Round 18: Eels v Warriors preview
Another potential banana peel for the blue and gold
After a patchy mid-season Parramatta's quest for a top four berth (let's asssume they're safely making the top eight for now) is now a key focus. Running on a W-L-W-L-W form line right now, they will want to snap that pattern to push their claims in a highly competitive group of teams vying for that all-important double chance.
In a quirk of the draw, both teams defeated the Wests Tigers in their last match. The Eels last week grinded their way past a spirited side, while the Warriors - having enjoyed the bye in Round 17 - last took to the field against the same side, recording a 22-2 win in an emotional afternoon at Mt Smart Stadium, the club's first home game dating back to August 2019.
With that emotion now dealt with, it's back to the business of closing out the year respectably. During the week the club confirmed current Penrith assistant Andrew Webster as their new head coach for next year, which gives interim coach Stacey Jones - currently out of action with COVID-19 himself - a clearer picture for the last eight rounds.
Let's face it - short of a miracle, the NZ club won't be playing footy deep into September. Parramatta meanwhile, have been there-abouts for the best part of half a decade now but never seem to take that final step. It seems an annual question - but is this the year the Eels finally find their groove?
In team news, the Eels get Junior Paulo back from Origin duty. He comes in at prop, with Niukore moving to lock and Makatoa benched. Tom Opacic comes out of the 17 with Jakob Arthur being called up by coach Brad.
The Warriors have a mass list of changes, with COVID, injury and illness impacting them beyond coach Jones. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Ronald Volkman and Bayley Sironen are all out, but Reece Walsh is back. Walsh is in at fullback, with Harris-Tavita shifting to the halves to cover Volkman, and Murchie comes in for Sironen on the bench.
Parramatta's recent success means their have a solid recent record over the Warriors, having won four of the last five clashes between the sides - most recently a 34-18 victory in last year's Magic Round Brisbane
Last meeting: Round 10 2021 - Warriors 18 Eels 34
Who to watch: It's often trite to just pick the halves - but both players wearing the 7 on Friday evening are worthy of praise over a long period of time.
Parramatta halfback Mitch Moses has been the subject of a bit of speculation in recent days, with reports the club want to sign him to a deal which would effectively ensure his career finishes at Commbank Stadium - while there are also suggestions his former club Wests Tigers might want to bring him back into the fold as well. His kicking game in particular has been elite in recent weeks, evidenced repeatedly in last week's win.
Shaun Johnson's 'prodigal son' style return to the Warriors likely hasn't gone the way he'd hoped - chatter only a month ago inferred he may not see out the season. But his performances in recent weeks, most notably in the homecoming win at Mt Smart, have helped his cause. Contracted to the NZ club until the end of 2023, the 31-year-old will want to go out on a high. A strong finish to the season should help his cause heading into next season.
The favourite: Parramatta are comfortably backed to get the job done.
My tip: The Eels at home are an easy tip here. The Warriors should make a good account of themselves but ultimately the home side's class should get the job done. Eels by 8.
