Game Day Blog R15 v Raiders: Response or Reward? (W15-12, Gritty)

Besides pride and bragging rights, the R.S. Cup is at Stake.

Both met at Parramatta once in a blue moon. Twice in a decade. This is one to frame.

Both are struggling. One win separates them. The Raiders have won two of their last five. The Eels one from five.

Both are depleted. No Mitchell Moses, Junior Paulo, Hudson Young or Ethan Strange. Plus the other $5m worth of Eels on the sidelines.

Both are coming off losses. The Eels lost a tight one to the Dogs (14-12) while the Raiders were smashed out of the park by the Roosters (26-0).

But the Raiders have the wood on the Eels of late. We have lost the last 4-straight against the Raiders.

We have conceded 131 points at 44 per game in the last three games against the Raiders. 41-8, 50-12, 40-16.

We have also fought for seven-straight weeks, putting our gloves up admirably. For little result.

The Raiders will be desperate to smoke the Eels and honor Captain Courageous, Joseph Tapine's 250th NRL game.

Eels 16th vs Raiders 13th, CommBank, 7.35pm
Weather: 18°, cloudy, 4km/h winds
TAB: Eels $2.10, Raiders $2.90
Referees: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski (on-field), Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Jon Stone (touch judges), Grant Atkins (Senior Review Official)

Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Brian Kelly 3. Jordan Samrani 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Joash Papali’i 7. Ronald Volkman 8. Luca Moretti 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Jack Williams (c) 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Jack de Belin
Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Sam Tuivaiti 16. Teancum Brown 17. Harrison Edwards 18. Apa Twidle 19. Charlie Guymer
Reserves: 22. Araz Nanva
Cut: 20. Toni Mataele 21. Ryley Smith
Head Coach: Jason Ryles

Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Sebastian Kris 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Xavier Savage 6. Daine Laurie 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine (c) 11. Ata Mariota 12. Zac Hosking 13. Jayden Brailey
Bench: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Vena Patuki-Case 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Chevy Stewart 18. Coby Black 19. Joseph Roddy
Reserves: 20. Jordan Uta
Cut: 21. Jake Clydsdale 22. Sione Finau
Head Coach: Ricky Stuart

Stat Attack

The Eels have only won 1 of their last 5 at CommBank.
The Eels have only played the Raiders at Parramatta twice since August 2016 (2 from 15 games).
The Raiders last beat Parramatta at Parramatta 11 years ago (2015).
Josh Addo-Carr has scored 12 tries in his last 10 games at CommBank.

Struggle City

Both sides produced an error-a-thon in last week's losses: 26 errors combined with ordinary completion rates of 73%.

For the Eels, that along with some discipline at the death and a controversial last first half no-try (Galvin had no control of the ball) proved to be the difference.

That's the third close loss this season that the Eels should have won. It would have changed the complexion of the season.

The Eels have made 43 errors in their last three games. A consistent theme. Along with band-aid teams and the worst injury toll in the game.

Where the game will be won or lost

The Raiders will try to kill us with speed, and go through us. The Eels will need to hold the tough Raiders pack that will try to roll them through the middle. At their best they play up-tempo, eyes up footy and support well.

The Eels will need to execute the fundamentals better. Minimize errors, play direct and not side-to-side, and manage the ruck better. They will keep their kicking game long like last week and be on top of their kick chase and take their chances.

Bottom Line

The Raiders need a response. Redemption. The Eels need some reward. Any reward.

Underdogs. Undermanned. Inexperienced. Branded bottom-tier, non-NRL level, by many Eels' fans. How have they not put up the white flag?

For seven weeks the Eels have been fighting, swinging above their ladder position for little return. Do they have enough left in the tank to keep doing it?

"Issue is, he is playing well lately, but also playing for a contract. If you can have him on a 1 year deal, sure why not. But on a long term deal could be a risk."

Replies

- Adam Magrath > EA June 13, 2026 at 9:33pm
  
  As stated above, Brian Kelly was magnificent tonight
  - EA > Adam Magrath June 13, 2026 at 9:39pm
    
    Yea just one poor defensive read but otherwise he was great
Yehez June 13, 2026 at 9:30pm

Great win. We are so well organised defensively, the signs of Ryles' coaching.

Just the mishandling of the ball. If we juts half the number of ball errors we have we win a lot more games.

Quick highlights:

1. Iongi is amazing.

2. Kautoga is also getting to be amazing.

3. Volkman is intriguing now. Kicking is improving. More authority shown.

4. Tuivati needs to be renewed. He is such a dependable metre eater.

5. Brian Kelly is rocks and diamons. But man, those diamonds are some of the shiniest.
- Angry Eel > Yehez June 13, 2026 at 9:33pm
  
  Only 1 rock tonight. Thought he was absolutely terrific. Was close to feature in my 3,2,1
  - EA > Angry Eel June 13, 2026 at 9:40pm
    
    I think TDS was our worst on ground. Dropped ball on first touch. Threw a pass for Edwards to kick on last. Took time to find the correct first receiver sometimes. He is learning as many of us have stated so have to take the bad with the good
    - Angry Eel > EA June 13, 2026 at 9:44pm
      
      Yeah but he still had some good moments too. Was probably unlucky not to get a 6 again several times from a dart. The guy has a lot of talent just need him to tighten up a little
    - Perpetual Motion > EA June 13, 2026 at 11:40pm
      
      He is a space cadet. Ryley gives us so much more.
EA June 13, 2026 at 9:31pm

Has any team never got a 6 agains in a nrl game?
- JC > EA June 13, 2026 at 9:36pm
  
  Pretty sure the eels have got none before.
TolEllts June 13, 2026 at 9:34pm

Gritty win! If we can just avoid the unneccesary errors and just complete their sets, we can string some more wins. Their fatigue came from the unforced turnovers. Hopefully they can continue with their good defence.