The Eels may be favourites, but history tells a different story. Since 2017, they’ve beaten Souths outside Parramatta just once leaking around 40pg. Over the last nine meetings, they’ve managed only a single win in 2023.
Souths will be fired up, not just for the occasion but also for Alex Johnston, who needs three tries to equal Ken Irvine’s premiership record.
They have won almost every Indigenous Round (9 of 11), while the Eels less than half (5 of 11). Souths also have the wood on the Eels (3 of 4) for their Indigenous Round clashes.
Both sides come off nail-biters last week. The Eels edged the Cowboys 19–18, while Souths snapped a nine-game losing streak with a 22–20 win over the Titans, boosted by the return of Latrell Mitchell and Humpreys.
Expect fireworks.
Team Lists
Souths v Eels, Saturday, 16 August 2025, 7:35pm AEST, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Weather: Windy 20-25kmh, earlier rain, coolish 10-11C, 50% humidity
Sportsbet: Eels $1.63, Souths $2.28
Referees: Gerard Sutton (on-field), Matt Noyen (bunker), Drew Oultram & Kasey Badger (touch judges)
| Souths: | Eels: |
| 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Isaiah Tass 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 6. Ashton Ward 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Siliva Havili 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Sean Keppie 11. Jacob Host 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Jai Arrow Bench: 14. Shaquai Mitchell 15. Liam Le Blanc 16. Brandon Smith 17. Thomas Fletcher Extended Bench: 18. Tyrone Munro 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Salesi Ataata 21. Haizyn Mellars 22. Cody Walker Cut: TBC |
1. Joash Papali’i 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Dylan Brown 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dean Hawkins 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Jack Williams 13. Luca Moretti Bench: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Dylan Walker 16. Matt Doorey 17. Kelma Tuilagi Extended Reserves: 18. Jordan Samrani 19. Dan Keir 20. Haze Dunster 21. Isaiah Iongi 22. Toni Mataele Cut: TBC |
| Coach: Wayne Bennett |
Coach: Jason Ryles
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Ins: Shaquai Mitchell , Cody Walker (returning from a hamstring injury) |
Ins: Isaiah Iongi (returning from a hand injury) Outs:None |
Watchlist: Walker and Iongi.
Random Stat: This century, the Eels have only beaten Souths once when trailing at half-time. It was back in 2010, down 2–8.
Holding the Torch
Souths will honour Indigenous icons, with Olympic gold medallist Cathy Freeman ringing the Legacy Bell alongside Greg Inglis. Tallis Duncan reflected.
“[Freeman’s gold medal] is something you learn about growing up. The run is amazing but then you learn what was behind it… to meet her is pretty special.”
Getty Image: Freeman with Inglis after Souths' 2014 grand final victory.
Edge Battles
On the Cusp of History. Alex Johnston has scored 18 tries in 15 games against the Eels. He will test the Eels right edge.
Johnston and Mitchell form the third-most lethal left edge and will target the Eels’ right edge. A weakness the Cowboys exploited last week for all their three tries. Humphreys may use short kicks, a tactic that’s worked for the Storm and the Cowboys. Papali’i should brace for aerial raids.
Souths’ left edge is also the second-most leaky, giving Moses a chance to hit Lomax, Guymer or Penisini. MOMAX time? Their right edge isn’t much better: another Fox double?
Flying Fox: Addo-Carr has 14 tries in 14 games.
Defensive Trends
Souths have missed more tackles than any team this season and rank second-worst for ineffective ones (nearly 40 a game). The Eels aren’t far behind for missed tackles, sixth-worst, yet have shown resilience.
Last week Souths defended patiently, sliding well and forcing the Titans towards the sideline. The Eels will need to be more direct and use variation, not just sweeping coast-to-coast.
In the Middle
The ruck battle looms large. Ryley Smith has been a standout with Tallyn Da Silva still finding his feet in our systems. Expect Brandon Smith around the 20-minute mark for punch. He made a telling bust last week despite some rust.
Final Word
Souths are a different side with Latrell, Humphreys and Brandon Smith back. Moses’ captaincy will be crucial, leaning on Paulo, Williams, Lomax, Hopgood and Addo-Carr. But the Eels must cut errors as that almost cost them against the Cowboys and Broncos or face the consequences.
Bookies say Eels, history says Souths. Add Indigenous pride, Johnston’s milestone, their returning stars, and it’s set for high drama. Could we see another Moses spray? Latrell fireworks? High shots on Papali’i?
Strap your seatbelts on.
Eels celebrate last week's close encounter against the Cowboys.
Spoon alert Sportsbet: Titans ($1.91), Knights ($2.88), Souths ($5.50), Eels ($23), Cowboys ($71), St George ($251)
Replies
To be fair, they weren't going as bad, wet night and the week after BA was sacked. It was 42-26 which seemed flattering to us.
You have yo remember, this is not a BA coached side, who too often fell away after a few weeks of solid games. Ryles will have the boys up for this. It could set the scene for next year if we can kick on here. We need to play this like we are a top 8 side.
If we can aim up for the 80 mins and limit errors then we are right up there. We simply need to kick well, kick long and short! Turn them around - play up tempo; and limit their time in our red zone.
We can win this.
We should win this. But with Sutton reffing and its indigenous round Cathy and Greg there the nrl will be having a massive jizz in their pants over souths. Sutton to absolutely cane us with the 6 agsins and penalties
This is one of those games we should win easily.
In the past, that would equal a guaranteed loss.
Let's hope that Ryles has knocked that complacency from former years out of their heads.
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