Eels Tigers Holden Cup Preview

From Eells websiteThe Dyldam Parramatta Eels Holden Cup side take on the Wests Tigers in the first of a Holden Cup double-header on Sunday 11 September at Allianz Stadium.For the must-win clash, Blue and Gold Head Coach Luke Burt has made three changes to his line up that came away with a dominant 32-18 victory over the New Zealand Warriors in Round 26 of their compeititon, with winger Jermaine Mati-Leifi replacing Kelepi Manu, Troy Dargan named at halfback shifting Michael Doolan to the bench.Reed Mahoney joins an extended bench alongside doolan, Kurt De Luis, Tom Field and Jye Challenor.For the Wests Tigers, Head Coach Willie Peters welcomes back two of their biggest stars in hooker Jacob Liddle and half Veiru Mapesone for the Elimination Final along with fullback Luke Sharpe and forward Esan Marsters.The Eels enter the clash with just one win from their past four clashes, sliding to seventh on the ladder heading into the Finals series. However with Mati-Leifi set to return, the winger will be hoping to continue on his try scoring run after finishing third in the NYC try-scoring charts with 21 four pointers.The Wests Tigers come into the clash off the back of consecutive draws.The Eels however will enter the clash with plenty of confidence, after coming away 40-4 and 25-18 victors in the regular season over the Wests Tigers.Kick off is at 11:10am with live coverage on Fox Sports 1 from 11am1. Mason Cerruto 2. James Gammidge 3. Tuimavave Afualo 4. Atini Gafa 5. Jermaine Mati-Leifi 6. Dean Matterson 7. Troy Dargan 8. Alex Twal 9. Denzal Tonise (c) 10. Jamie Stowers 11. Jack Morris 12. Tyrell Fuimaono 13. Tom AmoneInterchange: 14. Michael Doolan 15. Kurt De Luis 16. Tom Field 17. Jye Challenor 18. Reed MahoneyWests Tigers side1. Luke Sharpe 2. Roman Ioelu 3. Toa Mata’afa 4. Tony Tali 5. Obed Karwhin 6. Veiru Mapesone 7. Daniel Roberts 8. Ray Stone 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Taniela Paseka 11. Esan Marsters 12. Mark McCormack 13. Jack Wheelhouse (c)Interchange: 14. Daniel Peck 15. Jakob Giles 16. Trent Pye 17. Pio Sokobalava

Log In ROUND 1 Perth Bears 2027 best 17: Full signings and squad tracker, rumours, news, updated team list after every signingThe Bears join the NRL in 2027.Zero TackleSTAFF WRITERS | January 10, 2026 - 5:02pm 54715 The Perth Bears are set…

"Certainly should make the finals this year all going well. If Mitchell Moses stays injury free, if the Refs and Bunker are fair and Eels get 50/50 calls, if the NRL doesn't hard nose the Eels because of the Lomax saga then there is NO reason the…"

Replies

Wile E. Coyote September 10, 2016 at 4:46am

I think Liddle is supposed to be Farah's replacement next year
- Big Dave > Wile E. Coyote September 11, 2016 at 5:03pm
  
  I know the family and he was earmarked to replace Farrah a number of months ago (probably late last year). He jumped Cherrington in the pecking order pretty quickly forcing Cherrington to move to Cronulla. Very good young player and reminds me of a Cameron Smith with some pace. Good to see another Central Coast boy playing well.
Fuuuuuui September 11, 2016 at 12:00pm

Anyone got an update on the score?
- LegendTHECROWEELS > Fuuuuuui September 11, 2016 at 12:02pm
  
  26-18 HT tigs way
Richard Jackson September 11, 2016 at 4:34pm

54-24 Tigers.

We were, as usual, woeful.

Why in attack did our halves keep attacking down the blind side all-day even when there were so many defenders there.

No smarts.

Only players to show out were Tyrell and the two centres.
Slippery Steve September 11, 2016 at 5:07pm

They were all pretty disappointing except Tyrell. Don't agree about both centres our no.3 Afualo was average. Runs hard but consistently got dominated in defence by the Tigers second rower, he completed 44% of tackles.
- sixtiesboy > Slippery Steve September 11, 2016 at 9:09pm
  
  Afualo is only 17 so he has a lot to offer. Some may have played themselves out of a contract.
Lady Luck September 12, 2016 at 10:27am

Wow Ray, obvious you have a personal disliking of Dargan, all you've done is bagged the shit out of this kid since u got on here. Must be hopeless cause he made team of the year. As you said just my opinion.
Mitchy September 12, 2016 at 10:45am

V poor showing from this game.
The team appeared to have been changed often over the season and at times they played v well. Shame they performed badly.
I don't blame the halves, some of the forwards didn't dominate in def as well.and we made some bad errors.
Tui is v young and played SG ball this season. Lethbridge Park boy.
Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown September 12, 2016 at 1:30pm

More overrated eels juniors Ray.