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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EA replied to Eels2025's discussion Anyone else feel like this week against Tigers is make or break?
"Nah they made the GF last year. Should have won but choked at the end. So he shouldn't be sacked.
There has been a lot of chopping and changing largely due to injuries. Lots of injuries right now so I can't see them winning the comp
 "
9 minutes ago
Parra_Greg replied to Eels2025's discussion Anyone else feel like this week against Tigers is make or break?
"We are a club no talented player wants to come too.  Further there are major structural problems with the NRL whereby all the talent cycles between 3-4 clubs.   The game is getting worse its now almost 10 years and only three clubs sre featured…"
1 hour ago
Parra_Greg replied to Muttman's discussion Vale Neville Glover
"Rest Well Neville.  He was was prototype that Eric Grothe Snr was to follow.  I dont think he gets enough due for that...."
1 hour ago
The Badger replied to Eels2025's discussion Anyone else feel like this week against Tigers is make or break?
"Do you think Mitch Lewis should be sacked immediately? 
They have only lost 1 game (flogged), had a draw against the worst team and yet their wins have been pretty good ones. 
Is there too much chopping and changing just because of the number of…"
1 hour ago
Poppa replied to Eels2025's discussion Anyone else feel like this week against Tigers is make or break?
"JC Its not quiet like that, in its day Union was every bit as big as League, mainly through its much deeper International Flavour. The rules of the game have changed it hugely in Australia where we always had the League alternative, the Europeans…"
2 hours ago
Kurupt - Your Mums Favourite Thug replied to Muttman's discussion Vale Neville Glover
"🙏"
2 hours ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Club Statement
"I mention attitude because it's an individual thing these coaches can't coach that it has to be driven from within an individual or led from the front by the alpha of the pack.
We've been missing that individual that leads in certain parts of the…"
2 hours ago
Poppa replied to Muttman's discussion Vale Neville Glover
"One of my favourite players.....he was truly a great winger, given Eric Senior, Semi and now JAC I think Nifty gets a top 5 placing as a winger in Parra history. Keep in mind those first 3 probably sit in the top 10 in the history of the game.
I was…"
2 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Muttman's discussion Vale Neville Glover
"Rest in peace champion 💙💙💛💙💛💙💛💛"
2 hours ago
Mallee57 replied to Muttman's discussion Vale Neville Glover
"That's sad 😔 "
3 hours ago
JC replied to Muttman's discussion Vale Neville Glover
"Nifty always hung around the club on game day at commbank, always willing to have a chat, and also let people know who he was lol.
Unfortunately he will always be remembered for dropping that pass in the 76 grand final loss to manly 13-10. The pass…"
3 hours ago
Priceforever replied to Muttman's discussion Vale Neville Glover
"When we talk about great eels wingers people forget what a great winger Neville was. RIP Neville"
3 hours ago
Muttman’s discussion was featured
Former Parramatta Eels winger Neville “Nifty” Glover has died aged 70.  He played 121 games for Parramatta and 13 for Penrith between 1975–1983, scoring 59 tries, and represented both NSW and Australia in 1978.  Glover was a highly regarded winger…
4 hours ago
Parra fan on The Hill replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Club Statement
"You are right. Just don't buy or wait for a bargain."
4 hours ago
Parra fan on The Hill replied to Muttman's discussion Vale Neville Glover
"RIP legend.  Sincerest condolences to his family. Nifty was a great servant to Parra, NSW, Australia and society through his police work. 
I enjoyed listening to his insight on the Cumberland Throw podcasts years gone by. No one was more Parra than…"
4 hours ago
The Badger replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Club Statement
"They should make a statement about why they are flogging ANZAC jerseys for almost $200 when people are lucky to fill the tank and feed their family.
NRL = Neverending Rip-off League"
4 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 Jan 9
Views: 2265

 

Vale Neville Glover

Former Parramatta Eels winger Neville “Nifty” Glover has died aged 70.  He played 121 games for Parramatta and 13 for Penrith between 1975–1983, scoring 59 tries, and represented both NSW and Australia in 1978.  Glover was a highly regarded winger…

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10 Replies · Reply by Parra_Greg 1 hour ago
Views: 405

An idea

Wondering last night and what people thought, imo walker is most effective off the bench, can we start ryley at 13 and talyn at 9 with walker on the bench, then you bring in walker to lock, ryley to 9 and talyn to the bench for a break?

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3 Replies · Reply by LB on Tuesday
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