Parramatta say they've got Melbourne to thank for strike weapon Semi Radradra's stunning run of form heading into Saturday's NRL qualifying final at AAMI Park.
The bustling Fijian-born winger has been integral in the Eels' surge into the NRL top four with Parramatta coach Brad Arthur saying their round 18 clash with the Storm was a turning point in his season.
Radradra burst out of the blocks in the AAMI Park match, scoring a try and having a hand in three others as the Eels set up a 26-6 win against an Origin-depleted Melbourne side.
"He's really excited about his football over the last six weeks and the turning point for him was the Melbourne game - since then he's been in a real good patch of form," Arthur said.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy is well aware of the threat posed by Radradra, who has scored 11 tries in nine games including a haul of four in their romp against Brisbane.
Asked how the Storm might stop him Bellamy joked: "Double-barrelled shot-gun might work."
"He's probably the most dangerous player in the comp at the moment," Bellamy said.
France rugby-bound Radradra will be marked by the Storm's own excitement machine Suliasi Vunivalu, who won the NRL's top tryscorer gong for the second successive season.
"You need to be really good with the tackle technique on him, you need to be aware of where he likes to run so hopefully we can get to that spot and control him really well," Bellamy said.
Arthur said his team wouldn't be intimidated going up against the runaway competition favourites and believed at their best the Eels could match Melbourne.
"It's not intimidating, it's exciting," Arthur said.
"We get tagged with being inconsistent but winning nine from our last 10 isn't bad in my eyes.
"I think our boys have got the ability to rise to the big occasion.
"It's not mission impossible but we know we need to be at our best to give ourselves a chance."
Share
