The GRL Phantom has poured over this game all weekend and after all my tactical assessment it's hard for me to determine the winner.
The GRL Phantom has poured over this
game all weekend and after all my tactical assessment it's hard for me to
determine the winner.
But I truly expect this clash
between the Eels and the Tigers to be a high scoring encounter yet close.
Wests Tigers have trouble beating
the Eels which is why the home team have been the visitors in their last six
bouts.
One of the reasons for this is the
Tigers do struggle to cope with teams which have size and second phase
attacking ability.
The Tigers with Keith Galloway, in
their pack and the return of Ryan O'Hara and the emergence of raw, yet
talented, power runner Daine Laurie, have somewhat countered this.
The Tigers attack very differently
to most teams, which tend to play the same offence in the game today.
Coach Tim Sheens believes in the
''total football concept.''
Where he has several players who
play the adaptable role in attack, whether as ball players or runners.
Brett Hodgson, Robbie Farah, Benji
Marshall are the triangle of the attack.Todd Payten is too, but he's out for
three games suspended.
The Hodgson-Farrar-Marshall trilogy
is lethal especially in the opposition 30 metres area.
The Eels attack differently too.
Brett Finch as first receiver and
Feleti Mateo back at lock work together passing to each other but also stand on
each side of the ruck at times and link with their runners.
Finch's cross field bombs are
dangerous for the wingers.
The Eels do have strike power in
Jarryd Hayne and Joel Reddy out wide.
The development of the Keating boys
- Matt and Chris, is one for Eels fans to relish next year. Their skill, footwork and passing
games are very impressive.
The Phantom reckons this game will
come down to which teams takes the right options under pressure.
Key men: Finch for the Eels. Hodgson
for the Tigers.
My Verdict:
The loser can french kiss the top
eight goodbye.
