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Post by Electric Eel on Aug 5, 2023 21:51:57 GMT 10
SUNDAY 6th August: Parramatta Eels vs St George Illawarra Dragons at CommBank Stadium, Sydney, 2.00pm
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Post by Electric Eel on Aug 5, 2023 21:56:33 GMT 10
Eels v Dragons; Brown returns; de Belin banned, Bird in
Parramatta have slipped from seventh to 11th after back-to-back losses on the road and must get back to the winner's circle at home in Round 23 if they're to keep their finals hopes alive.
With only three games against the Broncos, Roosters and Panthers to come before a bye in Round 27, it's crucial Brad Arthur's men take care of business against the 16th placed Dragons at CommBank Stadium on Sunday.
After conceding 70 points in the past fortnight, the Eels will need to contain the likes of Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan and centre Zac Lomax who produced some moments of brilliance in their narrow loss to Manly on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Dragons have shown some positive signs in recent weeks, overcoming Wests Tigers in Round 21 and taking the Sea Eagles to the wire at home, but it doesn't get any tougher than facing sides fighting for their finals fate.
Dropping back to 16th place after their hard-fought loss to Manly, Ryan Carr's side must dig deep in their remaining five games if they are to avoid the joint venture's first-ever wooden spoon, with 15th their worst finish to date in 2019.
Team News
Eels: Dylan Brown returns for his first game since Round 13 after serving a seven-match suspension (NRL Breach). Brown will step back into five-eighth in place of Daejarn Asi. Isaac Lumelume comes in on the wing in place of Waqa Blake. In the pack Joe Ofahengaue, Ryan Matterson and Joey Lussick are all named to start with Andrew Davey going to the bench, Brendan Hands to 18th Man and Ofahiki Ogden to the reserves. Wiremu Greig and Makahesi Makatoa have been called onto the bench. There were no changes in Saturday's 24-hour update.
Dragons: A number of changes to interim coach Ryan Carr's squad on Saturday, with Moses Suli withdrawing with a calf injury and his place in the centres taken by Max Feagai. The suspended Jack de Belin is replaced by Jack Bird at lock. Ryan Couchman has also been added to the bench at the expense of his brother Toby, who shifts to 18th Man. Ben Murdoch-Masila is listed among the reserves as he closes in on a return from a knee injury.
Stat Attack
The Eels have won 10 of their last 13 matches between the two sides.
Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan is ranked third in the competition for support plays (118). Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards is leading this category with 175.
The Eels have won six of their past seven games at CommBank Stadium.
The Dragons have lost all nine away games this season.
Eels fullback Clint Gutherson has scored eight tries in his past nine games against the Dragons.
Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan has score a try in each of his past four games.
The Eels have conceded 140 points in their past four games.
NRL.com
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Post by Electric Eel on Aug 8, 2023 19:43:33 GMT 10
Eels keep finals hopes alive after late win against Dragons
The Parramatta Eels have kept their finals hopes alive after overcoming the St George Illawarra Dragons 26-20 in an entertaining and intensely fought match.
Played in front of a vocal crowd at CommBank Stadium, the Eels scored three straight tries to close out the second half and claim the result in what was must-win game to keep them in touch with the eight.
While Parramatta started well, scoring two tries in the opening 11 minutes of the match, the Dragons came roaring back into the game with winger Mikaele Ravalawa overcoming a poor start to cross for a first-half hattrick - the fourth his career.
His treble saw the visitors go into the break with a 16-10 lead and things looked ominous for the Eels when Ravalawa scored his fourth of the game to start the second half.
However, errors - and some determined last-ditch defence by Parramatta - handed the ball and opportunity back to the Eels, who made no mistake scoring three unanswered tries through Sean Russell, Junior Paulo and Bryce Cartwright.
Match Snapshot
There was early drama for the Dragons with forward Francis Molo being sent from the field in the opening minute of the match for a HIA which he subsequently failed, ruling him out of the match.
The Eels had the dominant start, scoring two quick tries, including one to debutant Arthur Miller-Stephen.
Dragons winger Mikaele Ravalawa had a poor start to the match, being dragged into touch twice and being scored on by the rookie Miller-Stephen, but bounced back in style to score his fourth career hattrick in the first half.
Ravalawa became the first Dragon since Brett Morris in Round 9, 2009 to score four tries in a single game.
Parramatta swapped wingers with Sean Russell moving to mark Ravalawa in the second half.
The match was Eels five-eighth Dylan Brown's first match back following a seven-game suspension following NRL and club sanctions.
Dragons forward Blake Lawrie had big first half, playing the full 40 and ended the match with 167 metres.
Eels skipper Clint Gutherson had a mixed game, but was involved in an important momentum changer for his team, making a tackle on Jacob Liddle who seemed destined to score, forcing the ball from his hands in what was deemed a loose carry, despite Dragons thinking it was an attempted strip. Talatau Amone picked up the dropped ball to score, but the try was disallowed.
Joey Lussick also produced a momentum-changer of his own for the Eels, with his pressure on Ben Hunt who was attempting to kick paying off, with the Dragons forced to hand the ball over in attacking position for Parramatta. The play helped set up Paulo's try, with a great pass Ryan Mattherson - flat and to the chest of Paulo - setting the big forward up to score under the uprights and level the scores to 20-20 following Gutherson's conversion.
The Eels have now won 11 of their last 14 matches between the two sides.
The Eels have won seven of their past eight games at CommBank Stadium.
The Dragons have lost all 10 away games this season.
The Eels came into this match in 11th position and moved up to ninth following the win.
Play of the Game
There were plenty of great plays - in attack and defence - throughout the match, but who doesn't love a try on debut? Youngster Arthur Miller-Stephen capped a memorable first match for the Eels, finishing off a backline play to score Parramatta's opening try of the match.
What They Said
"I thought our effort was one of the best efforts I have ever seen from a team to be honest with you, we lost Frank Molo in the first set of the game, some of our players had to play massive minutes, it just throws everything out of whack when you lose a forward ... I thought we were super brave, tough, resilient. I know the scoreboard doesn't show it, but I thought we deserved to win that one." - Dragons interim coach Ryan Carr
"I wasn't concerned, but I knew we had to get some ball at the other end of the field. That's what happened in the last bit of the first half, we didn't have any field position - it was self-inflicted - but I knew if we just spent some time there, there's enough class in the team that they'd come up with the try. With this team, once we get a try, like most teams, you get a bit of energy, you find a bit more, the belief starts to become a bit stronger, so it was pretty fortunate that we got a try." - Parramatta coach Brad Arthur
What's Next
Next week, the Eels have a trip to the Gabba to face the Brisbane Broncos in what is the beginning of a tough final run of games, with matches against the Roosters and Panthers to follow.
The Dragons are also heading north and will face the Rabbitohs at Barlow Park in Cairns in what is also a challenging final few rounds for the club with Melbourne Storm, the Warriors and Knights to come.
NRL.com
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Post by Electric Eel on Aug 13, 2023 19:12:11 GMT 10
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