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Two teams regarded as serious title contenders this year go head to head with the Eels and Raiders each coming off a tough loss in round six.

Despite sitting in fifth with four wins and two losses, the Raiders are ranked ninth for attack and has admitted their game plan needs a tweak after failing to score a try in the final 20 minutes in their three games since beating the Storm in round three.

Parramatta lost no admirers in a valiant three-tries-to-two loss to heavyweights the Roosters but still need to learn how to beat the best teams.

The rundown

Team news

Eels: Marata Niukore will replace Nathan Brown in the starting side after the rugged forward copped a two-match ban earlier in the week. Eels coach Brad Arthur confirmed Daniel Alvaro will be added to the interchange. Jai Field was dropped from the squad 24 hours before the match and David Gower and George Jennings were trimmed from the reserves list on game day. Parramatta have won five of their past six games at Bankwest Stadium.

Raiders: Joseph Tapine is out with a minor knee issue with Hudson Young promoted to the starting side and Bailey Simonsson added to the bench. Tapine and Matt Frawley were the two players omitted on the eve of the match, while Dunamis Lui and Tom Starling were cut from the extended bench an hour before kick-off. Coach Ricky Stuart remains in search of his 200th coaching victory in the NRL.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
    Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
  • Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
    Winger for Raiders is number 2 Jordan Rapana
  • Centre for Eels is number 3 Michael Jennings
    Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker
  • Centre for Eels is number 4 Waqa Blake
    Centre for Raiders is number 4 Curtis Scott
  • Winger for Eels is number 5 Blake Ferguson
    Winger for Raiders is number 5 Nick Cotric
  • Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
    Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
  • Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
    Halfback for Raiders is number 7 George Williams

Forwards

  • Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
    Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i
  • Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed Mahoney
    Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Josh Hodgson
  • Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
    Prop for Raiders is number 10 Iosia Soliola
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Ryan Matterson
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 17 Hudson Young
  • Lock for Eels is number 15 Marata Niukore
    Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh

Interchange

  • Interchange for Eels is number 14 Ray Stone
    Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Siliva Havili
  • Interchange for Eels is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
    Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
  • Interchange for Eels is number 17 Brad Takairangi
    Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Ryan Sutton
  • Interchange for Eels is number 19 Daniel Alvaro
    Interchange for Raiders is number 18 Bailey Simonsson

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ashley Klein
  • Touch Judge: Todd Smith
  • Touch Judge: Gavin Badger
  • Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell

Last updated:

Key match-up

Ryan Matterson v Elliott Whitehead. The two hard-working back-rowers could each make a claim to being their team's best player in last week's losses. Matterson has added plenty to the Eels in both attack and defence since returning to his junior club, racking up 52 tackles and 146 metres last week with six busts and three offloads.

Whitehead scored his side's only try to go with his 44 tackles and 102 metres. As the respective right edge and left edge forwards for their teams, the pair will be facing off directly in this one.

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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