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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Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓 replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: SCAPEGOATS..... A funny thing, you can say it with a cry in your voice!......The Parra Lament
""
5 minutes ago
Poppa replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: SCAPEGOATS..... A funny thing, you can say it with a cry in your voice!......The Parra Lament
"I didn't know that Daz, but I have researched it and have an AI confession, that will send Chiefy straight to the litter box LOL
That's a fascinating way to look at them. While cat typing memes often start as simple physical comedy—a cat's chaotic…"
20 minutes ago
Clintorian replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Dragons knock back bid for Su’A to join Parramatta this season
"I think we could be battling them for the spoon, so I'm not surprised they knocked this back."
30 minutes ago
Poppa replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: SCAPEGOATS..... A funny thing, you can say it with a cry in your voice!......The Parra Lament
"Thanks NOS and Coryn, both those posts lay value to this blog and bring out further discussion that needs to be said.
I have said through out this blog, that I do not have answers, only the demonstration of scapegoats and excuses why it is no ones…"
43 minutes ago
KENDOZA replied to Die hard eels Supporter's discussion Just heard on triple M whisper that Eels and Dragons are monitoring the Luke Metcalf situation at the warriors
"100% mate. Watch this space."
1 hour ago
Poppa replied to Die hard eels Supporter's discussion Just heard on triple M whisper that Eels and Dragons are monitoring the Luke Metcalf situation at the warriors
"There is another way of handling this....Metcalfe comes as a 5/8....he is told this and also that he is the 7 in Moses absence. It is becoming more than obvious that MM is carrying injuries on a continual basis, Taitana is told he is first choice…"
1 hour ago
MeelK replied to Die hard eels Supporter's discussion Just heard on triple M whisper that Eels and Dragons are monitoring the Luke Metcalf situation at the warriors
"Hey NOS, I'm here and I'm doing well. Life is super busy at the moment with kids and family. I hope you are going well too."
1 hour ago
Poppa replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: SCAPEGOATS..... A funny thing, you can say it with a cry in your voice!......The Parra Lament
"Maybe we should look at it as not so much whose fault it is Randy as to what we can do to help making it better.
Your too intelligent to react to Chief's prattle......mainly because a new coach is not the answer IMO but a new style of structure…"
2 hours ago
Poppa replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: SCAPEGOATS..... A funny thing, you can say it with a cry in your voice!......The Parra Lament
"Yes, I wasn't fair to you in that reply, basically just used you as a vehicle to admonish Chiefy for his continuing attempts to remain relevant in a discussion that is out of his "reign" 
What I was saying is best summed up in that first sentence…"
2 hours ago
fake midget pseudoachondroplasia replied to Die hard eels Supporter's discussion Just heard on triple M whisper that Eels and Dragons are monitoring the Luke Metcalf situation at the warriors
"From Facebook but is a common theme amongst players now demanding to play a certain position.  He isn't leaving warriors for us to play 6."
2 hours ago
LB replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: SCAPEGOATS..... A funny thing, you can say it with a cry in your voice!......The Parra Lament
"I'm not taking it that way. I'm taking it as a realisation that MON is not the main factor of what is wrong, there are many facets. Also, we could recruit well and it still not work."
2 hours ago
Nightmare Off-Season replied to Die hard eels Supporter's discussion Just heard on triple M whisper that Eels and Dragons are monitoring the Luke Metcalf situation at the warriors
"Mentioned this scenario when DB left, and others felt no due to Sam Walker - but like you I feel this is becomming increasingly possible, and just opinion, don't feel Walker is a genuine 7."
2 hours ago
Nitram replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion Round 10 Team List v North Queensland Cowboys
"So Tallyn playing 80? Who plays hooker if he is injured?"
2 hours ago
KENDOZA replied to Die hard eels Supporter's discussion Just heard on triple M whisper that Eels and Dragons are monitoring the Luke Metcalf situation at the warriors
"I've heard teddy wants to finish his career with mitch. Maybe mitch wants out to eastern suburbs."
2 hours ago
Nightmare Off-Season replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: SCAPEGOATS..... A funny thing, you can say it with a cry in your voice!......The Parra Lament
"Daz,
Genuinely interested in yours & HOE’s / Supers take on some of these points.
 
I can understand your backing of the club, that is your opinion, but I can’t understand your defence of the Dylan Brown situation.
 
1. The Money - Of course Dylan…"
2 hours ago
Poppa replied to Poppa's discussion Poppa's Corner: SCAPEGOATS..... A funny thing, you can say it with a cry in your voice!......The Parra Lament
"Your on the right pathway LB.
Just remember an old saying and this stresses out my conclusions of "not having the answers" i.e if any one walks into a room and they think they are the smartest one there" then walk out now, because there is always…"
3 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
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