Previewing the Eels’ Round 5 clash against Penrith, Dyldam Parramatta Eels assistant coach Pete Gentle says the Panthers will pose challenges across the park for the Blue and Gold’s defensive line.
Bringing you the Game Day Preview thanks to betting.club, Gentle says the Eels will be aiming to improve their ball control to relieve pressure on the club’s so-far impressive defence, while also looking to curb the versatile Panthers’ attack.
“We’re happy [with our defensive work to date] but there’s still a lot of work to do and in quite a few areas,” Gentle said.
“The cue’s nowhere near been put in the rack yet. [We need to] hold the ball: our completion rates are nowhere near good enough, and it’s putting a lot of pressure on our defence.”
“It’s a very dangerous game for us,” Gentle added.
“They’re a dangerous footy team. Trick shots, offloads, players bouncing cross the line, kick early, run on the last, they’ve got everything; they’ll test us right across the park.”
And with prop Tim Mannah ruled out through injury with a fractured shoulder blade, Gentle says Peni Terepo is more than ready to step back into the Eels side.
“We’ll lose a bit with Timmy going, he’s one of the forward leaders, too,” Gentle said.
“But Peni’s only missed one week and he’s raring to go.”
The Battle of the West between the Eels and the Panthers kicks off at 4pm this afternoon (Sunday, April 3) at Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta.
