Eels v Dolphins: Talagi recalled; Fuller in for Hammer
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.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Eels v Dolphins
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.
Match: Eels v Dolphins
Round 7 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Dolphins
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Dolphins is number 1 Trai Fuller
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Bailey SimonssonWinger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Morgan HarperCentre for Dolphins is number 4 Tesi Niu
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Sean RussellWinger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack Bostock
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Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Daejarn AsiFive-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Dylan BrownHalfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa
Forwards
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Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Joey LussickHooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
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Prop for Eels is number 16 Joe OfahengaueProp for Dolphins is number 10 Mark Nicholls
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2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Kenneath Bromwich
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2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Bryce Cartwright2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Euan Aitken
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Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine HopgoodLock for Dolphins is number 13 Max Plath
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloInterchange for Dolphins is number 14 Josh Kerr
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Luca MorettiInterchange for Dolphins is number 15 Sean O'Sullivan
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Interchange for Eels is number 15 Ryan MattersonInterchange for Dolphins is number 16 Ray Stone
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Interchange for Eels is number 17 Blaize TalagiInterchange for Dolphins is number 18 Oryn Keeley
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 18 Brendan HandsReplacement 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.
Match: Eels v Dolphins
Round 7 -
home Team
Eels
13th Position
away Team
Dolphins
4th Position
Venue: TIO Stadium, Darwin
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
