Although we're not at squeaky-bum time, the congested finals race is heating up. If the Eagles win, they stay in the eight and keep the Eels out. If the Eels win, they sneak into the eight for the first time in 2023, and push the Eagles out.
Both teams will be without their origin stars in this zero-sum battle for a position in the eight, and the Eels will be looking for four-straight to continue their redemption.
This week, the Turbo-Saab-Garrick-inspired Eagles (above) obliterated the Dolphins 58-18 at 4 Pines Park inflicting the Phins heaviest defeat on record. They've won 2 of their last 3 and showed skill and enterprise this week.
Meanwhile, the Gutho-Moses inspired Eels outclassed the Dogs 34-12 at Accor; getting revenge for last year's corresponding Queen Birthday massacre.
Daejarn Asi also had a fine debut in Eels' colours in the top grade. He did his job, just as he promised he would, and certainly backed himself like his co-captain Junior Paolo asked when he handed him his jersey earlier in the week.
After leading 24-6 at half-time, the Eels didn't quite land the knockout punch but did enough to record their third-straight win for the first time this year, in the end winning the i4Give Cup (above) comfortably and continuing the redemption story.
The Eels have a good record at Commbank (73% winning ratio) and have also won 3/4 against Manly (75%) here which might tilt the game in the Eels' favour.
The Eels and Manly have had 5 wins a piece (50% winning ratio each) in the last 10 encounters over the last five years, since 2019.
Fairly high-scoring affairs have been common between these two, recently. The average total points scored per game between these two is 49 points over the last seven years (since 2017).
Earlier in the year, in R3 at 4 Pines Park, Manly defeated the Eels 34-30 with 6 tries a piece being scored. Goal-kicking (Garrick 5/7 v Moses 3/6) was the difference.
Ironically, the last encounter at Commbank was also decided by goal-kicking (R11,2020) with Moses getting the Eels home 22-20 with an incredible side-line conversion at the death, and both teams scored 2 tries.
To add extra drama and spice we have The Return Of The Prodigal Son, Jakob Arthur, taking charge of the Eagles at seven. Cynics might imagine he'd quite enjoy rubbing salt in front of the Eels' faithful at Commbank.
One of these teams will be in the eight by the end of R16, and the other out, but who?
Comments
Ohhhhhh the irony, we play the Jake Arthur led Sea Eagles, to get into the top 8, without any recognised 1st grade halfback.
They won't replace Teddy, but they could put Gutho at 14!
Our secret weapon here is Jake Arthur, i hope he's playing.
For some reason, when I think of this game, I think of Rembrandt's The Return of the Prodigal Son.
He shouldn't be doing that to his son.
We won't lose Gutherson. They ain't sacking the NSW captain and Roosters hero. If they sack Tedesco and replace with Gutherson I'll change my Avatar to a " Gutherson is the true King " picture until Origin is over .
Politis would sack every Origin selector should they punt his number one marketing tool.
We're a good chance of losing Moses, Gutho and Hopgood, and that's on top of Junior and all the rest of the first grade squad missing through injury, or the inconsistent application of the No Fault policy. As long as we don't get flogged by too much - to keep our decent for/against - then I'm happy!