The Eels and Titans enter this match following disappointing defeats in round 6. However, with just three rounds left in the season, there’s still plenty on the line as both teams fight for their finals hopes. In fact, the result of this game could well determine the fate of each side.
Parramatta, the home side, are aiming to regroup after conceding 42 points in their loss to the Dragons. The Eels defence struggled to contain the Dragons attack, conceding an avalanche of tries in a lacklustre second half.
Meanwhile, inconsistency has been the hallmark of the Titans this season, with impressive victories often followed by poor defeats.
The Gold Coast’s had the opportunity to put an end to their fluctuating form when they took on the Sharks after a commanding win over the Roosters. Unfortunately for them, a potential climb up the ladder was ended by the top-of-the-table Sharks.
Game Info
Date: Sunday, September 8, 2024
Kick-off: 1:45 PM AEST
Venue: Eric Tweedale Stadium, Granville
Referee: Luke Saldern
Broadcast: Foxtel and Nine Gem
Live Stream: Kayo & Nine Now
Team Lists
Parramatta Eels
1. Abbi Church 2. Zali Fay 3. Rory Owen 4. Rosie Kelly 5. Monique Donovan 6. Cassey Tohi-Hiku 7. Rachael Pearson 8. Elsie Albert 9. Taneka Todhunter 10. Madeline Jones 11. Chloe Jackson 12. Mahalia Murphy 13. Breanna Eales 14. Rosemarie Beckett 15. Tyla Amiatu 16. Jade Fonua 17. Lindsay Tui
18. Mia Middleton 19. Ruby-Jean Kennard 20. Pihuka Berryman-Duff 21. Kate Fallon 23. Tafao Asaua
In a significant setback for Parramatta, forward Kennedy Cherrington has been ruled out for the season after sustaining an LCL injury in Round 6 against the Dragons. She joins her sister Rueben on the injury list. This week, Breanna Eales steps into the starting lineup, while Mia Middleton is named as the new 18th player.
Gold Coast Titans
1. Evania Pelite 2. Georgia Grey 3. Jaime Chapman 4. Niall Williams-Guthrie 5. Emily Bass 6. Sienna Lofipo 7. Lauren Brown 8. Shannon Mato 9. Brittany Breayley-Nati 10. Jessika Elliston 11. Zara Canfield 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Georgia Hale 14. Lily-Rose Kolc 15. Laikha Clarke 16. Rilee Jorgensen 17. Matekino Gray
18. Lailani Montgomery 19. Hailee-Jay Maunsell 20. Sarina Masaga 21. Ngatokotoru Arakua 22. Georgia Sim
For the Titans, Sienna Lofipo returns from an arm injury and is set to partner Lauren Brown in the halves, pushing Lailani Montgomery to the 18th player spot. Rilee Jorgensen, who missed last week with a back injury, returns via the bench, with Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell and Ngatokotoru Araku moving to the reserves.
The Game
With Cherrington sidelined for the season, captain Mahalia Murphy will need to step up and lead from the front. Football games are still won by gaining the ascendancy through the forwards. If the Eels can establish a strong platform in the middle, they have plenty of firepower in the backs to take advantage.
Look for Abbi Church to threaten the defence, with Rachel Pearson’s game management also a factor. Throw in the game breaking Tohi-Hiku and there will be plenty of pressure applied on the Titans.
Mahalia Murphy
As far as the visitors are concerned, captain and lock Georgia Hale will look to continue her workhorse role, setting the standard for her peers to follow.
Chapman is an easy pick as the Titans strike weapon, but Evania Pelite, is also a key attacking player. She ran for over 170 metres last week in a losing team. If the Titans can limit their errors and get her involved, they’ll be more than competitive. I’m tipping her to be one of the best on field regardless of the result.
Pelite
A concern for both teams must be their last up second half efforts. Late collapses on the back of self identified poor completions is not great form in the run to finals footy.
The side which best addresses their errors will be in the box seat to victory. I reckon that will be the Eels in a tight contest.
Prediction: Eels by 4
Player of the Game: Evania Pelite
Kye
Kennedy is a massive out. The player that I’m looking to as far as rising to the occasion is Jade Fonua. Has strike power!
Note to the Eels board.
Sign up Rory Owen long term.
That is all.
She’s a talent Spark. What a try!
That was some win. They shouldn’t have won that, the stats said they couldn’t, but their defence was incredible. Arguably the best performance I’ve ever seen from Eels NRLW.
They were great but don’t they make it hard for themselves with errors ?
If they can cut those errors out they can go far.
Very proud of them !
They didn’t make it easy on themselves. 47-7 to the Gold Coast titan’s in the red zone.
wow, just wow, how good was Owen’s try? Just wow.
also how good is Chloe Jackson she is a real go getter.
That run down the side line shows she’s got a good set of wheels.
Rachel Pearson didn’t have her best game that’s for sure but did enough to get the girl home.
Elsie Albert = big strong tough no nonsense player.
If we are to compete for the title then we need to lift a few more gogs.
overall it was a game we weren’t ment to win but we showed guts n determination.
Well done, girls, proud eels fan since 77
Just a note how poor was that ref. eels had to get up fast yet titan’s took forever and a day to get up of tackles.
so 1 sided ref. his a poor ref.