Jess Elliston loves playing at home, but secretly admits she is happy to escape the Gold Coast heat to face the Eels after their Sharks scorcher at Cbus Super Stadium last Saturday.
Coming off the tough loss against the ladder leaders, the 26-year-old knows there’s plenty to play for with the last three rounds key to their finals.
“Moving forward, each game is like a grand final game and especially against the Eels, they’ll be wanting to win one as well coming off a loss and so are we," Elliston said.
After Parramatta started their campaign strong with a big win over the Broncos, the Eels will be looking to regroup after going down 42 points to the Dragons last week and stay in contention for finals.
Despite a big blow losing their key forward Kennedy Cherrington to injury, the home side have plenty of power in their defence with Elsie Albert remaining one of the top props this season.
Elliston had nothing but praise for Albert who has made a statement in her return from a calf injury that hampered her 2023 campaign.
“It’s so good to see her back in this space coming off an injury and she’s definitely owning her role in the middle,” Elliston said.
Match: Eels v Titans
Round 7 -
home Team
Eels
5th Position
away Team
Titans
7th Position
Venue: Eric Tweedale Stadium, Sydney
The Titans are also no stranger to injury in 2024 with Sienna Lofipo and Rilee Jorgensen missing last week’s clash against the Sharks, but are expected to make their awaited return to the field this Sunday.
Elliston credited the younger players in the squad along side fellow prop Laikha Clarke for stepping up this season – with Clarke clutching her first try in Round 4 over the Cowboys.
“Laikha Clarke is absolutely one of those girls who has stepped up and worked on her game to do everything she could to make sure when she hits that field that she’s giving 100 percent,” Elliston praised.
“We’re a very resilient team and the girls that have had the opportunity have taken it and made it their own."
Currently sitting fifth on the ladder with the Eels close behind at sixth, this Sunday is a do-or-die match for both sides as the Titans aim for back-to-back finals series after a maiden grand final appearance in 2023.
