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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Jack Eelson replied to Aj's discussion Keaon done deal
"Hmm"
14 seconds ago
DYNASTY.LOADING replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"I hope this is true.
1 million is more than he should get, but it's the price set by the market. 
We will get value out of him with a great Halfback helping take advantage of the platform he helps lay. 
Very happy. Even better if Junior agree to…"
4 minutes ago
John Boyle replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"Who's to say Kaeon doesn't get an injury that prevents him from performing at his $1million a season price tag and he ends up being a $500k player, it's happened plenty of times before ?
So in conclusion, you are happy to be buying stocks at their…"
14 minutes ago
Perpetual Motion replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"If Uncle Nik really wants him he will get him but they are so stacked with middles."
23 minutes ago
GM replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"I'm sure he hasn't...ffs"
35 minutes ago
GM replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"WTF are u going on about 😂"
35 minutes ago
EA replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"I want him for 800k. But looks like it will be $1M. I agree we need an alpha forward but he is not worth that money. Our forward pack depth is going to be very strong regardless of Kolomantagi so I am not worried about that."
44 minutes ago
EA replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"Prop is his best spot. he does not have the passing game to play lock. I do not think people realise how good our forward depth is going be in 2027. Just need to ensure we have that alpha forward (Kolomantangi)."
49 minutes ago
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"Yeah I misheard on a podcast.  Definitely said back row"
51 minutes ago
Poppa replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"BUT, realisically we will not know, even when its announced....my guess is it will be more likely 850/900 but there will be no judges to decide the winner."
52 minutes ago
Poppa replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"That's people Mitchy, not inches! "
54 minutes ago
Poppa replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"Well at least its "firm" Heisen, soft in your pants would be embarrassing!"
56 minutes ago
Poppa replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"Not sure, we are judging him just on price? if we had KK in 2022, we may not have had the "squeemish" response we had to Fish and Co. Also KK seems to be a modern style that can play Middle and Edge, all forward packs are heading that way and look…"
59 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"When your big game hunting like we did earlier for Galvin and now KK and we can't get them across the line there's something missing there.Ill  be interested to see how this plays out."
1 hour ago
Poppa replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"Fair enough, everything is subjective and I have enjoyed the discussion. "
1 hour ago
Poppa replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels table mammoth four-year deal for Rabbitohs star
"JB, you chose wisely my friend (JW) and the proof will be in the pudding by end season. If JW wins the Thornett medal again (lets assume JW is on 500k and will go to 700k if he does). KK will be on 1m and lessor a player? hard to say, usually 9…"
1 hour 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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1 Reply · Reply by Jack Eelson 14 seconds ago
Views: 57

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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Views: 55

 

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