squad named earlier in the week while Paul Momorovski and Chris McQueen remain in the 19-man squad after joining the team for their final session at Leichhardt Oval today.

1.Thompson
2.Jennings
3.Mbye
4.Marsters
5.Noffa
6.Marshall
7.Brooks
8.Aloiai
9.Farah
10.Twal
11.Matterson
12.Lawrence
13.Eisenhuth
14. Liddle
15.Mikaele
16.Taylor
17.MCK

18.Momo
19.McQueen

 

[TieDye]

@Tiger_Fan18 man I’d have loved to Oliver Clark get another go this round ... :|

 

[newtiger]

I just hate to way our forward sit back and give the Slimy Fart hours to put his kicks exactly where he wants.
Someone needs rush (hahaha) and sit him on his arse.