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The tipsters at Nine have shifted their support towards the Eels, predicting they will secure another crucial victory on Thursday night against the Dolphins as they continue their upswing in form.
During a segment on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth’s Tips, Brad Fittler and Andrew Johns had differing opinions, with Fittler expressing that Parramatta’s current momentum should see them through, partly due to their strong home record at CommBank Stadium and the uplift witnessed since Mitchell Moses’ return from injury.
“The Eels have claimed victory in their last two matches at CommBank,” Johns remarked, referencing their win over the Wests Tigers on Easter Monday and their remarkable comeback against the Dragons a fortnight ago.
“They have a fantastic track record at CommBank,” Fittler responded.
“Both of those victories [against the Tigers and Dragons] featured Mitchell Moses, so if you discount all the games he missed at the start of the season…”
Parramatta players celebrating after scoring during their round seven victory against the Wests Tigers. Getty
Fittler expressed disappointment over the Dolphins’ lacklustre performance during Magic Round, where they were convincingly beaten by the Roosters, despite a stronger showing towards the end that made the scoreline appear less one-sided.
He highlighted that the absence of hooker Jeremy Marshall-King could hinder their effort to bounce back at the Eels’ stronghold.
While Johns acknowledged the Dolphins’ “poor” performance during Magic Round, he predicted they might turn things around.
With both teams sitting on six points, the stakes are high; the losing side may find themselves at the bottom of the ladder after round 10, significantly impacting their playoff prospects, even with 17 rounds left in the season.
Moses’ performance will likely determine the Eels’ destiny, as he has been outstanding since returning from a foot injury in round seven. Despite his late start to the season, Johns believes he is a leading candidate to partner Nathan Cleary in the NSW halves, suggesting in his column for The Sydney Morning Herald that the competition for the No.6 jersey is fierce between Moses and Jarome Luai.
“The question is, what style does Laurie prefer? A Cleary-Moses combination is likely to play with greater width, reflecting their natural abilities,” Johns noted.
“If he reunites Cleary and Luai, they’ll revert to the combination they’ve developed since their youth, embodying that Penrith style. That’s where Yeo plays as the link man to Cleary and Luai, which could potentially restrict the outside backs. And similarly on the right, Yeo would connect with Cleary and Edwards.”
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Thursday night’s clash might influence Daley’s selection, with the impressive young talent Isaiya Katoa from the Dolphins considered an outsider for a position.
“Both are exceptional halves, and in comparing them, Moses probably has five to six seasons left in the NRL, whereas Katoa could potentially play for another 15 years,” Johns wrote for the SMH.
“Moses has a stronger long-range kicking game and excels in delivering those expansive passes to his outside backs. Katoa, on the other hand, provides a more robust defensive option and drives directly into the line as a playmaker.
“In five years, when Cleary and Moses are winding down their careers, Katoa will be the one stepping into their shoes.”
Scroll down for the latest leaderboard and Round 10 predictions from all of Nine’s expert tipsters!
Nine’s NRL tipping leaderboard. Nine
Andrew Johns: Dolphins, Knights, Broncos, Raiders, Warriors, Cowboys, Storm, Sea Eagles
Brad Fittler: Eels, Knights, Broncos, Raiders, Dragons, Panthers, Storm, Sea Eagles
Paul Gallen: Eels, Titans, Broncos, Raiders, Warriors, Panthers, Storm, Sharks
Darren Lockyer: Dolphins, Titans, Broncos, Bulldogs, Warriors, Cowboys, Storm, Sea Eagles
Ruan Sims: Eels, Titans, Broncos, Raiders, Warriors, Storm, Sharks
Mat Thompson: Eels, Knights, Broncos, Raiders, Dragons, Panthers, Storm, Sea Eagles
Peter Psaltis: Dolphins, Knights, Broncos, Bulldogs, Warriors, Panthers, Storm, Sea Eagles
David Middleton: Eels, Knights, Broncos, Bulldogs, Dragons, Panthers, Storm, Sea Eagles
Michael Chammas: Eels, Knights, Broncos, Bulldogs, Dragons, Panthers, Storm, Sea Eagles
The Mole: Dolphins, Knights, Broncos, Raiders, Warriors, Panthers, Storm, Sea Eagles
Ben Glover: Eels, Knights, Broncos, Raiders, Dragons, Panthers, Storm, Sea Eagles
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