The first game on Saturday for NRL Round 19 is between Canberra Raiders and Parramatta Eels. The opening bounce is set to commence at 5:30pm with the game to be played at Canberra Stadium. The favourite for the match is home team Canberra Raiders. View our preview and teams for the game between Canberra Raiders and Parramatta Eels.
Canberra Stadium
Saturday, 5.30pm
Canberra Raiders $1.10 vs Parramatta Eels $7.00 at Sportsbet Australia get a $250 FREE BET on this match
Canberra Raiders $1.09 vs Parramatta Eels $8.00 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match
Odds Comparison by NRL Odds:
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 |
 |
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| Canberra Raiders | 1.10 | 1.12 | 1.09 | 1.12 | 1.10 | 1.11 |
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Parramatta Eels
|
7.00 | 6.35 | 8.00 | 6.35 | 7.00 | 7.00 |
Preview:
The first of two games set down for this Saturday sees the Raiders hosting the Parramatta.
Canberra continued to demonstrate poor form away from their home ground, losing their round 15 and 16 games to West and South when on the road.
It is a totally different story when playing at home however and last week they took their unbeaten home record to seven when accounting for the North Queensland Cowboy 26 – 18.
It took their average winning margin in the home game wins to 13 points and this week, facing the bottom-placed Parramatta, they are a good chance of bettering that average.
After being ravaged by Manly in round 17, 50 -10, Parramatta were far more competitive against Penrith last week despite losing 17 – 10. It was the first time in six weeks that Parramatta kept their opposition to less than 30 points.
Head to head, Canberra have won the last three games with the most recent clash being 40 -34 win.
With Canberra averaging 28.2 points per game at home this year and Parramatta’s poor defensive record, we should see a comfortable Raiders victory and a high point scoring game.
Teams:
Canberra Raiders:
Anthony Milford, Reece Robinson, Jarrod Croker, Joel Thompson, Sami Sauiluma, Terry Campese (capt), Josh McCrone, David Shillington, Glen Buttriss, Dane Tilse, Josh Papalii, Joel Edwards, Shaun Fensom. Interchange: Shaun Berrigan, Jarrad Kennedy, Sam Mataora, Paul Vaughan, Jake Foster (one to be omitted).
Parramatta Eels:
Jake Mullaney, Semi Radradra, Ryan Morgan, Willie Tonga, Brayden Wiliame, Ben Roberts, Luke Kelly, Tim Mannah (capt), Matt Keating, Fuifui Moimoi, Reni Maitua, Daniel Harrison, Darcy Lussick. Interchange: Kaysa Pritchard, Peni Terepo, Joseph Paulo, Junior Paulo.
Referees: Jason Robinson, Gavin Morris.
Eels appoint Matt Phelan as interim CEO
Matt Phelan will take over the reins as Parramatta’s acting chief executive, less than 24 hours after Ken Edwards left the embattled NRL club.
Phelan joined the Eels in February as general manager of operations and strategy and has over 20 years experience in sports administration.
He becomes the fourth person to fill the position since 2009, after the club said on Tuesday Edwards had left by “mutual consent” as a result of a change of strategic direction following the installation of the new board in May.
“Our primary focus for the remainder of the year is to ensure that the Parramatta Eels are working hard both on and off the field,” Phelan said in a statement on Wednesday.
“This has been a tough year for our organisation, but we owe it to our members and fans to remain dedicated to making this a club they are proud to call their own.”
The search for a new CEO has already begun, but Eels chairman Steve Sharp said the club was in no rush to find a permanent replacement.
“We will not rush this decision, as we need to make sure we find an individual best suited to implement our club’s strategy for the future,” Sharp said.
The Eels are currently bottom of the NRL ladder and set for a second successive wooden spoon having lost their last seven matches under coach Ricky Stuart.
It was announced last month that 12 players would be shown the door at the end of this season.