Ashes Third Test, Headingley

Australia lead the series 1-0 after winning the first Test at Edgbaston and drawing at Lord's.

The Aussies will be without former captain and the best batsman in the world after Steve Smith was ruled out with concussion following a Jofra Archer bouncer that struck him on the neck in his first innings at Lord's.

Marnus Labuschagne is expected to fill Smith's spot like he did at Lord's when he entered the fray as Test cricket's first ever concussion substitute where he scored an admirable 59 runs, helping to steer Australia to a draw on the final day.

It's expected that Peter Siddle will drop out of the side to allow for the return of James Pattinson who was rested for the second Test. Mitchell Starc seems destined to remain on drinks duty.

England meanwhile are expected to name an unchanged 11 although they may tinker with the make up of the batting order. Joe Root has struggled at first drop, while Jason Roy has failed to make the switch from opening in the ODI team to becoming a Test opener. Root is expected to move down to four with Joe Denly jumping into the number three position.

Many are talking about the effect of Jofra Archer's entry into Test cricket. Interestingly, his debut performance lands him as just the 312th best bowler on debut with overall figures of 5/91. He need only look across at his opponents in Pat Cummins (7/117) and Josh Hazlewood (7/142) who had better debut figures.

The Headingley pitch is rumoured to be a slow deck that will crumble and break up towards the end of the match. An interesting decision by the ground staff there given Australia's Nathan Lyon has been collecting wickets for fun and spun the English into knots in the first Test.

As always the toss will be important and Tim Paine will be hoping his luck continues. This will likely be a bat first pitch because no one will be looking to bat last on a decaying deck.

Play starts at 8pm AEST tonight so get your picture-in-picture going or set up a second screen to make sure you don't miss the first ball while watching the Eels belt the Dogs.

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EA replied to EA's discussion Eels Announce Junior Teams
"Yep Yehez is spot on. Lewis and De Stradis have a bit about them but would start in RM so they left for opportunity "
35 minutes ago
LB replied to EA's discussion Eels Announce Junior Teams
"Both are extended til 2027. Fletcher seems to be really impressing in pre-season, similar to what Smith did last year. Not saying he gets near FG but he could play Cup earlier than expected maybe."
1 hour ago
The Badger replied to EA's discussion Eels Announce Junior Teams
"👍"
1 hour ago
Yehez replied to EA's discussion Eels Announce Junior Teams
"They were getting too old for Flegg and we have much better for NSW Cup. I would've kept one of Lewis/De Straddis as they are versatile, but they would have started in Ron Massey so can't blame them going for a better offer. "
1 hour ago
The Badger replied to EA's discussion Eels Announce Junior Teams
"Just read that Joshua Lynn, Brock Parker, Dom De Stradis and William Lewis have all departed to join Q Cup teams.
EA : Are we any worse off?"
2 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"Daz did it bacause Daz is a weapon at it"
2 hours ago
Poppa replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"I read the SMH article and thought it was a crock of shit.....I don't even remember the journo, presumably that is Kane, did not bother to read/remember his name.....surprised Daz did as much analysis on such a load of!"
2 hours ago
Poppa replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"i agree PT, no arguments from me in terms of his legacy, he can change it of course, if he has the courage.....but I don't think he is smart enough."
2 hours ago
Poppa replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"Don't worry Daz, i know you "dislike/hate" AI  ......I am taking the piss, same as you! thats why I said "looks like"
My personal view is ambigous with AI.....it has a role for illiterates like me."
2 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"Re-read it and you're not wrong...williams is a good point
Tear 'em up Daz"
3 hours ago
Prof. Daz replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Spagnolo launches another campaign to undermine the club
"Even the Oompa Loompas were complicit in Willy Wonka's dark sh*t, and that's before we get to truly evil orange motherf***ers"
4 hours ago
Prof. Daz replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"Randy, it seems to mean Kane is trying to white ant the Parramatta case.
1) A restraint of trade case is going to be in trouble if the employee had no idea what was going on. But Kane adds the adverb "apparently" to every instance in which he refers…"
4 hours ago
Poupou Escobar replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
"The Storm is owned by a consortium of wealthy business owners:
Executive Management | Storm"
5 hours ago
mongolian trotting duck replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Update on Lomax situation
" pretty sure the nrl dont have any shares of melbourne anymore"
6 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to EA's discussion Eels Announce Junior Teams
"If there was two players I'd extended until 2031 its Fletcher & Ryda"
10 hours ago
Hell On Eels replied to SuperEel 22's discussion Spagnolo launches another campaign to undermine the club
"This Roy move is more poorly thought out than Operation Barbarossa.
The Constitution safeguards against worst-case scenarios, including a Roy-type who spends 21 years signing up every Tom, Dick, and Harry, and the neighbourhood dog to his cause.…"
11 hours ago
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Keaon done deal

As of Thursday, December 11, 2025, South Sydney Rabbitohs forwardKeaon Koloamatangi has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Parramatta Eels, but it is not yet officially announced by the clubs.  Soon to be announced.

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14 Replies · Reply by Poppa Jan 9
Views: 2000

ANY MORE SIGNINGS???

I've been frustrated recently about the work we have been doing in the open market. Jonah's alright for a year and JDB is solid but he's getting old. I feel we need more in the forwards and some a replacement outside back. All I have seen is links…

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Eels Announce Junior Teams

Harrold MatthewsAli SabraCaleb Leiataua Curtis BrownDanny AbuhamedDeon HayesDivine TaulafoElijah Al HazimFlynn Manu'aHayden BellJake CapovillaJayden TapuaiKhan JacksonLeonard SlaterLevi PerretLiam MartinLorima SeuseuNixon O'ConnorRiley PakiSala…

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