Round 26 – Raiders vs Eels
Overview
The script could not have been written any better. The rejuvenated Eels on the cusp of their first finals appearance in 6years and standing in their way is a team coached by the man who lead the Eels to two successive wooden spoons and decimated the playing roster in the process – Mr Ricky Stuart.
Sticky will see this as a win win situation. If the Raiders win then that is three W’s on the trot and Ricky’s rebuilding of the Raiders has begun. If the Eels win then Ricky’s rebuilding of the Eels is complete. But whatever the outcome is, you can be safe in the knowledge the refs will cop a spray and so will anyone within 5sq metres of Ricky in the coaches box.
Hopefully Eels coach Brad Arthur got hold of one of those Men in Black devices and erased all memory of last weeks shambolic display against the Knights from his players brains. Another effort like that will see the people of Canberra shooting fireworks and adult movies well through Suds Saturday and into the early hours of Stiff-Arm Sunday.
Players to watch
Jarryd Hayne – He gets a mention nearly every week but for good reason. If Hayne fires then the Eels win it’s as simple as that. His twitter account has been busy this week so let’s hope that’s a good sign. But our NNRL twitter account has also been busy and I paid $10 for a tiny stale sandwhich at the airport. Irrelevant I know but how ridiculous are airport food prices. I took about 15 servettes to try and counter the daylight robbery of my wallet.
Anthony Milford – Another who gets his fair share of plaudits. Milf is set to play his last game for the Green Machine before heading north to link with the Broncos in 2015. Raiders fans will be hoping Milf can turn it on one last time before Canberra say goodbye to yet another potential superstar of the game.
Result and score prediction
The Eels have everything to play for with a finals spot up for grabs and the Raiders are playing for nothing but pride. You would think the Eels would get up and run away with it. But as we saw last week against the Knights, teams with nothing to play for are sometimes more dangerous. The first 20min is crucial here. If the Eels can put on points early then they should wrap this game up nicely. If the Raiders are still in the hunt with 15 to go then watch out Parra fans. Fortunately the Eels will have learned from last week and will win 32-16.
Most likely to loosen his shorts tie
He has been compared to Eels legend Nathan Hindmarsh for his flowing locks and no prisoners approach to his footy. But until Tepai Moeroa shows a bit of crack, those comparisons are redundant. Perhaps he will loosen his shorts tie a bit or maybe even do what the great man himself used to do and just throw the waistband away altogether.
Most likely to get emosh
Brett White plays his last NRL game this Suds Sat after announcing his retirement a few weeks back. It’s been a great career for Brett and he will be wanting to go out on a win and a few vodka cruisers.