Eels v Dragons: Moretti joins bench; RFM returns
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.
Match: Eels v Dragons
Round 26 -
home Team
Eels
16th Position
away Team
Dragons
10th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
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.
Match: Eels v Dragons
Round 26 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika SivoWinger for Dragons is number 2 Zac Lomax
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Dragons is number 3 Mathew Feagai
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Blaize TalagiCentre for Dragons is number 4 Max Feagai
-
Winger for Eels is number 18 Jake TagoWinger for Dragons is number 19 Mikaele Ravalawa
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan BrownFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Jack Bird
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Daejarn AsiHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan HandsHooker for Dragons is number 21 Connor Muhleisen
-
Prop for Eels is number 22 Ofahiki OgdenProp for Dragons is number 10 Jack De Belin
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 10 Shaun Lane2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Bryce Cartwright2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 Joe OfahengaueLock for Dragons is number 13 Tom Eisenhuth
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Joey LussickInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Toby Couchman
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Makahesi MakatoaInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Ryan Couchman
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Luca MorettiInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Dan KeirInterchange for Dragons is number 18 Lyhkan King-Togia
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 20 Ethan SandersReplacement 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, author of the official annual of the NRL.
