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The Eels need to regroup quickly after suffering their second loss where they have conceded 50 points if they are to upset a Bulldogs side still riding the high of defeating top-of-the ladder Penrith.

Parramatta - who have been injury ravaged in recent weeks - were no match for a reborn Titans, who ran in nine tries to two in their 52-10 victory. 

The Bulldogs however, bounced back in a big way following their Round 5 loss to the Rabbitohs, making a statement with 32-24 win over Penrith.

The Panthers had everything to play for with Nathan Cleary featuring in his 200th game, but it was the Bulldogs that started with more intent, racing to an early 16-0 lead.

After dosing a Panthers fightback and seeing in realtime the combination between five-eighth Lachlan Galvin and backrower Jacob Preston start to click, the Bulldogs will be full of confidence coming into this game.

Team News

Eels: Sean Russell will have to wait another week to make his return from a concussion and dropped out of the side in Saturday's 24-hour update. Araz Nanva comes into the centres as a result in the only change to the starting side. Lorenzo Talataina has been added to the six-man bench as a result of the change. Kelma Tuilagi and Sam Tuivaiti have both been ruled out due to head knocks. Jack Williams and Charlie Guymer are the new starting back-rowers, with debutant Saxon Pryke and Toni Mataele the new faces on the bench.

Bulldogs: Inspirational skipper Stephen Crichton has fallen short in his bid to make a shock early comeback from a shoulder injury suffered on Good Friday and dropped out of the squad in Saturday's 24-hour update. More positive news for Josh Curran who remains in the reserves in his effort to return from a rib injury suffered in round 4. New recruit Leo Thompson is also set for his first game for the Bulldogs after recovering from a calf injury suffered in the pre-season.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Eels is number 1 Joash Papalii
    Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
  • Winger for Eels is number 2 Brian Kelly
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
  • Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Bronson Xerri
  • Centre for Eels is number 19 Araz Nanva
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 21 Josh Curran
  • Winger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
  • Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Ronald Volkman
    Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
  • Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
    Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin

Forwards

  • Prop for Eels is number 8 Luca Moretti
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Samuel Hughes
  • Hooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley Smith
    Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward
  • Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo Thompson
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Charlie Guymer
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Jack Williams
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
  • Lock for Eels is number 16 Jack De Belin
    Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon

Interchange

  • Interchange for Eels is number 13 Dylan Walker
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
  • Interchange for Eels is number 14 Tallyn Da Silva
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Sitili Tupouniua
  • Interchange for Eels is number 15 Saxon Pryke
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes
  • Interchange for Eels is number 17 Toni Mataele
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Jonathan Sua

Reserves

  • Reserve for Eels is number 18 Teancum Brown
    Reserve for Bulldogs is number 17 Jake Turpin
  • Reserve for Eels is number 20 Lorenzo Talataina
    Reserve for Bulldogs is number 20 Lipoi Hopoi

Match Officials

  • Referee: Liam Kennedy
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Eels have conceded 122 points in three straight losses at CommBank Stadium.
  • The Bulldogs have won their last three games against the Eels.
  • Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 11 tries in his last eight games at CommBank Stadium.
  • Bulldogs centre Enari Tuala has scored six tries in six games against the Eels.
  • Eels centre Will Penisini has scored six tries in eight games against the Bulldogs.

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

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National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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