The Newcastle Knights have caused several upsets at home in recent weeks and will look to cause another when they face a Parramatta Eels side desperate to keep their season alive. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:00pm AEST.
Parramatta are coming off perhaps their best win of the season, after being 12-nil down to secure a 22-12 victory over premiership heavyweights Manly last week.
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Key players Chris Sandow, Jarryd Hayne, Will Hopoate and Semi Radradra all chipped in with big performances against the Sea Eagles and approach today’s contest with plenty of confidence.
Although the Eels will start strong favourites against Newcastle, the Knights have made a recent habit of causing upsets at home and will take plenty of delight in ending the Eels’ finals hopes in front of their home fans.
Indeed Parramatta suffered a surprise home defeat to Newcastle earlier in the season, so the Eels should know the dangers of underestimating the Novocastrians.
Recent home wins over Melbourne, Sydney and New Zealand makes the Knights a dangerous proposition this afternoon.
The Eels have to turn up ready to play or they could be in for yet another ambush from an enthusiastic Newcastle outfit.
With plenty on the line, Parramatta should show up with their best football. The victory over Manly should have installed plenty of belief in the squad and that confidence should allow them to play at a high tempo.
Overall the performances of Hayne and Sandow will dictate which team wins.
If they both fire, Parramatta should win well. A flat performance from either could see the Knights spring another upset.
Eels by 12.
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If you are following the action live, be sure to share your thoughts on the match in the comments below.
Distant Knight
Guest
It's been a real waste of a year for us this year unfortunately. Full of what ifs... What if fat boy Tinkler had paid people on time... What if Alex doesn't duck his head at the worst possible moment... What if Wayne Bennett would actually let them play some expansive footy from the start of the year. At least we've been able to chalk up some great wins late in the season. Can only hope that we can keep some of these classy juniors coming through, and Rick Stone just tells Mullen and Roberts to play what's in front of them. Some decent luck with injuries next year and we'll be right in the mix again finally!
parrafan
Guest
Warriors still have to play titans and panthers at their home. Broncos to play Melbourne at melbourne and eels to play raiders in Canberra. Very interesting round coming up. Some wonderful football being played at the moment.
Gazzatron
Guest
It leaves the door slightly ajar for the Warriors to sneak in to the 8. Just need to thrash the Titans tomorrow which should be achievable if the Warriors turn up to play for a change. If this chance doesn't fire up the Warriors then I don't know nothing will.
Liatrevlis
Guest
Agreed , and the refs weren't to bad either !
parrafan
Guest
Yes Clark Hayne is to blame. Not the constant knock ons from Edwards and Moeroa and co. Not Norman getting caught with the ball constantly. Not Knights almost perfect completion rate in the second half. Knights are a great team who have had more than their fair share of adversity this year. If Im not wrong they beat the storm a couple of weeks ago. IM sure that loss was all Slaters fault as well. You're a bitter person Clark. Best of luck to Melbourne but lord knows ill be rooting for any team against them.
Scrubbit
Guest
All clarks cred disappeared when he said people blame everyone else when parra lose. Hayne cops massive criticism when they lose, even if he's had a good game.
Clark
Guest
Was waiting for your input. I have backed up my judgements just fine. At the end of the day, Parra look like they will miss out on the finals based on that. People praise Hayne when Eels win, but blame everyone else when they lose. In my opinion you can't have it both ways. If Hayne is a one man team and wins games by himself, then he should take most of the blame for losses.
steveng
Guest
Bad result for the Eels fans and the Eels don't deserve to be in the 8 after this thrashing.
parrafan
Guest
Thanks Eagle. Its nice to see someone actually show some analysis. I've tried to ask Clark to back up his points with some constructed observations drawn from facts but he is incapable of it. Hayne has been brilliant this year. Knights second half was almost flawless and they have done better teams than the eels at home in the last couple of weeks. It shoes where Parramatta are at currently. Fringe finalists. Anyway go the roosters hope they put a cricket score on Melbourne.
eagleJack
Guest
I think you are looking at this topsy turvy. Hayne looks brilliant in Origin and playing for the Kangaroos, so this myth that he only looks good because he plays with average players is false. Just accept he is a top player. You don't have to like the guy to accept that.
Clark
Guest
Yeah Eagle, I am all for loyalty but he only looks good because the rest of his team are quite average. People can say "Let's see Cronk, Slater, Inglis etc win games by themselves" the reality is, they have never had the chance because they are in solid teams who have recruited and developed well. People doubted Widdop for the same thing and he looks great at St George despite the mid season slump
Scrubbit
Guest
You say one man band, I say one team man.
Clark
Guest
Scrubbit, I am saying, Jarryd could have very much left Parra and go to a team who can win a Premiership, he chose to stay and be a one man band.
eagleJack
Guest
Chopping and changing teams for the top players isn't that easy. A fair bit has to fall into place. Plus you form an affiliation with a club. Tight bonds and friendships. Gallen could have left the Sharks in 07 and now have 2 premierships with Manly. But he chose to stay loyal. I don't think players should be knocked for that.
Scrubbit
Guest
So because he's playing a team sport he should leave his team? I'm confused?
Alan
Roar Guru
The Eels started off well enough after Hopoate crossed over in just the 4th minute! It appeared that the Eels would go on with the job. The Knights however had other ideas and put the Eels to the sword to record a thumping victory in the end. The Eels led at half-time but once again fell apart in the second half. Brisbane and NZ fans rejoicing. Eels once again fall apart after such a great effort last week against Manly. Very inconsistent. Great job for Newcastle though. They are building toward next season and there is plenty to like about them Knights 42 Eels 12
Clark
Guest
He has had the chance to leave the Eels, at the end of the day, Hayne is most likely going to miss the finals yet again. Unless you only worried about yourself and your ego, you can't be satisfied with that when you are playing a team sport.
jamesb
Guest
Chanel scores number 5 for the brothers today.
Alan
Roar Guru
80' - Well like the Dragons, Eels still a major work in progress, particularly away from home. Their defence still a cause for concern when things don't go their way. FULLTIME Knights 42 Eels 12
eagleJack
Guest
No other player has to carry a team like Hayne. Basically a NSW Cup team for the last few years. He performs very well when surrounded by class for the Blues and Kangaroos. If you want to talk about inconsistent, Greg Inglis takes the cake. Turns up once game every five, but lucky for him he is in a team of stars. Both outstanding players. I feel your hatred of Hayne is unwarranted. He is a great player.