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Dyldam Parramatta Eels Assistant Coach Pete Gentle is looking for a much improved performance from the Blue and Gold this weekend when the Eels take on the Newcastle Knights at Hunter Stadium on Sunday 19 April.

With the Eels coming off losses against the Tigers and Titans, the side will be itching to return to action after spending plenty of time on the training paddock this week.

“After coming off a couple of pretty ordinary performances, we have been good this week with a lot of field time after a longer turn around and we have been good on the training paddock,” Gentle said.

Gentle knows that the clash will be no easy feat as the Novocastrians will be desperate for a win at home after also dropping their last two clashes and the Eels will need to be prepared for the contest against a tough opposition that hosts plenty of dangers.

“The Knights will be desperate just like we are.”

“Roberts, Mullen, Gidley; there are threats there. Plus they have a big forward pack that is playing pretty well at the moment,” Gentle said of the Knights.

“They have had a couple of losses, in pretty ordinary conditions, but the team are looking forward to the contest.”

The game will have extra significance with the Blue and Gold looking to give Eels Captain Tim Mannah and halfback Chris Sandow something to celebrate in their 150th NRL First Grade game.

“The boys have spoken about Mannah and Sandow’s 150th NRL First Grade game earlier in the week,” Gentle said of the occasion.

“We definitely have something extra to play for to reward those guys.”

“They have had great careers, 150 games is a great milestone so they deserve to have a winning day.”

The Eels take on the Newcastle Knights as part of a triple header at Hunter Stadium. The NSW Cup side, the Wentworthville Magpies and the Eels NYC side will feature earlier in the day, before the NRL Game kicks off at 4pm, live on Channel 9.

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Parramatta Eels respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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