Back yourself: Eels to showcase first rate second-phase play

Parramatta enforcer Junior Paulo insists there was no ‘Operation Offload’ being deployed by the Eels, despite making hay with second-phase play against the Titans in their impressive Pre-Season Challenge win.

In their final hit-out before the season proper, the Eels offloaded a whopping 17 times compared to the Gold Coast’s four, with the tactic proving too much for the Titans to contain.

However, looking ahead to Round 1, Paulo said while there was no distinct plan to throw the ball around as much as possible, his side would always aim to promote the ball to someone in a better position – but were mindful of the risks.

“(Our game plan) was just to build into the game (not necessarily focus on offloads, but), we have got a rule of if you can start your target on the offload, then definitely back yourself,” Paulo said.

“Everything we do, we have got a reason for; we're not just coming out and just flicking the ball.

“But that's exactly what we've been working on in the pre-season. You can only practise what you put into training.

“I think the most important thing was just getting through injury-free and I thought that all of the boys had a good chance to open up the lungs.”