Check out the match preview and prediction for the final round clash between the Wests Tigers and Parramatta Eels.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Wests Tigers Vs Parramatta Eels
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Campbtellwon
Date: Friday September 6th, 6:00pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Wests Tigers: 1. Heath Mason, 2. Junior Tupou, 3. Solomona Faataape, 4. Josh Feledy, 5. Charlie Staines, 6. Lachlan Galvin, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Stefano Utoikamanu, 9. Apisai Koroisau, 10. David Klemmer, 11. Alex Seyfarth, 12. Samuela Fainu, 13. Isaiah Papali’i, 14. Latu Fainu, 15. Sione Fainu, 16. Fonua Pole, 17. Alex Twal, 18. Tim Johannssen, 19. Alexander Lobb, 20. Reuben Porter, 21. Kit Laulilii, 22. Tony Sukkar
Parramatta Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson, 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Viliami Penisini, 4. Blaize Talagi, 5. Sean Russell, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Daejarn Asi, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Brendan Hands, 10. Shaun Lane, 11. Kelma Tuilagi, 12. Bryce Cartwright, 13. Joe Ofahengaue, 14. Joey Lussick, 15. Makahesi Makatoa, 16. Luca Moretti, 17. Ofahiki Ogden, 18. Jake Tago, 19. Matt Doorey, 20. Ethan Sanders, 21. Haze Dunster, 22. Wiremu Greig
Referee: Peter Gough
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
With both sides having endured a largely miserable season, both sets of fans will be glad to see the back of 2024 this coming weekend. However, there is one final agonising act for one set of fans: the loser of this weekend’s clash between the Tigers and Eels will have officially finished last for the season.
The home side, the Tigers, are coming off an impressive win against the Sea Eagles before their bye last week. Down 16-0 early on, it was a game they’d usually let go of. Instead, they fought back in front of a packed home crowd at Leichardt, determined not to finish last this season.
Meanwhile, the Eels won despite nearly finding a way to lose, in a high-scoring affair at home against the Dragons. Their performance was typical of their past month or so, which has seen them find points aplenty against their opposition and concede just as many.
The Tigers have not had to make many changes. Josh Feledy will come into the centres, pushing Junior Tupou to the wing. Despite being named, reports suggest Aiden Sezer will not play, with Tony Sukkar to debut in his place.
Similarly, the Eels make few changes. Kelma Tuilagi returns to the side, reverting Shaun Lane to prop and shifting Ofahiki Ogden to the bench. The only other change is the return of Sean Russell, which pushes Jake Tago out of the side.
On what will be a scorching early evening in Campbelltown, this is undoubtedly going to be an attacking game. Both sides have points in them, and poor defence, so it will come down to who has more tries in them, rather than who can save more.
Apisai Koroisau is unquestionably the key to the Tigers winning this game. He’s regularly the Tigers’ best, and often the sole force driving them towards victory. His work from dummy half against a typically loose Eels middle may find points later in the game.
Meanwhile, the Eels will be banking on Maika Sivo to back up his efforts from last week. Largely maligned this year for poor defensive efforts, he’s never been a poor try scorer. Last week, he became the fastest player to reach 100 tries. When the Eels previously met the Tigers, Charlie Staines stopped Sivo on multiple occasions. If the big Fijian can get early ball, he will be eager to make amends for that poor performance back in April.
Expect a score-line that has both sides in double digits, with the margin between them to be close. On the whole, the loss of Sezer, and the largely inexperienced spine, may just tip this game in the Eels favour.
Head-to-head stats can be found at Number Crunch Stats.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
Eels by 10 points.
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