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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LB 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
"Yeah i could see him as a good 6. Let's say, for argument sakes, he comes here, it is handy when Moses goes as he can play 7."
3 minutes 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
"I like it, hope its true, a lot of upside for absolute minimal outlay. The talent is undeniable.
If Ryles / R&R see an opportunity there, great, if it falls over, its not a huge loss."
4 minutes ago
LB 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
"As Meatloaf said 'you took the words right out of my mouth'. I will not say the rest as that is suss."
4 minutes ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓 replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓's discussion O’Neill Era Marked by Damning Lack of Junior Development at Parramatta
"Popa wishes this upon himself every time his head hits the pillow.  
Then he dreams of impressing the spounge bath department in thr morning. "
29 minutes 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
"You're a smart man, HH."
40 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
"I get what your saying. He was supposed to be pumped at joining souths and bang he's gone. I suppose thats the thing fans are worried about, will he do it again? Maybe ryles should phone uncle benny and get some feed back from him. Which i'm sure he…"
40 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
"Time will tell i suppose. I'm sure ryles will know if its worth the risk or not. We will see."
44 minutes ago
JC 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
"Metcalf has played some pretty damn good footy at 6, you could argue he is more agile 6 than a 7."
59 minutes ago
Parra-all-the-way replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓's discussion Parramatta sign Harrison Edwards immediately
"Has this been confirmed, not on the eels website at this stage?"
1 hour ago
Mallee57 replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓's discussion Parramatta sign Harrison Edwards immediately
"So when does he start playing for Parra? And what is his preferred / best position? "
1 hour ago
Coryn Hughes 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 seen the interview I've seen it but for me the team doesn't need more finesse it needs more athleticism and more aggressiveness both sides of the ball.I think Schuster is more of that finesse type we aren't after.
If you are to go for this guy…"
1 hour ago
Adam Magrath 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 agree, I think it's worth seeing where he is at. There's a lot of scope (and I mean a lot) for improvement in him from where he's at right now. If his head is in the right place and we got him at a good price he'd be a very good signing. "
1 hour ago
Coryn Hughes 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
"Sorry LE if we are relying on Volkman as a primary next year we are in serious trouble.He's doing an admirable job don't get me wrong but for a whole season I'm not sold we need a serious upgrade at 6 and in the outside backs first and foremost."
1 hour 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
"He sounds hungry coryn. He had it all at one stage on 800k suddenly its gone. Maybe his time away has woken him up who knows"
1 hour ago
Adam Magrath 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
"No one is saying we should be rolling out the red carpet for him. Apparently he has a lot going on in his life and he may well not be suitable. Like anyone else, if he isn't committed it's a hard pass. I just think it's worth the ask to see where he…"
1 hour 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
"He's worth a crack. Bennett isn't perfect he doesn't always get it right. Ryles might be able to do something. Some saying get spencer so because robbo couldn't get the best out of him does thst mean he's a lost cause to?"
1 hour ago
More…

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.

Read more…
14 Replies · Reply by Poppa Jan 9
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