The Parramatta Eels take on the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks this Saturday night, and coming up against the Premiers will be no easy task.
The Blue & Gold will welcome back halfback Corey Norman to the side, but halves partner Clint Gutherson says the side cannot rely on Norman’s return to get them over the line.
The Eels are coming off a 10 point defeat to the Gold Coast Titans in Week Three, and Gutherson says the Eels have prepared for an improved performance this weekend.
“It is a big week against the Premiers. It was pretty disappointing to not win up there on the Goldy, but we have looked at that and reviewed that. We have moved on, we move on pretty quickly here, and we will be looking to bounce back on Saturday night,” Gutherson said.
“We just gave them too much easy, cheap ball and didn’t stick to the game plan. Any team in the competition is going to do that to you if you give them the ball in the right spot and we gave them too much cheap ball and it cost us in the end.”
“Normy is a freak so he is going to add what he adds to any team, but it wasn’t an excuse to lose up there. It was just one player so you cant rely on him all the time but it will be good to have him back on Saturday,” Gutherson added.
Whilst there is talks of James Segeyaro set to make his Sharks debut, whether the livewire hooker plays or not, Gutherson says the Eels will need to be prepared right across the park.
“They have had a pretty tough run to the start of the year, and so have we, so they will come out firing,” Gutherson said.
“‘Chicko’ (James Segeyaro) is dangerous wherever he is playing so if he does get named we will have to watch out for him, but it’s just one player.”
“We have to look out for their whole team, they are an all around good squad so we will have to come out at work on everyone.”
The Round Four clash will be the first time the Blue & Gold Army are welcomed to ANZ Stadium in 2017, with the Eels and Sharks playing for the annual Johnny Mannah Cup.
Honouring the former Eels and Sharks player Jon Mannah, and supporting the work of the Mannah Foundation, assisting young people from all walks of life, the game will be a special occasion for both Clubs involved.
“The Johnny Mannah Cup is massive for this Club,” Gutherson said.
“We still have Timmy here obviously, and it will be pretty emotional on the day. Everyone will try and do their best for Timmy and the Mannah family, but we are sure they are going to do the same thing.”
“It’s a pretty big occasion for us as a Club so it is going to be a big one.”
The Eels kick off against the Sharks at 7pm on Saturday 25 March. Click here for all the game day info.
