Parramatta Eels v Wests Tigers
Cleary ices golden point thriller... that comes at a cost for Panthers
12 hours ago | Andrew Jackson
Eels v Tigers preview
Old foes meet in traditional Easter Clash
We're into Round 5 of the NRL Premiership season and the last game of the weekend is the traditional Easter Monday clash between the Parramatta Eels and the Wests Tigers. This one will be played at Commbank Stadium in Parramatta.
Eels have the bragging rights when it comes to this one as they have won 7 of the last 10 matches in this fixture. Funnily enough they have failed to beat the Tigers as the home team since 2021.
The previous round was a mixed bag for the two Western Sydney rivals as the Eels fell to the Panthers in a heavy defeat while the Tigers produced the upset of the season and knocked off the high flying Warriors in Auckland.
The matchup with the top of the table Panthers was one to forget for the noisy neighbours as they succumbed to a 46-20 defeat at Commbank. The heavy loss was compounded by a season ending injury to Matt Doorey as well as Isaiah Iongi being ruled out for the next eight weeks.
Tigers on the other hand will roll into this game coming off the back of a huge 32-14 win over the Warriors on their home turf. The match started off as expected with the home side taking an early 10-0 lead but the Tigers took advantage of an Adam Pompey sin bin and went into the sheds 16-10.
Benji's men scored a further three tries in the second half to secure the two points. Adam Doueihi was the standout for the Tigers as he set up two tries and scored one himself to steer his team to victory.
Parramatta have named young fullback Joash Papalii in place of the injured Iongi this weekend as well as Jack De Belin and Apa Twidle joining the interchange.
Tigers have named the same team as the one who defeated the Warriors last weekend with the only slight change being Bunty Afoa replacing Tristan Hope on the six man bench.
Last meeting: Round 7 2025 - Wests Tigers 22 Eels 38
Who to watch: Sam Tuivaiti is having a ripper of a season for the Eels as he looks to make a name for himself in this Eels pack. The middle forward is averaging 127 metres per game and 55 post contact metres per game. In the wake of losing Hopgood and Doorey for the season, his breakout season is proving massive for the blue and gold.
All eyes will be on Adam Douehi for the Tigers as he looks to back up another impressive performance in search of his side's third win. Whispers of an injury last week were quickly put to bed as he was running the show against the Warriors, having a hand in three tries as well as 2 line breaks and 9 tackle busts. The veteran utility is making the number 7 jersey his own this year and is proving he doesn't need marquee man Jarome Luai alongside him to get the job done.
Favourite: Parramatta go into this one as slight favorites against the Tigers due to the home ground advantage.
MY TIP: It will be a tight yet entertaining matchup as it usually is in this fixture but I'm tipping for Commbank to be orange and black on Monday as the Tigers grab their third win of the year. Wests Tigers by 2.
1. Joash Papali'i 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Brian Kelly 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Jonah Pezet 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Sam Tuivaiti 16. Charlie Guymer 17. Luca Moretti 18. Jack de Belin 19. Apa Twidle
1. Jahream Bula 2. Faaletino Tavana 3. Sunia Turuva 4. Heamasi Makasini 5. Luke Laulilii 6. Jock Madden 7. Adam Doueihi 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Alex Twal 14. Latu Fainu 15. Sione Fainu 16. Royce Hunt 17. Alex Seyfarth 19. Jeral Skelton 20. Tristan Hope
Referees: Peter Gough; Sideline Officials: Phil Henderson, Matt Noyen; Video Referees: Ashley Klein;