Andrew Pelechaty previews the Easter Monday clash between the Wests Tigers and Parramatta Eels.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Wests Tigers Vs Parramatta Eels
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Date: Monday April 10, 4:00pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Tigers: 1. Charlie Staines 2. Asu Kepaoa 3. Brent Naden 4. Starford To’a 5. Junior Tupou 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Alex Twal 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Shawn Blore 18. Justin Matamua 19. Alex Seyfarth 20. Brandon Wakeham 21. Ruatapu Ngatikaura 22. Daine Laurie
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Haze Dunster 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Wiremu Greig 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Ryan Matterson 14. J’maine Hopgood 15. Brendan Hands 16. Jack Murchie 17. Makahesi Makatoa 18. Jakob Arthur 19. Matt Doorey 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Ky Rodwell 22. Waqa Blake
Referee: Ben Cummins
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
While the Wests Tigers and Parramatta have only won one game between them so far, their form contrast is stark.
The Tigers have been a rabble (as they’ve been for most of the last decade). While they lost by just two and four to Newcastle and Canterbury-Bankstown respectively, late tries flattered them. They were hammered 46-12 by Brisbane at Lang Park in Round 5, with the Broncos leading 28-0 at half-time. Then there’s the off-field nonsense around CEO Justin Pascoe and the ANZAC jersey blunder. And then there’s the approximate 10, 423 Fox Sports clickbait articles about the Tigers this season. Even at this early stage, the new coaching team of Tim Sheens and Benji seem lost for answers.
While last year’s runners up have only won one game, the Eels have a legitimate excuse, having played Melbourne, Cronulla-Sutherland, Manly Warringah, Penrith (beating them in a Golden Point thriller), and the Sydney Roosters. Three three of those losses were by four points, and they only lost by eight to Easts last week. Following the Tigers, they play the Bulldogs, Broncos (in Darwin), Newcastle, Gold Coast, and Canberra – the Eels might finally get on a winning run and get closer to the eight.
While the Tigers won the corresponding Easter Monday game last year (21-20), the Eels won 28-20 in Round 17 – their eighth win over the Tigers in the last 10 matches.
Joe Ofahengaue is back on the bench for the Tigers, with Adam Doueihi partnering Luke Brooks in the halves. Shaun Lane is back for the Eels after injuring himself in the super-important Pre-Season Challenge. Haze Dunster replaces the suspended Bailey Simonsson, while Sean Russell replaces Waqa Blake in the centres.
Having endured a nightmare opening month, expect the Eels (who’ve been far from disgraced so far) to tear the poor old Tigers apart.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Eels 8, Tigers 2
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Eels by 30 points.
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