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Match Preview

Eels v Dolphins: Talagi recalled; Fuller in for Hammer

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Timestamp

After losing three of their first five matches, the Eels looked to have found their mojo to down the Cowboys at home while a decimated Dolphins side will need to regroup before the two sides meet in Darwin.

The Eels have struggled to fill the void left by an injured Mitch Moses in recent weeks but are back in the winner's circle after deputy playmaker Daejarn Asi stepped up to help hand the Cowboys just their second loss for the season. 

Coach Brad Arthur will be hoping the familiar turf of TIO Stadium can help them make it two-straight for the first time this season, having won six of their past nine games played in Darwin.

The Dolphins, meanwhile, have already been rocked by injury and suspension this season and the going only gets tougher after losing star fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to a hamstring injury for the next month.

Adding to the woes, utility Anthony Milford has been banned for two weeks for dangerous contact.

Having had their depth severely tested at a similar time last season, Wayne Bennett's men will need to once again show their true colours and ensure whoever pulls on the red jersey is ready to do a job for the Dolphins.

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Team News

Eels: Joe Ofahengaue and Junior Paulo have again switched positions an hour before kick-off with Ofahengaue to start and Paulo going to the interchange. Youngster Blaize Talagi will come off the bench after being retained in the side. Maika Sivo has again been named in NSW Cup despite a strong showing in reserve grade last week with Bailey Simonsson and Sean Russell preferred on the wing after Parramatta's win over the Cowboys.

Dolphins: One change for the Dolphins on Friday night, with former Knight Oryn Keeley coming on to the bench for his club debut and Jarrod Wallace dropping back to 18th man. Trai Fuller will start at fullback for his second NRL game, while Max Plath returns from suspension at lock so Ray Stone moves to the interchange bench.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
    Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Trai Fuller
  • Winger for Eels is number 2 Bailey Simonsson
    Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
  • Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
    Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo
  • Centre for Eels is number 4 Morgan Harper
    Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Tesi Niu
  • Winger for Eels is number 5 Sean Russell
    Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack Bostock
  • Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Daejarn Asi
    Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
  • Halfback for Eels is number 7 Dylan Brown
    Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa

Forwards

  • Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
    Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
  • Hooker for Eels is number 9 Joey Lussick
    Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy  Marshall-King
  • Prop for Eels is number 16 Joe Ofahengaue
    Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Mark Nicholls
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
    2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Kenneath Bromwich
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Bryce Cartwright
    2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Euan Aitken
  • Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood
    Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Max Plath

Interchange

  • Interchange for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Josh Kerr
  • Interchange for Eels is number 14 Luca Moretti
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Sean O'Sullivan
  • Interchange for Eels is number 15 Ryan Matterson
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Ray Stone
  • Interchange for Eels is number 17 Blaize Talagi
    Interchange for Dolphins is number 18 Oryn Keeley

Reserves

  • Replacement for Eels is number 18 Brendan Hands
    Replacement for Dolphins is number 17 Jarrod Wallace

Match Officials

  • Referee: Todd Smith
  • Senior Review Official: Peter Gough

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Eels have lost their past two games in Darwin.
  • Dolphins winger Jack Bostock has scored six tries from his past eight games.
  • The Eels have not won back-to-back games without Mitchell Moses since 2020.
  • Dolphins prop Jesse Bromwich will become the first player to start 300 games at prop.
  • Eels coach Brad Arthur has won only one of his past five encounters with Wayne Bennett.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .

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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.