Round 8, 2021: Parramatta 32 Canterbury 10

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Bulldogs v Eels: Doorey, Smith named; Matterson back on bench

One of the game's most famous rivalries has some added spice now that the Bulldogs have broken their drought for 2021 and will be walking that little bit taller this week.

The win over Cronulla on Saturday night was an emotional one for coach Trent Barrett and his players, who have stuck together in the face of plenty of criticism during the first six rounds.

They face a far more daunting task against the high-flying Eels but there's nothing quite like a win to lift confidence and Barrett is sure to have his men primed for a big effort.

The rundown
Team news
Bulldogs: Matt Doorey and Chris Smith, who must pass concussion protocols to play this weekend, have been named in the 17 to face Parramatta.

Outside back Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, hospitalised on the eve of last week's drought-breaking victory over Cronulla, and utility Branden Wakeham have been named in the reserves.

Playmaker Lachlan Lewis (head knock) and rookie utility Jackson Topine (knee) will be sitting out for another week at least before returning to action.

Eels: Ryan Matterson (head knock) has been named to return for his first match since round two on the bench with Isaiah Papali'i retained in the starting side.

With the starting 13 unchanged Haze Dunster is the other new face on the interchange, replacing Will Smith (suspected broken thumb).

Wiramu Greig drops from the interchange to reserves to make way for Matterson with Joey Lussick joining him on the extended bench.

Key match-up
Kyle Flanagan v Mitch Moses: The Bulldogs playmaker is still finding his feet and working on his combination with Jake Averillo but the signs are there that things are starting to click. After scoring just 16 points in the first four rounds the Dogs have piled on 54 points in the past three games and Flanagan's game management has been crucial. Moses is part of a lethal Eels spine that will throw plenty at the Bulldogs and make them pay if their defence isn't on song.

Stat attack
Mitch Moses, Clint Gutherson and Reed Mahoney had two try assists each in last week's demolition of Brisbane and now have 19 between them for the season. Dogs halves Kyle Flanagan, Jake Averillo and hooker Sione Katoa have just six try assists collectively in 2021.

NRL.com

Sivo, Gutho double up as Eels outclass Bulldogs

Parramatta cruised to a 32-10 win over Canterbury but could be without star lock Nathan Brown for next round's heavyweight clash with the Roosters after he suffered a hip-pointer injury.

The Eels skipped to a 16-0 half-time lead at Stadium Australia as Clint Gutherson bagged a double before the Bulldogs showed heart to fight back when a cricket score was looming.

Brad Arthur's team were never seriously challenged, however, while Canterbury came back to earth with a thud after the jubilation of their breakthrough victory against the Sharks last week.

Captain and fullback Gutherson was enormous with 259 metres – earning an eight-minute early mark – and interchange utility Bryce Cartwright continued his form revival with two try assists.

In relieving news, second-rower Ryan Matterson emerged unscathed in his return to the NRL following concussion issues in a solid 80-minute performance.

There were fears that Brown had done serious damage when he slowly hobbled off in the 37th minute after collapsing without contact as he turned to chase following an intercept.

A long-term injury may have impacted the off-contract NSW Origin forward's bargaining power as he negotiates his next deal, but despite a lot of pain it's hoped he could return in a short period.

The Bulldogs lost their enforcer too with prop Dylan Napa playing only 16 minutes before succumbing to a shoulder injury.

Reed Mahoney started on fire to get the Eels rolling in the third minute. The wholehearted hooker charged down a clearing kick in the opening set to pinch possession and put Canterbury on the back foot, then cut through the middle to set up Gutherson's first try.

The visitors extended their lead when winger Maika Sivo benefited from an Isaiah Papali'i offload to cross for his eighth try in as many matches this season.

Gutherson exploited some soft defence to collect his second try in the 21st minute, beating four defenders at close range. He almost notched a hat-trick moments later, but the ball came loose.

There wasn't much for Canterbury to cheer about until a mammoth hit from front-rower Ava Seumanufagai on Shaun Lane got the team backslapping and hollering.

Parramatta's mood was deflated a touch when Brown shuffled up the tunnel, but they flew out of the gates to begin the second term as Cartwright skilfully caught an attacking bomb and offloaded to send Lane over.

For a short time, an unthinkable comeback seemed faintly plausible when the Bulldogs registered back-to-back tries to Jake Averillo and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

But the Eels quickly put the result beyond doubt with Cartwright beautifully assisting Marata Niukore in the 60th minute and Sivo powering to the line yet again to round out the night.

Having now beaten Canterbury in nine of their past 11 meetings, Parramatta sit snugly in second position on the ladder after jumping the Rabbitohs on points differential.