Can anyone smell the desperation?
It was only 12 months ago that Wests Tigers were 0-5 and staring down the barrel of six straight losses ahead of their clash with Parramatta on Easter Monday.
Fast forward a year and the joint venture are in the same boat but only this time they'll face an Eels outfit equally as desperate for victory after a 1-4 start to the year.
Parramatta, in their defence, have had a rough draw to start the year, and won't be panicking inside the four walls despite what's been said elsewhere.
A match-up against a Wests Tigers side lacking complete confidence is perhaps the game that's required while Tim Sheens' outfit must show something to make amends for last week's big loss to the Broncos.
An Easter Monday battle is always one for the diehards and with Mitchell Moses recently knocking back the club where it all started, it will only add to the intrigue.
No one will ever forget Jackson Hastings' one-point field goal to help end Wests Tigers' drought last season but with him no longer at the club, who will step up and lead them this year?
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Team News
Wests Tigers: No late changes on game day after more shuffling in the backline at the selection table with Adam Doueihi going back to five-eighth and Charlie Staines to fullback. Brent Naden returns from illness at centre so Asu Kepaoa goes to the wing. Joe Ofahengaue has been added to the bench at the expense of Justin Matamua, who goes to 18th man. Tommy Talau (broken nose) remains sidelined.
Eels: The Eels are 1-17 with no late changes. Forward Shaun Lane returns after missing the opening five games due to a broken jaw so J'maine Hopgood goes to the bench. Haze Dunster comes in on the wing for Bailey Simonsson (suspended) while Sean Russell replaces Waqa Blake in the centres. Jake Arthur played NSW Cup alongside Blake is the 18th man for first grade.
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Stat Attack
- Wests Tigers have lost their last seven games at Accor Stadium.
- The Eels have won eight of their past nine games against the Tigers.
- Wests Tigers are in danger of slumping to a 0-6 start to a season for the first time.
- The Eels will play their 100th game at Accor Stadium.
Milestone Man
Wests Tigers prop David Klemmer will play his 200th NRL game on Monday, with the veteran forward showing no signs of slowing down with age. Klemmer has averaged 154 metres per game since his debut in 2013, topping more than 30,000 run metres for his career, while also averaging 26 tackles per game for a career total of 5,175. He'll be hoping to end a run of defeats in the Easter Monday blockbuster, having lost his last seven games with the Knights to end 2022 before beginning the 2023 campaign his new club with five losses.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.