It’s third versus fourth on the NRLW ladder as the Eels host the Knights at Eric Tweedale Stadium, with both sides entering the match on the back of impressive victories.

Last year, the two clubs faced off in Round 5, with the Eels flying high after three wins and just a a two point loss from their four starts. Newcastle sent the Eels into a tough run of matches and it took some time to bounce back.

So what does the respective 2025 form look like? Parramatta responded strongly to their Round 2 defeat by producing a dominant 46-12 win over the Raiders.

Rory Owen crossed for a double, while captain Mahalia Murphy marked her return from injury with a try.

Halfback Rachael Pearson also contributed significantly, scoring a try and converting seven of eight attempts for a personal haul of 18 points, placing her at the top of the competition’s points tally.

From a form comparison perspective, Newcastle’s last up 36-20 victory was against the Warriors,the team that kept the Eels scoreless in round 2.

Halfback Jesse Southwell played a pivotal role in guiding the Knights’ attack, orchestrating a commanding first-half performance that saw her side take a 24-6 lead into the break.

Despite a spirited second-half effort from the visitors, the Knights maintained control to secure back-to-back wins.

Game Info

Date: Saturday, July 27, 2025

Kick-off: 12:00 PM AEST

Venue: Eric Tweedale Stadium, Sydney 

Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski

Broadcast: Foxtel and Nine

Live Stream: Kayo & Nine Now

Team Lists

Parramatta Eels

1. Abbi Church 2. Zali Fay 3. Rory Owen 4. Lindsay Tui 5. Martha Mataele 6. Cassey Tohi-Hiku 7. Rachael Pearson 8. Elsie Albert 9. Rueben Cherrington 10. Breanna Eales 11. Chloe Jackson 12. Mahalia Murphy 13. Ryvrr-Lee Alo 14. Taneka Todhunter 15. Paige Travis 16. Tess McWilliams 17. Fleur Ginn 18. Rosemarie Beckett 19. Ruby-Jean Kennard 20. Jessica Kennedy 21. Yasmine Baker 22. Chelsea Makira

It’s no surprise that the Eels named an unchanged line-up following their dominant win over the Raiders. Mahalia Murphy enjoyed a great return to the field down in the nations capital, having missed the opening two rounds with injury. With an unchanged backline across the opening rounds the players are getting the opportunity to build their combinations.

Newcastle Knights

1. Botille Vette-Welsh 2. Sheridan Gallagher 3. Shanice Parker 4. Tenika Willison 5. Tess Staines 6. Georgia Roche 7. Jesse Southwell 8. Tayla Predebon 9. Olivia Higgins 10. Tiana Davison 11. Evah McEwen 12. Yasmin Clydsdale 13. Kayla Romaniuk 14. Jules Kirkpatrick 15. Simone Karpani 16. Sienna Yeo 17. Grace Kukutai 18. Evie Jones 19. Lilly-Ann White 20. Joeli Morris 21. Viena Tinao 22. Keighley Simpson

The Knights have named the same 17 that overcame the Warriors last weekend, with the spine building in confidence. Tess Staines has retained her spot on the wing.

The Game

Parramatta’s dominance last weekend over the Raiders was established early, allaying any concerns that the Raiders would bounce back to form. Though Canberra unquestionably underperformed, Eels faithful would have buoyed by how comprehensively their team controlled the match. 

Last week, the Eels attack truly clicked into gear. Rachael Pearson’s record points haul was an obvious talking point in the post match analysis, but I want to spotlight the performance of Cassey Tohi-Hiku.

The classy Parra pivot was well below her best against the Warriors, and bounced back to form in the nation’s capital with all facets of her game shining brightly. She literally can do it all and after adding the torpedo bomb to her arsenal, she’ll bring a new dimension to Parra’s last tackle options.

Boom – the Tohi-Hiku school of defence

Both Cherrington and Todhunter look to be on the improve out of dummy half. Cherrington is probably the more consistent of the two with her service, and she will once again threaten to sneak a try close to the line. Todhunter built into last season, and given her performance last week, she could be on a similar trajectory this year.

Rory Owen is the strike player that the Knights must contain. Her two tries last week were testimony to her athleticism and work ethic. If there are any defensive lapses, the Maroons Origin star will make the Knights pay. It’s double trouble on the Eels left with the high flying Zali Fay on Owen’s outside.

If the Eels are to win, Mahalia Murphy and Chloe Jackson will feature prominently. Both are massive contributors in attack and along with Albert and Eales are defence tone setters. Look for the second phase play from Murphy and the great lines run by Jackson.

For the Knights, lock Kayla Romaniuk is shaping as a key player. She sparked the early Knights attack last week and was ably supported by new wing recruit Tess Staines. The former Eels flyer shows strength in contact and the ability to cross the stripe in tight spaces.

Southwell

Steve Georgallis’ tip sheet will undoubtedly highlight the importance of shutting down Knights halves Jesse Southwell and Georgia Roche. Southwell remains the focal point of Newcastle’s attacking strategy, with her game management and vision set to play a pivotal role once again.

What sets Southwell apart is not just her technical execution, but her capacity to dictate terms. All good playmakers can determine the pace of the game, either slowing the game down when required or accelerating play to exploit defensive mismatches.

Containing Southwell’s kicking game and denying her time and space will be key, as will applying consistent pressure on Newcastle’s edges in defence.

The Eels pack will be instrumental in determining this result. They can both shut down the time and space afforded to the Knights spine, in addition to winning the middle and setting the attacking platform for their own play makers..

If Parramatta can match the physicality and maintain discipline across the full 70 minutes, they’ll give themselves every chance to control field position and convert opportunities into points.

Prediction: Eels by 4

Player of the Game: Rachael Pearson

Kye

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