UPDATE: Latrell out, Cody Walker on bench, Iongi is named at Six but may play at fullback, Hawkins is out
The Eels are now hot favourites following the news of Latrell Mitchell being an out. They lose their primary weapon of destruction. But history suggests we still need to be weary.
Since 2017, the Eels have beaten Souths outside Parramatta just once leaking an average 40 points a game. Over the last nine meetings, they’ve managed only a single win in 2023.
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.
Souths will be fired up, not just for the occasion, backs-to-the-walls, but also for Alex Johnston, who needs three tries to equal Ken Irvine’s premiership record.
Expect drama, but perhaps with less fireworks. Let's trot.
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. Now, Eels $1.43, Souths $2.84 with news Latrell is out.
Referees: Gerard Sutton (on-field), Matt Noyen (bunker), Drew Oultram & Kasey Badger (touch judges)
| Souths: | Eels: |
|
1. Jye Gray Cut: 3. Latrell Mitchell, 19. Lewis Dodd, 20. Salesi Ataata 21. Haizyn Mellars
|
1. Joash Papali’i Cut: 19. Dan Keir, 20. Haze Dunster, 22. Toni Mataele 6. Dean Hawkins |
| Coach: W Bennett |
Coach: J Ryles
|
|
Ins: Shaquai Mitchell , Cody Walker (returning from a hamstring injury) |
Ins: Isaiah Iongi (returning from a hand injury) Outs: 6Dean Hawkins |
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.
Random Stats
This century, the Eels have only beaten Souths once when trailing at half-time. It was back in 2010, down 2–8.
Mitchell Matters. During this year and last year's rough seasons for Souths: When he doesn’t play they win 25% (5 of 20). When he plays they win 38% (9 of 24). They score more, and concede less when he plays.
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.
Souths have 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 without Latrell, a far weaker one with less fireworks, even with Humphreys and Brandon Smith back. But will we see trainers act as extra players and fullbacks? High shots on Papali'i go unpunished? A Moses spray? Who will score more: The Fox or AJ?
Moses’ captaincy will be crucial, leaning on Paulo, Williams, Lomax, Hopgood and Addo-Carr. Also, the Eels must cut errors as that almost cost them against the Cowboys and Broncos or give Souths a way in.
Missing Mitchell is Massive. Souths are long odds. But history suggests we shouldn't write Souths off completely. Add Indigenous pride, Johnston’s milestone, back-to-the-walls fight, and Souths may rise to the occasion against all odds.
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
Mitchell is their only threat. A loss here is unacceptable.
I'll admit to the Bunnies being a bogeyman to us in the past, and they have Cody Walker on the reserve bench. I'm also aware their regular wins against us in recent times will garnish confidence in them for this duel.
Usually we meet them at Accor with their olden days rev up club song reminding us of their golden days which also pumps them up.
But this battle will be at Allianz, not so familiar for them.
The last 3 games in particular have seen us do very well and I'm feeling Ryles and Mitchell will be saying "Here's where the rot stops, we are a more resilient team than them and we'll demonstrate that tonite."
We have Longi back among our reserves.
In the past, even when constant finals team, we would lose this more than win. We need to get to a point, for the players present and future, where we win these games, win the games we should win. Many here are pessimistic and to be fair i can see why.
Need to be respected now. It comes beating these teams.
Fair call's Hoey but I think this will be our biggest win of the season.
I saw last weeks game as much harder and the fact that we got away with it as a deserved bonus.
I cannot think of a better team for us to play at this stage, I do have respect for what Latrell brings to them in confidence terms. I am not concerned with the indigeiness aspects just the effect of Latrell......who will rid me of this troublesome pest? No! not you Wiz,.... Latrell!
Yeah, Pops, you're probably right. Latrell is a big loss. He can pull rabbits out of hats. I respect history, but could this be the beginning of a new cycle under Ryles? They've been our Boogeyman and Baba Yaga for many years.
When i wrote that, Latrell was still in......my quest of who will rid me of this troublesome 'priest' was answered very quickly.....Henry the second was of course not a great judge as the many history buffs on here will attest!
Lets hope the ghosts of Richard the Lionheart, outweigh those of Thomas Beckitt.
This game will be harder then you think Pops. Eels still struggle to turn dominance into points.
I agree this could be the game everything comes together for the Eels.
Our attack at times has been outstanding, errors have consistently eroded away any of our momentum.
If our attack clicks with a high completion rate we will do to Souths what they were so good at doing to us for over a decade.
Fast ball movement stripping their edges.
The Eels deserve to win a blow out game and it'll do wonders for their confidence if we can get away with one this year and this is the matchup to do it.
Ive been critical of our starts to halves but I've been really disappointed with end of sets in the opposition red zone.
Im hoping some early points from us today will ensure everyone pushing up in support energised looking for a meat pie.
I reckon much maligned TDS will bag his first one today for us with Moses one of the first to congratulate him.
Thats the way the rugby league world works, I'm looking forward to TDS response from the week that was.
Yeah Bup....It is indeed a great chance for TDS to respond and get his tail up a bit
I feel Souths gave their all last week. We were off our game. Good for us to have an off week, after 2 decent weeks, and get a win from it.
Season is gone but seems many are trying to keep a spot. Iongi will be a big in. We beat Souths away from at Allianz. But I do also know out of all the teams in the comp, one we barely beat is Souths.
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