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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Wizardssleeves official receipts replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion St. George Illawarra Dragons secure Keaon Koloamatangi on long-term deal
"Dragons have half completed a much better one and it's 50 meters from the sands of North Wollongong beach.  The only thing with a better location in town is the Dragons playing stadium.  They can walk out of their centre of eggselance and enter onto…"
3 minutes ago
LB replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion St. George Illawarra Dragons secure Keaon Koloamatangi on long-term deal
"I mean if the difference simply was the 5th year, which to be fair takes him to 33 on decent money, I mean fair enough but at the same time if a club like Dogs or Cronulla or hell even Manly I reckon offered 4 they probably had a better chance of…"
3 minutes ago
LB replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion St. George Illawarra Dragons secure Keaon Koloamatangi on long-term deal
"For once I agree."
6 minutes ago
Blaze replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion St. George Illawarra Dragons secure Keaon Koloamatangi on long-term deal
"How embarrasing.... galvin, pezet and now keon fumbled."
6 minutes ago
Frankie Fong replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion St. George Illawarra Dragons secure Keaon Koloamatangi on long-term deal
"LB look at Jim Sarantonis and the fact he has failed to turn Parramatta into a attractive destination and the fact  in 6 years he has failed to attract business people who are willing and able to help the club with R&R .   "
9 minutes ago
Eli Stephens replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion St. George Illawarra Dragons secure Keaon Koloamatangi on long-term deal
"Probably do need to spend that on outside backs and a 5/8. Instead of Keon if the club is being realistic 😂"
14 minutes ago
Joel K replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion St. George Illawarra Dragons secure Keaon Koloamatangi on long-term deal
"Bring in Richardson"
14 minutes ago
Wizardssleeves official receipts replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion St. George Illawarra Dragons secure Keaon Koloamatangi on long-term deal
"He's worth a million in today's market considering he's just hitting his prime years now and the deal starts in 2027 so you need to fast forward another year to evaluate the price tag.  The way players salaries are rising , it's not stupid money for…"
14 minutes ago
Cumberland Eel replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion St. George Illawarra Dragons secure Keaon Koloamatangi on long-term deal
"Super Fund "
17 minutes ago
LB replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion St. George Illawarra Dragons secure Keaon Koloamatangi on long-term deal
"Yeah look no sugar coating it, this is embarrassing losing out to Dragons who never get anyone they go for. They still get someone over us.
Now was it the extra year and money? Perhaps but even Wests Tigers managed to get players like Luai, May and…"
18 minutes ago
Frankie Fong replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion St. George Illawarra Dragons secure Keaon Koloamatangi on long-term deal
"This is what happens when a board don't have to face members or be elected, they have zero pressure on them to perform."
19 minutes ago
Parrafan101 replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion St. George Illawarra Dragons secure Keaon Koloamatangi on long-term deal
"I wonder why. ^"
20 minutes ago
Cumberland Eel replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion St. George Illawarra Dragons secure Keaon Koloamatangi on long-term deal
"Potato has too much starch prefer tomato 🍅🍅 Forwards at Eels and those coming through are going to be ok. More of a shortage of backs but I reckon that Ryles has that covered for sure. Not sure why they're actually chasing Keon to be honest."
20 minutes ago
Frankie Fong replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion St. George Illawarra Dragons secure Keaon Koloamatangi on long-term deal
"We have no election campaign wiz , the people who run the clun don't really have to answer to nobody , they don't have to  fear the members because they have no say and people who are in charge of monitoring the board clearly have zero standards or…"
21 minutes ago
Eli Stephens replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion St. George Illawarra Dragons secure Keaon Koloamatangi on long-term deal
"Unsure but will have no effect on the 2026 season, opportunities will come up no doubt "
22 minutes ago
Die hard eels Supporter replied to ParramattaLurker's discussion St. George Illawarra Dragons secure Keaon Koloamatangi on long-term deal
"So what now? Who would we go after now and then miss out on them? What is this clubs priority? "
26 minutes 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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11 Replies · Reply by Flow Basket Dec 17
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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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