The Dyldam Parramatta Eels take on the St. George Illawarra Dragons at Pirtek Stadium tonight (Monday August 29) for Round 25 of the NRL Telstra Premiership, the final home game for the Blue and Gold before the redevelopment of the stadium.
Previewing the game thanks to betting.club, Blue and Gold Assistant Coach Steve Murphy says the clash will be about making sure the Eels contain the Red V's key players with the coaches after a big defensive effort right across the park.
"I thought their form was reasonably good coming into last week's performance, that was uncharacteristic from them so we are expecting a much better outfit this week," Murphy said of the Dragons.
"Dugan gets them started, he is an Origin player, as is Frizell. They get their sets started and Aitken out in the back field and Nightingale, they have some class players so we will have to do a job on their quality personnel first and foremost and then hopefully get our sets rolling ourselves."
With the Eels going down to the Broncos and the Raiders in the past fortnight, Murphy says the side will need to address some areas of defence and ball control from the past few weeks.
"I thought we defended well for long periods last week we just made some uncharacteristic one on one reads and one on one misses and that really hurt us in the end, along with some ball control." Murphy said.
We need to address that this week because the Dragons throw a fair bit of football at you, shifting from side line to side line so we have to do a job defensively."
The Eels will welcome back Brad Takairangi, Beau Scott and Tepai Moeroa for the clash, which Murphy says is positive for the Blue and Gold.
"Fantastic to have players of that quality return to your line up. We are very thankful to have those quality personnel return to the team and hopefully you see an improved performance from us."
"Takairangi is a popular member of the squad and also a very capable player. We have missed him in the team and on the edges"
And with the final home game at Pirtek Stadium before the redevelopment, Murphy says it will be a special occassion for all involved.
"It is a special occassion and something we have spoken about. We want to put on a performance in front of our Eels faithful who have been there all year for us," Murphy said.
"It is a sad occassion but also an exciting one for us moving forward."
The Eels kick off against the St. George Illawarra Dragons at Pirtek Stadium tonight, kick off at 7pm. Click here for all the Game Day Info
