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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 20, 2020 16:08:20 GMT 10
SATURDAY 10th August: Parramatta Eels v Newcastle Knights at Bankwest Stadium, 5.30pm
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 20, 2020 16:08:47 GMT 10
NRL.com
Eels v Knights: Eels intact; Brown holds fire
They weren't facing a top-eight team but the Eels passed an important test they simply had to pass with last week's away win over the Dragons.
While a loss could've been potentially disastrous in terms of ladder positions, it was more about the way they went about winning, committing to defence and getting good direction from Mitch Moses and Reed Mahoney.
While Brad Arthur would've liked to see a couple more tries, it was exactly the kind of performance his side needs to consistently produce if they want to keep playing deep into September.
The Knights are still a legitimate mathematical chance of climbing into the top eight but it's hard to see that happening on recent form.
The Rundown
Team news
Eels: Brad Arthur felt no need to change a winning team, naming the same 17 that dusted the Dragons. The Eels have won six of their seven games at Bankwest Stadium, but Newcastle have won 11 of their past 13 games against the Eels.
Knights: Nathan Brown has given last week's team a shot at redemption, naming exactly the same 17-man side that lost 30-6 to Manly. Danny Levi is named as a reserve.
Key match-up
Sure, Mitch Moses and Mitchell Pearce are perhaps the most influential men in this clash, but they can't do much without a platform. Enter the forwards – and what a battle we have between hulking Newcastle prop David Klemmer and Eels giant Junior Paulo.
For the Eels to win
Mitch Moses has to keep providing strong leadership and smart game management, while the workmanlike Parra pack has to tame the Knights forwards. A lot of talk will be needed in defence, especially when Kalyn Ponga is looming.
For the Knights to win
If the Knights are going to save their 2019 campaign they need to get any off-field distractions out of their heads and quickly rediscover the formula that rocketed them into the top four halfway through the season. Pearce and Ponga have to light a fire under this team before it's too late.
Brett Kimmorley says
Parramatta looked a bit flat last week but were still good enough to win thanks to Mitchell Moses’ game management and kicking game. They just seem to find a lot more energy when they are playing at Bankwest. Newcastle don’t want to let their seasons slide away. I’m curious to see how Nathan Brown tries to get a response from his team this week after dropping three players last week. Where will it come from this week? Eels by 8
Stat Attack
Knights halfback Pearce doesn't hold a candle to Eels counterpart Moses's 20 try assists (1st in NRL) but that doesn't mean he can't put players in space. Pearce sits second for line break assists with 14, while Moses doesn't crack the top 10.
And another thing ...
It's been almost 18 years since the Knights upstaged Parramatta to win the 2001 grand final. The Knights shocked the Eels with the first of Bill Peden's two tries in the third minute and quickly blew the score out to 24-0, which is how it stayed at half-time. Brett Hodgson scored for Parra early in the second half but Timana Tahu scored for the Knights. The Eels scored the game's final three tries but the clock ran out on their comeback and Newcastle claimed their second premiership with a 30-24 victory.
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 20, 2020 16:09:11 GMT 10
Team List: Eels v Knights, Round 21
The Parramatta Eels line up to take on the Newcastle Knights at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday 10 August has been named by Blue & Gold Head Coach Brad Arthur.
After a 12-4 victory over the Dragons last week, Arthur has named the same seventeen players.
Greg Leleisiuao, Peni Terepo, Jaeman Salmon and Stefano Utoikamanu form the reserves.
The NRL clash will be the third game of a triple header at Bankwest Stadium. Jersey Flegg kick off at 1:30pm, Canterbury Cup at 3:15pm and NRL at 5:30pm.
Parramatta Eels
1. Clint Gutherson
2. Maika Sivo
3. Michael Jennings
4. Waqa Blake
5. Brad Takairangi
6. Dylan Brown
7. Mitch Moses
8. Kane Evans
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Junior Paulo
11. Shaun Lane
12. Manu Ma’u
13. Nathan Brown
Interchange
14. Marata Niukore
15. Daniel Alvaro
16. David Gower
17. Tepai Moeroa
18. Greg Leleisiuao
19. Peni Terepo
20. Jaeman Salmon
21. Stefano Utoikamano
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 20, 2020 16:10:10 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 20, 2020 16:10:33 GMT 10
NRL.com
Eels bound for finals footy after beating desperate Knights
Mitchell Pearce and Kalyn Ponga entered as heavyweights but it was Mitch Moses and Clint Gutherson landing the knockout blow that leaves Newcastle's finals hopes on the ropes.
Moses and Gutherson outpointed their Origin-credentialled opposite numbers, the star attractions in a 20-14 win that takes the Eels to equal fifth and back into the post-season after last year's wooden spoon.
The Knights though will finish the weekend two wins adrift of eighth place amid a six-game losing run, their finals fortunes sinking further despite Mitch Barnett sparking a fightback with two unlikely plays under the high ball, that led to tries.
Both Pearce and Ponga played their part with big-money kicks to produce points, turning an 8-2 halftime deficit into a shock six-point lead.
But aside from Newcastle's brief revival it was Gutherson and Moses well and truly earning their keep, leading the Eels to just their third win over the Knights in 14 encounters.
Twice Moses' kicks led to tries for his skipper.
By play's end the often-maligned Eels No.7 had his 22nd try-assist of the season (taking him five clear of next-best Luke Keary), along with a couple of forced drop-outs and effective clearing kicks to boot.
Gutherson's first try came courtesy of Brad Takairangi, the makeshift winger proving anything but under a Moses bomb with a deft pass to send Gutherson over early.
Only a brilliant cover hit from Ponga denied the blue and gold No.1 his second on the same patch of grass.
It came soon enough though, Moses chipping over the top after spying Ponga in the front-line and finding open space for Gutherson to dot down in the 30th minute.
A bomb from Pearce that made for a seven-tackle set to Parramatta summed up his first half, Ponga's kick-off straight into touch an ominous start to the second stanza.
That all changed when Pearce took to the air once more. Barnett led the revival in the 42nd minute, flying above the Eels outside men to nab a cross field kick for Newcastle's first try.
Four minutes later they had their second again thanks to the bustling back-rower.
With Hymel Hunt this time taking a punt from Ponga, Barnett produced a split-second pass from around his knees, giving Shaun Kenny-Dowall a saloon passage to the line and the Knights the unlikeliest of leads.
Down 14-8 but with 20,671 in full voice at Bankwest Stadium, the Eels set up a thrilling final 20 when Reed Mahoney snuck over from a Junior Paulo offload.
Moses and Gutherson took centre stage yet again, the former breaking through and finding the latter with points beckoning.
Another try-saver from Ponga delayed the inevitable. Rookie half Dylan Brown made sure of it, grubbering for Maika Sivo to score in front of his father Joeli, taking in his first game of NRL having flown in from Fiji.
With a four-point lead Parramatta chose to shut up shop rather than cash in.
Late errors cost Newcastle dearly, with a late flare-up between David Klemmer and Manu Ma'u in the final minute gifting Moses an 80th minute penalty goal in front.
He duly put the boot in once more, sending Parramatta on their way to the finals and Newcastle in the all-too familiar opposite direction.
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 20, 2020 16:11:19 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 20, 2020 16:11:57 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 20, 2020 16:12:48 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 20, 2020 16:13:31 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 20, 2020 16:14:32 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 20, 2020 16:15:08 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 20, 2020 16:15:43 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 20, 2020 16:16:15 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 20, 2020 16:16:56 GMT 10
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Post by Electric Eel on Dec 20, 2020 16:17:47 GMT 10
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