Eels v Dragons: Matterson out; Bird back from ban
Two high-flying teams come together on Sunday evening with neither having tasted a loss since the Dragons' defeat to Cronulla back in round one.
Parramatta survived an Easter Monday scare against Wests Tigers to move to 4-0 alongside Penrith at the top of the ladder while the Dragons capitalised on an unfortunate injury toll to the Knights to record their third straight win.
The Eels are 2-0 at their Bankwest Stadium fortress so far this year but the Dragons took the points away last time they were here in round 14 last year.
Eels v Dragons
Match: Eels v Dragons
Round 5 -
home Team
Eels
5th Position
away Team
Dragons
4th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
The rundown
Team news
Eels: Ryan Matterson has been ruled out of Sunday's match against the Dragons due to ongoing concussion symptoms. Matterson has been sidelined since leaving the field following a head knock in round two.
Isaiah Papali'i comes into the second row and Ray Stone joins the bench.
After returning from a broken jaw via the NSW Cup last week, Bryce Cartwright is set to make his club debut off the interchange with Keegan Hipgrave making way.
Jordan Rankin was cut from the squad 24 hours before kick-off. Hipgrave was the last man cut an hour before game time and Haze Dunster is the 18th man.
The Eels are aiming for a 5-0 start for the second consecutive season.
Dragons: Jack Bird will return at centre from a one-game suspension, with Brayden Wiliame dropping to the bench and Jackson Ford to 18th man.
Poasa Faamausili and Max Feagai dropped off the Dragons' extended bench 24 hours before kick-off. Jordan Pereira was the last man cut an hour before kick-off.
Forwards Trent Merrin (150th club) and Daniel Alvaro (100th NRL) will play milestone games.
Match: Eels v Dragons
Round 5 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Dragons is number 1 Matthew Dufty
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika SivoWinger for Dragons is number 2 Cody Ramsey
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Tom OpacicCentre for Dragons is number 3 Jack Bird
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Marata NiukoreCentre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Blake FergusonWinger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan BrownFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Corey Norman
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Adam Clune
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Dragons is number 8 Blake Lawrie
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed MahoneyHooker for Dragons is number 9 Andrew McCullough
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Dragons is number 10 Paul Vaughan
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Josh Kerr
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 15 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Tariq Sims
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 Nathan BrownLock for Dragons is number 13 Tyrell Fuimaono
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Oregon KaufusiInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Trent Merrin
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Will SmithInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Daniel Alvaro
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Bryce CartwrightInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Brayden Wiliame
-
Interchange for Eels is number 18 Ray StoneInterchange for Dragons is number 19 Kaide Ellis
Reserves
-
Reserve for Eels is number 19 Haze DunsterReserve for Dragons is number 18 Jackson Ford
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara
Last updated:
Key match-up
Reed Mahoney v Andrew McCullough: The Eels' No.9 has snuck under the radar as one of the form players of the competition after four rounds. His passing and kicking games have blossomed this year and he has been among his side's three best players every game so far.
Tackle-machine McCullough has been a critical cog for the Red V, providing reliable service to the forwards and proving an astute recruit so far.
Stat Attack
The Dragons got the win last week despite making 16 errors against just seven from their opponents; they can't afford to do that again if they want to topple the co-ladder leaders on their home patch.
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