The Parramatta Eels head into this showdown with the Bulldogs desperate for a win to keep their finals hopes alive.

Last week’s emphatic victory over the Tigers brought Parramatta within a single point of the sixth-placed Titans, setting up a dramatic finish to the regular season.

A triumph over Canterbury would temporarily push the Eels into sixth spot ahead of Gold Coast’s crucial clash with Canberra on Saturday.

The Bulldogs, meanwhile, remain an outside chance of sneaking into the finals after last week’s upset over the Sharks. While their path is steep, they are sitting two points adrift of the Titans and carrying a 92-point for-and-against deficit.

Canterbury have proven themselves capable of troubling the competition’s heavyweights. Their gritty defence and resilience have been hallmarks of their inaugural NRLW campaign.

Dont forget, there is free entry to this match at CommBank Stadium. Get there to cheer on the Eels.

Game Info

Date: Friday, September 12, 2025

Kick-off: 5:40 PM AEST

Venue: Commbank Stadium, Sydney

Referee: Dillian Wells

Broadcast: Foxtel and Nine

Live Stream: Kayo & Nine Now

Team Lists

Parramatta Eels

1. Abbi Church 2. Kiana Takairangi 3. Fleur Ginn 4. Lindsay Tui 5. Martha Mataele 6. Rosemarie Beckett 7. Rachael Pearson 8. Elsie Albert 9. Rueben Cherrington 10. Breanna Eales 11. Chloe Jackson 12. Mahalia Murphy 13. Rueben Cherrington 14. Boss Kapua 15. Paige Travis 16.Tess McWilliams 17. Ryvrr-Lee Alo 18. Fontayne Tufuga 19. Taneka Todhunter 20. Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis 21. Zali Fay 22. Mia Middleton

Star prop Elsie Albert has been cleared to return from an ankle injury, providing a major boost for Parramatta.

Her inclusion marks the only change to the lineup that toppled the Tigers last week, with Boss Kapua moving to the bench to accommodate the veteran’s comeback.

Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs

1. Andie Robinson 2. Elizabeth MacGregor 3. Monica Tagoai 4. Moana Courtenay 5. Simina Lokotui 6. Ash Quinlan 7. Tayla Preston 8. Holli Wheeler 9. Anneka Wilson 10. Alexis Tauaneai 11.Shannon Muru 12. Shaniece Monschau 13. Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa 14. Ebony Prior 15. Pauline Suli-Ruka 16. Maatuleio Fotu-Moala 17. Kalosipani Hopoate 18. Shaquaylah Mahakitau-Monschau 19. Hope Millard 20. Latisha Smythe 21. Paea Uilou 22. Bridget Hoy

Canterbury will field the same lineup that overcame the Sharks last weekend as they chase a big win to keep their faint finals hopes alive. Holli Wheeler has been listed to start at prop but, having shifted to the bench on game day in the past two rounds, she could follow the same pattern this week.

The Game

The Eels’ inconsistency throughout the season has left them in a precarious position, facing a must-win clash and relying on other results to secure a top-six finish.

Last week, however, Parramatta delivered one of their most convincing performances of the year, dismantling the Tigers 38-4.

The Blue and Gold were ruthless early, racing the clock to establish an 18-0 lead before stretching it to 28-0 by halftime.

While their second-half display wasn’t quite as polished, it remained an impressive showing overall.

Parramatta’s Round 10 performance highlighted exactly the areas they’ll need to exploit to keep their finals hopes alive against the Bulldogs.

They dominated possession, holding 62 percent, and producing 37 tackle breaks, nine line breaks, and 1,662 running metres, showcasing that the Blue and Gold can control the tempo of a game when firing on all cylinders.

Maintaining that level of dominance will be key against Canterbury, who thrive on momentum and defensive pressure.

Martha Mataele’s hat-trick, including a brilliant intercept, exemplified her ability to create game-changing moments both through the middle and on the edges. Her connection with Abbi Church, particularly in breaking down kick-chase defence, could prove decisive again, as the Bulldogs have shown vulnerability when defending quick, well-coordinated backline moves.

Try time for Martha

Church’s integration into Parramatta’s attacking structures, coupled with a return to form from  Rachael Pearson, allowed the Eels to play their most fluent offensive football of the season. To secure a crucial win over Canterbury, Parramatta will need to repeat that cohesion, linking their forwards and backs effectively, controlling the ruck, and capitalising on any Bulldogs errors to build scoreboard pressure early.

After a strong start to the NRLW season that hinted at real potential, the Bulldogs’ campaign faltered mid-season, leaving them two points adrift of the top eight and burdened with a significant negative points differential, ultimately ending their finals hopes.

Last week, however, Canterbury reignited their spark with a stunning 24-14 upset over the Sharks, highlighted by composure in possession and the ability to capitalise on Cronulla’s errors.

Sticking with a proven formula, coach Brayden Williame has opted for stability, naming an unchanged lineup for this week’s clash.

You can therefore expect them to replicate a similar strategy against Parramatta: physicality, defensive grit, and capitalising on momentum swings.

Their opening half against Cronulla set the tone with relentless line speed and bruising tackles that forced errors and kept the Sharks’ attack out of rhythm.

Maintaining that intensity against the Eels will be critical, especially in the early exchanges when Parramatta’s forwards look to impose themselves.

Co-captain Tayla Preston was instrumental in the Sharks victory, proving her value as both a playmaker and a strike weapon. Her opportunistic try from dummy-half midway through the second half sealed the result and underlined her ability to punish lapses in defence.

Preston

For Canterbury to upset the Eels, Preston needs to take control of the kicking game, vary the attack, and look for those same defensive mismatches around the ruck that Parramatta has occasionally struggled with this season.

Shannon Muru’s powerful line-running on the left edge was another highlight last round, with her try coming directly from building sustained pressure and punishing a dropped bomb. If the Bulldogs can continue to roll downfield effectively and create second-phase play, they can expose gaps in the Eels’ line.

As with many NRLW matchups this season, this clash is difficult to call, with both teams showing inconsistency and either side also capable of a decisive victory. However, with so much on the line, Parramatta’s higher stakes may give them the edge.

Prediction: Eels by 8

Player of the Game: Abbi Church

Kye

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