Check out the match preview and prediction for the round 23 clash between the Parramatta Eels and St George-Illawarra Dragons.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Parramatta Eels Vs St George-Illawarra Dragons
Venue: CommBank Stadium
Date: Sunday 6th August, 2:00pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Isaac Lumelume 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Bailey Simonsson 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Luca Moretti 15. Andrew Davey 16. Wiremu Greig 17. Makahesi Makatoa 18. Brendan Hands 19. Arthur Miller-Stephen 20. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Daejarn Asi 22. Jack Murchie
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Billy Burns 12. Dan Russell 13. Jack de Belin 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Michael Molo 16. Toby Couchman 17. Zane Musgrove 18. Ryan Couchman 19. Sione Finau 20. Jack Bird 21. Max Feagai 22. Ben Murdoch-Masila
Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
This Sunday’s game presents one of contrasting implications for either side. For the home team, the Eels, it’s a game they would have penciled in as a must-win to ensure they’re playing finals football. Meanwhile, the Dragons will want to find some form to build on for 2024.
Last week, the Eels found themselves on the wrong end of a big score against the Melbourne Storm. Despite a positive start, they were unable to keep up with the rampaging Storm, who put a 30-point deficit into their differential.
The Dragons put up a valiant fight against a desperate Manly Sea Eagles team, only falling by six points. As they reach the season’s end, they will be looking to turn close contests into a few wins, offering fans some glimmer of hope for the future.
For the Eels, the big return is that of Dylan Brown. His defensive efforts were especially missed last week, with the Storm regularly finding space and opportunities between the five-eighth and centre. He will be hoping to make up for lost time and repay his teammates. Beyond that, Isaac Lumelume comes onto the wing for Waqa Blake, while Joe Ofahengaue, Ryan Matterson, and Joey Lussick will all start. The impressive young prop Wiremu Greig returns to the bench and will be looking to continue from where he left off.
The Dragons have named the same 17 that narrowly lost last week. However, they will need a new lock if Jack De Belin is unsuccessful in having his dangerous contact charged downgraded. Furthermore, Ben Murdoch-Masila has been named as a reserve as he nears a return from a knee injury, but isn’t expected to play this week.
There’s no question that the Eels would have considered this one of the must-win games of their run home. With a difficult finish that sees them play the Broncos, Roosters, and then Panthers, they need to win at least three of those games (including this) to guarantee a spot. At their best, they’d consider themselves capable of winning this, but therein lies the danger. Should they turn up with the attitude that the match is won before they play, they will find themselves in trouble. Expect the usual suspects such as Clint Gutherson and Mitchell Moses to will them on, while all eyes will be on Dylan Brown in his return game.
The Dragons’ effort areas have been there over the past few weeks, it just comes down to putting it together to come up with a win. Last week, they held 61% of the ball and completed it at 81%. They will look at those stats positively in one regard, given that it suggests hard work in the middle and high completions. However, it also demonstrates that their attack wasn’t doing the job, given they lost the game. Look for Ben Hunt to pepper Lumelume’s corner with bombs to test him under the high ball, while his Fijian counterpart, Mikaele Ravalawa, will be looking to benefit from defensive deficiencies that come as part and parcel with the Eels’ left edge.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Eels 7, Dragons 3
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Eels by 14 points.
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