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: |
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 |
INS |
Sportsbet wooden spoon watch: Titans $1.57, Knights $2.30, Eels $34 odds have lengthened. Souths are off the list.
Replies
Imo the team should watch this game over n over during the off season
if they can use this as a template on how to perfect their style wr will go along way towards the 8 next year
The speed , application and commitment was amazing
Best thing I saw tonight was the players still on the field signing autographs, none went to sheds for quite a while.
There is totally different dare I say culture at the club and having personalities like JAC and Papalii has definitely lightened the energy even after losses as seen by getting the team to focus tonight with the season gone.
To turn up and play our best game is massive and something previous sparra sides couldn't have done.
Little shout out to Dylan brown, he's held his gloves up in the centres and doing a lot of good work defending. Could have kicked stones after being dropped but he's been a rock for us. Shame on Bailey spitting the dummy 😂
Toia is a gun defender as well. Remember even Latrell couldnt dominate him
He's slowly starting to take to the centre role, more hit ups out of trouble and he's just making himself available. Attack he's struggling with the passing and setting up ado a little but we would be dead in the water without Dylan rn
Yep, Brown and JAC seem to have a good combo going - defensively solid which isn't surprising, I'm glad he leaves on a good note
Same, I can't even blame the bloke for taking the knights money. He should get to play the last few games with us
Agree with that Mick and Eli comment too . Very true.
Dylan played extremely well tonight too reckon he was class tonight
classy is the right word Macy
Reckon our performance tonight would help with potential signings too. Players would be likely more motivated to sign under Ryles who clearly is a very good man manager and strategic coach too...completely changed our style and let the players play!
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