South Sydney Rabbitohs v Parramatta Eels
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Rabbitohs v Eels preview
Struggle in Cellar City
A month ago the woefully underperforming Rabbitohs axed their coach Jason Demetriou after the club slumped to just 1 win after 8 rounds to be anchored to the foot of the ladder. Interim coach ben Hornby has stepped in and there has been barely any change whatsoever, as Souths have lost all 3 games under his stewardship.
The crux of the Bunnies problems is their horrid defence. After just 10 games this year they have conceded 348 points. Only 5 teams in the history of the competition have conceded more points across their opening 10 games: Canterbury (1935) 393 points; University (1920) 371 pts; North Queensland (1996) 360 pts; Newcastle (2016) 355 pts; University (1935) 350 pts - The Cowboys of 2002 also conceded 348 points.
Souths in 2024 have been getting off to horrible starts, trailing at halftime in all 10 games, scoring just 64 points and conceding 166. They've out-performed their opponents just twice in the second half, and have scored 34 more points than in the first half, but have conceded 16 more points as well. The Bunnies defence is bad from start to finish, while their attack starts out poor and improves to average.
The Eels come into this game fresh off the sacking of their longest serving coach Brad Arthur. Interim coach Trent Barrett will be at the helm and his track record as coach doesn't make for good reading either. He's won just 10 of his last 54 NRL games as a head coach, scoring an average of 15.3 points per game and conceding 27.5.
The Eels have been defensively atrocious in recent times as well, conceding 215 points in their last 6 games at an average of 35.8 points per game. Parramatta were looking shaky but competitive up until halftime of their Round 7 game against the Dolphins. They were up 8-4 going into the sheds, but after they break they conceded a point a minute to lose the game 44-16. Their last four games has seen them score 24 points and concede 110 in the second half alone. These are the two worst second half sides so far in 2024, with Souths conceding 182 points and the Eels letting in 183.
For this match, the Eels will be without key playmaker Mitchell Moses, this week likely to be his last on the sideline. Clint Gutherson, Haze Dunster, Ofahiki Ogden and Ryan Matterson are all unavailable due to injuries.
Souths welcomed back superstar Latrell Mitchell last week and he should be better for the run. The Bunnies injury ward is also significant in size, with Cameron Murray, Campbell Graham, Tevita Tatola, Jye Gray, Dean Hawkins, Richie Kennar, Lachlan Ilias and Tyrone Munro all nursing injuries, while Jacob Host is also out serving the last week of his suspension.
Last meeting: Round 12 2023 - Rabbitohs 16 Eels 36
Who to watch: The Eels attack and defence in recent weeks has been atrocious after halftime and this might be the perfect environment to see Latrell Mitchell and Damien Cook run freely and put the sword to the Eels.
Favourite: Souths are narrow favourites at the time of writing, but who bloody knows, if we're honest.
My tip: This could well be a real bludger of a game but Souths will not get a better opportunity than this to get back on the winners board. Souths by 20.
1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Michael Chee Kam 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Jack Wighton 18. Dion Teaupa 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Jacob Host 12. Jai Arrow 13. Keaon Koloamatangi 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Tallis Duncan 16. Siliva Havili 17. Thomas Burgess 19. Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson
1. Blaize Talagi 2. Maika Sivo 19. Morgan Harper 4. Sean Russell 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 17. Kelma Tuilagi 14. Bryce Cartwright 13. J'maine Hopgood 11. Shaun Lane 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Joe Ofahengaue 22. Luca Moretti
Referees: Chris Butler; Sideline Officials: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Clayton Wills; Video Referees: Wyatt Raymond;