The Dyldam Parramatta Eels take on the Brisbane Broncos tonight at Suncorp Stadium for Round 23 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
Previewing the game thanks to betting.club, Blue and Gold Assistant Coach Steve Murphy expects the Broncos to return to a tough, physical, grinding style of football tonight.
“They will be very keen to put us under pressure tonight but we think we can put them under a bit of pressure too,” Murphy said.
“I expect them to really get back to their effort areas, their high completion rates and those sort of things. I imagine they will try to strangle us a bit like they did in Round One, here at home,” Murphy added.
“We had very little possession and they ground us into the ground so we will be hopeful that we get an even share of possession and with that we think we can cause them some trouble.”
The Broncos boast plenty of dangers right across the park with Murphy pinpointing the halves pairing of Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt the real dangers.
“They are very dangerous, their halves are great players and they have been under pressure with their form. They will rise to the occasion tonight as will their class players, that’s what class players do,” Murphy said.
“They have Origin players and Australian representatives in their team so they will be a formidable opponent on their home patch.”
“Ruck control and ruck speed is very important. If we can slow that down a little bit so they have less time and space, then that will give us an opportunity to make those tackles but if it gets fast, and they are on the front foot, they are downhill runners and they will take full advantage.” Murphy added.
The Blue and Gold will be looking to come away with the two points, after a gutsy 10-9 victory last week, and Murphy says the side will have a little bit extra motivation in trying to claim a victory in Michael Gordon’s 200th milestone game.
“A fantastic achievement. 200 games at this level is a super achievement, he has had a couple of injuries, and it is something him and his family should be very proud of. We are very proud of him here, I think he has been fantastic all year.” Murphy said.
A change from last week’s team with Beau Scott ruled out through injury, providing an opportunity for versatile forward David Gower.
“Dave is a real point of difference for us. Quality with the ball in hand and can really put shape on the opposition and cause their defensive reads to be put under a bit of pressure so we are looking forward to him playing as well.”
The Eels kick off against the Brisbane Broncos tonight at Suncorp Stadium, kick off at 7:50pm.
