Despite a late scare, the Eels have held on for their fourth win of the season and second in a row as they push their way up towards the pointy of the standings.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Parramatta Eels 18
Penrith Panthers 12
Both the Parramatta Eels and Penrith Panthers are looking to get their season kick-started after a less than stellar opening to their 2017 campaigns. Catch all the live scores, highlights and action on The Roar from 3pm (AEST).
Three losses in a row for the Panthers and five from seven games this year has left them down in 13th with just four points to their name.
A substantial loss and some other results could even see them finish the round in last place.
The Sharks made light work of them last week, putting on five tries to none in a fairly bland display from the chocolate soldiers that has started to put pressure on coach Anthony Griffin.
For the Eels, they’ve had similar struggles throughout the early parts of the year, going on a string of four losses in a row from Rounds 3 to 6 to leave them on the wrong side of the top eight.
A thrilling come from behind win over the Tigers last week that saw them put on three tries in ten minutes to sneak home 26-22 put an end to the month-long run of defeat.
That win bumped them up to 10th and, in contrast to the Panthers situation, a substantial result could see them sneak their way up into the finals equation.
Team News
Pretty quiet on the team front this week for both sides with both coaches making just one forced change through injuries.
Griffin will welcome Bryce Cartwright back from an ankle injury, putting him straight back into the run-on side. He will replace James Fisher-Harris who has been ruled out with a shoulder injury.
For the Eels, there’s still no Mitch Moses despite rumours of his switch after the Tigers game.
Peni Terepo has been forced to take time off after suffering a torn pec.
It’s good timing though for coach Brad Arthur who has a returning Kenny Edwards back in the side after serving his suspension.
Prediction
While Parra got the win last week, it was far from convincing, leaving this a contest of two out of form sides really trying to fight their way back up to the pointy end of the competition.
It’s a hard one to pick, so I’ll go with home ground advantage and last week’s efforts, giving the Eels the edge on this one, but only just.
Eels to win by 6
Catch all the live scores, highlights and action on The Roar from 3pm (AEST).
Brian S
Guest
So how were Penrith favourites to win the Grand Final before the season started;)?
jeandetroyes
Guest
Let's hope all talk of Cartwright playing SOO is dead for 2017. A very long way to go before he can be considered, surely? As big a burden for his side as SKD is for the Roosters.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Whoever instilled them as the premiership favourites surely did it as a prank?.... I've said from round 1 that they will be the most overrated side of 2017.
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
Knights are not the worst team in the comp, the Panthers are.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME Despite a late scare, the Eels have held on for their fourth win of the season and second in a row as they push their way up towards the pointy of the standings. They remain in 10th on points difference, but are on the same amount of points as the sixth-placed Raiders. The Panthers also remain where they are, but are at risk of slipping down towards the wooden spoon by the end of the weekend. The Eels dominated most of the game but the Panthers really fired up inside the final 20 and created the chance to steal the win late. » Click here to read the full match report Eels - 18 Panthers - 12
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Hook's job cant be secure after a 2-6 start. Surely. Gus Gould would be regretting getting rid of Cleary for him.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
77' TRY PANTHERS!!! Corey Harawira-Naera has kept the Panthers alive in this one with the clock ticking down. Is there one final twist in this tale? We saw the Eels finish fast last week to steal the win, can the Panthers do the same this week?? Badger wanted to send it upstairs but the Bunker gives it and Corey Harawira-Naera has snagged a late four-pointer than has kept his side in it. Eels - 18 Panthers - 12
Connor Bennett
Editor
75' Line drop out from the Eels... and it's a big one!!! Norman sends it 60 metres on the fly!! Eels - 18 Panthers - 6
Connor Bennett
Editor
74' The Panthers looking scrappy again on the last tackle as they look to run it, as they have a lot this afternoon. Wallace pokes his head through the line though and puts a peach of a grubber into the in goal area. It sits up nicely and the Eels are forced to plant it for a line drop out. This game isn't over yet. Eels - 18 Panthers - 6
Scott
Guest
Oh no Para have got the shakes
Connor Bennett
Editor
73' Playing it safe. The Eels just driving up the middle, trying to make metres around the ruck before the kick comes a long way down field. The Panthers showing signs of desperation now. Eels - 18 Panthers - 6
Connor Bennett
Editor
72' Cartwright very messy on the last play for the Panthers. It was scrappy all round as he turns left and right before taking on the line and kicking through, only to give it up to Gutherson on the ground. Not a great finish to the set and the Eels will just be looking to get the footy right back up the other end of the park. Eels - 18 Panthers - 6
Doug Graves
Guest
Panthers are clueless. They are supposed to be premiership favorites! Surely Griffin is facing the axe after this latest debacle?
Connor Bennett
Editor
71' Tim Mannah hit hard in centre field and now it's his turn to lose the ball in the tackle, giving the Panthers another sniff as time becomes their biggest enemy. Eels - 18 Panthers - 6
Connor Bennett
Editor
70' A bit of a hospital ball to Moylan on the left wing and the Eels defence rushes out to nail him!!! Popping the ball loose and winning the scrum inside the Penrith half. The Eels are really pumped up on these plays and they know how big these moments are, Eels - 18 Panthers - 6
Connor Bennett
Editor
69' Norman with a well-placed grubber from halfway, finding touch right in within 5 metres from the Panthers line and that'll be a nice breather for his men and very good field position. Eels - 18 Panthers - 6
Connor Bennett
Editor
68' The Eels now just trying to play it safe, driving up the middle away from their own line as they look to just slow the Panthers down a touch after another close call. Eels - 18 Panthers - 6
Connor Bennett
Editor
67' CARTWRIGHT LOSES IT!! After all that, Cartwright has lost it in the tackle looking for the offload close to the Eels line and that very exciting passage of play comes to an end. The Parra players are pumped to have held on there. Eels - 18 Panthers - 6