6:00 pm FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 6th 2024 CAMPBELLTOWN SPORTS STADIUM CAMPBELLTOWN SYDNEY
- Spoon Bowl Showdown: Tigers vs. Eels in Final Clash of the Season
- Tigers’ Late Season Surge: Impressive Win Preceded by Bye
- Eels’ Defensive Struggles Persist as They Aim for Last-Minute Redemption
- Changes for Tigers: Feledy, Sukkar, and Sezer’s Uncertain Status
- Eels Adjust Line-up: Tuilagi Returns and Russell Replaces Tago
- High-Scoring Encounter Expected: Attack vs. Defense at Campbelltown
- Apisai Koroisau and Maika Sivo: Key Players to Watch in Spoon Bowl
- Recent Form and Head-to-Head Stats: Eels’ Edge in Recent Encounters
- Prediction.
Spoon Bowl Showdown: Tigers vs. Eels in Final Clash of the Season
After enduring a mostly dismal season, fans of both teams will be relieved to put 2024 behind them as the weekend approaches. However, there is one final agonising act for one set of fans: the loser of this weekend’s clash between the Tigers and Eels will have officially finished last for the season.
Tigers’ Late Season Surge: Impressive Win Preceded by Bye
The home side, the Tigers, are coming off an impressive win against the Sea Eagles before their bye last week. Down 16-0 early on, it was a game they’d usually let go of. Instead, they fought back in front of a packed home crowd at Leichardt, determined not to finish last this season.
Eels’ Defensive Struggles Persist as They Aim for Last-Minute Redemption
Meanwhile, the Eels managed to secure a win at home against the Dragons, despite almost letting it slip away in a high-scoring contest. Their performance was typical of their past month or so, which has seen them find points aplenty against their opposition and concede just as many.
Changes for Tigers: Feledy, Sukkar, and Sezer’s Uncertain Status
The Tigers have not had to make many changes. Josh Feledy will come into the centres, pushing Junior Tupou to the wing. Although Aiden Sezer has been named, reports indicate he won’t take the field, with Tony Sukkar set to make his debut in his place.
Tigers
1. Heath Mason 2. Junior Tupou 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Josh Feledy 5. Charlie Staines, 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer, 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Samuela Fainu 13. Isaiah Papali’i , 14. Latu Fainu 15. Sione Fainu, 16. Fonua Pole 17. Alex Twal , 18. Tim Johannssen 19. Alexander Lobb 20. Reuben Porter , 21. Kit Laulilii 22. Tony Sukkar
Eels Adjust Line-up: Tuilagi Returns and Russell Replaces Tago
Similarly, the Eels make few changes. Kelma Tuilagi returns to the side, reverting Shaun Lane to prop and shifting Ofahiki Ogden to the bench. The only other change sees Sean Russell returning to the lineup, pushing Jake Tago out of the team.
High-Scoring Encounter Expected: Attack vs. Defense at Campbelltown
In what promises to be a scorching early evening in Campbelltown, this match is sure to be an attacking contest. Both teams have the ability to score, but with weak defences, it will likely come down to who can cross the try line more often, rather than who can make the most stops.
Apisai Koroisau and Maika Sivo: Key Players to Watch in Spoon Bowl
Apisai Koroisau is undeniably the key to a Tigers victory. He consistently stands out as their best player and is often the driving force behind their push for success. His work from dummy half against a typically loose Eels middle may find points later in the game.
Meanwhile, the Eels will be banking on Maika Sivo to back up his efforts from last week. Criticized for his defensive lapses this year, he has never struggled when it comes to scoring tries. Last week, he became the fastest player to reach 100 tries. In their previous encounter with the Tigers, Charlie Staines repeatedly denied Sivo. If the big Fijian gets early ball this time, he’ll be eager to redeem himself for that subpar performance in April.
Eels
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Will Penisini 4. Blaize Talagi 5. Sean Russell, 6. Dylan Brown 7. Daejarn Asi 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Shaun Lane , 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Joe Ofahengaue , 14. Joey Lussick 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Luca Moretti 17. Ofahiki Ogden, 18. Jake Tago 19. Matt Doorey 20. Ethan Sanders , 21. Haze Dunster 22. Wiremu Greig
Recent Form and Head-to-Head Stats: Eels’ Edge in Recent Encounters
Expect both teams to hit double digits on the scoreboard, with a narrow margin separating them. Ultimately, the loss of Sezer and the inexperience of the spine could give the Eels the edge in this matchup.
Referee. Peter Gough ,Touch Judges, Belinda Sharpe, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Bunker, Chris Butler
The Wests Tigers have racked up 66 points in back-to-back wins at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
The Eels have triumphed in nine of their last 11 encounters with the Wests Tigers.
The Tigers are looking to secure two wins in a season against the Eels for the first time since 2012.
Eels winger Maika Sivo has an impressive record, scoring 19 tries in his last 12 NRL games.
The Tigers are chasing three consecutive victories for the first time since 2018.
Prediction.
Here it is—the Spoon Bowl: 16th vs. 17th in a “loser takes all” clash for the dreaded wooden spoon. The Eels looked strong last week against the Dragons, but seemed to switch off in the second half. Meanwhile, the Tigers enjoyed a week off after pulling off an upset against the Sea Eagles. Campbelltown will be buzzing as their loyal fans rally behind them to avoid a third consecutive wooden spoon. But will that be enough to get them over the line? I’m backing the Tigers to do it.
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