Dyldam Parramatta Eels Head Coach Brad Arthur will be out to see an improved Blue and Gold performance this week when the Blue and Gold take on the St. George Illawarra Dragons for their Round 25 clash of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
After suffering defeats over the past fortnight to the Brisbane Broncos and Canberra Raiders, Arthur says his side will need to improve on their second half starts against a physical Dragons pack.
However despite not coming away with the two points in the last two weeks, the Head Coach could not fault the side’s effort.
“They are nice and physical through the middle third of the field but that is an area we were pretty happy with last week. We thought we did a pretty good job on the Canberra forwards and we will need to make sure we do a reasonable job there on the Dragons forwards,” Arthur said of the opposition.
“We also have to make sure we are pretty strong on our kick chase because their back three really get their sets started.”
“I don’t think we have fallen away at the back end of the game, we haven’t started the second half well and have given teams a bit of a jump on us to start the second half,” Arthur added.
“We have had to fight out way back in when it is too late but the boys certainly haven’t given up and that was evident last week, with a minute to go, we were denied a couple of opportunities and they were still trying their backsides off to try and win the game or at least get a try to finish with.”
“It is just the way we start our second half, we can’t give away silly penalties or cheap possession and be defending out try line for the first 10 minutes.”
With the Eels Round 25 clash against the Dragons the final Blue and Gold game at Parramatta’s Pirtek Stadium before it’s redevelopment, Arthur was hoping the side can put on a good spectacle and come away with the two points infront of the loyal Blue and Gold Army Members and fans.
“It is the last game at Pirtek Stadium, we move to ANZ Stadium next year so it is really important that we put on a good spectacle for the fans and make sure we go out and give our best effort wise and make sure we get the job done and hopefully come away with the two points,” Arthur said.
“I know it is tough on a Monday night but it would be great to have a decent crowd but it is also important for ourselves and our players that that they continue to be able to walk off the field holding their heads up.” He added.
“Whilst there has been a lot of things off the field with distractions, they have certainly aimed up and we need to make sure we do it for the remainder of the season.”
The Eels kick off against the St. George Illawarra Dragons at Pirtek Stadium on Monday 29 August, kick off at 7pm.
