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Match Preview

Eels v Dragons: Moretti joins bench; RFM returns

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The Dragons missed a golden opportunity to cement a spot in the eight when they fell to the Sharks at home and they will need to guard against complacency when they face an Eels outfit capable of piling on plenty of points.

With games against the Eels and Raiders to come and a two-point buffer over a pack of chasers, the Dragons are still in the box seat to claim eighth spot but another slip-up could prove extremely costly.

After taking the Panthers to the limit in Round 23 and making the Broncos work overtime to subdue them last weekend, the Eels have shown they're not about to go down without a fight.

Regardless of the result of this match, the Eels' Round 27 clash with the Tigers will decide the wooden spoon, but the blue and golds can take plenty of momentum into that game by upsetting the Red V this weekend.

Sportsbet Betting Preview: Eels v Dragons

For Shane Flanagan's Dragons the equation is simple - win their last two games and they play finals for the first time since 2018. That should be more than enough motivation to ensure they finish the year strongly and don't let the Broncos, Dolphins, Knights or Raiders run them down.

Team News

Eels: Luca Moretti returns from a quad injury on the bench. In the 24-hour team update, Jake Tago has been promoted to the Eels starting side, replacing Sean Russell on the wing. Morgan Harper and Ofahiki Ogden remain in the reserves. One late change on Saturday, with Ofahiki Ogden coming into the team for Kelma Tuilagi. As a result, Ethan Sanders will be 18th man. 

Dragons: There's plenty on the line for the Dragons, with the side clinging to eighth on the ladder and needing two wins to secure their place in the finals. Raymond Faitala-Mariner was added to the bench in place of Lyhkan King-Togia earlier in the week, but in the 24-hour update, the youngster comes into the 17, dropping Blake Lawrie into the reserves. Further changes see Mikaele Ravalawa start on the wing with Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) ruled out. Experienced centre Moses Suli was originally listed among the reserves as he looks to return from a knee injury suffered in Round 23, but has been omitted. One late change on Saturday afternoon, with Connor Muhleisen added to the starting side and Jacob Liddle to miss the match after his wife went into labour on Saturday morning. Lawrie will be 18th man. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
    Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
  • Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
    Winger for Dragons is number 2 Zac Lomax
  • Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
    Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mathew Feagai
  • Centre for Eels is number 4 Blaize Talagi
    Centre for Dragons is number 4 Max Feagai
  • Winger for Eels is number 18 Jake Tago
    Winger for Dragons is number 19 Mikaele Ravalawa
  • Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
    Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Jack Bird
  • Halfback for Eels is number 7 Daejarn Asi
    Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Forwards

  • Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
    Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
  • Hooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan Hands
    Hooker for Dragons is number 21 Connor Muhleisen
  • Prop for Eels is number 22 Ofahiki Ogden
    Prop for Dragons is number 10 Jack De Belin
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 10 Shaun Lane
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Bryce Cartwright
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A
  • Lock for Eels is number 13 Joe Ofahengaue
    Lock for Dragons is number 13 Tom Eisenhuth

Interchange

  • Interchange for Eels is number 14 Joey Lussick
    Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Toby Couchman
  • Interchange for Eels is number 15 Makahesi Makatoa
    Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Ryan Couchman
  • Interchange for Eels is number 16 Luca Moretti
    Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
  • Interchange for Eels is number 17 Dan Keir
    Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Lyhkan King-Togia 

Reserves

  • Replacement for Eels is number 20 Ethan Sanders
    Replacement for Dragons is number 16 Blake Lawrie

Match Officials

  • Referee: Wyatt Raymond
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
  • Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Eels have won five of their past seven games against the Dragons.
  • The Dragons have won their last seven games against teams sitting outside the top eight.
  • The Eels have lost their last four games at CommBank Stadium.
  • Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu has scored eight tries in his past eight games.
  • Eels winger Maika Sivo requires one try to reach his century of NRL tries.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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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.