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 LB's discussion Modern Day best 17
"I did modern day as 1998 onwards as I didn't see them play, as some here haven't. Where I believe majority of people here have seen all the modern day players play.
Plus it frees up some spots like we all know who 5/8 will be but now no idea."
5 hours ago
Blue Eel replied to LB's discussion Modern Day best 17
"Old vs New. Pre 1998 Eels best team wearing the original Gold Jerseys vs post 1998 Eels best team wearing today's Blue jersey. The best from both eras playing against each other in a virtual stadium online. Jack Gibson coaching Gold, Brian Smith…"
6 hours ago
Blue Eel replied to LB's discussion Modern Day best 17
"He played 134 of his 264 games as a winger. Didnt complain once like a Lomax when required on the wing. Was a team man through and through. He deserves to be in the Modern Day Best Eels team somewhere. Perhaps now that we have 6 interchange players…"
7 hours ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to LB's discussion Modern Day best 17
" I understand the modern day theory.  It has to be the players that would work in the modern day game,  But the theory should include how a player from the say 80s would perform given the modern day technology and training regime. 
You cant simply…"
7 hours ago
LB replied to LB's discussion Modern Day best 17
"Sorry should have clarified, 1998 NRL era.
I stuck to what i knew best. I love Luke Burt, still my favourite ever player, hence the dp. He didn't have that flashy skills like Hayne and was undersized but to accomplish 260+ games is an achievement…"
7 hours ago
Blue Eel replied to LB's discussion Modern Day best 17
"Can you define what era / year your modern day starts from.
I took Jarryd Hayne on your survey, but I also loved Luke Burt as a team man. Luke Burt reminded me so much of little Paul Taylor, did so much work but never got the credit he deserved."
7 hours ago
Poppa replied to Parra_Greg's discussion Matt Burton
"Burton would be a magnificent pick up. He can play anywhere in the backline and knows all about handling pressure in big matches. He is not slow.....
Richard, if you are worried about Burton being too slow.....you have a revelation coming when you…"
11 hours ago
Richard B'Stard replied to Parra_Greg's discussion Matt Burton
"Pass, Matt Burton would be a step backwards. Not a match-winner and too slow / immobile."
17 hours ago
LB replied to Prof. Daz's discussion R1 vs STORM: Gilgamesh and the Beer Goddess
"De Belin will do a lot of the clean up work, the 3rd man in for our defence. Hopgood is now not alone in that area. He will not be flashy but he will definately do his job."
yesterday
LB replied to Prof. Daz's discussion R1 vs STORM: Gilgamesh and the Beer Goddess
"positives are Loiero is out. That is a big piece of their middle, he does a lot of clean up work in defence, tightens up the attack. No Katoa and they are umming and arring whether to play Ativalu Lasati or Joe Chan on right edge.
This is a prime to…"
yesterday
Angry Eel replied to Richard Jackson's discussion Recalling Our Favourite Fijian Superstars
"Yeah I do. He was a natural "
yesterday
EA replied to Richard Jackson's discussion Recalling Our Favourite Fijian Superstars
"Do you also remember his sideline conversion against the Warriors"
yesterday
Blue Eel replied to Parra_Greg's discussion Matt Burton
"As a centre on centre money, Yes every day of the week. 
I think the club are convinced Young gun Lorenzo will be our future 5/8."
yesterday
Angry Eel replied to Richard Jackson's discussion Recalling Our Favourite Fijian Superstars
"I vividly remember Semi getting a gig at 1st receiver from a scrum and he skilfully put a player away for a try. "
yesterday
Blue Eel replied to Prof. Daz's discussion R1 vs STORM: Gilgamesh and the Beer Goddess
"I find it amazing that Moses in the team stiffens our defence. Is it our defensive resolve as the team feel "in the game" and effort on effort occurs. Perhaps it's Moses talking and holding the team accountable in defence as captain., perhaps it's…"
yesterday
Poppa replied to Richard Jackson's discussion Recalling Our Favourite Fijian Superstars
"LOL Spelling mistakes."
yesterday
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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: 2138

 

Modern Day best 17

Evening everyone, how good is it having footy back.Now i want to do something different as a series. I will have surveys maybe once a day to decide who is the best player per position to create an overall top 17. Now positions like Fullback for…

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6 Replies · Reply by LB 5 hours ago
Views: 230

Matt Burton

He has yet to extend with the Bulldogs.   Do you think we should have a red hot crack at him.  Such a great player,   versatile, kicker,goalkicker.Lots of positives....BUT could we afford him or attract him to Parra ??

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9 Replies · Reply by Poppa 11 hours ago
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