Eels v Knights: Owen sidelined; Kirra hits 50
The last game of Magic Round presents Parramatta another opportunity to secure their first win of the season. The Eels pushed the Warriors all the way in Round 4 before falling 14-12 in one of the closest contests of the weekend.
Newcastle arrive after falling 30-12 to competition leaders Brisbane. While the Knights were unable to match the Broncos across the full 70 minutes, there were periods they challenged one of the game's strongest sides.
Parramatta can take confidence from their performance against the Warriors. Losing by just two points showed the fight within the group and suggested they are not far away from turning competitiveness into results; and the Knights will be determined to respond after their loss to Brisbane.
Expect a spirited contest to close out Magic Round.
Match: Eels v Knights
Round 5 -
home Team
Eels
12th Position
away Team
Knights
4th Position
Venue: Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga
Team News
Eels: A change on game day, with Chloe Jackson returning from injury to start in the second row. Fontayne Tufuga swaps out to 18th player duties. Jasmin Morrissey has also been promoted to the bench, with Khyliah Gray making way. Jayde Herdegen has been promoted to make her club debut at five-eighth in place of Rosemarie Beckett. Earlier, there was a forced change for the Eels who are looking to bounce back after falling short of their first win against the Warriors last week. Maroons Origin centre Rory Owen will miss this week after suffering a head knock, with PNG Orchid representative Fleur Ginn to slot in. Lindsay Tui is the other centre, with Jasmin Morrisey reverting to the 18th player role.
Knights: No changes on game day. Powerful forward Amelia Pasikala has been promoted to start in the second row after a strong game against the Broncos last week. Fane Finau shifts to the reserves, while Simone Karpani has been named to make her return to the side via the bench. No changes in the 24-hour update.
Match: Eels v Knights
Round 5 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Abbi ChurchFullback for Knights is number 1 Lucy Spain
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Zali FayWinger for Knights is number 2 Shanice Parker
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Lindsay TuiCentre for Knights is number 4 Tenika Willison
-
Centre for Eels is number 23 Fleur GinnCentre for Knights is number 23 Sidney Taylor
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Martha MataeleWinger for Knights is number 5 Mercedez Taulelei-Siala
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 19 Jayde HerdegenFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kirra Dibb
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Rachael PearsonHalfback for Knights is number 7 Georgia Roche
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Elsie AlbertProp for Knights is number 8 Tayla Predebon
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Taneka TodhunterHooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia Higgins
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Ryvrr-Lee AloProp for Knights is number 10 Tiana Davison
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Mahalia Murphy2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Amelia Pasikala
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 20 Chloe Jackson2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Jules Kirkpatrick
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 Keilee JosephLock for Knights is number 13 Kayla Romaniuk
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Rueben CherringtonInterchange for Knights is number 14 Botille Vette-Welsh
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Tess McWilliamsInterchange for Knights is number 15 Sienna Yeo
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Boss KapuaInterchange for Knights is number 16 Grace Giampino
-
Interchange for Eels is number 18 Jasmin MorrisseyInterchange for Knights is number 17 Simone Karpani
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 11 Fontayne TufugaReplacement for Knights is number 18 Cheyelle Robins-Reti
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Eels lock Keilee Joseph has won five from six against the Knights
- The Knights have won their last five games against the Eels
- Eels backs Zali Fay and Abbi Church played in the 2022 NRLW grand final against the Knights
- Knights halfback Kirra Dibb will play her 50th NRLW game
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
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