Dyldam Parramatta Eels co-captain Tim Mannah says the Blue and Gold will be looking to restore pride in their jersey as they take on the Canberra Raiders on Saturday.
Following a heavy loss to the Knights in Round 25, Mannah said the key for the side on the trip to Canberra was ignoring the temptation to speculate about where the Eels will finish the season.
“It’s not the kind of football we want to be known for,” Mannah said of the 42-12 defeat in Newcastle.
“It’s not our best football and we’re capable of playing a lot better.”
“Everyone wants to play finals footy, but for us the thing we can control is playing against Canberra: we’ve got an opportunity to go out there and restore a bit of pride in the jersey.”
“To get caught up in anything else is a waste of time and a waste of energy. We’ve had a good season but to start reflecting now on where we deserve to be is probably a bit premature.”
Mannah and his teammates have experience to draw on from earlier in the season, with the Blue and Gold lifting for a strong showing after each of their previous disappointing matches against sides like the Roosters and the Warriors.
“The disappointing thing, and it’s probably going to mar our season a bit, is some of the big losses we’ve had this year,” Mannah said.
“But the pleasing part is the way we’ve bounced back.”
“We really want to put in a performance this week that is going to excite the Parra fans again and remind them of what we’re capable of doing.”
The Eels kick off against the Raiders at 5.30pm on Saturday, September 6, at Canberra’s GIO Stadium. Click through for details on how to book a spot on the Blue and Gold Army bus to Canberra!
