Tomorrow, in front of the biggest home crowd of the season against the struggling Knights, the Eels have one last chance to build momentum for next year and honour Will Penisini’s 100th game and Members' Appreciation Day. They also have the chance to win three-straight for the first time since mid-2023.
History Leans Parra
Parramatta have won 7 of their past 8 against Newcastle. The Knights, meanwhile, limp in on an eight-game losing streak. Their worst run in eight years since the 2015-17's three-consecutive spoons. Their Dark Ages after Bennett.
11-Year Hoodoo
Newcastle haven’t beaten Parramatta in Parramatta since 2014.
Getty Images: Moses celebrates with Iongi in last week's boilover against the Warriors. Mose has scored four tries in his last three games against the Knights.
Evolving, Devolving
Parramatta are 4/6. Newcastle 0/8, conceding 36 points a game. In that stretch, the Eels have beaten finals contenders Warriors, Roosters and Broncos, a win over the Cowboys and narrow losses to Souths and the Storm.
The Eels' revival is built on resilience, conceding just 17.7 points per game since Round 21, which is comparable the the top-two defences overall. The Dogs (16.9) and Storm (18.7). A season of gradual improvement. A horror start (1/6). Then, Gradual progress (4/11). Now, a gritty late surge.
The Knights were in it at the break against Cronulla18-10 last week, before getting overrun 40-16 on the back of poor completions. Without Kalyn Ponga, Fletcher Sharp and Dylan Lucas, they’ve spiralled winlessly since round 16 when they had the second-best defence and were more competitive. Since then, they have had both the worst attack and worst defence in the competition. Losing Leo Thomson for this game, doesn't help their cause.
One Thing
On top of injuries, the Knights’ end of season schedule has been brutal. Seven of their past eight opponents sit in the top seven including the Raiders, the minor-premiers, twice.
Against top-eight sides they struggle (1/12) with their lone win over a finals contender a then last-paced Penrith in Round 12. They fare better against bottom-nine opposition (5/11). Will we see a closer, harder game than many expect?
Milestone Madness
Parramatta have made a habit of winning on milestone days over the last seven weeks. Paulo’s top-ten club entry. Addo-Carr’s 200th and 150th try. Walker’s 250th. Legacies matter.
Final Word
Form, logic, history and bookies all favour Parramatta. Yet, expectations breeds different sorts of pressure. Not just to win, but win well.
How did we fare the last time that happened? In Round 24, heavy favourites against Souths, they stumbled to a 20-16 loss on the back of sloppy completions and a mountain of errors. A mental relaxing. Souths, hungier, won the loose ball contest. Ryles admitted: "We Got What We Deserved."
For Parramatta, this isn’t just about beating a wounded Newcastle. It’s about proving they can maintain their edge, even as heavy favorites, learning from the past. To carry real belief into the future.
Team Lists
Eels (12th) v Knights (16th)
Sunday, 4.05pm AEST, 7 September 2025, CommBank, Parramatta
Weather: Expected sunny, 15-20˚C, 15km/h moderate winds
Sportsbet: $1.22 Eels, $4.45 Knights
Referees: Wyatt Raymond (on-field ref), Liam Kennedy (bunker), Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski and Phil Henderson (touch judges)
Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker
Bench: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Matt Doorey 16. Charlie Guymer 17. Jordan Samrani
Reserves: 20. Toni Mataele 22. Joash Papali’i
Players cut: 18. Dean Hawkins 19. Dan Keir 21. Joey Lussick
Coach: Jason Ryles
Knights: 1. Fletcher Hunt 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 13. Tyson Frizell 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 15. Mathew Croker
Bench: 14. Jayden Brailey 16. Thomas Cant 17. Elijah Leaumoana 19. Cody Hopwood
Reserves: 18. James Schiller 22. Lachlan Crouch
Players cut: 10. Leo Thompson 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Connor Votano
Coach: Adam O'Brien
Eels:
In — Mitch Moses' old partner in crime crime, Dylan Brown is six. Brown hasn’t played at six since R19 (Panthers), before playing centres (R23-25.
Out — Joash Papali'i to extended reserves.
Knights:
In — Frizell at prop, Cody Hopwood onto bench
Out — Leo Thompson
Replies
Jersey Flegg are having an absolute shocker in the finals. Down 20-0 after 30min. Shocking performance from Palu, Alamadine, Hunter and Rokusuka. Lucien dropped the ball over the line as well.
Holy crap Alamadine this year has been hopeless. Cant catch a high ball. Defensively hopeless. 5 tries to none in one half. Lynn kicking the ball out on a full. Absolutely shit
It's embarrassing when the best player for us today is a 17 year old. Those 21 year old boys really need to step the fuck up because it's woeful and will be lucky to get a Ron Massey deal next year with some of those performances
LOL EA tell us what you really think. Montage
" having an absolute shocker...Shocking performance...Holy crap...has been hopeless...Defensively hopeless... Absolutely shit...It's embarrassing ... step the fuck up .. it's woeful"
I like to give honest assessment on players and not sugar coat like TCT can do. I understand they are juniors and learning but lots of players who are usuals in this team were hopeless. Especially when some of these 21 year olds are playing for their future
Bit harsh on Rokusuka I think. Young kid who had a bad read in defence. You can't blame him for the kick try. I'd be putting Lynn in that category of shocking performances.
They other 3 are senior players who have had absolute shockers in defence and attack. Mohamed Alameddine is actually taking the piss. Doesn't look like getting a hand on the ball.
I like Rokusuka. He is only 18 as well. I rate him so yeah perhaps harsh. Lynn first set second half and doesn't even get a kick in. Idiot
He definitely has a lot to tidy up. But he is definitely a potential gem in the rough.
Petrus has to play cup next year. He is an absolute star in the making.
Yep
This game should be a bit of a training run for our lads, just play a good brand of footy and should win comfortably. Just need to avoid any serious injuries/suspensions heading into next season. Should be a good watch
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