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
Please let that shut up the pea-brained "experts" on this site.
It will do something for everyones morale Johnny....that was fucking great
I think Papali deserves an honorary mention tonight. He was far improved on last week. Kudos to the kid for working hard this week to turn it around. Still miles off earning the spot permanently, but he 100% worked hard this week. Good for him.
I thought he was pretty good tonight, played a little straighter than he has been but still needs to play a little straighter. Our backline looked sleek so he wasn't a problem in that regard.
Yes he ran straight , didn't push silly passes , and simplified his game compared to last week where he was trying to be a champagne player with mid strength beer talent.
As I said, he's not the answer for 2026 , however tonight left me eating my words critising Ryles for not caving and playing Footy Dean. Giving him another shot paid off .
Agree, not a lock in for next season but I'm feeling a little better after that performance.
Yea he is getting better. Seems like he trains really hard and loves the club. Plus in the short coaching career, JR has shown he is great at improving rookies. So Papalii is given every opportunity to suceeed outside a premier halfback. Since he is a eels support as a kid I really hope he succeeds but we shall see
He's tough, my main worry was his defence at 6 but he's been really solid and lively. The attack will come in time
Yep. He brought a controlled high energy that was infectious. so did Rylie.. Imagine Dylboob with that kind of Vim about him
Well said mate! Agree 100%
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