The NRL’s best bottom-of-the-table clash in years is finally here with the Wests Tigers and Parramatta Eels fighting it out in the Spoon Bowl.
The equation is simple – win and avoid finishing stone, cold last on the ladder and collecting the 2024 wooden spoon.
The Eels lead 22-10 at halftime at a sold-out Campbelltown Stadium.
MATCH CENTRE: Wests Tigers v Parramatta Eels teams, stats, video
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MATCH PREVIEW
The NRL’s best bottom-of-the-table clash in years has finally arrived with the Wests Tigers and Parramatta Eels fighting it out in the Spoon Bowl.
The equation is simple – win and avoid finishing stone, cold last on the ladder and collecting the 2024 wooden spoon in front of a sold-out Campbelltown Stadium
Parramatta contested the 2022 grand final and finishing last just two years later would complete a dramatic fall from grace.
The Tigers and their rookie coach Benji Marshall are desperately trying to avoid collecting the club’s third wooden spoon in a row.
Tigers halfback Aidan Sezer was initially named to play despite suffering a shoulder injury against Manly ahead of the bye but has since been ruled out. Latu Fainu joins the starting side while Tony Sukkar makes his debut off the bench.
Eels winger Sean Russell returns on the wing after missing last week’s game due to illness and Ofahiki Ogden has been promoted to the starting side with Shaun Lane shifted to the bench.
‘It’s very tough on Kevvie’ | 01:39
This match marks a contest between two clubs at opposite ends of their roster cycles.
The Tigers are in the midst of a rebuild, with a host of rising stars coming through the ranks and bringing real optimism for the future.
Meanwhile, Parramatta bosses have tasked Jason Ryles with their rebuild after they sacked Brad Arthur halfway through the season, ending his 10-year tenure at the club.
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