Warriors v Eels preview

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Two disappointing seasons draw to a close across the ditch.

Living up to their reputation as the NRL's biggest disappointments, the Warriors round out their season of false hope with a clash at home. After seemingly turning the corner with rousing wins over Penrith and the Gold Coast, a hat-trick of poor performances culminating in last Sunday's controversial loss to the Tigers sees the New Zealanders out of finals contention and serious doubts hanging over the coaching future of Andrew McFadden. In response to the season-ending 36-24 loss, the Warriors will field a new-look side with Tuimoala Lolohea shifting back to fullback allowing David Fusitua to move to the centres as a replacement for the suspended Solomone Kata. Jonathan Wright and Ken Maumalo return to the NRL after stints in the Intrust Super Premiership, while exciting backrower Bunty Afoa takes the place of James Gavet on the bench. Coming away victoriousin their past three meetings with the Eels, the Warriors will be hopeful of a last round win in order to send off departing playmaker Thomas Leuluai on a positive note.

Enduring a season of hardship not seen since beginning of the decade, Parramatta's season of woe comes to a merciful end on Sunday. After announcing themselves as a force to be reckoned with over the first third of the season, the fallout from the salary cap scandal has seen the Eels fall from competition dark horses to cellar dwellars. Losing three of their best players mid-season in the process, coach Brad Arthur has kept the side united in the face of adversity to claim six wins, enough to qualify for the finals had circumstances panned out differently. Retaining the same side that dismissed the Dragons 30-18 last Monday night, the Eels will be out to entertain across the ditch, with the speed and excitement of Bevan French, Semi Radradra and Michael Jennings set to cause the Warriors plenty of headaches. Goal-kicker Michael Gordon will have extra motivation on Sunday, with the former Panther and Shark set to play his final game for the club before joining the Roosters in 2017.

Last meeting: Round 10 2015 - Eels 13 Warriors 17

Who to watch: Rated as one of the best forwards in the game, Warriors prop Ben Matulino will be hoping to finish a varied season on a high note. Having made his name as a starting front rower in recent seasons, the 27-year-old Kiwi international has found himself starting from the bench more often than not. Despite the setback, Matulino has continued to make his presence felt, with a series of dynamic charges regularly exceeding over 100 metres, while his defensive workrate is among the sides best. With an international series to play over the off-season, Matulino will be out to ensure his position in the New Zealand side as well as helping the Warriors make amends for another poor finish to a season.

Moving to fullback in recent weeks, 20-year-old Bevan French has been a shining light for Parramatta this season. Starting the year off with an electrifying display at the Auckland 9's, the Tingha native made an immediate impact in his first grade debut in Newcastle and has kept the tries flowing ever since. With the salary cap fiasco, Kieran Foran departure and stripping of points cruelling the Eels season, French has shown that even in the most turbulent of circumstances, the Eels are capable of producing great talent. Set to take over the fullback role fulltime in 2017, French will be looking to continue his development and remind Dally M voters of his worth as Rookie of the Year.

The favourite: In a game of no consequence, the carefree Warriors are expected to play with gay abandon.

My tip: In a season of bitter disappointment, look for the Eels to finish off on a high note. Eels by 13.

1. Tuimoala Lolohea 5. Ken Maumalo 2. Jonathan Wright 4. David Fusitua 21. Manu Vatuvei 6. Thomas Leuluai 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Jacob Lillyman 9. Issac Luke 10. Albert Vete 11. Bodene Thompson 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14. Nathaniel Roache 15. Sam Lisone 16. Ben Matulino 17. Bunty Afoa

1. Bevan French 2. Semi Radradra 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Michael Gordon 6. Clinton Gutherson 7. Jeff Robson 16. Peni Terepo 9. Isaac De Gois 10. Tim Mannah 11. Manu Ma'u 12. Tepai Moeroa 13. Beau Scott
Interchange: 14. Kaysa Pritchard 15. Ken Edwards 8. Danny Wicks 17. Daniel Alvaro

Referees: Adam Gee, Gavin Reynolds; Sideline Officials: Shane Rehm, Clayton Sharpe; Video Referees: Ashley Klein, Ben Galea, Tommy Hickson