NRL 2025, round 3, Parramatta Eels, Canterbury Bulldogs, official team lists, injuries, updates, preview

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Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Tue 18 Mar 2025, 04:05 PM

One of rugby league's biggest rivalries will reignite when the Eels take on the Bulldogs in a Sunday afternoon blockbuster at CommBank Stadium.

The two teams enter with contrasting form lines, Canterbury sitting pretty with two wins from two matches and Parramatta still seeking their first victory.

Defence will be a focus for the Eels this week after leaking 88 points in the first two rounds. The Bulldogs put 40 on the Titans last Sunday and have their sights on another big score at CommBank Stadium.

Canterbury will enter the clash without two of their biggest names after Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau suffered MCL injuries in the victory.

Parramatta continue to play without captain and halfback Mitchell Moses, with Dylan Brown tasked with leading the Eels attack in his absence.

The five-eighth was below his best last week but is eager to find his best form in his final season in the blue and gold.

Up front, Junior Paulo and the forward pack are desperate to make a statement that Parramatta will not take a backwards step this year.

Round 3 - Sunday 23rd March

5:05am

Eels

Bulldogs

Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney

WatchNRL

Team Lists Get Tickets

Team News

Eels: Ronald Volkman has paid the price for the Eels' poor start to the season, replaced in the No.7 jersey by former Rabbitoh Dean Hawkins. Former Bulldog Josh Addo-Carr has served his suspension and is listed among the reserves while Ryan Matterson is the 18th man. Bailey Simonsson will make his return via NSW Cup this weekend in his first game back from an ACL injury suffered last season.

Bulldogs: The loss of Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau to knee injuries sees the versatile Bailey Hayward take over at five-eighth while Sitili Tupouniua starts in the back row. Hayward will start at five-eighth for the first time in his 23-game career. Kurt Morrin and Daniel Suluka-Fifita are the new faces on the bench.

Round 3 - Sunday 23rd March

5:05am

Eels

Bulldogs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Isaiah Iongi

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
Winger for Eels is number 2 Sean Russell

Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Blake Wilson
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini

Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
Centre for Eels is number 4 Zac Lomax

Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
Winger for Eels is number 5 Jordan Samrani

Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown

Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Bailey Hayward
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Dean Hawkins

Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton

Forwards

Prop for Eels is number 8 Joe Ofahengaue

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Brendan Hands

Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo

Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Josh Curran
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Sitili Tupouniua
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Jack Williams

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood

Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon

Interchange

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Ryley Smith

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Matt Doorey

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Harry Hayes
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Kitione Kautoga

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Daniel Suluka-Fifita
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Sam Tuivaiti

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Kurtis Morrin

Reserves

Replacement for Eels is number 18 Ryan Matterson

Replacement for Bulldogs is number 19 Joseph O'Neill
Reserve for Eels is number 19 Joash Papalii

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 20 Jack Todd
Reserve for Eels is number 20 Dan Keir

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Blake Taaffe
Reserve for Eels is number 21 Josh Addo-Carr

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Luke Smith
Reserve for Eels is number 22 Joey Lussick

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Jonathan Sua

Dean Hawkins
Joash Papalii
Joey Lussick
Josh Addo-Carr
Ryan Matterson

Blake Taaffe
Daniel Suluka-Fifita
Jack Todd
Jonathan Sua
Joseph O'Neill
Kurtis Morrin

Ronald Volkman

Matt Burton
Viliame Kikau

Match Officials

Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated: 11:22 pm Thursday 20th March 2025

Stat Attack

The Eels have won four of their past five games against the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs have won only two of their past 16 games at CommBank Stadium.
The Eels have conceded 88 points in their opening two games.
Bulldogs halfback Toby Sexton will make his 50th NRL appearance.
Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored eight tries in six games against the Bulldogs.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.