Wests Tigers will seek to avoid picking up the wooden spoon for the third-straight year when they host Parramatta at a sold-out Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Benji Marshall’s side have been rooted to the bottom of the ladder since Round 17 but have a chance to flip their unwanted fortunes onto the Eels with a win on Friday night.
The Tigers have shown signs of improvement during the rookie coach’s first full season at the helm but an inability to post points has come back to haunt them time and time again.
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The home side possesses the worst attack in the competition after registering just 437 points to date, while they have the joint-worst defence alongside their upcoming opponents.
One of the reasons for their struggles has been indifferent form, injuries and suspensions weighing heavily on the side throughout the season.
Tigers to make history in ‘Spoon Bowl’ clash against Eels
Marshall will have utilised 37 players in the current season by the time they square off against Trent Barrett’s outfit, which surpasses the club’s previous high of 36 that occurred over two decades ago.
This isn’t the only record the Tigers will break during the game being dubbed ‘Spoon Bowl’ though with Tony Sukkar called up to the side following the re-shuffle that came with an injury to Aidan Sezer.
The 20-year-old Balmain junior will become the 12th player to debut for the club in 2024 when he takes to the field via the interchange bench.
This is the largest number of debutants fielded in one season in the club's 25-year history.
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Sukkar will join fellow 2024 debutants Alex Lobb, Heath Mason, Lachlan Galvin, Latu Fainu, Luke Laulilii, Solomon Alaimalo, Solomona Faataape, Jordan Miller, Reuben Porter, Sione Fainu and Tim Johannssen when he runs out for the club.
The Eels rank as the next in line for NRL debutants after they have fielded seven throughout the campaign.