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Dragons v Eels: Backline reshuffled; Albert, Pearson missing again

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jetwinvip.com
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Both first-up losers as they fielded almost completely revamped rosters from last year, one of the Dragons or Eels will get on the board this weekend while the other will take on a dreaded 0-2 record.

St George Illawarra – who retained just five players from 2023 – were made to pay for a slow start in Round 1 in which they let the Knights get out to a 18-0 lead, but showed plenty of signs of promise in an eventual 32-16 defeat to the defending premiers.

In particular the new halves pairing of Raecene McGregor and rugby sevens convert Tyla Nathan-Wong should be better for the run this week.

The Eels meanwhile established an 8-4 lead at the break against competition newcomers the Wests Tigers before giving up 32 unanswered points to lose 36-8.

Defence will be a major focus this week after they fell off 47 tackles and made 30 ineffective tackles in the loss. 

St George Illawarra have won both of the previous meetings with the Eels, while the Dragons are two from two in games at WIN Stadium.

Team News

Dragons: No late changes after coach Jamie Soward revamped his side following a Round 1 defeat. Wingers Margot Vella and Cortez Te Pou make their NRLW debuts. Taylor Mapusua drops out of the 17 and Shenai Lendill moves from the wing to second row. Roxy Murdoch shifts from second row to prop, which bumps Tara McGrath-West back to be part of a new-look bench that includes debutante Kaarla Cowan. 

Eels: A stack of late positional changes, starting in the backline with Casey Tohi-Hiku moving from wing to centre and Monique Donovan coming onto the flank after originally being named on the bench. Talesha Quinn moves from the back row to the front row, with Shontelle Stowers switching into the vacant spot in the second row. Madeline Jones reverts to the bench. Former Jillaroo Nakia Davis-Welsh comes into the 17 after missing Round 1, taking the place of Kyra Simon who is the replacement player.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Teagan Berry
    Fullback for Eels is number 1 Abbi Church
  • Winger for Dragons is number 2 Margot Vella
    Winger for Eels is number 2 Zali Fay
  • Centre for Dragons is number 3 Keele Browne
    Centre for Eels is number 3 Mahalia Murphy
  • Centre for Dragons is number 4 Bobbi Law
    Centre for Eels is number 5 Cassey Tohi-Hiku
  • Winger for Dragons is number 5 Cortez Te Pou
    Winger for Eels is number 17 Monique Donovan
  • Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Tyla King
    Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Pihuka  Berryman-Duff 
  • Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Raecene McGregor
    Halfback for Eels is number 7 Rosemarie Beckett

Forwards

  • Prop for Dragons is number 8 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
    Prop for Eels is number 10 Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis 
  • Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Renee Targett
    Hooker for Eels is number 9 Rueben Cherrington
  • Prop for Dragons is number 10 Roxy Murdoch
    Prop for Eels is number 12 Talesha O'Neill
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Sara Sautia
    2nd Row for Eels is number 4 Shontelle Stowers
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Shenai Lendill
    2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Amelia Huakau
  • Lock for Dragons is number 13 Alexis Tauaneai
    Lock for Eels is number 13 Kennedy  Cherrington 

Interchange

  • Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Kaarla Cowan
    Interchange for Eels is number 8 Madeline Jones
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Ella Koster
    Interchange for Eels is number 14 Capri Paekau
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Tara McGrath-West
    Interchange for Eels is number 15 Nakia  Davis-Welsh
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Maddison Weatherall
    Interchange for Eels is number 16 Shannon Muru

Reserves

  • Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Zali Hopkins
    Replacement for Eels is number 19 Kyra Simon

Match Officials

  • Referee: Wyatt Raymond
  • Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated:

 Stat Attack

  • In two games against the Dragons the Eels are yet to score a single point, losing 10-0 in the 2021 season and 16-0 in 2022.
  • After opening the season with a double, Dragons fullback Teagan Berry now has 12 tries in 15 NRLW appearances.
  • The Eels have four former Dragons on their roster (Elsie Albert, Mahalia Murphy, Talesha O’Neill and Rachael Pearson.

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

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.