Eels v Dragons: Hopgood back from ban; Liddle good to go
There's no better way to kick start your season than taking down the premiers in their own backyard and that's precisely what the Eels did last week in Brisbane.
With Mitch Moses and Jonah Pezet gelling in the halves and edge back-rower Kelma Tuilagi running riot, the Eels claimed a 40-32 victory that will give them a huge confidence boost moving forward.
The Dragons took on last year's other grand finalist Melbourne and gave a great account of themselves for 60 minutes before electric Storm fullback Sua Faalogo ripped the game away with three tries in 12 minutes.
That came on the back of a frustrating loss to the Bulldogs in Las Vegas where the Red V matched motors with one of the competition's heavyweights for 80 minutes and more before Stephen Crichton stepped up in golden point.
The ladder shows 0-2 but there have been plenty of positives for Dragons coach Shane Flanagan to take into matches against the Eels, Titans, Cowboys and Sea Eagles in the next month.
Match: Eels v Dragons
Round 3 -
home Team
Eels
12th Position
away Team
Dragons
14th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Eels: Just the one change to the side that stunned the Broncos. Prop J'maine Hopgood returns from suspension so Jack Williams slides to lock and Jack de Belin goes to the six-man bench for the clash with his former club.
Dragons: A triple boost for the Red V with hooker Jacob Liddle set to return from a hamstring injury and halves Kyle Flanagan (ankle) and Daniel Atkinson (ankle) good to go despite looking to be in some discomfort at WIN Stadium last week. Damien Cook left the field for a HIA inside the last 15 minutes against the Storm but has been named to start.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Isaiah IongiFullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Bailey SimonssonWinger for Dragons is number 2 Christian Tuipulotu
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Jordan SamraniCentre for Dragons is number 3 Moses Suli
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Sean RussellCentre for Dragons is number 4 Valentine Holmes
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Dragons is number 5 Setu Tu
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Jonah PezetFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle Flanagan
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Daniel Atkinson
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 J'maine HopgoodProp for Dragons is number 8 Emre Guler
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley SmithHooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien Cook
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Dragons is number 10 Toby Couchman
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Kelma Tuilagi2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 Jack WilliamsLock for Dragons is number 13 Hamish Stewart
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Dylan WalkerInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Sam TuivaitiInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Josh Kerr
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Matt DooreyInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Blake Lawrie
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Tallyn Da SilvaInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Ryan Couchman
-
Interchange for Eels is number 18 Jack De BelinInterchange for Dragons is number 18 Hame Sele
-
Interchange for Eels is number 19 Joash PapaliiInterchange for Dragons is number 19 Mathew Feagai
Reserves
-
Reserve for Eels is number 20 Charlie GuymerReserve for Dragons is number 20 Lyhkan King-Togia
-
Reserve for Eels is number 21 Brian KellyReserve for Dragons is number 21 Loko Pasifiki Tonga
-
Reserve for Eels is number 22 Luca MorettiReserve for Dragons is number 22 Tyrell Sloan
Eels Ins
- Brian Kelly
- J'maine Hopgood
- Luca Moretti
Dragons Ins
- Jacob Liddle
- Loko Pasifiki Tonga
- Tyrell Sloan
Eels Outs
Dragons Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels have won their last four games against the Dragons at CommBank Stadium.
- The Dragons have lost their last eight away games.
- Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored eight tries in his last four games at CommBank Stadium.
- Dragons fullback Clint Gutherson has scored try doubles in his last three games at CommBank.
- The Eels have scored 115 points in their last three games at CommBank.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
