After a strong start to the season the Newcastle Knights have hit a roadblock in the last couple of weeks. Today they host a Parramatta Eels side also looking to get their campaign back on track. Join The Roar from 3:45pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage.
The Knights had a better start to the season than even their most optimistic supporters hoped for, winning their first four games against some strong opposition.
However their dream start ran into a red brick wall on a windy, rainy night in Newcastle when they went down to the Dragons, and then last weekend they struggled badly, going down to the Cronulla Sharks.
Despite the losses the Knights still sit in fifth position, however they will desperately want a reassuring win against the Eels on Sunday.
Meanwhile, for the Parramatta Eels the bad is outweighing the good so far in their season. They are not being helped by their injury and suspension toll, but still their on-field performances simply haven’t been good enough.
Last week they suffered an embarrassing loss at the hands of the Gold Coast Titans – they couldn’t hold onto the ball and gave away countless penalties in a second half that they would rather forget.
That loss has left them the opposite to the Knights with two wins and four losses, sitting in 13th spot.
In team news, the Knights have reversed a last-minute decision last week by placing hooker and second rower Tyler Randell back on the bench in jersey number 14, pushing Sione Mata’utia to 18th man. Incredible that the teenager played for Australia but can’t get a proper run for the Knights.
The Eels only change sees Richie Fa’oso added as 18th man.
The Knights played their first four games of the season in dry weather, with three of their four wins played in daylight. Since then they have suffered two losses in night footy with the rain coming down. A wet forecast for Sunday afternoon will not help the Knights.
While he has been backed up well by Corey Norman, the Eels’ two wins have come almost as a direct result of brilliant performances from Chris Sandow. The Knights’ ability to shut him down will go a long way to determining the result.
William Hopoate has also shown some moments of brilliance this year but the pressure is building on him to perform consistently.
The Knights have only scored six points in their last two games. Players like Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts and Kurt Gidley really need to get their attack firing, and sort out their last-play options.
Prediction
The Knights will be keen to turn things around in front of their home fans and with the Eels’ massive injury toll they should get up in a close one.
Knights by 6.
Join The Roar from 3:45pm (AEST) for our live coverage of the Newcastle Knights taking on the Parramatta Eels, and remember to leave your comments as the game progresses!
Gappy
Guest
Sorry the ref made 2 big mistakes to let Newcastle back in the match
Johnk
Guest
Agree
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Knights were truly poor in this match, so many dropped balls and lazy penalties against a side that was down to 16 before the end of the first half (and both Gower and Sandow playing on hurt).
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well thanks for joining me today on the Roar for this clash between the Newcastle Knights and the Parramatta Eels, which saw the Eels run out unconvincing victors. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. Remember to keep it locked into the Roar for all the best live coverage of sport and all the analysis and opinions! I'll be back tomorrow night for the final game of round 7 between the Cronulla Sharks and the South Sydney Rabbitohs from 6:45pm (AEST). Or if you're a cycling fan i'll be covering the Amstel Gold Race from 9:15 pm (AEST) this evening so I hope to see you for either or both of those events! Enjoy the rest of your evening!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Man of the Match is NATHAN PEATS
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME: Eels 28 Knights 22 Well in a game that cant be called a good game by any stretch of the imagination both teams had to deal with a very strong wind blowing at Hunter Stadium as the Parramatta Eels clinch a very important win over the Newcastle Knights. After the first half the Knights looked to be the better on field team holding a 2 point lead but it was fair to say the Eels were in the favourite position with the wind at their backs in the second half. The second half was a really good battle with end to end football being played in trying conditions and a grandstand finish. Sandow was brilliant for the Eels setting up a couple of tries and Nathan Peats scored a double for the Eels at vital times in the second half. The Knights, at the end of the day just were not good enough after the first 20 minutes to go with the Eels. They made less errors and gave away less penalties but just couldn't use enough of their opportunities running into the wind. For the Eels a much needed win will keep them moving with the pack but the Knights now have lost 3 games straight and really need something to get their season going after winning their first 4 on the trot. Next week the Eels face a tough trip to Brisbane and the Knights host the Cowboys both on ANZAC Day. Both sides will be desperate for a win. In the end though today the Eels to strong for the Knights.
Benny
Guest
Far out it's a close comp this year. If the sharks beat souths tomorrow, there will be 12 teams within 1 win of each other
Scott Pryde
Expert
80' - Now the Knights decide to spread it in their own half and manage to create a gap with Tyrone Roberts goes straight through. Dane Gagai was on the outside and Roberts never looked at him as he gets tackled and loses the ball. The siren goes in the background and the Eels win the game!! FULLTIME: PARRAMATTA EELS 28 defeat NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
80' - The Eels now moving forward and a suspect pass is let go before they do knock it on in a play the ball about 15 meters out from their try line. Sloppy from the Eels and the Knights will get one last chance. 49 seconds to go. Eels 28 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
79' - Now the Knights working it away from their own corner and really struggling. The last play is ordered to be re played a couple of times and they run it from the right to the left where Gagai gets an offload away and the kick goes down the field out on the full. 90 seconds to go and the Eels with the ball 40 meters out. Eels 28 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
78' - Now the Eels with a solid set and Sandow puts the kick right down into the corner. Exactly what the Eels needed there. Eels 28 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
77' - Short kick off here from the Knights and it gets batted back for Korbin Sims who comes up with it! This will probably be the Knights best chance and on the last they decide to run it to the left. Gidley gets tackled with it and its also a knock on. Eels with the ball and 3:35 to go. Eels 28 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
76' - CONVERSION MISSED by CHRIS SANDOW from just next to the posts. Horrible miss from Sandow and the game is still on here. Eels 28 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
75' - TRY EELS, NATHAN PEATS What on earth happened there. We are going up to the video ref for a possible Eels try. They had worked themselves right down onto the attack and on the last Sandow kicks through to the right and the ball has been bounced back towards the goal posts where Peats has ran through and scored. Peats was originally offside but has been put on side by Sandow running through and the contest on the right shows the ball coming off McManus' shoulder. No problem with grounding and this should be a try. Yep green lights and that surely must be it as Peats gets a double. Eels 28 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
74' - Pressure really building on the Knights here and it shows as Mullen tries to rush a pass and it goes forward to the ground. The Eels inside of 40 meters from the line with a scrum now. Eels 24 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
73' - Now on the last here for the Eels come within 23 meters of the line and run to the left through Sandow. He gets an offload away to Ma'u and eventually Norman grubbers through. Eels 24 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
72' - Now the Knights struggling for meters up against some tough Eels defence at the moment and Mullen kicks from inside his own 40 meter line. It was as if he was aiming for a 40/20 but that's just about impossible into this wind. Eels 24 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
71' - The Eels looking a little unsure of themselves here. Corey Norman looking dangerous but cant do anything with it before Sandow grubbers through on the last and Gagai does a good job to collect the grubber. Eels 24 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
70' - Now before the Knights can really go anywhere they knock on about 30 meters out from their own line. Eels 24 Knights 22
Scott Pryde
Expert
69' - Rain now starting to fall in Newcastle as the Knights try and get the kick off back again but it doesn't happen this time. The Eels though struggling for meters and on the last Sandow kicks as a chip from about 40 meters out. Sandow doesn't get the best of bounces and Mullen is there to clean up. Knights might struggle into this wind. Eels just need to grind them down now with a strong kicking game. Knights 22 Eels 18