As an extension to my usual weekly statistical review post, I have decided to provide the numbers that may help you to select the winner of “The Battle of the West”. It is one of the great local derbies/rivalries on the NRL calendar and is a match pencilled in by the fans of both teams as one not to be missed.

Incredibly, team histories have a way of writing their own script for match ups. Should long term histories matter? Different players, different coaches? Try telling that to clubs like Cronulla who just can’t seem to win at Brookvale. Try telling that to the Eels teams of the 70s and 80s who could rarely beat the Magpies at Lidcombe.

The Now

When you examine the relative positions of the teams in the current season, the two teams are well separated. If we simply select the winner on this basis, it seems easy enough. The Eels sit nicely in the 8 with an impressive defensive record. The Panthers find themselves near the bottom of the table and average 21 points against per match. It’s early days, but it is the tale of the season thus far.

*Ladder after Round 4

Historically

Last year Parramatta won both clashes, both by 6 points. In round 12 the score was 26 – 20 at Pepper Stadium and in round 22, it was 10 – 4 at Darwin’s TIO Stadium.

The past 10 games are reflective of Parramatta’s challenging seasons, with Penrith ahead 6 – 4. Pirtek has seen 4 of these games played with the Panthers holding the ascendancy 3 – 1. That win in Darwin is registered as an Eels ‘home’ game.

For these the past 10 games, the score aggregate reads poorly for Parramatta – the Eels 155 to Panthers 239.

Looking specifically at Pirtek, this score aggregate within those past 10 games reads as follows: Eels 54 – Panthers 92.

Obviously, taking last year’s results out of the equation, Penrith had enjoyed a significant advantage over the Eels. Indeed, from 2011 to 2013, the Eels were only able to win 1 of 6 match ups. Given the Panthers poor performance in 2016, the Eels were able to redress some of the Panther’s recent ascendancy with those two victories last year.

In total the two clubs have played 91 times with the Eels leading with 55 wins to 35 with one drawn result. Such historical dominance maintains the Eels title of “Big Brother”.

*Past 10 games played

Hopefully this historical data might provide you with some food for thought. It certainly provides you with some figures from recent match ups. Is last year now indicative of a new trend? As the advertisement says, “History Happens!”

Go you Eels!

Colmac

If you liked this article, you might consider supporting The Cumberland Throw.