Eels v Sharks: Simonsson returns; Tracey, Hunt join bench
The Eels and Sharks get a chance to open their account for 2023 after both suffered defeats in tight games in the opening round.
Both sides will have taken plenty of positives out of their first-up efforts despite having nothing to show in the 'win' column - the Eels going to golden point against Melbourne, and the Sharks matching motors with Souths for much of the night despite going in without Nicho Hynes and losing Wade Graham to the bin.
Hynes is a chance to return from a calf injury but Graham faces three weeks on the sideline after he was charged with Dangerous Contact for a high shot on Rabbitoh Davvy Moale.
The Eels and Sharks met just once in 2022, a round two clash that was decided in the last minute by a Teig Wilton try and an ice cool Hynes conversion as Cronulla got home 18-16 in their first match at PointsBet Stadium since 2019.
Both sides opened the 2022 season with four wins in their first five games but a 0-2 start awaits the team that can't rise to the occasion on Friday night and make the necessary adjustments from round one.
This week it's the Eels with home ground advantage and they'll have plenty of support behind them as fans flock down from the offices and restaurants of Parramatta for the 6.00pm kick-off hoping to cheer Mitch Moses to victory in his 200th NRL game.
Match: Eels v Sharks
Round 2 -
home Team
Eels
17th Position
away Team
Sharks
7th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Eels: Former Kiwi international Bailey Simonsson returns from the shoulder injury he suffered in last year's Grand Final, after being named on the wing in place of Sean Russell in the 24-hour update. The Eels are otherwise unchanged from last week's golden point loss to Melbourne. Jake Arthur is 18th man.
Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17 with no late changes. Wade Graham has been suspended for four games for a Reckless High Tackle committed in Round 1 so Connor Tracey joins the interchange and prop Royce Hunt also returns from an elbow injury via the bench. Jack Williams (head knock) is out. Max Bradbury, Jayden Berrell and Niwhai Puru were omitted in Thursday's 24-hour update.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika SivoWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
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Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
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Centre for Eels is number 4 Waqa BlakeCentre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa Talakai
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Winger for Eels is number 19 Bailey SimonssonWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
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Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan BrownFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt Moylan
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Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Braydon Trindall
Forwards
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Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Sharks is number 8 Toby Rudolf
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Hooker for Eels is number 9 Josh HodgsonHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
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Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Sharks is number 10 Braden Hamlin-Uele
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2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Bryce Cartwright2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
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2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Matt Doorey2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
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Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine HopgoodLock for Sharks is number 13 Dale Finucane
Interchange
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Interchange for Eels is number 14 Jirah MomoiseaInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Cameron McInnes
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Interchange for Eels is number 15 Jack MurchieInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Royce Hunt
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Interchange for Eels is number 16 Wiremu GreigInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Makahesi MakatoaInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Connor Tracey
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 18 Jake ArthurReplacement for Sharks is number 18 Thomas Hazelton
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels won 10 of their 13 matches at CommBank Stadium last year but are 0-1 in 2023 after the narrow loss to Melbourne.
- The Sharks have won only three of their past 10 games against the Eels.
- The Sharks lost their only previous game against the Eels at CommBank Stadium 28-4 in 2021.
- The Sharks have won only three of their past 10 games against the Eels.
- The Eels have not started the season with back-to-back losses since 2018.
