Matchday Details

Sunday 7th September – 4:05pm (AEST) – CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Wyatt Raymond | Bunker: Liam Kennedy

Eels
1. Isaiah Iongi, 2. Zac Lomax, 3. Will Penisini, 4. Sean Russell, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. J’maine Hopgood, 9. Ryley Smith, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Kelma Tuilagi, 12. Jack Williams, 13. Dylan Walker, 14. Tallyn Da Silva, 15. Matt Doorey, 16. Charlie Guymer, 17. Jordan Samrani, 18. Dean Hawkins, 19. Dan Keir, 20. Toni Mataele, 21. Joey Lussick, 22. Joash Papali’i

Knights
1. Fletcher Hunt, 2. Dominic Young, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Greg Marzhew, 6. Jakob Arthur, 7. Jack Cogger, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Phoenix Crossland, 10. Leo Thompson, 11. Jermaine McEwen, 12. Kai Pearce-Paul, 13. Tyson Frizell, 14. Jayden Brailey, 15. Mathew Croker, 16. Thomas Cant, 17. Elijah Leaumoana, 18. James Schiller, 19. Cody Hopwood, 20. Matthew Arthur, 21. Connor Votano, 22. Lachlan Crouch

Match Preview

The regular season closes with a Father’s Day clash between the Eels and Knights. Neither side will feature in the finals, but both have reasons to play hard. The Eels want to finish a largely positive year with a strong home performance, while the Knights may need a win to avoid the wooden spoon depending on the Titans’ result.

Parramatta make one change, with Dylan Brown recalled at five-eighth for his final match at the club. It hasn’t been his sharpest season, but he has been reliable when asked to step aside for Joash Papalii’s growth, and he gets the chance for a last run alongside Moses. Newcastle names the same 17 that have conceded heavily in recent weeks, though with reshuffles: Hunt at fullback, Gagai to centre, Arthur at five-eighth, Crossland at hooker, and Brailey back on the bench. This marks Adam O’Brien’s final game in charge.

The Eels continued their late season lift with a win over the Warriors, their second in a row. Isaiah Iongi again impressed, showing why he is a leading rookie contender, with tries, line breaks and big metres. On a fast track, against a side prone to leaking points, he looms as a serious danger. For Newcastle, the concern is the same as all year: where does their attack come from? They started well last week but collapsed once the Sharks gained momentum. Their defence, especially on the edges and through the middle, must stand up if they are to compete, and if the wooden spoon is at stake, desperation may drive effort.

Overall, the Eels should be too strong. The risk is taking the field as favourites, something that backfired when ambushed by the Rabbitohs. But if they bring focus and intensity, they should close the season with a comfortable win.

Prediction

RLZ Tip: Eels by 18.

See our full Round 27 Predictions (live Wednesday 12pm) here: 2025 NRL Tipping: Round 27 Writer Predictions

Have your say: Who wins? Drop your tip in the comments or vote in our poll.

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