Eels v Knights: Matterson, RCG out; Mann, Croker to start
Parramatta play host to Newcastle in game one of Friday night footy with both sides desperate for a victory as they languish around the bottom of the ladder after eight rounds.
The Eels are looking to make it six straight against this week's opponents in a record that dates back to 2019, including a dominant 39-2 win in enemy territory last year.
Parramatta paid the price for a poor opening half in Darwin last week in which they gave up four tries, and despite showing improvement in the second 40 they couldn't catch the Broncos in a 26-16 defeat.
The loss of influential prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard and experienced back Bailey Simonsson only added to coach Brad Arthur's woes, as his side slipped to their fifth loss in eight games.
Newcastle, meanwhile, suffered a narrow defeat for the second week in a row in Round 8 – losing 18-16 to the Cowboys only a week on from suffering golden point heartbreak against Penrith.
The positive note for coach Adam O'Brien would have been the successful return of star five-eighth Kalyn Ponga, who added plenty in his first game back from a concussion lay-off and should be better for his reduced-minute run last week.
Match: Eels v Knights
Round 9 -
home Team
Eels
10th Position
away Team
Knights
14th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Eels: Ryan Matterson (illness) is a late withdrawal with Bryce Cartwright starting on the edge and Ofahiki Ogden coming on to the interchange. Sean Russell moves into the centres to cover for Bailey Simonsson (head knock) and Haze Dunster returns to the wing. Makahesi Makatoa joins the interchange bench to cover for the injured Reagan Campbell-Gillard (leg).
Knights: A couple of late changes for the visitors with Kurt Mann to start at hooker and Mat Croker at lock, pushing Phoenix Crossland back to the bench alongside Tyson Gamble, Jacob Saifiti and Jack Hetherington. Simi Sasagi will be 18th man.
Match: Eels v Knights
Round 9 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Knights is number 1 Lachlan Miller
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika SivoWinger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Sean RussellCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Haze DunsterWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan BrownFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kalyn Ponga
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Wiremu GreigProp for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Josh HodgsonHooker for Knights is number 13 Kurt Mann
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 14 Bryce Cartwright2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine HopgoodLock for Knights is number 16 Mat Croker
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Brendan HandsInterchange for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Matt DooreyInterchange for Knights is number 14 Tyson Gamble
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Makahesi MakatoaInterchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
-
Interchange for Eels is number 20 Ofahiki OgdenInterchange for Knights is number 17 Jack Hetherington
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 18 Jake ArthurReplacement for Knights is number 18 Simi Sasagi
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels have won their past five games against the Knights.
- Dane Gagai has scored six tries in his past five games against the Eels.
- Eels second-rower Bryce Cartwright will play his 150th NRL game.
- The Knights play their first game at CommBank Stadium since 2020.
- Maika Sivo has scored 40 tries in 41 games at CommBank Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
