The Cumberland Throw

NRLW Preview – Round 8, 2023: Eels vs Titans

The Eels returned to their losing ways last round, being dominated from start to finish against the Sydney Roosters in a 46-12 defeat.

Meanwhile, the Titans have won consecutive games and will be looking to make it three in a row on Sunday.

A win against the Eels can potentially guarantee the Titans their first ever finals spot. They won 16-4 last up against the Tigers, and now sit two points ahead of the fifth placed Raiders.

 

Game Info

Date: Sunday, September 10, 2023

Kick-off: 1:30 PM AEST

Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Broadcast: Channel Nine and Foxtel

Live Stream: Kayo & Nine Now


Teams

Gold Coast Titans 

1. Evania Pelite 2. Karina Brown 3. Jaime Chapman 4. Niall Williams-Gutherie 5. Destiny Mino-Sinapati 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu 7. Lauren Brown 8. Shannon Mato 9. Brittany Breayley-Nati 10. Jessica Elliston 11. Zara Canfield 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Georgia Hale 14. Sienna Lofipo 15. Stephanie Hancock 16. Rilee Jorgensen 21. Dannii Perese 

18. Kaitlyn Phillips 17. Laikha Clarke 19. Sienna Laing 20. Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell 22. Taliah Fuimaono


Shannon Mato
has been one of the Titan’s best players in recent weeks. Last round, the front rower produced a high calibre performance with 286 running metres as her pack overpowered their opponents.

Lauren Brown has become one of the NRLW’s best game managers, with her improved kicking being the foundation of her high status.

Centre Jaime Chapman is expected to take her place after leaving the field of play in the 18th minute of last week’s match with a head injury. The marquee player ultimately passed her HIA and so the Titans are confident about her fitness.

Dannii Perese has been promoted from the reserves list at the expense of Laikha Clarke.


Parramatta Eels 

1. Abbi Church 2. Zali Fay 3. Lindsay Tui 4. Cassey Tohi-Hiku 5. Kimberley Hunt 6. Pihaku Berryman-Duff 7. Rachael Pearson 8. Talesha O’Neill 9. Rueben Cherrington 10. Tyla Amiatu 11. Amelia Mafi 12. Mahalia Murphy 13. Kennedy Cherrington 14. Taneka Todhunter 15. Noaria Kapua 16. Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis 17. Jade Fonua 

18. Nakia Davis-Welsh 19. Kyra Simon 20. Madeline Jones 21. Monique Donovan 22. Capri Paekau


Kennedy Cherrington returns to the side from her four-match suspension. Her inclusion in the lock position shuffles Jade Fonua to the bench.

Taneka Todhunter again reprises her role as the additional dummy half from the interchange bench. Her injection into the match provides the option of unleashing Rueben Cherrington as a running lock.

With minimal recent team changes, the Eels are finally able to build their combinations.

 

Key Match-Up: The Fullbacks

Evania Pelite has established herself as one of the leading fullbacks in the NRLW. In addition to her elite support play, she has become a terrific third playmaker option. Pelite provides her team with strong carries in yardage and critical support play off fast breaks.

Eels fullback, Abbi Church, has been the Eels most consistent performer in a tough 2023 campaign. Her acceleration has created numerous half-chances, as well as proving just as important in shutting down line breaks by opposition teams. Watch out for her to jump into dummy half when the defence is back-pedalling.


The Game

The Eels edge defence continues to struggle whilst the Titans don’t mind chancing their hand with cut outs and looping “over the top” passes. On the back of consecutive wins, the Gold Coast will have the confidence to continue their attacking ways on the edge and out wide.

Georgia Hale should not be underestimated. The Titans lock provides the attack with both clever short-side plays and drives through the middle third of the field.

Conversely, the Gold Coast are at their most vulnerable when their own right edge defence is challenged. Parra has proven that they can threaten defences off second phase footy and quick play the balls. If they can hit left off such plays it could provide them with their best attacking opportunities.

Also expect the Eels to utilise Rachael Pearson’s kicking game in the red zone. Her ability to find Kimberly Hunt on the right wing when the defence line compresses has resulted in tries over recent rounds.

Though long out of finals contention, Parra is hoping to end the season on a positive note. They sit just one win behind the Tigers and the Cowboys but given the points differential they’ll need to win their last two matches to avoid the wooden spoon.

The Titans have a solid record at home, winning three of five games.

Prediction: Titans by 10+ 

Player of the Game: Georgia Hale

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5 thoughts on “NRLW Preview – Round 8, 2023: Eels vs Titans

  1. Spark

    Love the team but this is a clear example that no matter the drive, determination and courage of the individuals, you just need the talent.
    Dean Widders and Andy Patmore have a big job to rebuild the team. The girls are young and willing but we need to find a couple of blue chip players, as we were miles off the pace this year.

    1. Anonymous

      The Eels have won a grand total of five games across three seasons – that includes a semi final win.
      2021 season: 2 wins from 5 games
      2022 season: 2 wins from 7 games
      2023 season: 1 win from 8 games (possibly 9)
      Thats five wins from 20 games and potentially 21 games.

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