The Dyldam Parramatta Eels travel to Brookvale Oval tomorrow to take on the Manly Sea Eagles for Round 24, with the Sea Eagles looking to continue their winning form on the way to the finals.
Eels Head Coach Brad Arthur says he’s expecting his forwards to aim up, in what will be an important clash for pride.
“[Manly]’s halves are the form halves of the competition, they’re playing well, so we need to make sure our forwards do a good job in the middle and limit their time and space,” Arthur said.
“If the conditions are what they’re saying, it’ll be wet, so ball control [will be important] - but regardless of the conditions that’s a priority.”
“Last week against the Roosters we completed our first 15 sets and then in the second half we turned over too much ball and good field position, and good teams like that will make you pay.”
The Eels will be without hooker Nathan Peats, who was this week ruled out for the remainder of the season with a fractured vertebra.
“Peatsy is pretty tough, and he played the back end of the game [against the Roosters] with that injury, but that’s what we’re trying to instil and drive in our boys, is a tough culture,” Arthur said.
With finals out of reach for the Eels, Arthur says he still wants to see plenty of effort and commitment for the next three games of the season.
“We’ve been in and out of games and haven’t been able to concentrate for the full 80 minutes yet, but I want to make they still turn up and play with a bit of self-pride and pride in the jersey,” he said.
“Our fans want to know that the boys are going to have a red-hot crack and if we’re good enough, we’re good enough.”
