The Parramatta Eels have one eye on finals, while the South Sydney Rabbitohs are preparing for what will be the last game of their season when the two face off at ANZ Stadium. Join The Roar for all the action from 7:50pm (AEST).
If you took the performances of both sides from last week, the Eels would win this game in a cricket score.
Parra were meticulous and outstanding in attack in their 52-34 dismantling of premiership contenders Brisbane, while South Sydney were pummelled 64-6 by a red-hot Storm.
Tonight, the Eels can guarantee themselves a top-four spot, and with it, a ticket straight through to the second week of finals. That is motivation in itself and the return of Mana Ma’u is a huge inclusion.
Corey Norman has been in scintillating form, and will continue to lead his side around the paddock. If Semi Radradra can get the ball in his hands even close to the number of times he did last week, this game will be over before halftime.
For the Rabbitohs, it’s about restoring pride. They were woeful last start, and will be desperate to finish their season with a semblance of respect.
Souths had won three straight before last week’s demolition job, and can take some confidence in the improvement of a number of their forward pack in that time. Angus Crichton has been one of their best this season, and will look to continue eating metres up the middle.
Cody Walker shifts to five-eighth, while Bryson Goodwin will wear the number 1 jersey in a number of team shuffles.
This game will be won in the halves. Norman and Mitchell Moses have steered their outside backs superbly, and have often sparked games with moments of individual nous. If they heat up on a cold Sydney night, they will be too much for a flailing Rabbitohs outfit.
That said, Cody Walker and Luke Kelly can return serve. If their big pack can get a roll on up the middle, they could cause some headaches for the Eels’ outside backs.
Prediction
The Eels are peaking at the right time, and were absolutely outstanding last start. It’ll be an entertaining fixture, but Parramatta should lock up their top-four spot with a comfortable win.
Eels by 16.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:50pm (AEST).
Oingo Boingo
Guest
You'd be excused for thinking the people steering the NRL were all planted assassins , placed to destroy the game from within . I can't be bothered watching most games and even Roosters matches are hard to swallow these days . Whether they are cheated out of a result or they win through the grace of junk refereeing , either way I find it's very disheartening. I'd be willing to bet a lot of money we're going to see a finals debacle that will ensure refereeing overshadows football. And don't get me started anot Cleary , he's just a hack for hire .
Albo
Guest
Yep ! Surely the standard of officialdom has never been lower than this season ? Whilst Matt Cleary tries to convince us how tough a job these guys have, there can be no excuse for missing so many blatant and obvious infringements', like a 3 metre forward pass in front of a linesman standing in line and a metre from the play ? Match results are becoming more of a lucky dip each week thanks to the standard of the officials performances.
bear54
We could all use a little more t & a...
Joe
Roar Rookie
Gutsy performance by the Rabbitohs. They have some decent young guns in the team that will benefit greatly from this season and they should be a force next season. Eels were patchy but stood up when it mattered. I don't know of any other club that depends on a winger the way Eels need Radradra. He was just outstanding again after his romp against the Broncos. He is as important to the team as Corey Norman.
Matt
Guest
Parramatta already has 4 a's and 2 r's. Why do we think it need's 3 t's ?
Matt
Guest
Parra may be back entering into the finals after 12 years, but they are playing more like a team that will be leaving the finals in two painful straight sets.
Ben
Guest
Keep that tinfoil hat on mate...
Big Daddy
Guest
Gus's after match about 2018 and not having an under 20's comp next year is very poignant. Where are all the players going to play or is this just another cost cutting exercise. So much for grassroots promotion. Shane Richardson has a lot to answer for. Of course they had to increase salary cap to accommodate some of these players. The rest will be banished to park football or superleague if they can get a gig. Absolute disgrace by NRL.
The Spectator
Guest
TB, Deano!
Mike from tari
Guest
How do the match officials miss so much, absolute terrible display, luckily the players made the game exciting.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
A very spirited performance by the Rabbitohs despite having little to play for while the Eels looked to be just going through the motions. If they carry that form into the finals I can't see them going very far
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, not convincing in the slightest, but the Eels will take it. If they want to compete next week (and the following), they need to step it up big time.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Eels 22 – 16 Rabbitohs Match Result: It was a tough slog, and they were downright awful in patches, but the Parramatta Eels have secured a top four spot with a 22-16 win over the courageous South Sydney Rabbitohs. More to come.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
79′ Eels 22 – 16 Rabbitohs Cook steps off his right on the 5th tackle and the Eels scramble incredibly well to deny him. Phew! Sigh of relief from Eels fans, and despair from Souths supporters. The Eels have it, 5m out - first tackle.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
77′ Eels 22 – 16 Rabbitohs Rabbitohs with it, 20m out from the Eels line, 2nd tackle. Big chance.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
77′ Eels 22 – 16 Rabbitohs Penalty Souths - Moses climbs up off the kick off, obstructs the Rabbitohs player, and knees Semi Radradra in the head in the process. Chaos!
M
Guest
Absolutely pathetic how many calls have been going their way. Its been like that for the past few weeks
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
73′ Eels 22 – 16 Rabbitohs Kick is away from Moses, his first miss of the night.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
73′ TRY EELS! Eels 22 – 16 Rabbitohs Eels stretch the Rabbitohs all the way to their left edge. They come back through Norman and Moses kicks to the corner, who else but Semi Radradra?! Climbs up, takes it, wriggles free and scores. Seven tries for the Fijian flyer in 153 minutes. Freak. Kick to come after this ad from Harvey Norman - plenty of electronics on sale for fathers day!
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
73′ Eels 18 – 16 Rabbitohs Nice kick from Walker pins the Eels deep in their own 10m line. Will Smith's run on the second is ineffective. Ball with Radradra now 15m from their own line and the Rabbitohs knock on in the tackle. Eels scrum, 35m from their own line.