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.

"Starting Walker worked. Our attack has a different dynamic when he is on. 2 games left Ryles, who are you blooding? Could we see a double penetration of Penisinis' as a centre pairing next week?"

Replies

- HKF > EA August 23, 2025 at 9:40pm
  
  How good is he, i can't remember ever being in awesome of a player playing against the eels. Best winger in the game by a long way.
Joel K August 23, 2025 at 9:13pm

Mark is genuinely so fkn good
macybrown August 23, 2025 at 9:14pm

Saudi's will pay this wonder winger massive money...no wonder he didn't re-sign with rooters
BringBackSemi August 23, 2025 at 9:15pm

That guy is a freak.
macybrown August 23, 2025 at 9:19pm

Mamma Mia my eyes like this very very much 💙💛

crowd so getting money worth
BringBackSemi August 23, 2025 at 9:20pm

So good!!!!!
CarloEEL2 August 23, 2025 at 9:20pm

Now that's players staying alert and ready

fabulous
- macybrown > CarloEEL2 August 23, 2025 at 9:23pm
  
  Exactly that! Showing tonight their own disappointment in last week game...happy they lifted immensely for Rylesy too
  
  anti jinx clause insert ...(no matter how it ends up :))
Eli Stephens August 23, 2025 at 9:20pm

Joash energy is amazing 😂
- CarloEEL2 > Eli Stephens August 23, 2025 at 9:22pm
  
  Agree
  
  he's been very solid and upbeat tonight
  
  impressed