The Tip Sheet – 2025 Ep 52: Round 11 Preview vs Newcastle Knights
The Parramatta Eels and Newcastle Knights are both desperate for a win in Round 11 – so who prevails? The Tip Sheet previews a critical game for the Blue & Gold as Jason Ryles finally gets to deploy Mitchell Moses and Zac Lomax within the same game. Ryles also hands out an opportunity to another rookie this week with Toni Mataele earning his first NRL cap. Can the Eels win the day and close the gap on a crowded bottom of the ladder?
Originally only the NSW Cup were scheduled to be in action this week but the Jersey Flegg Cup will play a catch-up against the Sea Eagles after their postponed Round 4 clash. Both teams have a horde of reinforcements this week after tough losses against the Bulldogs – will it be enough to bounce back?
I hope I’m wrong but I have tried to stay postive but each game the last few weeks I have not ‘felt confident’ as in didn’t feel like we would win anyway. I think a lot of fans are feeling this down / optimism at the moment surrounding our chances or wins. It’s Gagai’s 300th game. The Knights will show up for Dane. I feel like Moses played well his first game back, but our forwards are not laying enough of a platform for him to work off. Players are now heavily marking Moses, he has no space & time. I hope we do well but it’s just a feeling at the moment, I feel that with the forward packs we keep running we’re too small. Matto & woody are out of favour. But I’m of the belief we need a bigger body or two in the 17. Newcastle will beat us if their forward pack experiences no physicality from the parra forwards. I felt like big Sam Tuivaiti is a really big loss for us. Too skinny up front now. The only power middle is Jnr. Can’t see that troubling Newcastle, but obviously hope I’m wrong. lol
Hopefully Matto takes full advantage of this opportunity in the top grade.
True 60’s mate I’m personally really glad to see him getting an opportunity
His size and experience should reduce the pressure around the ruck, his defence is solid in the middle as we all know when his at his best
Tony + Matto reduces some of my worries in the middle 🤝
Well I think Newcastle are the worst side in the league – certainly my in attack. We play the Knights in the final game of the final round and it could very realistically be another Spoonbowl situation.
Sucks that Marzhew is out as he is good for at least to errors a game and would have been a great target for Moses/Lomax – especially in the wet.
The wet probably helps the Knights as it makes it a low scoring game but I have tipped the Eels for the first time this year. No confidence but with Moses and Lomax trying to impress, that might be just enough.
Let’s hope you’ve kept the powder dry for good reason BA.
Far out Will penisni and Hopgood are very or of form I feel sorry for them, you can tell they are trying so hard.
Hopgood is good for at least 2-4 errors or silly penalties every game it seems like and doesn’t look to be improving as the season goes on.
I’m wondering if a stint at middle off bench would suit him. Matto and Walker are in better form as locks would think.
Muz, I don’t disagree, Will P needs super glue on his hands, his ball drops are real momentum stoppers, and Hopgood is mishap prone, but each week I check his errors and I can tell you the gods don’t smile on him. Tonight he copped a decent head butt and really weird high shot call to force errors(the Knights had 2 players running shoulder to shoulder, Hopgood tackled the ball carrier legally but his arm got deflected to the other players head)