There are bogeys. Then there's Baba Yaga. The one you send to kill the bogeyman.
Every horror movie has a demon that just won't die. Jason. Freddy. Michael Myers. Wayne. South Sydney.
Unfortunately, recent history has felt like watching the same horror movie on repeat.
You know exactly what's coming. But you still hope for a different ending.
Tonight is the 140th meeting between these two. Welcome to Round 23.
Teams
Souths 8th v Eels 13th, 7.35pm 8 August, Allianz Stadium
Weather: 13°C clear, Light winds, Dew 9°C Possible
TAB: Souths $1.34, Eels $3.30
Referees: Wyatt Raymond (on-field), Grant Atkins (bunker)
Ryley Smith starts with Da Silva off the bench. Dylan Walker has been rested for the Eels, while for Souths they have three big ins Cameron Murray, Tallis Duncan and David Fifita, but Campbell Graham has been ruled out.
Souths: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Alex Johnston 3. Tallis Duncan 4. Jack Wighton 14. Jye Gray 6. Cody Walker 7. Ashton Ward 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Adam Elliott 13. Cameron Murray
Bench: 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Jamie Humphreys 18. Jayden Sullivan 19. Thomas Fletcher 21. Moala Graham-Taufa
Players cut: 5. Campbell Graham 20. Liam Le Blanc 22. John Radel
Head Coach: Wayne Bennett
Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Brian Kelly 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Sam Tuivaiti 22. Ryley Smith 10. Luca Moretti 11. Jack Williams 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Jack de Belin
Bench: 9. Tallyn Da Silva 14. Saxon Pryke 15. Junior Paulo 16. Teancum Brown 19. Jezaiah Funa-Luta 20. Toni Mataele
Players cut: 17. Kelma Tuilagi 21. Sean Russell 18. Joash Papali’i
Head Coach: Jason Ryles
Stats
The Eels are chasing back-to-back wins for the first time since R3.
Josh Addo-Carr has scored 14 tries in his last 15 games against Souths.
Alex Johnston has scored 18 tries in 17 games against the Eels.
Form: Both inconsistent
Eels 3 / 6 | Average score 16 - 20.5pg
Souths 3 /6 | Average score 23 - 27pg
Allianz Alert
Souths have lost 5 of their last 6 at Allianz Stadium.
The Eels only win against Souths in the last six years was at Allianz in 2023.
Maybe, just maybe, the stadium isn't cursed. Only the opponent.
The Curse
The Eels have lost 10 of their last 11 against Souths.
Eight years.
Two wins from fourteen.
The Eels' worst record against any club.
Different coaches. Different captains. Different excuses. Same rabbit.
Then there is the Indigenous Nightmare.
Eels have won 5 /12. (42%).
Souths have won 10 /12 (83%).
Souths have won 4 /5 (80%) against the Eels.
Apparently Baba Yaga celebrates Indigenous Round too.
Last Week
Souths lost to the white-hot Sharks 32-16. As expected.
The Eels somehow beat the Tigers despite making 19 errors and completing at 67 percent. How? Don't ask. Both teams are low on confidence and have largely forgotten how to win.
Even the Footy Gods shrugged but at least they showed mercy to the right team. For once.
The Eels can't expect lightning to strike twice and will need to do the fundamentals a lot better this week to be competitive and stand a chance of an upset.
Desperation
Souths sit precariously on the edge of the eight. If they lose to the Eels and Manly beat the Storm, they will be nudged outside the eight.
The Eels will first need to contain the ruck and their middles before worrying about their edges. But we all know what their lethal left edge can do, even without Big Latrell. Just ask Cody Walker and Mitch Moses.
The bookies say Souths. History says Souths. The curse says Souths. Everything points towards a desperate Baba Yaga.
But sometimes... the monster loses. Sometimes.
Replies
Fair call. Still has a few errors in his game but gee he moves well across the ground. He is able to make space and square the defence up easily.
To be honest I have no idea how they won that game with that team named.
I am liking the improvements from Ryda. He is getting more physical as the game goes on and loves work in defence and attack.
I love Lokeni though. Can play edge or middle. I hope they have him wrapped up for next year. I would have no issues with him getting a debut this year. I feel like he deserves it.
Yea he still will have errors in him. Only 20. That's expected.
Got no idea how we won with that bench especially since Koina. didn't return. Ofanoaz was good off the bench.
Play him in first grade then..... your response is 'he's not ready yet'? So wtf are we doing then. He may never make it, and he we are waiting another 5yrs to do something.
So much for 'not entertaining me' 🤣 Couldn't resist, could you. Equaling me for most replies to a person it seems. It's my record, hands off.
Wonder how much Luai will help Lorenzo with the finer details of 5/8. Interesting times
Ryda Talagi showed why he's rated today in cup
Loving the improvement of Lorenzo as well
I was gonna ask EA how he went. Seems he is growing into it nicely. Played some massive minutes.
Bloody hell top defensive effort in Brisbane halftime 30 bronks Dolphins 24
We don't stand a chance . Ch9 virtually wetting their pants with their pre game Cody Walker indigenous wankfest . There is no way on Earth they will let this not go to the script .
We are in for a hard night with the referees.
Isn't it always a Walker wankfest? They don't want to upset him as he has temper tantrums. His mate Latrell will get more angry too.
With Merritt, Inglis and Cathy Freeman there. What an Indictment that you could say the NRL will push for this to be a Souths party for their indigenous background and history is sad to admit that's it's true.
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