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.
chris petersen
Guest
great start this what we have been hoping for I really think that Jarryd leaving is a good thing for him and the team
MJB
Guest
Waiting until after the first game of the season to tell your teammates you're leaving is pretty rank.
Jay C
Roar Guru
You can put it all down to Ricky Stuart and the work he did 3 years ago.
Jay C
Roar Guru
All you guys are so holier than though. As if you wouldn't do the exact same thing. It probably made the difference of millions of dollars over the next 4 years. Oh I would never slightly upset my old work in order to make millions of extra dollars over the next 4 years. Please. He has made the right decision. Come home to QLD Daly.
TheSmak
Guest
I hope DCE tears it up at the Gold Coast! who could blame him for moving there for that kind of money. It's a no brainer.
Brad. H
Guest
Agreed Scott , for me it was Sandow all the way.
Roycie
Guest
DCE should head north now ,he played like an ass tonight and I don't think he will be much better for the rest of the season . In fact his form in the latter past of last year wasn't great either. I think far too much bad blood at Manly now ,sooner he goes better for all concerned including him . It's ridiculous that players can sign for a new club and then play out the final year of a contract at their old club. He's going to have a very unhappy year. Don't think him or his manager have handled the whole thing well at all ,he may have got top dollar but at what cost .
Brad. H
Guest
Absolutely great performance from Parramatta , I haven't seen Sandow play that well for years. Sad to see Foran get injured, hope he isn't out for too long. I noted that an alleged "reporter" from SMH ....... Michael Chammas is "Shocked" at DCE going to the Titans .... obviously he doesn't read his own paper if this news "shocked" him LMAO Manly will be hell bent on retaining Foran (hope they fail ) while at the same time showing the World's Most Angry Man - Geoff Toovey- the door . :-)
Brad. H
Guest
MJB why is DCE a tosser , simply because he chose an option that was not Manly ?
Muzz
Guest
I hear Luke O'Donnell is keeping very fit. 200k a season may tempt him out of retirement.I still think we should've found a way to keep him last season.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I'd say Buhrer and Matai will be back next week. Starling and Taufua out for another month or so. Who knows how long Foran will be gone for. Yeah Storm games are always intense. They'll be pumped to be back at Brookie. Fancy giving JWH back to us Muzz? Club needs a rabid enforcer. Your pack won't miss him
Alex L
Roar Rookie
What an enormous waste of money if true.
Muzz
Guest
I think the Storm next up is the perfect game to fire up and bounce back.When are the other boys back on deck? I always look forward to Manly vs Storm games.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Nah I don't think so. He could have announced it earlier but I think most saw it coming. As long as DCE plays well against the Storm next week the crowd will still cheer for him. With Foran tearing a hammy we will need DCE to really step up.
Sean
Guest
A rich tosser if the 5mil over 4 years is accurate.
Hamish WIlliams
Roar Rookie
Well doesn't that rub salt in the wounds. DCE announcing after a flogging, and his halves partner has a suspected torn hammy. Great morale booster.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Absolutely.
Muzz
Guest
eJ - Do you think the Manly home crowd will be quite hostile towards DCE?
Muzz
Guest
I thought Norman was fantastic tonight. He played with so much control and composure.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Parra were good, Manly were abysmal though -- kicked the ball away on the third/fourth so many times for no real gain.