There’s no love lost between the Eels and Wests Tigers and tonight’s game will be a bitter fight until the death.
The Eels are coming off a disappointing loss to the Sea Eagles, while the Tigers gained plenty of confidence from last week’s 48 point win over the Broncos.
Here are five things you need to know about the Round 11 clash.
Whose home is Bankwest?
The Eels made sure to turn Bankwest Stadium their fortress after their new home opened in Round Six in 2019.
The Blue and Gold only lost one game at their home ground last year and have so far dropped one game at the ground this year.
The Tigers play a portion of their home games the Bankwest Stadium and dub it ‘Our Jungle’.
Whose home will it be tonight?
Marata Niukore’s 50th NRL Game
Marata Niukore will play his 50th NRL game tonight at Bankwest Stadium.
He joined the Eels in 2017 and has played all his NRL games in the Blue and Gold.
The running back has enjoyed some career best form in 2020, starting four games in the lock position for Nathan Brown.
Last week he played 38 minutes against the Sea Eagles, made 17 runs, made 174 metres and 87 post contact metres as well as making 24 tackles.
Congratulations on your 50 game milestone Marata!
Short turnaround for Eels
The Eels are heading into tonight’s clash with a short five day turnaround since they last played.
It will be the first time they play the Tigers this season, who are better rested after their big win over Brisbane last Friday night.
Brown faces ‘Uncle Benji’ in the halves
Dylan Brown will face up against ‘Uncle Benji’ for the first time, with the veteran back in the number 7 jersey for the Tigers after a few weeks sidelined.
The Eels young gun looks up to the Kiwi superstar and says he hopes he can emulate his self-belief one day.
The pair first met during last year's rugby league World Cup nines tournament when Marshall mentored a Kiwis squad that included Brown.
Team Changes
Eels half Mitch Moses will return to face his former club after overcoming a calf injury.
He along with the return of Ryan Matterson and Blake Ferguson are a huge boost the Blue and Gold line-up.
Maika Sivo and Nathan Brown failed to finish last week’s game, but will line-up against the Tigers.
For the Tigers, Luke Garner is out due to a head knock with Michael Chee Kam starting in the back row.
Interchange prop Thomas Mikaele has been ruled out with Oliver Clark set to be promoted to the interchange bench.
