Parramatta return to CommBank Stadium on Sunday searching for their first win of the season when they host the red-hot Dragons in round two of the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership.
The new-look Eels weren't at their best in the opening round against the Roosters and will need to find improvement fast if they're going to upset the Red V on home turf.
St George Illawarra put the Titans to the sword with a controlled performance to start their campaign with usual suspects Emma Tonegato and Teagan Berry among the players on the scoresheet.
Starting fast with more energy and producing a better kicking game were among the improvements Eels coach Dean Widders said he wanted to see in round two, along with a more resilient defensive effort.
Both these sides met earlier this year for the first time in NRLW history for a 10-0 victory to the Dragons in torrential conditions at WIN Stadium.
The match is part of a double-header to the Wests Tigers and Dragons NRL fixture, which will be played after the NRLW game.
Match: Eels v Dragons
Round 2 -
home Team
Eels
5th Position
away Team
Dragons
3rd Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Eels: No late changes for the Eels. Ashleigh Quinlan is the new halfback, taking the place of Losana Lutu, who dropped out of the squad on Saturday. Quinlan will form a new-look halves pairing with Tayla Preston, who takes over the No.6 jersey from Brooke-Morgan Walker. Zali Fay replaces Abbi Church in the side, coming in on the wing, with Rikeya Horne shifting from wing to centre.
Dragons: The Dragons are 1-17 with no late changes on game day. Elsie Albert, who was a late withdrawal last week with an ankle issue, returns to the front-row, with Renee Targett the player who makes way. Albert's return triggers some positional changes, with Talei Holmes going back to the bench and skipper Kezie Apps moving to her normal position in the second row.
Match: Eels v Dragons
Round 2 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Gayle BroughtonFullback for Dragons is number 1 Emma Tonegato
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Zali FayWinger for Dragons is number 2 Teagan Berry
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Tiana PenitaniCentre for Dragons is number 3 Keele Browne
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Rikeya HorneCentre for Dragons is number 4 Page McGregor
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Tess StainesWinger for Dragons is number 5 Andie Robinson
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Tayla PrestonFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Taliah Fuimaono
-
Halfback for Eels is number 21 Ashleigh QuinlanHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Rachael Pearson
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Filomina HanisiProp for Dragons is number 8 Elsie Albert
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Seli MailangiHooker for Dragons is number 9 Keeley Davis
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Ellie JohnstonProp for Dragons is number 10 Tegan Dymock
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Christian Pio2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Kezie Apps
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Vanessa Foliaki2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Shaylee Bent
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 Simaima TaufaLock for Dragons is number 13 Holli Wheeler
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Kennedy CherringtonInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Quincy Dodd
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Brooke AndersonInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Talei Holmes
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Najvada GeorgeInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Monalisa Soliola
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Ruby-Jean Kennard-EllisInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Tara McGrath-West
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 18 Rueben CherringtonReplacement for Dragons is number 22 Shontelle Stowers
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Key match-up
Gayle Broughton v Emma Tonegato: Two former rugby sevens stars go head-to-head just like they did on the international stage previously. Broughton was solid on NRLW debut last week with over 140 metres. She took on some extra responsibility with the boot but was otherwise starved of any real good ball to make a big impact. Tonegato picked up where she left off last season to put in another strong performance. Both these players are influential on their respective sides and crucial to winning on Saturday.
Stat attack
Defence wins matches and both sides couldn't have been further apart in this department in round one. The Eels missed 52 overall in their loss to the Roosters while St George Illawarra were the best NRLW side to start the season with just 22. Parramatta completed at 86% against the Roosters, however, showing it was their goal line defence in particular that will need improvement.
Match: Eels v Dragons
Round 2 -
home Team
Eels
5th Position
away Team
Dragons
3rd Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
