Parramatta play host to Newcastle in game one of Friday night footy with both sides desperate for a victory as they languish around the bottom of the ladder after eight rounds.
The Eels are looking to make it six straight against this week's opponents in a record that dates back to 2019, including a dominant 39-2 win in enemy territory last year.
Parramatta paid the price for a poor opening half in Darwin last week in which they gave up four tries, and despite showing improvement in the second 40 they couldn't catch the Broncos in a 26-16 defeat.
The loss of influential prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard and experienced back Bailey Simonsson only added to coach Brad Arthur's woes, as his side slipped to their fifth loss in eight games.
Newcastle, meanwhile, suffered a narrow defeat for the second week in a row in Round 8 – losing 18-16 to the Cowboys only a week on from suffering golden point heartbreak against Penrith.
The positive note for coach Adam O'Brien would have been the successful return of star five-eighth Kalyn Ponga, who added plenty in his first game back from a concussion lay-off and should be better for his reduced-minute run last week.
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Team News
Eels: Ryan Matterson (illness) is a late withdrawal with Bryce Cartwright starting on the edge and Ofahiki Ogden coming on to the interchange. Sean Russell moves into the centres to cover for Bailey Simonsson (head knock) and Haze Dunster returns to the wing. Makahesi Makatoa joins the interchange bench to cover for the injured Reagan Campbell-Gillard (leg).
Knights: A couple of late changes for the visitors with Kurt Mann to start at hooker and Mat Croker at lock, pushing Phoenix Crossland back to the bench alongside Tyson Gamble, Jacob Saifiti and Jack Hetherington. Simi Sasagi will be 18th man.
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Stat Attack
- The Eels have won their past five games against the Knights.
- Dane Gagai has scored six tries in his past five games against the Eels.
- Eels second-rower Bryce Cartwright will play his 150th NRL game.
- The Knights play their first game at CommBank Stadium since 2020.
- Maika Sivo has scored 40 tries in 41 games at CommBank Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .