The Parramatta Eels are preparing to take on the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on Thursday 3 August in Round 22 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
Coming off a 28-14 victory over the Brisbane Broncos last week, Moeroa says the side is starting to hit their straps heading into an important part of the year.
Despite trailing by 12 points early in the clash, Moerosa said the side did not lose confidence, believing they would still come away with the win.
“We are starting to hit our straps,” Meoroa said.
“It was a boost for us, being down two tries in the first five minutes, to claw our way back in the game and get the win is a big confidence boost.”
“We weren’t really rattled [looking at the score], we just had to get the ball back, get into the grind and our footy would take care of it self. The boys were pretty confident that when they scored their second try, we still had the belief we could win the game.” Moeroa added.
However Moeroa knows the side still has improvements in them, with the side yet to put in a complete 80 minute performance.
“We got off to a slow start against the Broncos and we are yet to put in a 80 minute performance together. “ Moeroa said.
“We still haven’t played an 80 minute performance. Once we can get that under our belt, we can look at sending warnings to the rest of the competition.”
“It has been eight years or so since we have played finals. Everyone at the club, especially the boys are looking forward to getting a taste of finals football,” Moeroa added.
“The end goal is to be Top Four but we still have to take it a week at the time. We cant be looking at top four and forget about the week to week grind.” He continued.
“We have been in this position before and fallen short before so we need to take it week to week at the time.”
“It’s a warning to not to let our guard down and not get complacent. We have to take it week by week.”
The Eels forwards pack was challenged by Head Coach Brad Arthur ahead of taking on the Brisbane Broncos, and Moeroa believes it was the sides best performance, laying a strong platform for the team.
“That was his best performance for us this year. He is building and hopefully we can make it to the finals and he can lead us there,” Moeroa said of Eels skipper Tim Mannah.
“We have a big onus on not letting each other down. Browny leading the way and everybody else just wants to do their job for the player next to them,” he added.
“Brad said that we haven’t put it over any middle forward pack. We have held our own but we haven’t taken our game to the next level and to make it to the finals and to win games in the finals, we need to be that forward pack to take the game to the other team.”
The Eels are preparing to take on the Bulldogs this week, and Moeroa says the Eels must be prepared for the clash.
“The have the team and the forward pack, along with the backs to go with it, to upset anyone,” Moeroa said.
“If we are not careful, we could get our pants pulled down.”
“They have been unlucky. A few bounces of the ball have not gone their way and if they would have gotten those bounces, they may have been in the eight.” He added.
The Eels kick off against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on Thursday 3 August in Round 22 of the NRL Telstra Premiership.
