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?

"Going on my previous post.
We lead 3/4 categories in negative plays.This might improve as our younger players get better but wont change drasically until we sign QUALITY and not bums left by the bins by other clubs."

"There was a play, I think Eels last set close to Raiders line where Tapine was so far offside, he was almost with the Eels attack - it was blantantly obvious yet they refused to call anything"

"like many have mentioned the grit and ruck control were the highlight for me the compressed middle and discipline on the edge were definite standouts and a much deserved result for the grit on display.
The errors have been there since day 1 of this…"

Replies

Coryn Hughes June 14, 2026 at 5:23am

like many have mentioned the grit and ruck control were the highlight for me the compressed middle and discipline on the edge were definite standouts and a much deserved result for the grit on display.

The errors have been there since day 1 of this regime and it's something we'll continue to grow with.The ability they showed last night especially in that first half absorbing was as above the highlight for me.There is a distinct lack of class and athleticism missing in this side and also as many have mentioned there needs to be some upgrades in that area added.

Onwards and upwards though we deserved this W and having basically a 4 point win.
Parra fan on The Hill June 14, 2026 at 6:15am

Going on my previous post.

We lead 3/4 categories in negative plays.This might improve as our younger players get better but wont change drasically until we sign QUALITY and not bums left by the bins by other clubs.

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