The Parramatta Eels have taken a step towards putting a horror 2016 behind them, winning their Round 1 match against the Manly Sea Eagles.
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Final score
Manly Sea Eagles 12
Parramatta Eels 20
The Parramatta Eels will be looking to put a horror 2016 behind them when they kick off a new campaign against old rivals the Manly Sea Eagles at Brookvale this afternoon. Join The Roar from 4pm (AEDT) for all the live score, highlights and action.
A mountain of off-field issues with the club cut their finals chances off mid-season and left them reeling. However, with no penalties in place and a new year ahead of them, Parramatta will be out to prove they belong at the pointy end of the competition.
Manly had an equally disappointing season last year but for different reasons.
While the Eels had to deal with punishment to keep them out of the eight, Manly struggled on the field and had one of their worst seasons in some time.
Just eight wins from 24 games left them reeling at the wrong end of the standings with a mountain of pressure on new coach Trent Barrett.
To make matters worse, or better depending on how you see it, the Sea Eagles have had to deal with retirements of key players and a host of new signings to sort out their woes.
Steve Matai, Brett Stewart and Jamie Lyon have all driven off into the sunset, leaving a big gap and a lack of experienced head in a revolving door of players.
In saying that though, they have recruited fairly well, picking up Storm half Blake Green, as well as try scoring machine Akuila Uate. Curtis Sironen is also in there as well as the retention of the Trbojevic brothers.
The Eels still played decent footy last year despite all the problems and will look to utilise a reshuffled backline with Corey Norman and Clint Gutherson in the halves.
Bevan French at fullback will be the real x-factor for Parramatta not just this afternoon, but in 2017.
French was a breakout star of the future in his first season in 2016 and will be out to continue that form that saw him rack up try after try.
Parramatta have won their last five games in a row against Manly, including two last season. The Eels record at Brookvale, or Lottoland now, isn’t as great, but they’ll take a lot of confidence over their recent history.
Prediction
This is a big match up for both sides to get their seasons up and running early after disappointment the year before.
Manly at home is a tough ask but the Sea Eagles are in a rebuilding phase at the moment and could be fairly rusty on the park. This one is shaping up to a be a tight one but I think the Sea Eagles should be able to sneak home.
Manly to win by 4
Baz
Guest
Also corey normans amazing 40 - 20 which resulted in a try on the next set when parra were deep in trouble.
Kilgore Trout
Roar Rookie
I agree Eagle Jack . Should be a penalty ever time ..... for both infringements .
The spectator
Guest
Awsome comment, the intelligence is obvious ! ???
The spectator
Guest
Manly were hopeless and deserved a flogging, the refs were useless and deserve a flogging !
eagleJack
Roar Guru
It's not so much the voluntary tackle. But the inconsistency of the shepherd rule. Sometimes they let some players go when they give themselves up (like today). Sometimes they penalise them. It should be a penalty 100% of the time. No grey area. You run behind your decoy runners who make contact with the defensive line, but then flop on the ground voluntarily? Penalty.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
When was the last time we saw a penalty in the NRL for a voluntary tackle.
Bob
Guest
That Semi Radradra incident won Parramatta the game. And it won't get the same attention, but the voluntary tackle should have also been a penalty. Hopefully these refs don't see first grade for a while
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I only watched a bit of it during the cricket lunch break but there were two bad head highs thrown by Manly players that were missed by the four on field officials and the refereeing in the p[lay the balls was atrocious for both sides. Sadly, refereeing is going to be ajor issue again this season.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME Parramatta hold on to a 20-12 win over old rivals Manly to kick off their 2017 campaign with a win. The Eels dominated the second half but still could only manage the one try as the Sea Eagles desperately held on in defence on their own line, even defending four line drop outs in a row at one point. Tries to Bevan French, Clint Gutherson and Corey Norman was enough to get the job done. For Manly, they'll need to improve big time with their errors, discipline and certainly their structure in the backs for next week. Manly – 12 Eels – 20
Tom G
Guest
With the overwhelming weight of possession gifted to the Eels no surprise they win.. poor officiating. Manly can and will improve
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Manly would love to have him as well! I have no idea what happened there. All reports he was signed, sealed and delivered.
Connor Bennett
Editor
80' Parramatta doing the usual business late in the game, winding down the clock with painfully slow play the balls and Pritchard hammers it into touch to further drown the time. Neither side too keen to set the scrum at this point. Manly – 12 Eels – 20
Connor Bennett
Editor
79' Knock on from Koroisau and that will be the game, the Manly players know it as they watch the ball dribble away in front of them. Manly – 12 Eels – 20
Connor Bennett
Editor
78' Manly rushing the play the ball and really trying to make something happen here. The clock is their worst enemy at this stage as they probe down the right wing with Walker and Uate. Manly – 12 Eels – 20
Connor Bennett
Editor
77' TRY SEA EAGLES!!! Manly are over!! Is there one final twist in this tale? There's not a lot of time left on the clock but this is better than nothing. Blake Green looking to move the ball right against the sliding Eels defence. He pumped the dummy before splitting through the line himself and crashing over. Good try on debut for the club. Manly – 12 Eels – 20
Joe
Roar Rookie
Matagi has been outstanding. Panthers would have loved to have him yesterday.
Connor Bennett
Editor
76' Manly looking to go coast to coast here!! They're in back field again. Parra are hanging on in defence. Manly – 6 Eels – 20
Connor Bennett
Editor
75' Beau Scott trying to sneak through next to the post out fo dummy half. The defence are all over it though and Manly force them back for the last tackle. Norman grubbers again... but he finds Trbojevic who then finds space!! Trbojevic in space in dangerous and the scrambling Parra defence desperately reign him in. Manly – 6 Eels – 20
Tom G
Guest
Hey Shane... you're right you weren't watching this game