The Parramatta Eels host the in-form North Queensland Cowboys at Pirtek Stadium. Join The Roar from 7pm (AEST) for all the action.
The Eels finally broke their long losing streak with a hard-fought 26-20 win over Penrith last weekend. The blue and gold scrapped and scraped home, showing some real ticker.
Parramatta sit 15th on the ladder, on the same amount of points as bottom-placed Manly, and as they have Melbourne and the Dragons coming up in the next fortnight, it’s make or break time. A few more losses and their finals hopes will be well and truly gone, if they aren’t already.
For the Cowboys, things have been running smoothly the past two months after a poor start to the season. They saw off the Sea Eagles last weekend in thrilling circumstances and are riding high in third spot, with the same amount of points as the Dragons and Broncos in first and second.
Johnathan Thurston has been pulling the strings with aplomb and with Michael Morgan by his side, the Cowboys have been brilliant. Morgan has really come of age this season and did not look out of place in his first taste of Origin.
James Tamou and Matt Scott are tough to contain up front, Lachlan Coote is hitting his straps at fullback and Jason Taumalolo is a beast at lock.
But perhaps most impressive has been the emergence of Jake Granville at hooker, a smart, creative ball-playing rake with a nose for tries.
The Eels’ defence will have to be at its very best to contain Thurston and co. David Gower has returned to the bench while Danny Wicks and Junior Paulo swap between the run-on side and the interchange.
Parramatta have Reece Robinson continuing at fullback, with Will Hopoate in the centres and Chris Sandow at halfback.
The Cowboys are huge favourites to notch another win on Monday night.
Join The Roar from 7pm (AEDT) for commentary and highlights as Parramatta does battle with the Cowboys.
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Grand Armee
Guest
I think Django is out indefinitely after an injury for the Pride on the weekend
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Jango rocks. Man what a result. I thought we were cactus at around the 50minute mark. - and then....
See
Guest
Rather, cowboys aren't on the top for nothing
Bails
Guest
enter the Jango!
Grand Armee
Guest
I agree that Parramatta lost the game, however, I watch tonnes of Cowboys games, and JT and Coops combination have done this to tonnes of teams. Coops is deceptively fast and strong. JT gives him some half chances and Coops does not need the invitation.
Grand Armee
Guest
Don't forget our defence. With Tautau Moga gone for the season (who was already Tate's replacement mid-season in 2014), we badly need a centre. I think Winterstein should be moved from the wing to centre, as he has performed when he has filled in at centre before. Otherwise, one of our juniors should step up and replace O'Neil whose confidence is dead.
Grand Armee
Guest
He called it a 70 minute performance by his Eels and a very bad 10 minutes.
TheSmak
Guest
It's funny, because only Parramatta could lose from that score.
Charles
Guest
He'll be hoping Todd Greenberg saw what he saw tonight.
steveng
Roar Rookie
yeah, but that is against a team that is known to lose their marbles in the second half. There was nothing new and nothing outstanding from JT, Parra lost this game and it was Arthur's fault for not using his bench and letting his players tire out. A bad loss for Parra and by the looks of how they played in the first half and 10min into the second half, they can beat any team in the comp, but what happened tonight is an absolute disgrace and Arthur should be blamed for it, there are no more excuses for Arthur. He either gets this team to perform for 80minutes or he has to get the flick.
Grand Armee
Guest
They have a terrific combination. They are best mates in real life and just know what each other are going to do, and when.
Grand Armee
Guest
Not with defence like ours earlier in the match. A fair bit to work on, but at least we still win when playing poorly.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Nah, it was an absolute shocker from Parra (as usual) in the second half. Arthur must be pulling his hair out (that is a proverbial) with the performance of his side and the lack of commitment(s) in the second half(s) this season. It's Arthur fault he made some very dumb decisions with his bench players and he cannot blame his team for losing this one. Parra should seriously look at getting a new coach for 2016, that is their only answer.
E-Meter
Guest
The coach is sloppy and an amateur. Except for Rd 1, Parra have not put in anywhere near an 80 minute effort. They are not capable of it.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Outstanding by the Cowboys and I really feel for Eels fans tonight. That games was done and dusted...except it wasn't'.
E-Meter
Guest
Don't really need an investigation. The club has been a joke for 29 years. Fortunately for Parra, they've had 4 premiership victories, but will never ever see another one. Besides the late 70s, 80s and a few bright moments in 01, 05 and 09, they have been perennial losers. It's completely entrenched in the clubs culture.
Shane
Guest
JT BRILLIANT
jamesb
Guest
Parramatta did an excellent Jana Novotna choke impersonation. Tipped the Cows to win it before the season started. So far so good.
Parrafan
Guest
That he forgot he had 4 players on the bench. That is just dumb coaching there. Your forwards are out on their feet and you've got two fresh forwards on the bench but don't use them till the last 10 minutes and the second in the last minute. Bloody dumb coaching.
a
Guest
I want to know what Brad Aurthur had to say after this match