NRL Monday Wrap

As the Dragons wake up fresh from a confidence building win over Manly, surely the struggling Penrith Panthers can take confidence from the fact that the two cellar dwelling clubs are only a few wins from the top 8.

With a win this coming weekend, the Dragons could be 2 points outside the Top 8 - amazing considering the headlines the club has received.

Over the weekend, Matt Elliott has admitted that even the coaching staff at Penrith need to lift their game, quite a valid point considering that John Lang had the Panthers performing much better in previous years.

It does seem the clean-out process happens so much quicker within NRL clubs these days; just take the Panthers and the Roosters. Not one, but 3 or 4 players moving on mid season and leaving the clubs to battle on with junior players - it used to take 2 or 3 years to rebuild a club, these days a 12 month turnaround is aimed for.

The Parramatta Eels are a team flying under the radar this year, to the delight of Eels staff and personnel - the Eels have been quietly winning, but keeping well out of the headlines. Something most teams hope for. Under Hagan, this just might be the tonic the Eels need come finals time.

In other news at the Eels, boom centre Kris Inu is said to be a strong preacher of religion. So much so, that he has considered taking a few years off to follow his religion before returning to League. The Eels also welcome back Timana Tahu this weekend for their big clash with the Knights at Parramatta Stadium next Monday night. Hagan having to find a spot for the former Australian rep, with Kris Inu and Ben Smith performing outstandingly this year.

Tonight we see the Roosters face the Bulldogs at Telstra Stadium and the struggling Roosters will get a lift from the fact the Dragons knocked over the high flying Eagles yesterday. The Dogs without Andrew Ryan, Willie Mason and Hazem El Masri will be a tad underdone and need to be on their game to keep the Roosters at bay.