NRL, Match Preview, Parramatta Eels, Newcastle Knights, Round 9, team lists, ins and outs, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Fri 28 Apr 2023, 05:05 PM

Parramatta play host to Newcastle in game one of Friday night footy with both sides desperate for a victory as they languish around the bottom of the ladder after eight rounds.

The Eels are looking to make it six straight against this week's opponents in a record that dates back to 2019, including a dominant 39-2 win in enemy territory last year.

Parramatta paid the price for a poor opening half in Darwin last week in which they gave up four tries, and despite showing improvement in the second 40 they couldn't catch the Broncos in a 26-16 defeat.

The loss of influential prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard and experienced back Bailey Simonsson only added to coach Brad Arthur's woes, as his side slipped to their fifth loss in eight games.

Newcastle, meanwhile, suffered a narrow defeat for the second week in a row in Round 8 – losing 18-16 to the Cowboys only a week on from suffering golden point heartbreak against Penrith.

The positive note for coach Adam O'Brien would have been the successful return of star five-eighth Kalyn Ponga, who added plenty in his first game back from a concussion lay-off and should be better for his reduced-minute run last week.

Round 9 - Round 9 - Friday 28 Apr

Full Time

Eels

Knights

Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Highlights Latest

Team News

Eels: Ryan Matterson (illness) is a late withdrawal with Bryce Cartwright starting on the edge and Ofahiki Ogden coming on to the interchange. Sean Russell moves into the centres to cover for Bailey Simonsson (head knock) and Haze Dunster returns to the wing. Makahesi Makatoa joins the interchange bench to cover for the injured Reagan Campbell-Gillard (leg).

Knights: A couple of late changes for the visitors with Kurt Mann to start at hooker and Mat Croker at lock, pushing Phoenix Crossland back to the bench alongside Tyson Gamble, Jacob Saifiti and Jack Hetherington. Simi Sasagi will be 18th man.

Round 9 - Round 9 - Friday 28 Apr

Full Time

Eels

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Lachlan Miller
Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo

Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Eels is number 4 Sean Russell

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Eels is number 5 Haze Dunster

Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kalyn Ponga
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Forwards

Prop for Eels is number 8 Wiremu Greig

Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Josh Hodgson

Hooker for Knights is number 13 Kurt Mann
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo

Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
2nd Row for Eels is number 14 Bryce Cartwright

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood

Lock for Knights is number 16 Mat Croker

Interchange

Interchange for Eels is number 15 Brendan Hands

Interchange for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Matt Doorey

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Tyson Gamble
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Makahesi Makatoa

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
Interchange for Eels is number 20 Ofahiki Ogden

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Jack Hetherington