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Match Preview

Eels v Bulldogs: Paulo returns; Pay sticks solid

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pan66.com
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Both these teams were finals spectators last year, but while the Bulldogs are in the same boat this season, Parramatta are preparing for the play-offs.

The Eels made it four straight wins with last week's defeat of the Titans and Brad Arthur would be encouraged by the improved defence over the past three weeks which has conceded just 10 points per game.

A top-four spot remains within reach if they want it badly enough.

The Bulldogs have won five of their past seven games and proved they have to be taken seriously in the final three rounds. Their battles with the Eels are traditionally fiery affairs and Thursday's clash might be closer than expected.

The Rundown

Team news

Eels: Junior Paulo is back on deck after missing the Titans game with a rolled ankle so Daniel Alvaro shifts to the bench. In a late change an hour before kick-off Peni Terepo drops off the bench and his place is taken by Tepai Moeroa. George Jennings and Stefano Utoikamanu were the two players omitted 24 hours before kick-off. Jaeman Salmon and Terepo were the last two men cut an hour before game time. 

Bulldogs: Winning form is good form so Dean Pay has stuck with the same 17 which got the job done last week. Having upset the Knights, Panthers, Wests Tigers and Souths during the past six weeks, the Bulldogs will be keen to play spoiler for another finals-bound opponent. Morgan Harper and Ofahiki Ogden were cut from the reserves list on Wednesday and Danny Fualalo and Michael Lichaa were the last two cut an hour before kick-off.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
    Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Dallin  Watene-Zelezniak
  • Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Nick Meaney
  • Centre for Eels is number 3 Michael Jennings
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Kerrod Holland
  • Centre for Eels is number 4 Waqa Blake
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Will Hopoate
  • Winger for Eels is number 5 Brad Takairangi
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Reimis Smith
  • Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
    Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Kieran Foran
  • Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
    Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Lewis

Forwards

  • Prop for Eels is number 8 Kane Evans
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Aiden Tolman
  • Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed Mahoney
    Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy  Marshall-King
  • Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Dylan Napa
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Josh Jackson
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Manu Ma'u
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Corey Harawira-Naera 
  • Lock for Eels is number 13 Nathan Brown
    Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange

  • Interchange for Eels is number 15 David Gower
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Jack Cogger
  • Interchange for Eels is number 16 Daniel Alvaro
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Renouf Atoni
  • Interchange for Eels is number 17 Marata Niukore
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Raymond Faitala-Mariner 
  • Interchange for Eels is number 18 Tepai Moeroa
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Chris Smith

Match Officials

  • Referee: Grant Atkins
  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
  • Touch Judge: Todd Smith
  • Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated:

Key match-up

Mitch Moses has copped his share of criticism over the years but he has the Eels humming along nicely and appears to be enjoying his partnership with five-eighth Dylan Brown. Dogs duo Kieran Foran and Lachlan Lewis have a tough task on their hands against Parra's halves.

For the Eels to win

Most people expected them to struggle in the absence of injured winger Blake Ferguson but the Eels have won four in a row. Mitch Moses needs to stay sharp and keep playing at a high level, while the forwards can't afford to take the night off against the likes of experienced campaigners Dylan Napa, Aiden Tolman and Josh Jackson.

For the Bulldogs to win

They need to get away to a good start and push the Eels out of their comfort zone by making them play catch-up. Defensive-minded Lachlan Lewis and Josh Jackson have to stay in Moses' face all night and force the less experienced Brown to handle more of the playmaking responsibilities.

Brett Kimmorley says

The form of both sides over the last month sets up a great clash. It is another opportunity for Canterbury to be a nuisance for a team that has everything to play for. I think Mitchell Moses showed us again last week that his game management in 2019 is at a whole new level. I look forward to this clash. In the old days these clubs had some great clashes, hopefully this is another one. Eels by 6

Stat Attack

Eels winger Maika Sivo has scored 16 tries to be second in the NRL, while Mitch Moses leads the competition in try assists (24), kicks (291) and kick metres (8,111). Parra hooker Reed Mahoney is second in tackles made (1,013) behind Cameron McInnes (1,032).

And another thing ...

The Bulldogs won't have forgotten what happened when they met the Eels in round two. Leading 10-0 after 15 minutes, the Doggies didn't score again until the 63rd minute, as Parra scored six unanswered tries for a 36-16 victory. Blake Ferguson and Clint Gutherson crossed for two tries apiece, while Moses kicked 6/6 conversions.

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National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.