Eels v Roosters preview

Embed from Getty Images

Parramatta Eels v Sydney Roosters Saturday 7:30pm at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal

The very definition of heavyweights v also-rans in the final round.

When this match was locked in for Saturday night's free-to-air timeslot in October last year, it's doubtful the expert minds crafting the season draw would've expected this game to be pitting a top team against the one propping up the table, but here we are.

Big things were expected of this weekend's hosts. Parramatta finished fourth last season - rather unexpectedly - and maintained (and even added to) the nucleus of that squad that impressed many. Perhaps though the way they crashed out of the finals in 2017 was a harbinger for their 2018 campaign - unimpressive, dour and lacking effort.

And sadly, that's what happened. The blue and gold are done for the year, and have been for several months now. In their curtain call for the year, they'll square off a Roosters side which looks to have at least two more games to play after this weekend - possibly more. The Tricolours haven't been in the best form in recent weeks, falling to the Raiders and Broncos in successive matches ahead of this final round showdown, but it comes as no surprise they maintain wild favouritism ahead of this one.

Butchering any chances of securing the minor premiership early in the past fortnight, the Roosters will know by kickoff whether they're any chance of reclaiming the J.J. Giltinan Shield from the Storm - who've won it the last two years - and help establish themselves as the most dominant team of the decade after winning the minor title three years straight from 2013-2015.

Looking to throw one last spanner into the NRL Finals puzzle, Parramatta have opted for mass changes in their final match of the year, coach Brad Arthur doing some Titanic deck chair shuffling to put off any potential moves to end his coaching tenure early. This sees a recall for Bevan French on the wing, which pushes Hayne to fullback, Norman to five-eighth and rookie Jaeman Salmon back to the bench. Cameron King has been left out, replaced at dummy half by Reed Mahoney, while Brad Takairangi comes into the starting side in the second row, Moeroa moving to lock and Terepo left out completely. Tim Mannah is promoted to the front row with Kane Evans dropping to the interchange.

The Roosters aren't nearly as worried about their teamsheet - Dylan Napa's suspension is offset by the return from injury of Jared Waerea Hargreaves.

Last meeting: Round 10 2017 - Roosters 48 Eels 10

Over 130 meetings these teams are so evenly split it's unbelievable. Since 1947 the Roosters have won 63 matches to the Eels' 62, five matches drawn. These sides haven't met since May last year when the Roosters ran riot in a 38-point win at Allianz Stadium.

Who to watch: After a merry-go-round of five-eighths in the back-half of the 2018 season, halfback Mitchell Moses finds himself alongside Corey Norman once more in the halves this weekend. Norman has deputised at fullback for the last three weeks, with mixed results. A recall for Bevan French sees the reshuffle which ends up with Hayne at fullback. Time will tell whether it makes a difference but Norman's 2018 campaign has been a disappointment when you look back at how well he performed in 2016 and 2017.

The Roosters have plenty of star-power headed into the finals, but the player to watch is Luke Keary. Fresh back from injury he was below par against the Broncos last week, but will be better for the run regardless. His pairing with Cooper Cronk has been key to the Bondi club's success in 2018 and watching that click against a listless Eels side could be just what Trent Robinson ordered ahead of another finals campaign.

The favourite: The Eels are at lonnnnnnggggg odds for this one. Roosters almost unbackable favourites.

My tip: Just about impossible to tip against the Roosters here. While this year's premiership has proved completely unpredictable, I'm not game enough to tip a Parramatta upset. Roosters by 24.

1. Jarryd Hayne 2. Bevan French 3. Michael Jennings 4. Clint Gutherson 5. George Jennings 6. Corey Norman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Siosaia Vave 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Tim Mannah 11. Marata Niukore 12. Brad Takairangi 13. Tepai Moeroa 14. Jaeman Salmon 15. Kane Evans 16. David Gower 17. Oregon Kaufusi

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 11. Boyd Cordner 16. Mitchell Aubusson 12. Isaac Liu 13. Victor Radley 15. Zane Tetevano 17. Ryan Matterson 18. Lindsay Collins

Referees: Jon Stone, Gavin Reynolds; Sideline Officials: Clayton Sharpe, Nick Beashel; Video Referees: Steve Chiddy, Ben Galea;