Josh Mercer previews the Saturday evening game between the Eels and the Warriors.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Parramatta Eels Vs New Zealand Warriors
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Date: Saturday, July 8, 5:00 pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Eels: 1.ย Sean Russellย 2.ย Maika Sivoย 3.ย Will Penisiniย 4.ย Bailey Simonssonย 5.ย Isaac Lumelumeย 6.ย Ryan Mattersonย 7.ย Daejarn Asiย 8.ย Ofahiki Ogdenย 9.ย Brendan Handsย 10.ย Junior Pauloย 11.ย Bryce Cartwrightย 12.ย Andrew Daveyย 13.ย J’maine Hopgoodย 14.ย Luca Morettiย 15.ย Joe Ofahengaueย 16.ย Shaun Laneย 17.ย Makahesi Makatoaย 18.ย Haze Dunsterย 19.ย Waqa Blakeย 20.ย Ky Rodwellย 21.ย Matt Dooreyย 22.ย Jack Murchie
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Bayley Sironen 16. Tom Ale 17. Freddy Lussick 18. Brayden Wiliame 20. Ronald Volkman 21. Kalani Going 22. Zyon Maiu’u 23. Taine Tuaupiki
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
This season’s surprise packets, the Warriors unfortunately couldn’t get the two points against the Rabbitohs. They drew first blood on a wet track at Go Media Stadium, but the bunnies would soon hit back. Losing Fonua-Blake to the sin-bin didn’t help as the Rabbitohs scored.
Another turning point came when Dallin Watene-Zeleniak looked to have scored a try when there was only 10 points difference. The Bunker found DWZ knocked it on instead of charging it down. Overall, the Rabbitohs did play better wet-weather football.
The Warriors can redeem themselves this weekend, coming up against an Eels side without Mitchell Moses, Regan Campbell-Gillard, and Clint Gutherson. The bonus for the Warriors is that Shaun Johnson, who was going to miss the game due to his wife about to give birth, will now play. Johnson is having a great season.
The Eels had the bye last week but had a good win over the Dolphins in round 17. All the big guns for the Eels stood up, seemingly scoring from all over the field. They went into halftime with a 38-point lead.
The second half wasn’t as spectacular. They only scored one try to the Dolphins’ three. They should have racked up 60 points, but it was still a good win.
This week will be interesting, Daejarn Asi will partner Ryan Matterson in the halves. If Matterson doesn’t overplay his hand, they can get the win. Brad Arthur will probably tell Matterson to do what he does best and run the ball, and the rest will come.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Eels 6, Warriors 4.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Warriors by 8.
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