CURRENT POS: 15 POINTS: 14
vs
CURRENT POS: 12 POINTS: 19
Sharks v Eels | Toyota Stadium | Sun, 2 Aug 2009 14:00
Just a fortnight ago the Eels were down and out in the race for the 2009 premiership. But now, with two consecutive wins against the Bulldogs and the Storm, their title hopes are still alive. And they are the team with it all to play for in this match.
The Eels are in 12th place on the competition ladder, log-jammed with the other teams fighting to make the eight. The Sharks, on the other hand, have all but forgotten about the 2009 season. For them, the rest of the year is about building towards 2010 and beyond.
Watch out Sharks: Parramatta’s outside backs are ominously hitting form with the finals only a handful of weeks away. In their victories over the Storm and Bulldogs, Jarryd Hayne, Luke Burt and Eric Grothe have been electric – the Sharks will need to be on guard.
Fullback Hayne (19 line breaks, 10 tries, five try assists) has been particularly dangerous, and combined with Burt (seven line breaks, six tries and four try assists) and Grothe (10 line breaks, eight tries and four line-break assists), they form a potent backline.
The History
Played 70; Sharks 37, Eels 33. The Sharks have won the past three clashes, stretching over two years. But the winning margin has never been more than three points (13-10 in 2009, 16-14 in 2008, 25-24 in 2007).
Conclusion
The Eels are on a roll and should have too much to play for in this clash. A Sharks win would be all the more surprising given their last strike weapon Trent Barrett is out for the remainder of the season.
It’s simply a must-win game for the Eels. Bet on them to win this match, but it’s sure to be more than competitive.
Match Officials: Referees – Jared Maxwell and Bernard Sutton; Sideline Officials – Jeff Younis and Grant Atkins; Video Referee – Tim Mander.
Televised: Fox Sports – Live from 2pm.
Just a fortnight ago the Eels were down and out in the race for the 2009 premiership. But now, with two consecutive wins against the Bulldogs and the Storm, their title hopes are still alive. And they are the team with it all to play for in this match.
The Eels are in 12th place on the competition ladder, log-jammed with the other teams fighting to make the eight. The Sharks, on the other hand, have all but forgotten about the 2009 season. For them, the rest of the year is about building towards 2010 and beyond.
Watch out Sharks: Parramatta’s outside backs are ominously hitting form with the finals only a handful of weeks away. In their victories over the Storm and Bulldogs, Jarryd Hayne, Luke Burt and Eric Grothe have been electric – the Sharks will need to be on guard.
Fullback Hayne (19 line breaks, 10 tries, five try assists) has been particularly dangerous, and combined with Burt (seven line breaks, six tries and four try assists) and Grothe (10 line breaks, eight tries and four line-break assists), they form a potent backline.
The History
Played 70; Sharks 37, Eels 33. The Sharks have won the past three clashes, stretching over two years. But the winning margin has never been more than three points (13-10 in 2009, 16-14 in 2008, 25-24 in 2007).
Conclusion
The Eels are on a roll and should have too much to play for in this clash. A Sharks win would be all the more surprising given their last strike weapon Trent Barrett is out for the remainder of the season.
It’s simply a must-win game for the Eels. Bet on them to win this match, but it’s sure to be more than competitive.
Match Officials: Referees – Jared Maxwell and Bernard Sutton; Sideline Officials – Jeff Younis and Grant Atkins; Video Referee – Tim Mander.
Televised: Fox Sports – Live from 2pm.
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