After back-to-back wooden spoons and two years of disappointment, it’s no wonder Tim Mannah found the past fortnight difficult.
The Parramatta captain made a winning return from a shoulder injury against Gold Coast on Saturday night, reviving the Eels’ hopes of making the finals.
His late inclusion, along with Ken Sio and NSW Origin representative Will Hopoate, was just what the Eels needed to halt a four-game losing run.
A senior figure throughout the Eels’ past two years of woe, Mannah said he was relishing entering the pointy end of the season with something to play for.
“Absolutely yeah. The last couple of years have obviously been pretty tough,” he told AAP.
“It’s not just your football and stuff, it flows on to your life when you’re going through such tough games and tough times and tough seasons.
“It is nice to be on the right end of some results and it’d be nice to do a little bit of a charge over the next few weeks.”
The win over the Titans lifts the Eels to 22 competition points.
That’s level with several other teams in and around the eight but given the Eels’ points differential (-96) is so poor, it seems they’ll need to get their noses ahead of those around them to make finals.
Mannah believes if the club can make it into the top eight, they have the strikepower through matchwinners such as Jarryd Hayne and Chris Sandow to make a real impact.
“We’re capable of producing some special footy,” he said.
“I’ve got no doubt if we keep ticking away, anything’s possible.”
Johnk
Guest
So a team with Daniel Mortimer(5/8), Jeff Robson (halfback) and Matt Keating (hooker) is a team of internationals and or experienced players? In terms of that spine, not much difference between Sandow, Norman and De Gois. I admit their props (Cayless and Moi Moi) were kiwi props and also Hayne was having an incredible season, but the rest of the team in my opinion (yes I'm including Inu and Mateo) were about average players. Hindy and Burt were solid but past their best. It is a young team (in terms of mostly their forwards) but if any team can make the 8 and finals at the end of the season, they deserve to be there with a chance. I would also like to add that they have beaten 5 of the current top 8 over the season (Dogs, Panthers, Roosters, Cowboys and Broncos) and had a close loss to Manly. The eels can tend to be inconsistent and get thrashed at times but to refer to them being a 'speed bump' for better teams is sorely an understatement. This season so far has been one of the closest so far with really only Manly looking most likely.
Zedman
Guest
If Haynes sneezes the whole team falls over,though I must admit to being a big fan of Chris Sandow.Everytime he gets involved something happens whether it comes off or not he's great to watch,hopefully his type of game lasts in this over regulated style we have today.
ParraProud
Guest
They may make the 8, due to a soft draw going into finals and have the strike power in attack to worry the top teams. They have a very young forward pack and although full of potential don't have the experience in defence needed to win finals. This will come in the next few years so any finals experience now will create a good platform looking ahead.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
Why does everyone keep bringing up 2009? It's turned into this mystical aura that seems to plaque the eels. That side had a bunch of internationals and experienced players. I just don't think a team with de gois, norman and sandow can do much. And playing the bottom teams 4 times before the finals is hardly a good preparation for a finals push. It's just my opinion.
Parrafan
Guest
Thanks for the show of confidence Arnold. Every commentator said the same thing ala 2009 after the round 26 clash with St George, then boom, proved a couple of people wrong. Getting back some players and 4 games against the bottom three, if we make the 8 we are as much chance as anyone.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
If they make the 8 they will be out in the first week of the finals - they are still a speed bump for the better teams.