Round 8: Raiders v Eels NRLW preview
The final game of Round 8 NRLW action comes from the Nation's Capital as the Canberra Raiders play host to the Parramatta Eels as the visitors look to keep their finals hopes alive.
Sitting in eighth spot, the Canberra Raiders have just two wins this season though they could have had a lot more had they not thrown away as many leads as they have this season having started fast then wilting against their opposition who go straight past them.
Last week though, the Raiders mid-game fade didn't fully come back to bite them as they had a 38-34 victory over the Dragons. The Green Machine had a 16-4 lead before falling 28-16 behind as the game continued to see-saw before ultimately the Raiders took the victory.
The Raiders who have been struck by injuries get a number of key players back including Simaima Taufa, Hollie-Mae Dodd and Mackenzie Wiki all returning to the side. Taufa returns at lock, Dodd returns from suspension to the second row and Wiki into the centres. The three returning players see Chante Temara return to hooker and Felice Quinlan going to the bench.
After a dismal 2023, the Parramatta Eels have well and truly put themselves into finals contention sitting just outside the top 4 on points difference with four wins from their seven matches so far in 2024.
Last week, the Eels were in a battle at home in Merrylands when they were able to overcome the Gold Coast Titans with a 24-14 win. The Blue & Gold started quickly opening 12-0 lead inside 10 minutes before the visitors were able to get it back to 12-8 at the break. The Eels then saw their lead disappear before two tries in the last ten minutes got Parramatta back in front and ultimately to victory.
The Eels off the back of the victory have named a totally unchanged team going for stability.
Last meeting: Round 5 2023 - Raiders 28 Eels 22
Who to watch: The battle of the "veterans" Simaima Taufa brings plenty of experience to the Raiders line up on her return. The Raiders will need Taufa's experience to calm heads down in a side that is panicked at times and can't hold a lead which will take them a long way against an in-form Parramatta.
Another veteran, Parramatta forward Elsie Albert has had arguably her best season to date in the NRLW and last week she showed why. Picking up a try double, Albert had also run for 144m from 15 runs and put in what was her best performance to date this season which has been strong. The Eels will need to see a similar game from Elsie Albert as they did last week to beat the Raiders.
The favourite: Parramatta are slight favourites
My tip: As with all NRLW games this season, the game is hard to tip but you can never be confident with the Raiders so I think that the Eels good form will get them over the line. It will be a game where both sides look as if they are going onto win but with the likes of Elsie Albert's recent performances I think the Blue & Gold will get the win in Canberra. Eels by 10.
