Pirtek Parramatta Eels assistant coach Matt Parish takes a look at our final game for 2013, against the Newcastle Knights at Hunter Stadium.
Matt says they're keen to finish the year off with a win.
"We played really well last Monday night, and we've had a quick turnaround, so we need to back it up today and it'll be nice to finish up the season with a win," he said.
Jarryd Hayne is expected to be a late inclusion into the side, despite not being named in the original team list.
"We're hopeful, Jarryd trained well yesterday so we're hopeful if he pulls up ok, he'll play today which will be good for us."
Despite a poor record away from home this season, Parish says the side can lift and pull out a performance to beat the Knights.
"It's always tough playing Newcastle in Newcastle, but also being their last game and Danny Buderus' last game," he said.
"We have been disappointing o the road this year, there's no two ways around that, but we had a good win on Monday night and we need to take that form and confidence."
As for the way the Knights play their football, Parish says their backs are very strong.
"Their back three, Uate, Boyd and McManus run a lot of metres, as do their two centres, so they get their sets off to a good start and their forwards take over after that - so it's going to be a pretty physical game."
Key Match-Ups
"I think Tim Mannah against Willie Mason is a good match-up, I think Tim's been our best player all season and he's had a terrific year, and I'd like to hope he'll get rewarded in one of the rep teams at the end of the year."
"I think the halves will also be a good battle, Luke Kelly has a big job up against Tyrone Roberts who is a good player, and if Jarryd plays, the fullbacks ail be a big battle against Darius Boyd."
"Fui played really well last week, as did Semi Radradra, he's only played six NRL games, but that was by far his best game with the club, so hopefully we can take the confidence and build on that and win today."
Click here to buy tickets to the game and cheer on the Blue and Gold in our final game of the season!
Matt says they're keen to finish the year off with a win.
"We played really well last Monday night, and we've had a quick turnaround, so we need to back it up today and it'll be nice to finish up the season with a win," he said.
Jarryd Hayne is expected to be a late inclusion into the side, despite not being named in the original team list.
"We're hopeful, Jarryd trained well yesterday so we're hopeful if he pulls up ok, he'll play today which will be good for us."
Despite a poor record away from home this season, Parish says the side can lift and pull out a performance to beat the Knights.
"It's always tough playing Newcastle in Newcastle, but also being their last game and Danny Buderus' last game," he said.
"We have been disappointing o the road this year, there's no two ways around that, but we had a good win on Monday night and we need to take that form and confidence."
As for the way the Knights play their football, Parish says their backs are very strong.
"Their back three, Uate, Boyd and McManus run a lot of metres, as do their two centres, so they get their sets off to a good start and their forwards take over after that - so it's going to be a pretty physical game."
Key Match-Ups
"I think Tim Mannah against Willie Mason is a good match-up, I think Tim's been our best player all season and he's had a terrific year, and I'd like to hope he'll get rewarded in one of the rep teams at the end of the year."
"I think the halves will also be a good battle, Luke Kelly has a big job up against Tyrone Roberts who is a good player, and if Jarryd plays, the fullbacks ail be a big battle against Darius Boyd."
"Fui played really well last week, as did Semi Radradra, he's only played six NRL games, but that was by far his best game with the club, so hopefully we can take the confidence and build on that and win today."
Click here to buy tickets to the game and cheer on the Blue and Gold in our final game of the season!
