Tigers, Eels Clash to be Glory Bound
August 20th 2009 03:43
Tigers, Eels clash to be Glory Bound
This Friday night the Parramatta Eels and the Wests Tigers will both look to continue their dramatic rise into the NRL top 8. For one team they will extend their remarkable winning streak of late, while the other may end their chances at finals football all together.
For most rugby league fans it seems remarkable that these two teams could be jostling for a final’s appearance after their form earlier in the season. It was only seven weeks ago that both teams had all but conceded that their finals aspirations had evaporated. It was only after round 16 that the Wests Tigers sat at third last on the NRL ladder. Now on the verge of round 24, they sit in fifth place.
Likewise the Eels languished at the bottom of the table for most of the year. But seemingly with a new club CEO, a new rookie half-back and the direction of a new coach, the hapless Eels have embarked on an amazing win steak. Their blistering form of the past weeks has even excited the thought that Parramatta could yet take out the premiership. With the form of Jarryd Hayne and Fuifui Moimoi, among others, that thought is not as inconceivable as it seems.
While the Eels have done away with their recent challengers with intangible brilliance and blistering form, the Wests Tigers have instead found the grit and determination that has eluded them in previous seasons. When compared with their performances earlier in the season, the Tigers have found what it takes to win. In contrast to some of their heartbreaking losses in the first half of this year, Wests have found that extra point or that extra try saving tackle or well constructed line break that has gotten them over the line.
Overall the Tigers’ for has not been that bad. Despite a few blowout losses, their form has been fairly consistent, with a majority of their losses only coming due to a handful of points. This is evident by the Tigers positive points differential that will be extremely important to them in their push for the finals. But their biggest test will surely come against the Eels on Friday night.
Despite a win against the Eels earlier in the season, Parramatta has long been the Wests Tigers’ boggy side. Of all 13 matches played since 2003, the Tigers have only won 3. Furthermore, based on their recent form, the Eels look like the far more formidable outfit.
With the finals approaching however, both sides will have to do anything and everything to get the win. Undoubtedly the battle will be won with the forwards. In recent weeks the Eels forwards have been laying the foundations for their speed men on the back of the hard running and irresistible efforts of Fuifui Moimoi. While the Tigers have relied upon English recruit Gareth Ellis, who has proved to be the buy of the season with his determined running and relentless defence. Unfortunately for the Tigers however, former Magpie and 2005 Grand Final winner, John Skandalis will be missing with a corked thigh. Despite his age, his efforts in recent weeks have proved to be the backbone of the Tigers performances.
Based on both teams form and efforts over the last few weeks, it would be a travesty for their supporters if the Eels or Wests Tigers missed the finals. In the case of the Tigers it would be another case of so close, and yet so far, while the Eels have been the excitement machine of the NRL in the back half of the season and their omission from the finals would be a great disappointment for not only their fans, but league fans in general.
Added to the finals charge of the Wests Tigers is the fact that once there, the team has the advantage of history on its side. In the only finals appearances the Wests Tigers have made since their formation, they remain undefeated in this class of football. Their efforts in 2005 ensured a 100% record in the business end of the season, making the Tigers the only team since Newtown in 1910 to win a premiership in their first finals campaign. With the brilliance of Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah in their ranks, if the Tigers were to make the top 8 this season, they would surely have the ability to beat any side in the NRL.
Meanwhile it is hard to conceive how any team could beat the Eels at this point in time. The Eels have truly been electrifying.
Whatever the outcome however, the match between the Eels and the Tigers could prove not only the most important match of the Glory Bound rounds, but of the whole NRL season. With the momentum of both sides, whichever team that wins will undoubtedly rustle a few feathers in the finals weeks and definitely leave a lasting imprint upon the NRL premiership season of 2009.
| 46 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
