Battling Eels seek payback
REVENGE is on Parramatta’s mind as it seeks to atone for the flogging at the hands of Newcastle last month that sent its NRL season into a tailspin.
The Eels hit rock bottom in their season from hell after they were embarrassed 30-4 by the Knights at ANZ Stadium in Round 13.
The game prompted the club to undertake a review of its football department after a disastrous 2018 which has netted them three wins and sees them on track for the wooden spoon.
Coach Brad Arthur has subsequently put the players on notice, stating that spots for next year are on the line in the final months.
Halfback Mitchell Moses admitted that the Eels were seeking payback against Nathan Brown’s Knights tonight as they looked to restore some pride in their season.
“We’ve got to get them back for the time they got us,” Moses said.
“We weren’t happy with our performance that night and they kind of put a clinic on us and we’ve got to be a lot better.
“We’ve taken small steps to get that win we need and hopefully we can finish off the year good.”
The Knights are set to be boosted by the return of influential halfback Mitchell Pearce, who has missed the last 10 weeks with a pectoral injury.
His presence gave the club plenty of hope for the future after they won four of their first seven games.
But in his absence, they lost seven of their nine matches.
“I think as a halfback there’s a tendency to come back and try to do too much,” Pearce said.
“But I’m older now and I know what a solid game is for me, to bring my kicking game and some direction for the team.”
The Knights are set to be without fullback Kalyn Ponga (hamstring), who is replaced by debutant Nick Meaney.
Prop Daniel Saifiti also returns from a foot injury.
The Eels have named centre Michael Jennings after he was last week sent back to reserve grade.