Michael Jennings: Eels won’t drop the bar despite big loss

PARRAMATTA might have lost 54-zip to Manly in round two but players wearing the blue and gold aren’t about to change the goals they had for season 2018.

Parramatta's Michael Jennings believes the Eels can still win a spot in the top four. Picture: Brett Costello

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PARRAMATTA will continue to set the bar high, despite their last-start 54-0 Manly mauling.

The Eels were tipped to push for a top-four berth before the season started, and as they try to avoid a third straight loss against Cronulla on Saturday night, the players are not about to reassess their season goals.

One plus for the blue and golds will be Jarryd Hayne spending more time at fullback, with coach Brad Arthur yesterday confirming The Daily Telegraph’s back page he would be shifted from the centres in a bid to get his hands on the ball more.

“Our standards are still high, it’s only two rounds, and that performance last weekend wasn’t up to our standards,’’ centre Michael Jennings said.

“We just have to get back to what we do best.

Parramatta's Michael Jennings believes the Eels can still win a spot in the top four. Picture: Brett Costello

Co-captain Tim Mannah said: “We still have belief in our team. We fell away from our standards, but our beliefs don’t change.

“We pride ourselves on our high standards.

“We let a lot of people down last weekend, we let ourselves down, and we want to make sure we make up for it this weekend.

“It’s not so much about ladder positioning for us, but the kind of footy we know we can play, and the brand of football we want to be known for.’’

The Eels were tipped to push deep into September, especially with the way they finished last year, and the summer signing of matchwinner Hayne.

Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne will return to fullback this week against the Sharks. Picture: Brett Costello

Arthur was asked yesterday if the players were guilty of believing their own hype, and he said: “Results would say that, but I’m not sure.

“We’ll get a better indication tomorrow night.

“If we go set for set, we’ll know exactly where we’re at and what sort of team we are.

“Sometimes you stand around waiting for someone else to do it. We need 17 players tomorrow to take accountability for their actions, stand up and do it, and everyone else will get on board.’’

Arthur said the advantages of moving Hayne to fullback was ‘’physicality’’ and the chance to ‘’get more touches out of him’’, but it was not a permanent shift.

The Eels were completely outclassed by the Sea Eagles in round two.

French was also happy to do what was best for the team.

Like French, Cronulla rival Valentine Holmes has found himself shifted from fullback to wing, and despite barely being sighted in last weekend’s derby, Holmes was expected to bounce back at ANZ Stadium as the Sharks also chase their first win.

“Val is a quality player and he will be a handful,’’ Jennings said, who will defend on Holmes’ wing.

“He’s an Australian player, we’ve seen what he does on that level, it will be a quality match-up and he’ll bounce back from all the stuff that has happened.’’

In bad news for the Eels, Sharks skipper Paul Gallen has been cleared of a foot injury and will run out tonight.

Originally published as Michael Jennings: Eels won’t drop the bar despite big loss