Round 20, 2020: Parramatta 28 Wests Tigers 24

NRL.com

Wests Tigers v Eels: RCG, Field out

The Tigers were never really in the contest against a clinical Melbourne last week and require a big form reversal if they are going to finish another disappointing season with a bang.

Tigers coach Michael Maguire has chopped and changed his starting line-up throughout the season (often due to injuries) and it'll be interesting to see who gets the nod for the season finale.

Parramatta finally showed some urgency in last week's home win over Brisbane, but after building a 20-6 half-time lead they only managed six points in the second half and question marks remain.

The Eels are more talented across the park and have more to play for with the finals around the corner, but coach Brad Arthur will no doubt remind them that the Rabbitohs were in the same situation last week and they ended up as a Dogs dinner.

The rundown
Team news
Wests Tigers: Luke Brooks has returned from suspension in the halves with Josh Reynolds out, Tommy Talau replacing Joey Leilua at centre, Alex Twal returning from illness at lock with Matt Eisenhuth going to the bench and Tom Mikaele moving to prop for the injured Josh Aloiai.

Luke Garner will start in the back row with Sam McIntyre (head knock) out while Elijah Taylor, Shawn Blore and Michael Chee Kam have joined the bench with Russell Packer and Jacob Liddle dropping out. Winger David Nofoaluma is expected to play despite limping off last round.

Reserves Josh Reynolds and Joey Leilua were the two players dropped from the squad 24 hours before kick-off.

Wests Tigers have lost four of their past five games at Bankwest Stadium.

Eels: Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Jai Field were left out of the Parramatta team 24 hours before the match, with Daniel Alvaro now named to start at prop and Brad Takairangi at five-eighth.

Junior Paulo and Shaun Lane are named to return to the starting side with Kane Evans and Andrew Davey reverting to the bench. The Eels have won six of their past seven games against Wests Tigers.

Key match-up
Luke Brooks v Mitch Moses. They were former teammates at the Tigers and both have experienced various highs and lows as first grade footballers. Brooks has never played finals football and won't get a taste this year. He is under increasing pressure to prove he is the club's long-term half-back.

Moses is a natural but has also copped his share of criticism during his career, mostly focusing on his inconsistency.

He will be looking forward to locking horns with his former teammate as the Eels have their final tune-up for the post-season.

Stat attack
Not only will the Tigers be keen to end 2020 on a high note, they will be in the hunt for some payback after going down 26-16 to the Eels in round 11.

The Tigers were in the game at half-time, but Shaun Lane scored early in the second half for Parra to make it 22-12 and they wrapped it up with Maika Sivo's second try 17 minutes from full-time. Tigers winger Tommy Talau crossed for a try at the death but it was all too late.

NRL.com

Eels surge late to grab top-four spot with win over Tigers

Replacement pivot Will Smith's match-winner gave Parramatta a thrilling 28-24 victory over Wests Tigers at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday night after their double finals chance appeared to have evaporated.

Two tries in the final 15 minutes through Smith and Reed Mahoney turned the tide for the Eels after the Wests Tigers produced three tries in the second half to snatch an eight-point lead.

Smith's weaving effort close to the line with eight minutes left sealed the result after he was called in late to replace Jai Field this week.

His effort was equally matched by a try-saving effort from Clint Gutherson late on Luke Garner on the left edge.

The result spoiled the farewell games of Benji Marshall, who failed to finish the match with rib and knee injuries, and one-club veteran Chris Lawrence, who is retiring after 253 games for the club.

Marshall's night ended prematurely with knee and rib injuries in the 18th minute but the joint venture rallied with Adam Doueihi's move to five-eighth proving a masterstroke.

The Lebanon international brushed aside being placed on report for a shoulder charge to step into the playmaker role and work with Luke Brooks as the Wests Tigers got on top through second phase.

Tries to Blake Ferguson, Maika Sivo and Brad Takairangi set up an eight-point half-time lead for the Eels but it was quickly undone by a double to Tommy Talau and long-range tries to Brooks and Asu Kepaoa.

Brooks' runaway effort looked to have been enough for the Wests Tigers until Eels hooker Mahoney burrowed his way under the posts in the 65th minute to set up the grandstand finish.

Parramatta rested Michael Jennings and Reagan Campbell-Gillard for the clash ahead of next week’s qualifying final with the Melbourne Storm.