Check out the match preview and prediction for the round 1 clash between the Parramatta Eels and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Parramatta Eels Vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Date: Saturday March 9, 5:30pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Morgan Harper 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Brendan Hands 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Kelma Tuilagi 18. Ofahiki Ogden 19. Daejarn Asi 20. Luca Moretti 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Blaize Talagi
Bulldogs: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Poasa Faamausili 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Samuel Hughes 16. Josh Curran 17. Kurtis Morrin 19. Bronson Xerri 20. Toby Sexton 21. Jake Turpin 22. Connor Tracey 23. Kitione Kautoga
Referee: Grant Atkins
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
These arch-rivals go head-to-head to open their seasons and hopefully avenge an awful 2023.
Parramatta will be without winger Maika Sivo, who was suspended for a high tackle in the trials, while the Bulldogs have a fairly healthy roster including new skipper Stephen Crichton.
The Eels ended last season outside the top eight in what was a fall from grace. Despite this, they’re still favoured by many to be a force in 2024.
Mitchell Moses had a fantastic campaign and looks stronger than ever, while the addition of Morgan Harper will bolster their backline. Hooker is a position of contention, and it remains to be seen how Brad Arthur will rotate the position, if at all.
Canterbury should be far better after a strong recruitment drive and another pre-season under Cameron Ciraldo.
Crichton and Josh Curran are the two key recruits, but a wealth of experience has been added to the roster from the likes of Kurt Mann, Connor Tracey, Jaeman Salmon, and Drew Hutchison.
While skinny on forwards and a huge question mark over their prop rotation, they do seem to have a very strong back row and plenty of depth in the backline.
Halfback is the biggest headache for Ciraldo. Either the experienced Hutchison gets the nod, or former schoolboy star Toby Sexton – who is raw and hungry.
One thing trial form showed is that the Bulldogs appear to have improved ten-fold in defence, while the Eels are as dynamic as ever after a big win over the Titans.
It’s hard to see the Bulldogs coming out of the blocks with combinations already set. They’ll need time. The Eels on the other hand have an established team and should be raring to go.
Head-to-head stats can be found at Round 1 Number Crunch.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Eels by 10 points.
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