Last week, the Boogeyman struck again. This week, the Eels host Baba Yaga. The one you send to kill the Boogeyman, Johnny Wick reminds us.
History is a brute. We have lost 10 of their last 12 against the Roosters since 2017. Not a single win outside Parramatta since 2008. Our most recent win against them was over three years ago. Round 15, 2022.
The Roosters arrive in ruthless form. Sam Walker's wizardry is back steering, and they've won three-straight steamrolling the third-placed Dogs, Dolphins, and Manly. They've scored 96 points in two weeks while the Eels have conceded 100 points to them in their last three meetings. An average 14–33 defeat.
For us, there are glimmers. Commbank. The place we've had our only two wins against them in nine years. It’s Dylan Walker’s 250th NRL game. And if Moses hits top gear, hope lives.
This week’s focus: Unity. Kaizen. Can we bounce-back after being out-hussled in last week’s 20–16 loss to Souths?
Matchups
Forwards Battle
The Dogs and Dolphins tried to bash the Roosters. They got blown away. We must bring controlled aggression or suffer a similar fate.
Middle
Whyte, Collins and Leniu will aim to smash us. Yet the Roosters concede more tries here than any other side. Will we find cracks and ice them?
Roosters’ Left vs Eels’ Right
Moses, Lomax, Penisini and Tuilagi own the game's 4th-leakiest right edge. 5 of the last 7 tries we've conceded have come down this corridor. They will be targeted by Walker, Savala, Tedesco, Tupou, Smith et al. Also, the lion-hearted Zac Lomaz has 7 tries in 7 games. Will it continue?
Eels’ Left vs Roosters’ Right
The Roosters’ right edge has Walker and Nawaqanitawase threats, but it can be error-prone. Can Papali’i, Moses, Brown and Addo-Carr pounce?
Eels vs Raymond-Gee
Under those two officials, collectively, we have 14 losses from the last 16 games since 2021. Someone has called the Officiating Gods to check if the body is buried. Baba Yaga waits. We may need Refereering Relationship Crisis Counselling.Can Walker’s milestone galvanise the squad?
Bottom Line
We own just one win from ten against top-eight teams this year. And 85 errors in 6 weeks. We're rebuilding. And lack cohesion at key moments. The Roosters, meanwhile, are humming. An intimidating power game. Every inch a finals force in their trademark late-season surge.
If we hold their middle. If we tighten our fundamentals, there’s a path. Better ball control. Support. Execution. Last-tackle options. Urgent kick-chases. Win the loose ball contest. Hussle. Fight. If not, a blowout looms. Kaizen is at stake.
History, form and the bookies all scream Rooster. The head nods along. But the heart clings to Commbank magic.
Moses’ leadership, boot and composure will be decisive. Can he be the glue that binds and inspires? Or will Baba Yaga devour again?
Team Lists
Saturday, 7:35pm AEST, 23 August 2025, Eels v Rooster, Commbank Stadium, Parramatta
Sportsbet: Eels $3.20, Roosters $1.35
Weather: Could be Wet.
Referees: Wyatt Raymond (on-field ref), Adam Gee (bunker), Chris Sutton (touch judge)
|
Eels: |
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Junior Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Hugo Savala 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley Bench: 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Egan Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu Reserves: 18. Ethan King 19. Blake Steep 20. Taylor Losalu 21. Sandon Smith 22. Tom Rodwell |
| Cut:TBC |
Cut:TBC |
| Coach: Jason Ryles |
Coach: Trent Robinson |
|
INS |
INS |
Sportsbet wooden spoon watch: Titans $1.57, Knights $2.30, Eels $34 odds have lengthened. Souths are off the list.
Replies
Sounds like it will be a wet game, maybe Moses long kicking game can get us home if we can limit our own errors. Should be a low scoring game if it's slippery conditions
Penisini is in for a world of pain....He and Lomax need to aim up. Kelma Tuilagi is in the middle which creates the edge and centre/wing issues so who the fuck knows...
If Moses wants to play this week we may have a competitive match and wont loose by much.....if his head is elsewhere then god help us....
We will get flogged this week but so as not to upset Ploppa, I won't give a margin.
Moses may be a late out here
Hes great in the wet weather so hope not lol
How so?
Just a bloke on Facebook making a rumour
Probably BS
Theres also a rumour that JAC might be pulled according to talking Parra podcast
Bunnies destroying saints maybe we aren't that bad ? 😂 dodgy refs tho
Souths 16-0 over Saints. 44 minutes. 22/22 completions, 1 error
Yeah it was annoying to lose to them last week but we gave them a lot more of a battle then the dragons are
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