Round 5: Eels v Knights NRLW preview
The opening game of Round 5 in the NRLW sees the most improved side in 2024 take on the reigning premiers, as Parramatta and Newcastle do battle at Eric Tweedale Stadium on Saturday morning.
The Parramatta Eels come into this game with a 3-1 record, amounting for as many wins this season as they have in the last two seasons (including the famous 2022 finals win against the Roosters). As a matter of fact, a win against the Knights would give Parramatta as many wins this season as they have in their NRLW history prior to 2024. Last weeks 12-10 win against the Tigers may not have come as easily as this writer suggested, however the Eels found a way to win in a gritty game against a tough Tigers outfit. Arguably, the Eels of the past would have lost that game, with some gritty defense holding off a desperate Tigers attack. The Parramatta attack was not as crisp as previous weeks, but the resolve of the Eels is something that has not been seen at all in the time they've been in the competition. That said, a clunky attack won't go far against a much stronger side in the Newcastle Knights.
In what could very well be a finals preview, the Knights went down in a ding-dong battle against the ladder-leading Cronulla Sharks 14-12. The Knights did outscore the Sharks with three tries to two, but the lacklustre goal-kicking cost the Premiers, sinking to their second loss and their first week outside of the top four. The loss of Jesse Southwell and the second-half HIA of Lilly-Ann White did not help the Knights last week, who will rue the missed conversions early in the game would've won it for them in the end. As they move into the second half of the season, the Knights come up against two of the top four sides (Eels, Broncos) and would need to win at least three of their next five games to try and keep their finals chances alive.
Parramatta have named the same starting line-up as they have since round 2, with the only change coming via the interchange bench. Tafao Asaua comes back onto the bench after missing last week through illness, with Breanna Eales heading back to the bench. Jesse Southwell misses this game for the Knights having come off the ground under the concussion protocol last weekend, with Evie Jones stepping in for her debut. Tayla Predebon will start this week, with Rima Butler coming off the bench. Sheridan Gallagher may come into the side on gameday as she works her way back from injury.
Last meeting: Round 3 2023 - Eels 4 Knights 38
Who to watch: Cassey Tohi-Hiku has been the perfect foil partner to Rachael Pearson this season, backed up by the breakout season of Abbi Church in the Parramatta outfit. Tohi-Hiku's running game has started to trouble the right edge of every team she's seen this season, averaging over 115 running metres a game as a dynamic five-eighth. Defensively, she only misses 1.25 tackles per game, supporting an Eels side that only concedes 11 points per game while encapsulating the best part of Parramatta in 2024 - a style that grinds opponents down and drives the Eels on the front foot. Expect plenty of running for the Eels number six, especially at debutant Evie Jones.
Wherever Tamika Upton goes, premiership glory follows. A four-time premiership winner, an NRLW record, Upton has a stunning change of pace that breaks the spine of opposition teams quicker than you can say line break. She has at least one try involvement (two tries, three try assists) in every game this season, as well as two line breaks and 10 tackle busts in 2024. Needless to say, without Jesse Southwell in the spine it will be Upton who will inevitably step up to fill that attacking void.
MY TIP: The biggest improvers against the reigning premiers who need the win to potentially get back into the top four. It's a Parramatta home game, with a decent crowd expected at the adopted home of the Eels NRLW side. As tempting as Parramatta are here, they've never beaten the Knights. Tamika Upton has always scored against the Eels (3/3) and you'd have to imagine that there is a long range Upton try coming this week - one that just might break the Eels backs. Knights by 6.
