My initial impressions of the game was the physicality of the performance. It wasn't a pretty game by any means, but for a Round 1 clash, both teams really went after one another and never gave up the ghost at any point. No Foran, no Norman - I thought the Eels pack showed plenty of heart and their boys scrapped and clawed for everything tonight. I know everyone is going to point to that 61% completion rate from Parramatta, but some of the plays they put together will crack plenty of sides so the defensive work from Brisbane was very pleasing.
I feel sorry for Greg Eden but would give him a shot next week before I put the line through him out-right. It couldn't have been easy making your debut away from Brisbane up against the best centre and winger pairing in the game and being expected to stand-out. While his work under the high ball was disappointing, the headline a lot of people are overlooking is that Parra's lethal right edge was kept silent on the scoreboard. Last year no other side scored more tries down that specific edge, and that was before Jennings to the fray, the Broncos kept them to nil.
Hopefully Jack Reed recovers in time to line up next Friday against the Warriors. Without Kahu and Maranta, the Broncos backline is beginning to look a little frail and I think they need that familiar set-up against the Warriors.
Brisbane didn't bring their A game, but the boys showed enough grit to get themselves home against a determined Eels outfit. A good first hit-out for the season and I'm glad the monkeys off their backs early.
