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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Joeyboyz replied to LB's discussion Max Popo extends til 2028
" I read somewhere that Stirling Mataniu Faumui is a halfback with a great kicking game and good organisational skills."
10 minutes ago
paul taylor replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"Great blog mate .  
To win a competition , you need to have 28 players that are available for selection each week. That creates competion for places . I think we need to nail those games we should win and take a game of raiders , roosters , sharks…"
1 hour ago
Prof. Daz replied to CarloEEL2's discussion Scouting report - today’s Tele
"TC has some good content. They're dedicated. Not sure they have become more critical though. Just angrier?! If the Eels win it's a total gush fest. Losing and in 2025 there was an inordinate amount of focus on the refs. But on 1EE we have uniforms…"
2 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to LB's discussion Max Popo extends til 2028
""
4 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to LB's discussion Max Popo extends til 2028
"Poppa will be announcing he is signing on with 1ee for a further 5 years.    $3.89 a season "
4 hours ago
EA replied to LB's discussion Max Popo extends til 2028
"Ohk"
5 hours ago
Kurupt - 1 Year Cuck replied to LB's discussion Max Popo extends til 2028
"This is big news, Max is the son of the legendary Mr Popo"
5 hours ago
Sonic Boom replied to LB's discussion Max Popo extends til 2028
"Yea i think they can only offer a limit number of spots and they get allocated in advance"
5 hours ago
Randy Handlinger replied to LB's discussion Max Popo extends til 2028
"....but parra"
5 hours ago
Michael W. replied to LB's discussion Max Popo extends til 2028
"But what?"
5 hours ago
ScottX replied to LB's discussion Max Popo extends til 2028
"Anyone seen this Faumui play? Says he played some lock but a google search shows him as goal kicking halfback at u/16s. Does this signing get the collective thumbs up?
I have seen a few comments rating Popo."
6 hours ago
EA replied to LB's discussion Max Popo extends til 2028
"I hope he does. But I can tell you there will be plenty of JF forwards pushing to play cup throughout the year. Will be a hard forward pack to crack into. But I am sure at one point of the year there will be a few injuries in the nrl and nsw cup…"
6 hours ago
EA replied to LB's discussion Max Popo extends til 2028
"Still surprised he didn't get an nrl pre season. Even if it was just till December before returning to JF like Coinakis. "
6 hours ago
Poppa replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"Even if we did., it doesn't mean anything now....we go forward not looking in the rear vision mirror.
I remember 81.82, 83, 86 like it was yesterday.... don't forgot we won 2009...everyone know's that including Storm....LOL
PS Stay positive PG, it…"
6 hours ago
ScottX replied to ScottX's discussion Is Parra entering a good luck cycle?
"And those 2 GFs are just the tip of the iceberg. Like when 1 of the best player I've seen decides to go to nfl cause he was good at xbox. I mean WTF??? You wouldn't see johns do that to newcastle or thurston to the cowboys. But our Hayne did. Or who…"
6 hours ago
LB replied to LB's discussion Max Popo extends til 2028
"NSW cup is open age, no eligibility really required. An 18 year old, hell a 17 year old can play Cup.
But this year he is 20 I believe so only Flegg eligible in terms of aged footy."
6 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 on Friday
Views: 1909

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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Max Popo extends til 2028

Parramatta Eels SG Ball and Jersey Flegg Lock Forward Max Popo has extended til the end of 2028. It is great news for the club as they strengthen their pathways further. From the Pacific Sports Management page.It is also worth noting, from Pacific…

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15 Replies · Reply by Joeyboyz 10 minutes ago
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