BY SCOTT DILLON

Paramatta Eels captain Clint Gutherson has likened Sunday’s huge elimination final at Bankwest Stadium to the club’s grand opening of the new ground earlier this season.

A monster crowd is expected for the showdown between the Eels and the Brisbane Broncos.

“The whole of Parramatta is getting excited, there’s flags everywhere,” Gutherson told Macquarie Sports Radio.

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“Easter Monday was something special, we can’t wait to get out there.

“It should be a good game.”

Meanwhile Brisbane winger Corey Oates has revealed recent backlash from coach Anthony Seibold toward his senior players.

“Just the other day, our coach, Anthony Seibold, challenged the bigger names at the Broncos to lead the way. Blokes like myself, Darbs [Darius Boyd] and Gillo [Matt Gillett]. I agree with him,” Oates wrote in The Courier-Mail.

“We know what the speed, intensity and aggression is like and we have to show the way and hope the rookies like Payne Haas come with us.

“Our mood is fine. What we dished up against the Bulldogs last week in our 30-14 loss wasn’t up to our standards. We know our energy and intensity was below par.

“But I’m still very confident in the team and the players we have to take us beyond week one of the finals.”