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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Coryn Hughes replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Gus: Eels Showed "Real Grit"
"The way to beat Penrith is go through the middle of them with short passes and off loads that's the key you've got to beat them through the middle of the park it's why we were so effective against them.You start beating up the Fisher Harris's Leotas…"
25 seconds ago
Coryn Hughes replied to LB's discussion Eels hooker opens up on thriving one-two punch combination
"Contracts mean something if anything we've learnt we don't have to look any further than the Lomax saga.
Regardless I think you don't pay the money upfront and give the years to TDS if you don't think he's your guy.I believe the Eels think that way…"
38 minutes ago
Parra_Greg replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R4 vs Panthers: Disrupt the Disruptors?
"So long as we dont have Graeme Atkins Son we might have a chance...The reffing to start the year has been diabolical.
 Im no Manly fan but the reffing last night was bordering on cheating and of course the roosters benefited. The strip, penalty…"
47 minutes ago
Hell On Eels replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Gus: Eels Showed "Real Grit"
"Thanks, NOS. Let's hope we see an improved start and performance tomorrow. 
We've only started to heal from the bloodied scars of the Storm, when we face a Panthers' Machine hell-bent on Destruction.
It could affect our confidence and belief moving…"
1 hour ago
Hell On Eels replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Gus: Eels Showed "Real Grit"
"It's still Moses' team. 
Look at that almost width of the field sweeping play when Pezet was at first receiver, Moses out wider at second picking up Iongi for a try.
It's probably the best we've looked with the ball all year.
The spine gelled in…"
1 hour ago
Hell On Eels replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Gus: Eels Showed "Real Grit"
"Pops,
What happened to the Frenchman?
We probably need to be realistic a bit when it comes to Pezet.
He is new to our systems after being in the Storm for years and we're building new combinations.
I agree with Michael Witt. He is probably 3–6 years…"
1 hour ago
Clintorian replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Game Day Blog R4 vs Panthers: Disrupt the Disruptors?
"I just hope we put up a good fight and start a little better than we have the last 3 weeks. I don't expect us to beat a nuclear Panthers team, especially since they have flogged teams with far better premiership credentials than us. But, let's hope…"
1 hour ago
Hell On Eels replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Gus: Eels Showed "Real Grit"
"Yep, you're right Mutts and Pops. Defence needs fixing.
It’s also probably no accident the worst defences at R3 — us, Roosters, Dragons, Titans— played the Panthers or Storm (except for the Titans).
Arthurisms? Mmm. Last year our middle defence was…"
1 hour ago
Hell On Eels replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Gus: Eels Showed "Real Grit"
"Daz and Coryn.  It's a lovely theory, gentlemen. Sure, sprint coaching helps. But turning Pezet or Paulo into Usain Bolt? The eggs might start flying faster."
1 hour ago
LB replied to LB's discussion Eels hooker opens up on thriving one-two punch combination
"Not necessarily Coryn. Contracts mean nothing. If we decide to keep Smith as the future 9, Da Silva then makes the choice to either see out his deal or ask for a release. Done, sorted.
Now, is Da Silva seen as the future? I would say his deal til…"
1 hour ago
LB replied to LB's discussion Eels hooker opens up on thriving one-two punch combination
"I think there is a place for a 14 in the mold of a Wishart or  a Tevaga even who can play Hooker but also other positions. Instead of strictly a hooker on the bench.
Smith/Da Silva combo is working and can work but for how long are one or the other…"
2 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to LB's discussion Eels hooker opens up on thriving one-two punch combination
"Lol. And im Mclovin it. Haha 😂 😄 🤣 
Has the Chief ever been wrong??"
3 hours ago
Coryn Hughes replied to LB's discussion Eels hooker opens up on thriving one-two punch combination
"Ultimately the clubs made its bed at hooker they've committed significant funds & years towards TDS so he's the guy going foward.The fact they are in no rush to resign Smith is like our situation at 6 Smith is the guy right now till he isn't.I…"
3 hours ago
LB replied to LB's discussion Eels hooker opens up on thriving one-two punch combination
"If you watch him in lower grades for Penrith he was playing on an edge. He has shown to have some sort of running game. "
3 hours ago
macybrown replied to LB's discussion Eels hooker opens up on thriving one-two punch combination
"Don't forget Ryley was upgraded to only a development contract it's not like he cost us much at all. We ought not take him for granted.
pretty clearly he is a player we ought not to let go to any longer... he clearly gives us his best and his best…"
3 hours ago
Coryn Hughes replied to LB's discussion Eels hooker opens up on thriving one-two punch combination
"No chance if he hasn't got a running game.
Pass selection is also an attribute I haven't seen enough of it to suggest he'd be a 13.
I think he's a hooker throughand through."
3 hours 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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