Knights v Eels NRLW preview

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Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels Sunday 12:00pm at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

Sunday's NRLW action heads to Newcastle where the Knights will look to continue their unbeaten run up against the Parramatta Eels who are still looking for their first victory.

The most active team in the off-season, the Knights have reaped the benefits of bringing in the big names with star players making a big difference as the Novocastrians have started the season with a big win over the Broncos and then a scrappy performance last week to get past the Titans 16-10. The Knights weren't at their clinical best and it was two pieces of brilliance from Emma Manzelmann that changed the game for the Novocastrians.

The performance last week from Newcastle was far from the heights that it reached against the Broncos and there was plenty to improve on as a scrappy game took its toll on the Knights. Neither the Knights nor the Titans were able to complete their opening set and it was only off the back of Titans errors that the Knights were able to grow their momentum as opposed to the previous week where their attack was potent.

The Knights have no changes to the side who won last week with coach Ronald Griffiths keeping solid and looking for consistency.

Having been in the contest at points in both rounds, the Parramatta Eels will be disappointed that they have seen potential game winning positions slip given that they had taken the lead against the Roosters in round 1 and then again last week in their 16-10 defeat against the Dragons. The Eels have just lacked that crispness which has hurt them in attack and a couple of defensive lapses have been an issue for Parramatta which has allowed both the Roosters and Dragons to take advantage.

There is no doubting that the Eels improved last week and they looked good at times especially with new recruit Gayle Broughton taking control of things in attack and combining with the experience of Tiana Penitani to show that there is plenty of attacking weaponry for the Eels to use in the season going forward.

Like their opponents, the Eels have no changes to their line-up either after an improved performance last week.

Last meeting: Round 1 2021 - Knights 12 Eels 13

Who to watch: Coming off the bench, North Queenslander Emma Manzelmann changed the game with two pieces of heads-up play that changed the game for the Knights. The first came when the back-up dummy half saw the Titans were out of position in defence and took advantage with some good foresight that could cause plenty of issues for the Eels late in the half when they are vulnerable.

Gayle Broughton brings international rugby experience and that was on show last week as she took more control of the game for the Eels last weekend. The New Zealander had a big impact and was the best player of either side and Parramatta benefitted from this and with further improvement the Knights will have to watch out.

The favourite: Newcastle's scintillating form has them well-supported to go three-zero.

My tip: Something about this game makes me think that there could be an upset, the Eels were looking good last week and with another week of improvement I think that they could potentially get the victory over the Knights, though Newcastle are a strong side and will be favourites. Eels by 2.

1. Tamika Upton 19. Jakiya Whitfeld 3. Shanice Parker 4. Bobbi Law 5. Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly 6. Kirra Dibb 7. Jesse Southwell 8. Caitlan Johnston 9. Olivia Higgins 10. Millie Boyle 11. Romy Teitzel 12. Yasmin Clydsdale 17. Makenzie Weale 14. Emma Manzelmann 15. Tayla Predebon 18. Caitlin Moran 21. Tiana Davison 16. Kyra Simon

1. Gayle Broughton 2. Zali Fay 3. Tiana Penitani 4. Rikeya Horne 5. Tess Staines 6. Ash Quinlan 7. Tayla Preston 14. Kennedy Cherrington 9. Seli Mailangi 10. Ellie Johnston 11. Christian Pio 12. Vanessa Foliaki 13. Simaima Taufa 8. Filomina Hanisi 16. Najvada George 17. Ruby-Jean Kennard 18. Rueben Cherrington 19. Abbi Church

Referees: Karra-Lee Nolan; Sideline Officials: Mitchell Currie, Rochelle Tamarua; Video Referees: Matt Noyen;