Parramatta Eels
40
Match Complete
Canberra Raiders
4
| M. Niukore |  | 79 | ||
| M. Moses |  | 75 | ||
| M. Moses |  | 72 | ||
| M. Niukore | | 71 | ||
| M. Moses | | 47 | ||
| M. Moses | | 45 | ||
| 28 | | X. Savage | ||
| M. Moses | | 25 | ||
| J. Paulo | | 23 | ||
| M. Moses | | 21 | ||
| W. Blake | | 19 | ||
| T. Opacic | | 14 | ||
| M. Moses | | 7 | ||
| W. Penisini | | 6 |
| 7 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 5 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
We’re into sudden death footy as the Parramatta Eels host the Canberra Raiders in the first semi-final of the 2022 NRL finals. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm AEST.
Semi-final footy is nothing new for this Parramatta squad. This is the fifth time they’ve made the second week of finals since 2017.
However, the Eels have failed to make a preliminary final, having lost their past four Week 2 games. Brad Arthur’s biggest selection headache leading to the clash was Mitchell Moses’ injury, but the halfback has been named to start – although Jake Arthur is named on the bench in case things go awry for them.
What a turnaround it has been for the Raiders. Having won only seven matches until Round 17, they have gone on to win all but one clash en route to eking into the top eight, and then beating Melbourne in Melbourne for the second time this year.
The return of Jamal Fogarty has rejuvenated the Raiders, as his kicking game has been vital towards Raiders victories. But don’t count out the forward trio of Josh Papalii, Joseph Tapine and Hudson Young to make an impact. With Adam Elliot out with injury, Corey Harawira-Naera moves to lock from the bench.
Prediction
Parramatta were one of the best teams in attack during the regular season. In terms of skill, they are better than their opponents. However, they haven’t won many games over the past few years when their attack has not fired in low-scoring games.
If Ricky Stuart can get his boys to nullify the Eels’ attack and force the game into a grind, the Raiders will get the job done.
Raiders to win 14-10.
Game information
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 7:50pm (AEST)
TV/Stream: Channel Nine, Fox League, Kayo Sports, NRL Live Pass
Odds: Eels $1.48; Raiders $2.56 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Eels
1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Tom Opacic 5. Waqa Blake 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Ryan Matterson
Interchange: 14. Makahesi Makatoa 15. Jakob Arthur 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Marata Niukore
Raiders
1. Xavier Savage 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Corey Harawira-Naera
Interchange: 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Ryan Sutton
SteveO
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Obviously to praise me for my wisdom, loyalty and foresight. And they would be right. Thanks, life choice chat person
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
You’re too kind, Choppy! I appreciate it though :happy: I will happily accept the legend mantle :laughing: Oh yeah, we’ll definitely be the underdogs. We’ll need to bring our A+ game to get past the Cowboys.
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
Cheers Steveng - it’s a shame that a small minority makes us all look bad :happy:
Tim J
Roar Rookie
:thumbup:
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
Thanks for those kind words Geoff; I appreciate them :happy: There’s only four years between our droughts, and believe me I was cheering hard for the Raiders in 2019. We both know how hard that holy grail is to grab - let’s hope we both get to hold it sooner rather than later!
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
Thanks Tim :happy: Hey, if more people read the message and take it to heart, I’ll be pretty chuffed!
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
There was a Simpson episode, Mr Burns buys a baseball teams, he tells Don Maddingly to ‘lose the sideburns’. Every time Mr Burns see him he gets up him about it. Maddingly ends up with a terrible haircut
Chris
Guest
No, I think Canberra played poorly. Their defence out wide was especially poor.
Tony the VIC pirate
All class Ben, good luck for the rest of the finals
steveng
Roar Rookie
Here we go, where did you come from, never heard that one before, but if you understood my comment then the few always spoil it for the many!
What the !
Guest
Says the man who supports a team , who’s supporters showed little respect last weekend . For the Queens minute of silence.
Nat
Roar Guru
First Newy and now this. I think someone has to talk to you about your life choices. ;)
Justin
Guest
So a massive contract offer coming to Brown , from the Storm? I couldn’t see Brown leaving Parramatta now. Other than, if Parramatta won the GF this year? That may change everything.
Justin
Guest
Sideburns? What about that hair cut? Who fooled the players such as Wighton, Cleary into thinking that their hair cuts look good? They’re shockers !
JennyFromPenny
Guest
*not sure about hug favours. I think being outplayed + handshake after the game sufficed.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Your team's done well Geoff, and let's all be honest, they did Parra a hug favour for Storm not to return for rnd 25 payback. Parra has had it over the Storm recently and would have been up to it, but I'd say they were happy not to have to find out.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Well done, Parra. The kings of trampoline bounce back, even through finals. On top from the stsrt. They did play at their home ground though. I would say playing at GIO, would have been much closer. Will be tough travelling to Nth Qld, but show they can do it. Playing at QCB though. No doubt the Cowboys are happy it's not at Commbank. Happy for people to say how arrogant Penrith are when players celebrate tries, when all teams celebrate tries, when we offer to play away finals, and when fans do the Viking clap, same as Parra, copied from Ennis to his old team whilst a Shark. The clap that Canberra copied themselves, and hold no ™ over.
zonecadet
Roar Rookie
You wish, There's a lot of talent been out injured for most of this season from the Storm. They'll be back and contending, just like every other year. As for Canberra not playing bad, no I guess they didn't but they played as good as they can and that's not good enough. 9 of their 14 wins came at the expense of the bottom 7 teams in the NRL. They had the lowest, by far, points differential in the top 8. Last week gave them a false sense of ability. Well done Eels.
Danno
Roar Rookie
It wouldn’t surprise me coach Bellamy is a smart operator, Dylan Brown is so underrated and his best is still to come, it would be a great buy