The Dyldam Parramatta Eels will seek to topple the in-form Brisbane Broncos when they travel interstate for the first time in 2014 this Friday night.
The Round 5 encounter sees the Blue and Gold chasing their first away win of the season, after scoring two strong victories at home at Pirtek Stadium this year.
International centre Justin Hodges is slated to make his return to the Brisbane side after tearing his Achilles tendon last August, with Dale Copley to move out to the wing.
“It is going well; I have worked hard and this time it has healed a lot quicker,” Hodges said.
“There is still a little bit of soreness but that comes with any injury, it’s a matter of getting out there and playing now and getting confidence in my head.”
Eels Head Coach Brad Arthur has named an unchanged side to the one that ran out to defeat the Penrith Panthers 32-16 in Round 4, including debutant second rower Pauli Pauli.
“He was strong, he’s a big boy and when he carries the footy hard and aggressively he’s very hard to handle,” Arthur said.
“So we probably need to get some more ball to him and play off the back of him.”
It’s also a big game for Eels recruit Corey Norman who will take on his former club for the first time since moving south - and while there’s been plenty of attention on the five-eighth this week, he is unconcerned.
“It’ll be a good challenge, but I can’t worry about it too much; I’ve got to worry about my job for the team,” Norman said.
“I’m just treating it as another game - it is my old club but I’ve got to go into it and take it as another game.”
Kick-off is at 7.40pm at Suncorp Stadium - click here to buy tickets to the game and support us in Queensland!
