Eels
16
Match Complete
Panthers
10
| M. Moses |  | 68 | ||
| R. Matterson |  | 67 | ||
| M. Moses | | 65 | ||
| C. Gutherson | | 64 | ||
| W. Blake | | 61 | ||
| 38 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 36 | | J. Mansour | ||
| 21 | | B. To'o |
| 3 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The NRL continues tonight with a top four clash between the Parramatta Eels and Penrith Panthers, coming to you from Bankwest Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:55pm AEST.
The Eels sit alone at the top of the ladder after a somewhat controversial win over the Sea Eagles last round.
Brad Arthur was disappointed in the Eels’ performance but he must be a hard marker, as they were the better team.
The likes of Mitchell Moses and Clint Gutherson have been running riot behind a big and mobile Parramatta pack. Junior Paulo has been especially impressive, getting through a mountain of minutes.
Nathan Brown returns from suspension at lock, with Marata Niukore back on the bench. Ray Stone has been named on the bench with Oregon Kaufusi dropping out of the 17.
The Penrith Panthers have been flying under the radar so far but will jump the Eels if they win tonight.
They were perhaps lucky to come away with one point against an undermanned Knights team a fortnight ago but were way too good for the Warriors last round.
In a big boost, Nathan Cleary returns this week with Jarome Luai holding on to his halves spot ahead of Matt Burton. Burton is on the interchange.
Dylan Edwards has been named on the reserves list and is some chance of coming in at fullback in place of Caleb Aekins.
Prediction
Both sides have plenty of points in them and I expect a high-scoring encounter.
Nathan Cleary may be a little rusty after a few months out of the game and that could prove the difference.
It will be an entertaining match but the Eels will have a little too much class.
Parramatta Eels by eight.
Game information
Kick-off: 7:55pm (AEST)
Venue: Bankwest Stadium
TV: Fox Sports, Channel Nine
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, NRL Live Pass, 9Now
Teams
Eels
1. Clint Gutherson (c), 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Waqa Blake, 5. Blake Ferguson, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Ryan Matterson, 13. Nathan Brown
Bench/Reserves: 14. Ray Stone, 15. Marata Niukore, 16. Kane Evans, 17. Peni Terepo, 18. Brad Takairangi, 19. Oregon Kaufusi, 20. George Jennings, 21. Will Smith
Panthers
1. Caleb Aekins, 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Dean Whare, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Brian To’o, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. James Tamou (c), 9. Apisai Koroisau, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11. Villame Kikau, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Isaah Yeo
Bench/Reserves: 14. Matt Burton, 15. Zane Tetevano, 16. Moses Leota, 17. Liam Martin, 18. Mitch Kenny, 19. Billy Burns, 20. Jack Hetherington, 21. Dylan Edwards
David Holden
Roar Guru
Probably round out the 8 but I think they are the next level down
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
No Manly or Souths??
David Holden
Roar Guru
Not at all, at the moment, the Eels, Panthers, Roosters, Raiders and Knights stand out to me. You’d have to think Melbourne will be in there as well so premiership probably comes down to those 6 teams.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
That was 80 minutes of high quality footy. Wash your mouth out.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
And if both teams win by 2 in the last 10 minutes you’ll be looking for another “indicator” for the following week to write them off. If these two tea,s aren’t top four special based on that game nothing will be.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Believe if they are from the same household they are allowed to mingle freely. Other than that, I'm in the dark, too.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
Hence why I'd be livid if I was Ivan Cleary. Five minutes of football should never cost you a game like that.
egbert
Guest
Frustrating. Penrith's defence generally good, Cleary passable on return, forwards got very tired at about 60 minutes and that cost us. If there is one player that Gus let go during his time that I'd like back, it would be Blake (just, over Peachey). Penrith could also use a fullback who at least approaches the pedigree of Parramatta's, as much as Aekins is solid. Dylan Edwards ain't the solution.
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
I suspect it starts to sink in once the adrenaline wears off. Plus the presence of the coach who would be critical of a loss would sober high spirits up fairly quickly. I don't think it's necessarily an act to be jovial with each other and the opposition after such a high-quality game; especially if you're friends with some of the opposing players.
thomas c
Guest
when Gutherson appealed the knock on rule, I thought "I wonder how important this moment is going to be?". The commentators repeating the assertion that the game was "high quality", but it was 10 points at the back of one half and 16 at the other on the back of possession. When the team that was tired got down the other end in either half, they didn't have ANYTHING.
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
There's 80 minutes of football, and all of them count. A lapse in concentration and defence cost Penrith big time.
G Len N
Roar Rookie
Ok. So, I see after the game immediately lots of players from each team mingling and laughing and hugging and chatting.... Then, once the teams seperate and head into the privacy of the change rooms players looking forlorn, devastated, staring into space as if they are suffering from PTSD...these players look as if they are completely ruined. Which bit of this is true? The jocular moments straight after the game with the opposition or the “dead eye”state in the change rooms that the coaches (expect) see?
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
I don't entirely blame you; there's a lot of "gamesmanship" I'd like to see them get rid of. They should be good enough to win without that sort of rubbish.
Doug Graves
Guest
After what Cleary did to the Tigers he's a bum and a bum coach, he doesn't deserve your sympathies.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks for following the blog tonight and for the banter as always. I'm back on Sunday afternoon when the Bulldogs take on the Roosters. Enjoy your weekend.
David Holden
Roar Guru
It feels like I say it every week, but it's hard to see either of these teams not going deep in the finals this year. Both sides have another massive test next week, with the Panthers taking on the Storm and the Eels playing the Roosters. We will get another big indication then
E-Meter
Roar Rookie
Parra Lives Matter
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
I'd be livid if I was Ivan Cleary. Fancy losing to a team who only played six good minutes of football.
David Holden
Roar Guru
No worries
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks mate