Eels v Wests Tigers: Matterson starts; Twal sidelined
A regular Easter Monday game in recent times, these two clubs have served up some thrilling contests in the corresponding fixture over the past two seasons.
Two years ago the Wests Tigers – who at the time had lost eight games in a row – sprung one of the upsets of that season by tipping over the red-hot Eels 21-20 at CommBank Stadium thanks to a last-minute field goal. In 2023, it went down to the wire again as Parramatta held on for a 28-22 victory.
Both teams head into the 2024 edition having enjoyed last-up wins, with the Wests Tigers demolishing the Sharks in an impressive showing that was led by skipper Api Koroisau and the Eels handing Manly their first loss of the season with a come-from-behind win.
In a massive blow to the Eels they are set to be without star half Mitch Moses for up to eight weeks with a fractured foot so coach Brad Arthur may look to move Dylan Brown to No.7 or bring young gun Ethan Sanders in at halfback.
While the recent Easter Monday games have been close, the record against Parra over the past six years makes for ugly viewing for the Wests Tigers, with just one win over their Western Sydney rivals in their last 10 meetings.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Eels v Wests Tigers
Team News
Eels: A late change on game day sees Ryan Matterson join the starting side at lock with J'maine Hopgood reverting to the interchange. Bryce Cartwright was ruled out (rib) on Sunday with Kelma Tuilagi joining the starting side at secondrow. After an impressive debut in the centres last week, Blaize Talagi has been thrust into the hot seat at five-eighth following the loss of Mitchell Moses to a fractured foot. Powerhouse winger Maika Sivo returns from suspension, with Bailey Simonsson left in the reserves for the time being after sitting out Round 3 with concussion. Bailey Simonsson is 18th man.
Wests Tigers: No late changes on game day. A sole change to the 17 which got the job done in convincing fashion against the Sharks last week and it’s a forced one, with Alex Twal ruled out with concussion. His spot on the interchange is taken by Asu Kepaoa. Jayden Sullivan will again come off the bench, with Aidan Sezer and Lachlan Galvin the halves. Justin Matamua is 18th man.
Match: Eels v Wests Tigers
Round 4 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika SivoWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Charlie Staines
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Solomona Faataape
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Morgan HarperCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Justin Olam
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Sean RussellWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Blaize TalagiFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Dylan BrownHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Aidan Sezer
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Joey LussickHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 17 Kelma Tuilagi2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman
-
Lock for Eels is number 15 Ryan MattersonLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua Pole
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 13 J'maine HopgoodInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jayden Sullivan
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Luca MorettiInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Seyfarth
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Interchange for Eels is number 16 Joe OfahengaueInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Asu Kepaoa
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Interchange for Eels is number 20 Brendan HandsInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Samuela Fainu
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 22 Bailey SimonssonReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Justin Matamua
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Wests Tigers have won only one of their past five games at CommBank Stadium.
- Eels winger Maika Sivo has scored eight tries in eight games against Wests Tigers.
- Wests Tigers are chasing back-to-back wins for the first time since Rd 10 last year.
- The Eels have won nine of their past 11 games at CommBank Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Match: Eels v Wests Tigers
Round 4 -
home Team
Eels
9th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
6th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
