Two lowly sides in Parramatta Eels and Gold Coast Titans come up against each other tonight for the last match of Round 20. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:00pm (AEST).
A series of off-field dramas seems to have weakened both sides at this late stage of the competition, with both the Eels and Titans struggling toward the wrong end of the table.
While the Eels are just two wins away from a finals position, and the Titans – despite their wooden spoon placing at the moment – are just three wins from a finals position; it is fair to say that neither side deserves a top eight finish.
The Eels 46-4 loss to the Cowboys last week only made the off-field matters surrounding Hopoate worse, as the boys from Parra struggled to build any rhythm against one of the strongest sides in the competition.
If they’re to have any chance of a top eight finish, they need to win big tonight and build momentum into the last five rounds of the NRL season. They’ll also be relying heavily on other results to go their way.
For the Titans, their season is all but lost – again. Realistically a top 8 finish is off the cards, despite being just six points behind the Bulldogs at eighth spot. They head into this match following some poor performances, however next season is already looking brighter with the signings of young guns Kane Elgey and Ashley Taylor.
Both players, along with Daly-Cherry-Evans, should create some excitement around the camp, and will perhaps be the motivation for each player to start fighting for their spots.
But with the past few results, the coach will need to see something special to resist from making bulk changes to his starting squad.
The Titans lost 34-0 to Brisbane last week, though that was a good performance compared to their losses to the Knights in Round 19, and the 38-6 loss in Round 18 against the far from impressive Sea Eagles
Prediction:
Whatever the outcome of this one, it isn’t likely that either side will challenge for a top eight finish, though my prediction is with the Parramatta Eels.
Tom G
Guest
maybe the guy posting the updates fell asleep because of the scintillating quality of the game?
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Yep to all that.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nope your not reading it wrong. let's assume technical difficulties.
Grant Wilson
Guest
Yes agree. Same with that egotripover Warren Smith. Once we sees something incorrectly, we just tries to bully all the other replays to continually try to justify his immediate call. He's wrong half the time - clearly - and ignores rules - important rules that go against his initial (incorrect) call - no matter how many replays / angles show what he is saying is wrong. He just keeps going and going with his initial call and whilst everyone who's watching - and thankfully the referees too - are all saying - the exact opposite like to him - Warren continues to belligerently hammer his option he called in a millisecond the first he looked at it. His ego never allows himself to correct his own error - I actually suspect He is so egocentric- it never enters his head to question his own call - at all. The then goes and does a summary when play restarts saying stuff like the he doesn't know how the referees can get it so wrong and then (again) repeats his call. Drives me nuts as you can see. Brandy is just an idiot - Warren has an illness.
TheSmak
Guest
How come the call of the game only had 7 comments? Am i reading this wrong or something, or is there another page of comments that i don't know about?
GTW
Guest
He does have a certain Harrigan ego thing going on, doesn't he.
GTW
Guest
As a Raiders fan I love the things Sezer does. My team is used to having about 45% possession, and with a "slightly" suspect defence it's bloody hard to win games. Sezer will add about 10% to that figure. Sezer does things that no Raider half back has done for many years - good long kicking game, superb short kicking game, tackles hard. What's not to like about him? The Raiders have been beaten by some of the smartest footy players in the game this year, maybe we'll have some of those brains and skills next year. It is a relatively simple game, why more guys can't master these skills is a bit of a mystery.
Grant Wilson
Guest
Great game by the TITanS. Well, by 16 of them - not sure if Ryan James knew he was out there playing a game of Rugby League though - didn't see him other than when the camera showed him vaguely near the ball, wondering around and sometimes getting in the way of the players attacking (actually playing). Go GCT!
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Greg Alexander is the worst commentator not on channel nine.
Planko
Guest
Perinara you are a joke
Planko
Guest
Touch did not see anything yet he got involved. Now this what a joke
James Anderson
Roar Guru
34' - Sorry for the delay, we're back for commentary. Bird runs through, plays into Elgey, but he didn't show enough determination and the defence comes in to get in the way. Eels on the ball now, and they kick long down the field to try and gain some position. Gold Coast Titans 6-10 Parramatta Eels
James Anderson
Roar Guru
29' - An almost certain try was chased down well.
Gold Coast Titans 6-4 Parramatta EelsJames Anderson
Roar Guru
26' - Titans knock on, and Para comes out of the scrum with the ball. Another penalty in quick succession to Paramatta as they play tackle 0 on halfway. Gold Coast Titans 6-4 Parramatta Eels
James Anderson
Roar Guru
22' - The score is 6-4 in favour of the Titans at Parramatta half way through the first match. Titans on the ball in their own half. Gold Coast Titans 6-4 Parramatta Eels
James Anderson
Roar Guru
12 - Gold Coast offside. Eels Score!! Gold Coast Titans 0-0 Parramatta Eels
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Gold Coast ahead by 6. The Parramatta defence has started this match the same way they left off last week.
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Good evening and welcome to tonight's clash between Parramatta Eels and the Gold Coast Titans. Both sides are toward the bottom of the table, so it will be interesting to see who comes out of this one on top after some disappointing results from both sides recently.