Eels v Warriors: Big three on Origin duty; SJ good to go
The Eels enter Round 19 on a five-game winning streak and freshened up after a bye while the Warriors will be smarting after a home loss to the Rabbitohs.
Looking more like the 2022 version of themselves every week, the Eels have climbed from 14th to sixth on the ladder on the back of wins over the Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Bulldogs, Sea Eagles and Dolphins.
Brad Arthur's men have found their attacking mojo, averaging 35 points per game across those five matches on the back of some brilliant performances by Clint Gutherson and Mitch Moses, both of whom will be absent this week on NSW Origin duty.
The Warriors' 28-6 loss to the Rabbitohs saw them slip from fifth to eighth and they face a tough month with clashes against the Sharks and Raiders following this weekend's trip to Parramatta.
Having turned a corner under new coach Andrew Webster in 2023 the Warriors will be determined to go on with the job and ensure they are part of the finals action for the first time since 2018.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Eels v Warriors
Team News
Eels: No late changes, with J'maine Hopgood starting at lock despite being in the extended squad for Queensland ahead of Origin III. Daejarn Asi moves to halfback to cover for Mitch Moses, while Ryan Matterson will play five-eighth as he did in the previous Origin-affected round. Edge forward Shaun Lane is cleared to return from a hamstring injury. With Reagan Campbell-Gillard out on Origin duty, Ofahiki Ogden starts at prop.
Warriors: Will take the field as named mid-week, with Shaun Johnson to play his 200th game for the club after being in doubt as he awaits the birth of his second child in Auckland. Dylan Walker (200 games), Addin Fonua-Blake (150 games) and Wayde Egan (100 games) will also mark milestones against the Eels, with coach Andrew Webster keeping the same 17 who played in last week's loss to the Rabbitohs.
Match: Eels v Warriors
Round 19 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Sean RussellFullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika SivoWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Bailey SimonssonCentre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Isaac LumelumeWinger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Ryan MattersonFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Metcalf
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Daejarn AsiHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Ofahiki OgdenProp for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan HandsHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
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Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Warriors is number 10 Bunty Afoa
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Bryce Cartwright2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Andrew Davey2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Mitchell Barnett
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine HopgoodLock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Luca MorettiInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan Walker
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Joe OfahengaueInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Bayley Sironen
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Interchange for Eels is number 16 Shaun LaneInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Tom Ale
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Interchange for Eels is number 17 Makahesi MakatoaInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Freddy Lussick
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 21 Matt DooreyReplacement for Warriors is number 18 Brayden Wiliame
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Maika Sivo is the NRL's equal leading try-scorer with 16 tries. He has scored 46 tries in his past 53 games since the start of 2021 and will make his 100th NRL appearance against the Warriors.
- The Eels are the NRL's top offloading team this season with 206, while the Warriors rank 15th with 115 offloads.
- The Eels have won their past four games against the Warriors.
- The Warriors have lost all three games played at CommBank Stadium.
- The Eels have not won without Clint Gutherson since 2017.
Match: Eels v Warriors
Round 19 -
home Team
Eels
8th Position
away Team
Warriors
6th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
