NRL 2026, round 18, live blog, Knights, Dolphins, Eels, Sea Eagles, match highlights, injuries, coaches media conferences

NRL Sunday action: Eels v Sea Eagles; Knights v Dolphins

Author: Colleen Edwards NRL Reporter
Timestamp: Sun 5 Jul 2026, 02:32 PM

One of the game's great rivalries resumes at CommBank Stadium on Sunday when the Eels host old foes Manly before we head to Newcastle to bring down the curtain on Round 18 with the Knights hosting the Dolphins.

The Eels and Sea Eagles have met 165 times since 1947 and it's the boys from the northern beaches with a sizeable head-to-head advantage which they added to with a 33-18 win at 4 Pines Park in Round 8.

In contrast, the Knights and Dolphins have met just six times, with Newcastle winning five of those.

The Dolphins won the first ever clash in 2023 but since then the Knights have well and truly had the wood on the men from Redcliffe.

Both look to be finals bound in 2026 so this could be a taste of things to come in September.

Follow all the action from Round 18 of the NRL Telstra Premiership on NRL.com's live blog.

Eels v Sea Eagles at CommBank Stadium

Round 18 - Round 18 - Sunday 5 Jul

Live

27:56

Eels

Sea Eagles

Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney

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Latest Team Stats

26th min: The Eels finally have their first try, with Ronald Volkman bursting through some tackles close to the line and diving over to score. Parramatta had done well to absorb some pressure from Manly before getting some luck, gaining a handover in attacking space. Jonah Pezet converts and it's 6-2 to Parramatta.

12th min: No try to the Eels with a knock on ruled in the lead up to Jordan Samrani putting the ball down over the try line.

Injury update: Eels forward Kelma Tuilagi comes from the field for a Category 2 HIA.

7th min: The Sea Eagles have the first points of the afternoon, with Jamal Fogarty slotting a penalty kick after the Eels were deemed offside. Manly lead 2-0.

Injury update: Manly centre Clayton Faulalo comes from the field with a Cat 2 HIA.

Kick off: The Sea Eagles launch the ball and the Eels have the first use of the ball to start Sunday's NRL action.

Late Mail

Eels: No further changes in Sunday's team update after Luca Moretti dropped out of the Parramatta team on Saturday, with Sam Tuivaiti to start at prop and Toni Mataele joining the squad. 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, who is on Origin duty with NSW. The Eels have won six from seven against the Sea Eagles at CommBank Stadium.

Sea Eagles: One late change for Manly, young prop Simione Laiafi coming into the starting side and Kobe Hetherington shifting to the six-man bench for his return from a concussion. Clayton Faulalowill make his return from a hamstring injury suffered in Round 14 after falling short of an early comeback last weekend. The centre replaces Tolu Koula, who is in the NSW squad, while fellow centre Reuben Garrick is also set to return from a concussion. NSW Cup hooker Zaidas Muagututia could be in line for an NRL debut as he joins the extended bench. Corey Waddell is set to start in the back-row with Haumole Olakau'atu also in the Blues team.

Match preview