Expert
Eels
51
Match Complete
Wests Tigers
6
M. Moses | 79 | |||
S. Lane | 65 | |||
M. Sivo | 60 | |||
M. Moses | 51 | |||
R. Mahoney | 50 | |||
M. Moses | 49 | |||
O. Kaufusi | 47 | |||
36 | E. Marsters | |||
35 | B. Matulino | |||
M. Moses | 30 | |||
J. Salmon | 29 | |||
M. Moses | 26 | |||
M. Jennings | 25 | |||
M. Moses | 22 | |||
M. Jennings | 22 | |||
M. Moses | 18 | |||
B. Takairangi | 17 | |||
M. Moses | 14 | |||
M. Moses | 12 |
9 | Tries | 1 | ||
7 | Conversions | 1 | ||
0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
1 | Field Goals | 0 |
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The new Western Sydney Stadium will officially be opened on Easter Monday, as the Parramatta Eels get ready to battle the Wests Tigers in a match which has often brought tight finishes. Join The Roar for live scores for live scores and coverage from 4pm (AEDT).
Bankwest Stadium, as it will be known, is going to be Sydney’s new premier rectangular venue, creating one of the best atmospheres in Australian sport, and it’s sold out for the grand opening.
The Eels have spent some time playing out of Homebush, and will be more than happy to be back in Parramatta, where they were always hard to beat in the old Parramatta Stadium.
The biggest question confronting them ahead of this Round 6 encounter though is whether Blake Ferguson will play or not. The star winger, who is likely to be picked for the New South Wales Blues this year, picked up a broken nose and rib damage last week, but has somehow sensationally been named to take on the Tigers.
The way he gets sets off to a start makes a huge difference for the men in blue and gold, and combined with a hard-running, no nonsense forward pack, it’s little surprise Mitchell Moses and Clint Gutherson are among the competition’s form players.
They will look to batter the Tigers through the middle in this one, then use their weapons out wide to pile up the points.
Nothing against the Tigers forward pack, who have also been rock solid to start the season, but they are solid and nothing more, although the work of Alex Twal, Luke Garner and Josh Aloiai at times has been impressive.
If they can all come out firing, then they could compete with Parramatta, but even then, there are problems in point-scoring.
Their game against the Panthers a couple of weeks ago is the easiest way to show the inconsistency they have in attack, and if Luke Brooks and co can’t get things firing early, then they could be in for a long afternoon.
Prediction
This is an incredibly tough match to call. If Ferguson plays, the Eels have too much. Even if he doesn’t, it’ll be touch and go, so I’m taking the home side on what should be a great afternoon of footy at the new stadium.
Eels by 4.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this Easter Monday battle from 4pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Kick-off: 4pm (AEDT)
Venue: Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta
TV: Live, Fox League
Online: Live, Foxtel app, Foxtel now, Kayo Sports
Betting: Eels $1.85, Tigers $1.95
Parramatta Eels
1. Clinton Gutherson, 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Brad Takairangi, 5. Blake Ferguson, 6. Jaeman Salmon, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Daniel Alvaro, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Tepai Moeroa
Interchange: 14. Peni Terpo, 15. Tim Mannah, 16. Oregon Kaufusi, 17. Ray Stone, 18. David Gower, 19. Kane Evans, 20. Josh Hoffman, 21. Greg Leleisiuao
Wests Tigers
1. Moses Mbye, 2. Mahe Fonua, 3. Robert Jennings, 4. Ersan Marsters, 5. Corey Thompson, 6. Josh Reynolds, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. Russell Packer, 9. Robbie Farah, 10. Alex Twal, 11. Ryan Matterson, 12. Luke Garner, 13. Josh Aloiai
Interchange: 14. Ben Matulino, 15. Thomas Mikaele, 16. Matthew Eisenhuth, 17. Michael Chee-Kam, 18. Paul Momirovski, 19. Elijah Taylor, 20. David Nofoaluma, 21. Chris McQueen
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