After scoring a rare away win over a depleted Bulldogs in round 14, the Eels ventured to Melbourne last week full of confidence but their poor record in the southern capital was only enhanced by disappointing 46 – 20 loss.
The Eels were on the back foot early, gifting the Storm too much possession and they paid for their mistakes dearly, trailing 18 – 0 after 25 minutes.
Special Offer: $250 FREE BET on Parramatta Eels vs Newcastle Knights
Two tries in the final ten minutes had the Eels closer to their opponents then they should’ve been at the break at 18 – 10.
The turning point of the game came in the 60th minute of the match when Eels halfback Chris Sandow was sent to the sin-bin for back-chat. The Storm exposed his absence in the defensive line on the right-hand side and ran in three tries in ten minutes.
It was an average effort from the Eels, the kind that continues to the hound them at pops still too regularly (Cowboys – Round 8, Penrith – Round 12) but thankfully for the Eels and their supporters, they return to Pirtek Stadium for this game where from six games this season, they’re yet to be defeated.
The Eels are a team that can produce plenty of points but as demonstrated last week, firstly they have to do the hard yards before trying to push the passes.
KNIGHTS
Finally, the Knights cracked it for a win last Monday night when holding off a late challenge from the Cowboys to secure only their third win of the season 36 – 28.
The win will release a significant amount of pressure that has been on the club and players who have both faced a tumultuous year on and off the field.
Whilst they took the two competition points, the Knights still leaked more than twenty points in the match – the fourth consecutive match they have done so and tenth time this year.
With Parramatta’s strong record at home, where they’ve score 96 points in their past three matches, this kind of defensive effort will not be good enough.
The Knights will head into this match with largely the same side as took to the field last Monday, an occurrence that’s been infrequent this year at best.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Eels haven’t scored a win over the Knights since 2009 and have lost the last five clashes between the two clubs.
The Eels of 2014 however are a different team to previous years and their record at home is too good to ignore.
After each of the recent losses the Eels have been able to bounce back with a win and whilst they’ll be made work for it by the Knights, should do so again here as well.
Tips: EELS 1 – 12 at $3.00 odds with Sportsbet + get a $250 FREE BET
Teams:
EELS: Jarryd Hayne (c), Semi Radradra, Ryan Morgan, Willie Tonga, Vai Toutai, Corey Norman, Chris Sandow, Tim Mannah (c), Isaac De Gois, Junior Paulo, Kenny Edwards, Pauli Pauli, Joseph Paulo, Interchange: David Gower, Mitch Allgood, Peni Terepo, Darcy Lussick, Kelepi Tanginoa.
KNIGHTS: Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Joseph Leilua, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Kurt Gidley, David Fa’alogo, Adam Clydsdale, Willie Mason, Beau Scott, Robbie Rochow, Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Tyrone Roberts, Korbin Sims, Kade Snowden, Chris Houston, Joseph Tapine.
