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The second game of Round 1 sees the Parramatta Eels take on the Manly Sea Eagles from Pirtek Stadium in Parramatta. Join The Roar from 7:30pm (AEDT) for what is sure to be an exciting game.
The Parramatta Eels move into the first round of the 2015 season with one objective: to make the finals.
In 2015 the Eels are without star fullback Jarryd Hayne, and the biggest question Eels fans must be asking themselves is, when we are in trouble who do we turn to?
Someone out of Chris Sandow, Corey Norman or Will Hopoate will have to stand up, while a higher emphasis will be placed on the Eels’ forwards.
The Eels have named 19 players, and there are plenty of fresh faces in the line up. Hopoate will start the year at fullback and there will be some serious pressure on him to perform as there have been whispers about the potential of Reece Robinson, who has been named on the wing along with powerhouse Semi Radradra.
A fresh centre combination, Beau Champion and Brad Takairangi, pull on the blue and gold in Round 1, while Norman and Sandow start the year as the halves. Nathan Peats returns from injury to play hooker, with Isaac De Gois moving to the bench.
Anthony Watmough will start his first game for the Eels at lock and will have a target on his back as he takes on his old club for the first time.
Overall it’s a well balanced side with some healthy competition for spots.
The Manly Sea Eagles are one side that will be glad the off season doesn’t run a day longer, with constant speculation over the last couple of months of player unrest.
Gun halves Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran are reportedly on their way out of club, however Manly have managed to secure the services of Steve Matai, who was one player rumoured to be leaving.
Old faces Brett Stewart, Jamie Lyon, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Brenton Lawrence and Matt Ballin will all play, while Matai misses out to Clint Gutherson. Cheyse Blair and Peta Hiku get the first crack at the wing.
New forward recruits Feleti Mateo and Willie Mason have both made the starting team, and will no doubt have targets on their back from the Eels pack.
Both teams will be out to make massive metres up the middle of the field, so whichever defensive line-up responds best will take their team a long way to winning.
Prediction
The Eels will take a little while to adapt to life without Jarryd Hayne and therefore I’ll have the Sea Eagles in a close one.
The first instalment of Friday night footy promises to be a cracker, so remember to join The Roar from 7:30pm (AEDT) and remember to leave your comments during the game.