Eels v Knights: Parramatta aim for four; Southwell sidelined
The Eels are out to prove they are the real deal when they face the Knights in the opening game of Round 5 of the NRLW season.
Parramatta are riding high with three wins from four matches and enter the game on the back of a tense 12-10 victory over the Wests Tigers last Sunday night.
The success comes after a tough 2023 season in which the Eels finished last and without a win.
They face a new test on Saturday and they are eager to prove they can match it with the competition's best when they take on the reigning premiers.
Newcastle are licking their wounds after a 14-12 loss to the Sharks on Sunday afternoon, their second on the trot in a scratchy start to the year.
The side will travel south to Eric Tweedale Stadium desperate to prove they are the competition benchmark and climb back inside the top four.
Match: Eels v Knights
Round 5 -
home Team
Eels
5th Position
away Team
Knights
4th Position
Venue: Eric Tweedale Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Eels: Tafao Asaua has been added to the bench an hour before kick-off with Grace Kukutai making way. Prop Tyla Amiatu returns from illness via the bench, pushing Breanna Eales in jersey 19 to replacement player duties.
Knights: Muswellbrook Rams junior Evie Jones will make her NRLW debut, filling in for halfback Jesse Southwell who suffered a head knock last week. Prop Tayla Predebon was originally named to start but has moved to the bench in Friday's team update with Rima Butler shifting to the starting line-up. Simone Karpani will also start the game in jersey No.15 and Viena Tinao has been added to the bench on game day.
Match: Eels v Knights
Round 5 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Abbi ChurchFullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika Upton
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Zali FayWinger for Knights is number 2 Tenika Willison
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Rory OwenCentre for Knights is number 3 Shanice Parker
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Rosie KellyCentre for Knights is number 4 Abigail Roache
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Monique DonovanWinger for Knights is number 5 Lilly-Ann White
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Cassey Tohi-HikuFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Georgia Roche
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Rachael PearsonHalfback for Knights is number 7 Evie Jones
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Elsie AlbertProp for Knights is number 15 Simone Karpani
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Taneka TodhunterHooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia Higgins
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Madeline JonesProp for Knights is number 16 Rima Butler
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Chloe Jackson2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Laishon Albert-Jones
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Mahalia Murphy2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 Kennedy CherringtonLock for Knights is number 13 Hannah Southwell
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Rosemarie BeckettInterchange for Knights is number 8 Tayla Predebon
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Tyla AmiatuInterchange for Knights is number 10 Kayla Romaniuk
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Jade FonuaInterchange for Knights is number 14 Nita Maynard
-
Interchange for Eels is number 18 Tafao AsauaInterchange for Knights is number 20 Viena Tinao
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 19 Breanna EalesReplacement for Knights is number 21 Jules Kirkpatrick
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels are aiming for three consecutive wins for the first time.
- The Knights have won their past three games against the Eels.
- Eels lock Kennedy Cherrington has scored three tries in four games this season.
- Knights fullback Tamika Upton has scored three tries in three games against the Eels.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
