Parramatta will field a near full-strength side when they face-off against old foes Penrith this Saturday night at Panthers Stadium.
The two teams, who both finished in the top four last season, will go head-to-head in their final trial match before the 2021 NRL season gets underway in just over a fortnight’s time.
The Battle of the West trial is always a blockbuster, with both sides unable to be separated in the corresponding fixture last year in Bega.
Parramatta began their pre-season campaign in emphatic fashion last week, dominating their trial against St George Illawarra with a 28-6 victory.
There was a handful of NRL talent on show for both sides with the Eels running out most of their new recruits in Keegan Hipgrave, Isaiah Papali’i, Tom Opacic and Michael Oldfield, while the Dragons unveiled former Broncos teammates Jack Bird and Andrew McCullough for the first time.
Veteran playmakers Will Smith and Jordan Rankin steered the ship for Parramatta while some of their rookie backs – Haze Dunster, Will Penisini and Sean O’Sullivan – all looked dangerous throughout the match.
While newcomer Papali’i was close to best on ground, it was the experienced Smith who had his hand in just about everything for the Eels.
Unfortunately, Parramatta’s 22-point hammering of Anthony Griffin’s men was soured by the loss of recruit Michael Oldfield, who suffered a knee injury.
The Eels later reported that the 30-year-old winger suffered an MCL sprain and would be unavailable for the first month of the season.
Parramatta are expected to name their big guns for this Saturday night’s trial against last year’s Grand Finalists with captain Clint Gutherson, halves Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses, and hooker Reed Mahoney all set to feature.
For Penrith, it will be their first major trial game of the pre-season with new captains Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, along with Viliame Kikau and Dylan Edwards, playing their first games for the club since October’s Grand Final defeat.
Penrith and Parramatta will do battle at Panthers Stadium this Saturday, February 27 at 7.30pm.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.