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Dragons v Eels: Su'A ready to rumble; Brown back from ban
A refreshed St George Illawarra side is out to defend home turf when they host the Parramatta Eels on Saturday.
The Dragons had the chance to regroup with the bye last week after a Round 15 loss to the Sharks.
Shane Flanagan's side suffered a golden-point loss to the Eels when the two teams faced off in Round 5, with former St George Illawarra winger Zac Lomax kicking the winning field goal.
The 25-year-old played a key role in Parramatta's 16-point victory over the Titans last week and he'll be eager to guide his side to another win in his last game before the State of Origin decider.
The Eels have steadily worked their way into the season and while they have missed injured skipper Mitchell Moses, young playmaker Joash Papalii has impressed in his rookie campaign.
Parramatta are set to welcome back five-eighth Dylan Brown from suspension in a major boost.
Saturday's match will mark a double milestone for the Dragons, with veteran David Klemmer to play his 250th NRL game and Emre Guler notching a century in the top flight.
Match: Dragons v Eels
Round 17 -
home Team
Dragons
11th Position
away Team
Eels
14th Position
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Team News
Dragons: Coach Shane Flanagan has made one late change for the Dragons, with edge forward Luciano Leilua added to the starting side and Toby Couchman shifting to the interchange. Nathan Lawson is the 18th man. Wingers Corey Allan and Christian Tuipuloto return from hamstring injuries while centre Val Holmes is also back on deck after missing the Sharks game on Origin duty. Hard-running back-rower Jaydn Su'A (ankle) has been named to return while Viliami Fifita comes in for his first NRL game of 2025 on the bench.
Eels: Star five-eighth Dylan Brown's return from suspension sees Joash Papalii revert to the bench. Jordan Samrani joins the starting side at centre with Will Penisini serving a three-game ban for a Dangerous Throw. Papalii fills the bench spot vacated by Ryley Smith, who has been suspended for two games. No late changes in the final team update, with, with Dan Kier the replacement player.
Match: Dragons v Eels
Round 17 -
home Team
Dragons
away Team
Eels
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Eels is number 1 Isaiah Iongi
-
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Corey AllanWinger for Eels is number 2 Zac Lomax
-
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Moses SuliCentre for Eels is number 3 Jordan Samrani
-
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Valentine HolmesCentre for Eels is number 4 Sean Russell
-
Winger for Dragons is number 22 Nathan LawsonWinger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
-
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Lyhkan King-TogiaFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
-
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Kyle FlanaganHalfback for Eels is number 7 Dean Hawkins
Forwards
-
Prop for Dragons is number 8 Emre GulerProp for Eels is number 8 Jack Williams
-
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien CookHooker for Eels is number 9 Joey Lussick
-
Prop for Dragons is number 10 David KlemmerProp for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Kelma Tuilagi
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 17 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga
-
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De BelinLock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 11 Toby CouchmanInterchange for Eels is number 14 Dylan Walker
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob LiddleInterchange for Eels is number 15 Matt Doorey
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Hamish StewartInterchange for Eels is number 16 Charlie Guymer
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Viliami FifitaInterchange for Eels is number 17 Joash Papalii
Reserves
-
Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Loko Pasifiki TongaReplacement for Eels is number 18 Dan Keir
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels have won their past four games against the Dragons.
- The Dragons have won four of their past five games against the Eels at WIN Stadium.
- Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored nine tries in seven games against the Dragons.
- Dragons prop David Klemmer will make his 250th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
