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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Muttman replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"Tripp should go into politics. That was a fairly impressive way to spin an indefensible situation. However very obviously his argument is flawed. He's suggesting the Eels are being unreasonable and preventing Lomax from playing RL again. However the…"
5 minutes ago
KENDOZA replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"Arrogant club the storm. I wouldn't expect any different from them. Can't wait until round 1 ryles have them ready this will be a classic"
12 minutes ago
Clintorian replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
""Ultimately, the rebel rugby competition’s start date was delayed, leaving Lomax without a club or contract for the 2026 season.Tripp defended Lomax, believing the star outside back was put between a rock and a hard place when R360 postponed their…"
14 minutes ago
Eli Stephens replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"They've also been holding Pezet wishart Sua in nsw cup for years when they should have been playing first grade for years. Classic storm "
16 minutes ago
Gucci replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"What a sooky little b*tch. Yea, give Parra a stick of chewed gum and an IOU while Storm get a Rep Quality winger. Piss off."
16 minutes ago
Eli Stephens replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"Eels have done everything correctly and have followed the contract stipulations. Storm can't leak or do anything because eels haven't done anything wrong. 🤣 if the shoe was on the other foot can be sure Melbourne would be doing the same "
17 minutes ago
eel_fan_boy replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"Given how generally piss weak and conservative the eels are as a club, we must have some almighty juicy stuff on the storm to take this to court..."
27 minutes ago
eel_fan_boy replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"Oh i think old boy accidently forgot they told Ryles to join them from roosters as Bellamy was retiring and they were going to give Ryles the head coash role... But then they screwed Ryles over and extended Bellamy. Whoopsie!"
28 minutes ago
Blue Eel replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"It's all in the name. His Trippin.
Poor old hard done by Storm, finally called out and they melt, it's like running home to mummy.  "The big bad Eels are telling people the truth and serving subpoenas on us for court.". 
'Playbook 101 when it's…"
29 minutes ago
Clintorian replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"What a cooked response. Appreciate that he's losing the PR battle with almost every fan on this matter and he has to try and change the framing of how it's looking, but I hope he gets flogged for even suggestion Parra is trying to be unreasonable on…"
30 minutes ago
Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"Boo farkin hoooooo"
36 minutes ago
Angry Eel replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"Adequate compensation my arse. Parra were being strong armed by Melbourne and the NRL, we simply strong armed back. Cry me a river you flog"
42 minutes ago
Francis Nelson replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion ‘Leaks and grandstanding’: Storm boss unloads on Eels over Lomax
"Give us our premiership you stole!
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Poppa replied to LB's discussion Parramatta Eels selection questions for 2026: Changing plans, outside backs and new signings
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Poppa replied to LB's discussion Parramatta Eels selection questions for 2026: Changing plans, outside backs and new signings
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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: 2018

ANY MORE SIGNINGS???

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