I've no idea where Captain is and we're missing our traditional matchday blog. I shall do my best as I'm writing this from the ground before the Wenty game.
Eels: 1 Bevan French, 2 Josh Hoffman, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Brad Takairangi, 5 George Jennings, 6 Clint Gutherson (c), 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Daniel Alvaro, 9 Cameron King, 10 Siosaia Vave, 11 Manu Ma'u, 12 Tepai Moeroa, 13 Peni Terepo
Interchange: 14 Will Smith, 15 Suaia Matagi, 16 David Gower, 17 Marata Niukore
Reserves: 18 Nathan Brown, 19 Kirisome Auva'a
Knights: 1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 Ken Sio, 3 Sione Mata'utia, 4 Cory Denniss, 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6 Connor Watson, 7 Jack Cogger, 8 Jacob Lillyman, 9 Slade Griffin, 10 Daniel Saifiti, 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12 Mitchell Barnett, 13 Aidan Guerra (c)
Interchange: 14 Danny Levi, 15 Chris Heighington, 16 Jamie Buhrer (c), 17 Josh King
Reserves: 18 Luke Yates, 20 Nicholas Meaney
Squad changes:
For the Eels Corey Norman is ruled out due to a foot injury. Bevan French slots into his preferred fullback position while Josh Hoffman takes his place on the wing. There's also the possibility of lock Nathan Brown returning from an ankle injury and taking his place on the bench.
For Newcastle Nathan Ross has been ruled out due to a groin injury and is replaced by Corey Denniss. Kalyn Ponga is named despite a head-knock last week while Jacob Lilyman replaces the suspended Herman Ese'ese.
It's a big game for: Bevan French
The livewire fullback has had a tough 2018 so far courtesy of injury and a particularly noticeable drop in form. If he wants to make the fullback position his own, he'll need to show an improvement in his kick returns and involvement around the ruck, particularly with Jarryd Hayne's return imminent.
Key Match-up: Michael Jennings vs Corey Denniss
Eels centre Michael Jennings came within a fingertip of winning the match against the Warriors and has had problems with his handling of late. Parramatta will be hoping he can find the form that saw him as an automatic selection for NSW once upon a time. And what better chance will Jennings have than against young Corey Denniss, who will be playing his first game in the NRL since 2016. If the Eels are able to exploit that edge, it will go a long way to winning the game.
Key Stats:
Overall: Played 49, Newcastle 27, Parramatta 21, Drawn 1
At ANZ: Played 2, Newcastle 2, Parramatta 0
Biggest win: Eels 50 - 0 Knights Round 14 2005
Biggest loss: Knights 54 - 6 Eels Round 26 2013
My Tip:
With this being a match-up between the worst defensive team (Newcastle) against the worst attacking team (Parramatta) I'm tipping a fairly dour affair, particularly in this cold and windy weather at ANZ. It should be a relatively dry night and I'm tipping the Eels attack to click just enough to break through the brittle Newcastle defence. Eels 24 - 14.
Replies
Theyve been awful the last month (worse than us). You would think if we lose against them, surely we are guranteed the spoon
Predicting a scrappy 18-16 eels win. But not confident at all.
BNG243 every team is a BOGEY TEAM for us
The bookies have us as favourites
I prefer Rubens or Da Vinci for my Renaissance artists.
Capt did say he was too busy to do the match report this week so thanks super for doing it.
Eels 14 Knights 10
knights by 18+
Good of you to set this up It's what makes Parra live on despite the results.
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