Parramatta and the Gold Coast square off in round three of the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership in an historic occasion for the Eels at CommBank Stadium.
The Eels went down to St George Illawarra last week but won't need any extra motivation on Sunday with a big crowd expected for the side's first-ever home game in Parramatta heartland.
The Titans bounced back from a first-round defeat to beat the Roosters in emphatic style and will will be out to spoil the party in Sydney's west.
Jamie Feeney's side improved their discipline with ball in hand and will go close to a result if they can do the same again on Sunday.
The clash features plenty of international star power with the battle of the fullbacks Botille Vette-Welsh and Evania Pelite worth the price of admission alone.
Match: Eels v Titans
Round 3 -
home Team
Eels
3rd Position
away Team
Titans
4th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Eels: A triple blow for the home side with Nita Maynard, Sereana Naitokatoka and Rikeya Horne (foot) ruled out. Campbelltown product Emily Curtain will make her NRLW debut at five-eighth with Shirley Mailangi to start at hooker. Abbi Church is promoted to the wing. NSW prop Filomina Hanisi will start with Tommaya Kelly-Sines moving back to the bench.
Titans: Shannon Mato is out after picking up a knee injury last week with Jessika Elliston promoted to start at prop. Lauren Dam is also out after a disappointing afternoon with her hands last week, replaced by New Zealand-born young gun Hailee-Jay Maunsell.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Eels is number 1 Botille Vette-WelshFullback for Titans is number 1 Evania Pelite
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Winger for Eels is number 2 Taina NaividiWinger for Titans is number 2 Karina Brown
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Centre for Eels is number 3 Tiana PenitaniCentre for Titans is number 3 Jasmine Peters
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Centre for Eels is number 4 Jocephy DanielsCentre for Titans is number 4 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
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Winger for Eels is number 15 Abbi ChurchWinger for Titans is number 5 Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell
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Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Emily CurtainFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Grace Griffin
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Halfback for Eels is number 7 Maddie StuddonHalfback for Titans is number 7 Kimiora Breayley-Nati
Forwards
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Prop for Eels is number 8 Kennedy CherringtonProp for Titans is number 10 Stephanie Hancock
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Hooker for Eels is number 14 Seli MailangiHooker for Titans is number 9 Brittany Breayley-Nati
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Prop for Eels is number 17 Filomina HanisiProp for Titans is number 19 April Ngatunpuna
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2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Christian Pio2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Zara Canfield
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2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Jamie-Anne Wright2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Tazmin Gray
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Lock for Eels is number 13 Simaima TaufaLock for Titans is number 13 Destiny Brill
Interchange
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Interchange for Eels is number 10 Tommaya Kelly-SinesInterchange for Titans is number 8 Jessika Elliston
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Interchange for Eels is number 16 Therese AitonInterchange for Titans is number 14 Georgia Hale
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Interchange for Eels is number 19 Jade EtherdenInterchange for Titans is number 16 Laikha Clarke
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Interchange for Eels is number 20 Ellie JohnstonInterchange for Titans is number 17 Shaniah Power
Reserves
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Replacement for Eels is number 18 Tess StainesReplacement for Titans is number 20 Jetaya Faifua
Match Officials
- Referee: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall
Last updated:
Key match-up
Kennedy Cherrington v Steph Hancock: A rising star against a respected veteran, two players at different stages of their career will go head-to-head in a match-up that promises to bring plenty of fireworks. Cherrington is known to get under the skin of her opponents and Hancock isn't one to take a backward step. Hancock is the fittest she's been in the NRLW and with Shannon Mato missing this week she'll be looking to lead the way for the side again on Sunday.
Stat attack
Both these sides lead the way for most dummy half runs to start the season. The Titans have made 48 to Parramatta's 40, well clear of next best Newcastle (26) and Dragons on 21.
