Many Parramatta supporters will be extremely disappointed following our loss to the New Zealand Warriors last weekend. Fair enough. There were periods of the game where discipline really cost the Eels and silly errors meant that we placed ourselves under undue pressure. This led to points for the Warriors and an almost impossible deficit to come back from.
However, there was one thing that last week’s game against the Warriors taught me and that is that the Parramatta Eels are not a team that is short on self-belief.
It is fair to say, that despite losing the game 29-16 and being completely dominated in the first half, our second half showed us that the Eels are a team that will not give up. Led by players like Manu Ma’u, Corey Norman, David Gower, Danny Wicks (how impressive has Danny been in his first two games) and Reece Robinson, we fought our way back into the match, and for a while, looked like staging an impossible comeback.
This is not to suggest that the Eels should be content with a fightback. A fightback does not always equate to two competition points and if the Eels are going to be a presence in 2015, we need to get some more points on the board.
A good time to start would be this weekend against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. But one thing is for sure - the Bunnies will not go down without a fight.
There is no doubt about it – the South Sydney Rabbitohs are this year’s in form team. They remain undefeated this year and despite the Tigers throwing everything at them last Sunday, they were still able to grind out the win. With players like Adam Reynolds, George Burgess and Greg Inglis lining up this Friday night – the Eels will need to pull a rabbit out of the hat to win.
However, from what I have seen in the first few weeks, we can do this. The key for us will be to play consistent and disciplined football. This means no silly errors or penalties, doing the simple things right and controlling possession when we get it. Despite some injuries befalling us in the first couple of rounds, we have attacking prowess all over the field through players like Corey Norman, Chris Sandow, Will Hopoate, Anthony Watmough and Brad Takairangi.
For the Eels to get home this Friday, we also need voices at Pirtek Stadium. So this is my call to all Parramatta fans to get to the game on Friday night. Our boys need you and your voices. Together, let’s paint Pirtek Stadium blue and gold and send the Bunnies home to Redfern with their tails between their legs.
Before I sign off, big congratulations to one of my absolute favourite players, David Gower on his 4 pointer over the weekend. This NRL fan has been waiting just over a year to see Gowie cross the line and it was magic to see him do so. Hopefully it is the first of many tries to come this season.
See you all at Pirtek Stadium!
