Eels v Bulldogs: Russell returns; Thompson props up Dogs
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.
Match: Eels v Bulldogs
Round 7 -
home Team
Eels
16th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
7th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Eels: Centre Sean Russell returns from concussion so Brian Kelly moves to the wing and last week's debutant Araz Nanva slides to the interchange. Charlie Guymer and Jack Williams are the new second-rowers in place of Kelma Tuilagi (concussion) and Kitione Kautoga (knee). The loss of bench forward Sam Tuivaiti (concussion) sees Saxon Pryke join the bench for his NRL debut. Prop Toni Mataele has also been added to the bench as he chases a second NRL appearance after debuting in Round 11 last year.
Bulldogs: Star prop Leo Thompson has overcome a calf injury and has been named to play his first game of the season. Thompson comes in for Max King, who suffered a jaw injury last week. Back-rower Josh Curran is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from a rib injury suffered against the Knights in Round 4 while skipper Stephen Crichton (shoulder) is also part of the extended squad.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Joash PapaliiFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Brian KellyWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Enari Tuala
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Sean RussellCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Bronson Xerri
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Ronald VolkmanFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Luca MorettiProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Samuel Hughes
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley SmithHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo Thompson
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Charlie Guymer2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Jack Williams2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 Dylan WalkerLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Tallyn Da SilvaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Saxon PrykeInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Sitili Tupouniua
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Jack De BelinInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Toni MataeleInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Jake Turpin
-
Interchange for Eels is number 18 Teancum BrownInterchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Jonathan Sua
-
Interchange for Eels is number 19 Araz NanvaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Lipoi Hopoi
Reserves
-
Reserve for Eels is number 20 Lorenzo TalatainaReserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Josh Curran
-
Reserve for Eels is number 21 Jezaiah Funa-IutaReserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Alekolasimi Jones
-
Reserve for Eels is number 22 Mohamed AlameddineReserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Stephen Crichton
Eels Ins
- Jezaiah Funa-Iuta
- Mohamed Alameddine
- Saxon Pryke
- Sean Russell
- Teancum Brown
- Toni Mataele
Bulldogs Ins
- Alekolasimi Jones
- Jonathan Sua
- Josh Curran
- Leo Thompson
- Stephen Crichton
Eels Outs
- Kelma Tuilagi
- Kitione Kautoga
- Sam Tuivaiti
Bulldogs Ins
- Jethro Rinakama
- Max King
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.
