Eels v Titans NRLW preview

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Parramatta Eels (W) v Gold Coast Titans (W) Sunday 1:45pm at Eric Tweedale Stadium, Merrylands / Dharug

The Parramatta Eels will host the Gold Coast Titans this Sunday as round 7 of the NRLW starts to heat up. With both teams coming off convincing losses last round, they will be looking to reassert themselves into the competition.

The Eels went down 14-42 against the St. George Dragons last week, keeping in the game until halftime. Only being six points behind, the Eels capitulated in the second half. Eels coach Steve Georgallis felt it was an embarrassing scoreline, considering the girls had shown plenty of defence grit so far in the season. 

In what is a blow to the team's campaign, tough lock Kennedy Cherrington for the rest of the season due to an LCL knee injury and will be replaced by Breanna Eales. 

The Titans were also in their last round game at halftime but could not score in the second half, with the Cronulla Sharks pulling away 6-22 by the full-time whistle. Titans coach Kayrn Murhpy said the team had spoken about consistency during the week but that had not stuck in the player's mind considering the second-half performance.

The Titans will welcome back five-eighth Sienna Lofipo and Rilee Jorgenson returning to the bench.

Last meeting: Round 8 2023 - Titans 34 Eels 12

Who to watch: With Cherrington out for the season, expect captain Mahalia Murphy to lead from the front and attempt to build a foundation in the middle. The Eels have some excellent strike in the backs and Abbi Church can be effective if Rachael Pearson can get the ball out for the Eels to mount some pressure.

Titans captain and lock Georgia Hale was a workhorse in the last game, and her actions speak out loud as she continues to be a beacon of consistency in her team. Evania Pelite is one of the Titans' strike players, and the last game ran for over 170 meters. If the Titans can keep the errors down and get her the ball, they will stay in the game.

Both teams had second-half shockers last week, and the coaches pointed at completion rates as a let down. If the teams can sort that out, their energy will be diverted to attack as opposed to being sucked dry defending their lines.

MY TIP: The Titans are averaging better stats overall this season and have shown a little more promise in attack; they will go into this game as preferred winners. Even though the Titans have a reasonable strike rate against the Eels, Parramatta will lift to the occasion at home and get the win. Eels by a try.

1. Abbi Church 2. Zali Fay 3. Rory Owen 4. Rosie Kelly 5. Monique Donovan 6. Cassey Tohi-Hiku 7. Rachael Pearson 8. Elsie Albert 9. Taneka Todhunter 10. Madeline Jones 11. Chloe Jackson 12. Mahalia Murphy 13. Breanna Eales 14. Rosemarie Beckett 15. Tyla Amiatu 16. Jade Fonua 17. Lindsay Tui 18. Mia Middleton

1. Evania Pelite 2. Georgia Grey 20. Sarina Masaga 4. Niall Williams-Guthrie 5. Emily Bass 6. Sienna Lofipo 7. Lauren Brown 8. Shannon Mato 9. Brittany Breayley-Nati 10. Jessika Elliston 11. Zara Canfield 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Georgia Hale 15. Laikha Clarke 17. Matekino Gray 18. Lailani Montgomery 21. Ngatokotoru Arakua 14. Lily-Rose Kolc

Referees: Luke Saldern; Sideline Officials: Damian Brady, Karra-Lee Nolan; Video Referees: Todd Smith;