Game Day Blog R25 v Chooks: Baba Yaga (Lomax playing, Roosters pack reshuffled)

UPDATE: Lomax is playing. Roosters pack reshuffled. Lenui and Ioelu starts. Watson and Wong to bench.

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.

Middle: Whyte, Collins and Leniu will aim to smash us. Yet the Roosters concede more tries here than any other side.

Roosters’ Left vs Eels’ Right: Moses, Lomax, Penisini and Tuilagi own the 4th-leakiest right edge. Five of our last seven tries were conceded here. Lomax has 7 tries in 7 games.

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 lost 14 from the last 16 games since 2021. Baba Yaga.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: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Dylan Brown 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Joash Papali’i 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker Bench: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Charlie Guymer 16. Matt Doorey 17. Jordan Samrani 18th Man: 21. Toni Mataele	Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Junior Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Hugo Savala 7. Sam Walker 10. Lindsay Collins 14. Benaiah Ioelu 17. Spencer Leniu 11. Angus Crichton 13. Victor Radley 8. Naufahu Whyte Bench: 9. Connor Watson 12. Siua Wong 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Egan Butcher 18th Man: 18. Ethan King
Cut: 18. Dean Hawkins, 20. Dan Keir, 22. Joey Lussick, 19. Haze Dunster	Cut: 19. Blake Steep, 20. Taylor Losalu, 22. Tom Rodwell 21. Sandon Smith
Coach: Jason Ryles	Coach: Trent Robinson
INS Dan Keir Dean Hawkins Haze Dunster Toni Mataele OUTS Luca Moretti (season, calf),	INS Junior Tupou Sandon Smith Siua Wong Taylor Losalu Tom Rodwell OUTS Daniel Tupou

Sportsbet wooden spoon watch: Titans $1.57, Knights $2.30, Eels $34 odds have lengthened. Souths are off the list.

Replies

EA August 23, 2025 at 9:21pm

Best performance of the year
- macybrown > EA August 23, 2025 at 9:28pm
  
  Yep agree EA absolutely fantastic very very happy for Ryles and staff ... esp to show last weeks regret.
  - EA > macybrown August 23, 2025 at 9:30pm
    
    One try off a kick and one try of a freakish flick pass. Great defence. Our attack even bombed some overlaps which will get better as these players build combinations
    - macybrown > EA August 23, 2025 at 9:35pm
      
      Yes EA! Our edge defensive improvement is all I wished for this year but this game gives so much more! going into So impressive! Plus EA it was a milestone game we won!
      
      Every player needs to remember this one for a young new side it's so motivational.
BringBackSemi August 23, 2025 at 9:22pm

How long has it been since we beat the Chooks? Been a while. Holding my breath till FT
- macybrown > BringBackSemi August 23, 2025 at 9:29pm
  
  Don't remember we've ever beaten them in a decade ha maybe once
- Randy Handlinger > BringBackSemi August 23, 2025 at 9:43pm
  
  I started holding my breath when TDS came on with 20 left and fucked up.
BringBackSemi August 23, 2025 at 9:23pm

Put these guys away!!!
Pork Rind August 23, 2025 at 9:27pm

Penis couldn't help him self making an error after being perfect tonight
Yehez August 23, 2025 at 9:30pm

Chooks by plenty, Chooks by plenty, Chooks by plenty, Chooks by plenty, Chooks by plenty, Chooks by...........................

PARRAMATTA BY PLENTY!!!

Best performance of the year, and shwocases the immense potential this side has.

The chooks played well, especially first half. They tackled well, were quick off their lane, gained some meters. We matched them.

Hype up.