The Tigers have slumped to 15th on the ladder and sit just two points clear of last-placed Gold Coast as they confront the harsh reality of missing finals for an 11th straight year.
After the high of back-to-back wins over the Eels and Rabbitohs in round 6-7, the Tigers have lost seven of their next eight games and parted company with coach Michael Maguire.
The Eels have lost two of their past three and need to get back on track quickly if they are to secure an all important top-four spot.
With clashes against the Panthers, Storm, Rabbitohs and Broncos twice still to come, Brad Arthur's men need to take care of business against an opponent down on confidence and struggling to find points.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Wests Tigers v Eels
The Rundown
Team news
Wests Tigers: Skipper James Tamou had been named to return from a calf injury but dropped out on Friday, his place in the starting side taken by Fonua Pole with Austin Dias joining the bench. Veteran winger Ken Maumalo (knee) is also out and Junior Tupou takes his place. Adam Doueihi returns to the starting side at centre at the expense of James Roberts.
NSW Under 19s Origin rep Justin Matamua makes his debut off the bench alongside Jacob Liddle who returns to the 17 this week after he was 18th Man against the Warriors. Alex Seyfarth is 18th man this week.
Eels: Ryan Matterson had been named to return from a rib injury but was a late withdrawal on Friday with Makahesi Makatoa promoted to the starting side and Nathan Brown joining the bench. With Junior Paulo in Blues camp, Marata Niukore steps into the starting side at prop.
Skipper Clint Gutherson is part of Brad Fittler's extended NSW squad but he'll be released to lead the Eels. Jakob Arthur is 18th man.
Match: Wests Tigers v Eels
Round 17 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Eels
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine LaurieFullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David NofoalumaWinger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Starford To'aCentre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Adam DoueihiCentre for Eels is number 4 Waqa Blake
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 20 Junior TupouWinger for Eels is number 5 Bailey Simonsson
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Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Luke BrooksFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
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Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jackson HastingsHalfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
Forwards
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Zane MusgroveProp for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
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Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Fa'amanu BrownHooker for Eels is number 9 Reed Mahoney
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 17 Fonua PoleProp for Eels is number 10 Marata Niukore
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Kelma Tuilagi2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Isaiah Papali'i
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Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Joe OfahengaueLock for Eels is number 14 Makahesi Makatoa
Interchange
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Stefano UtoikamanuInterchange for Eels is number 15 Tom Opacic
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Justin MatamuaInterchange for Eels is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Jacob LiddleInterchange for Eels is number 17 Ky Rodwell
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Austin DiasInterchange for Eels is number 18 Nathan Brown
Reserves
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Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 19 Alex SeyfarthReplacement for Eels is number 19 Jake Arthur
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Key match-up
Jackson Hastings v Mitch Moses: Hastings has found the going tough in recent weeks as opposition defences have come hard at him and ensured he feels every hit when he goes to the line. With Luke Brooks struggling in the No,6, Hastings has had to shoulder the majority of the playmaking workload, and he'll have a posse of hardmen coming at him this week as he looks to spark his team. Moses has racked up 19 try assists, 11 line break assists and nine forced dropouts through 15 games but he knows the big test lies ahead as the Eels look to end a 36-year premiership drought.
Stat Attack
Eels playmaker Mitch Moses leads the NRL in try assists with 19, well clear of Cowboy Chad Townsend in second place with 14. The Eels also have five-eighth Dylan Brown (eight try assists in 15 games) inside the top 25 while the only Tigers inside the top 50 is Jackson Hastings with five try assists in 12 games.
Match: Wests Tigers v Eels
Round 17 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
16th Position
away Team
Eels
6th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
