2020 NRL Round 12 Preview, Bulldogs Vs Eels
Todd Warren previews Bulldogs vs Eels with both teams coming off wins but one team in the top four and the other in the bottom four.
FORM LINE
Bulldogs
Last weeks win over the Knights snapped a six game losing streak and was only their second for the year. In saying that, despite Newcastle getting some major injuries, Canterbury looked great in tough conditions and completed at 91% and still got the win even though they missed 35 tackles compared to 15 from the Knights.
Eels
After a poor showing against Manly in round 10 they welcomed back Mitch Moses from injury and bounced back against the Tigers. Reagan Campbell-Gillard had a blinder with 247 run metres and a brilliant 50m solo try.
SQUAD NEWS
Bulldogs
Some changes to the bench with Cogger and Sue replacing Wakeham and To’omaga while Kerrod Holland is out and replaced by mid season recruit Tim Lafai.
1. Nick Meaney 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Tim Lafai 4. Jake Averillo 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Keiran Foran 7. Lachlan Lewis 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson (c) 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Luke Thompson 14. Jack Cogger 15. Sione Katoa 16. Sauaso Sue 17. Ofahiki Ogden
Eels
Kane Evans and Oregon Kaufusi return and play off the bench. Ryan Matterson went off early after failing his HIA so is going through concussion protocols but the long turnaround means he is a good chance of playing.
1. Clint Gutherson (c) 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Waqa Blake 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitch Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Nathan Brown 14. Andrew Davey 15. Marata Niukore 16. Kane Evans 17. Oregon Kaufusi
KEY STAT
Parramatta have won three of the last 10 of these fixtures. If the Bulldogs are any chance of taking down one of the heavyweights of this years competition then they have some big changes to make. The boys from Belmore are only averaging 12 points, 18 tackle breaks, two line breaks and seven offloads a game, the worst in the comp at all of those stats. With all that said they are sitting mid table with their average completion rate.
BATTLE TO WATCH
Looking forward to Nathan Brown and Luke Thompson lining up against each other. Both guys love a bit of contact and will be trying to drop their opposite number to lead from the front.
GAME DETAILS
Even though they looked like a different team against the Knights last week it’s hard to see the Bulldogs being able to take down a fit and fired up Eels team.
Eels by 20
Date: Saturday August 2
Venue: ANZ Stadium
Kick-off: 2pm
