Eels v Sea Eagles: Pezet main man; Walsh gets his shot
The Eels will be looking to bounce back from disappointing loss to the Bunnies but face a stern challenge against a Sea Eagles side full of confidence after dominating the Storm.
Early errors put Parramatta on the backfoot in their game against the Rabbitohs and they couldn't recover, with coach Jason Ryles no doubt hoping for a much better start against a high-flying Manly side.
Kieran Foran's charges had no such troubles, getting off to a dominant start against Melbourne to set up their game.
With the teams for the Origin Game Three decider now in camp, both teams will be without a number of their biggest stars, including captain and halfback Mitchell Moses for the Eels and Haumole Olakau'atu for the Sea Eagles, but still have enough strike to score points.
Match: Eels v Sea Eagles
Round 18 -
home Team
Eels
15th Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
6th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Eels: After making his return from a hamstring injury through NSW Cup last week, Jonah Pezet comes in for his first NRL game since Round 5, taking over at halfback for Mitch Moses. That is the only change to the squad that went down to the Rabbitohs in Round 17.
Sea Eagles: Young gun Joey Walsh takes over at five-eighth after Luke Brooks suffered a season-ending ACL injury against the Storm. Clayton Faulalo (hamstring) and Reuben Garrick (concussion) return to take over from Tolu Koula (NSW Origin) and Josh Feledy, who has moved to the interchange. Corey Waddell comes in for Haumole Olakau'atu (NSW Origin) and Kobe Hetherington returns at prop after missing a game in the concussion protocols. NSW Cup hooker Zaidas Muagututia could be in line for an NRL debut as he joins the extended bench.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Isaiah IongiFullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom Trbojevic
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Brian KellyWinger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Jordan SamraniCentre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Clayton Faulalo
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Sean RussellCentre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben Garrick
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi Hopoate
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Ronald VolkmanFive-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Joey Walsh
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Halfback for Eels is number 7 Jonah PezetHalfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
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Prop for Eels is number 8 Luca MorettiProp for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka
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Hooker for Eels is number 9 Tallyn Da SilvaHooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jake Simpkin
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Prop for Eels is number 10 Jack WilliamsProp for Sea Eagles is number 10 Kobe Hetherington
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2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Kelma Tuilagi2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Corey Waddell
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2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 Jack De BelinLock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Dylan WalkerInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Josh Feledy
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Sam TuivaitiInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Nathan Brown
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Interchange for Eels is number 16 Teancum BrownInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
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Interchange for Eels is number 17 Harrison EdwardsInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Simione Laiafi
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Interchange for Eels is number 18 Joash PapaliiInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 18 Aaron Schoupp
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Interchange for Eels is number 19 Charlie GuymerInterchange for Sea Eagles is number 19 Zaidas Muagututia
Reserves
-
Reserve for Eels is number 20 Apa TwidleReserve for Sea Eagles is number 20 Hugo Hart
-
Reserve for Eels is number 21 Ryley SmithReserve for Sea Eagles is number 21 Blake Wilson
-
Reserve for Eels is number 22 Toni MataeleReserve for Sea Eagles is number 22 Fletcher Baker
Eels Ins
- Apa Twidle
- Jonah Pezet
- Ryley Smith
- Toni Mataele
Sea Eagles Ins
- Clayton Faulalo
- Corey Waddell
- Fletcher Baker
- Kobe Hetherington
- Reuben Garrick
- Zaidas Muagututia
Eels Outs
- Mitchell Moses
Sea Eagles Ins
- Haumole Olakau'atu
- Luke Brooks
- Tolutau Koula
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels have won six from seven against the Sea Eagles at CommBank Stadium.
- The Sea Eagles will have the chance to win their 500th premiership game.
- The Eels have won only one of their last six games without Mitchell Moses.
- Sea Eagles winger Jason Saab has scored seven tries in his last six games.
- The Eels have scored only 69 points in their last five games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Don't miss a double header at CommBank Stadium, with the Eels NRL and NRLW teams in action. Children's tickets are available from just $20 and are selling fast. Click here to secure your seats today.
