Eels v Sharks: Walker's on track; Jones, Pollard eye debut
It was a tale of two halves for both the Eels and the Sharks last week, with the two teams recording differing results.
Parramatta came flying out of the blocks against the highly-fancied Dolphins to get out to a 10-0 lead mid-way through the first half.
However, that shocked the Phins into action and they were able to run away with the game, despite a late rally in the second half by Parramatta.
The Sharks had a similar experience, but in reverse, against the Titans in their Round 25 game, with the side no doubt taking their lessons.
A poor opening half saw them trailing 16-8 at the half-time break before Nicho Hynes helped spark the comeback with some sparkling passing to his edges, with Cronulla getting back on track with a win - albeit one they had to work hard for.
This week, with a top four finish still in play, they will need to start well against an Eels side that have shown they can still upset finals-bound opposition.
Match: Eels v Sharks
Round 26 -
home Team
Eels
13th Position
away Team
Sharks
5th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Eels: Kelma Tuilagi and Jonah Pezet join the six-man interchange on game day. Under 19s prop Ryda Talagi will make his NRL debut off the bench after 13 appearances in NSW Cup this season. Dylan Walker returns from a wrist injury on the bench. Apa Twidle is the fullback with Sean Russell in the centres although they could swap around as they did last week.
Sharks: Cam McInnes has been named to start at lock with Tom Hazelton on the bench but they could swap on game day as they did against the Titans. Winger Ronaldo Mulitalo will bring up 150 NRL appearances. Riley Jones and Riley Pollard have been added to the six-man interchange and are in line to make their NRL debuts.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Apa TwidleFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Brian KellyWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
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Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Sharks is number 3 Mawene Hiroti
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Centre for Eels is number 4 Sean RussellCentre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro
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Winger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
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Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Ronald VolkmanFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Niwhai Puru
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Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicho Hynes
Forwards
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Prop for Eels is number 8 Luca MorettiProp for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Hooker for Eels is number 9 Tallyn Da SilvaHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
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Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Sharks is number 10 Jesse Colquhoun
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2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Jack Williams2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
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2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
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Lock for Eels is number 13 Saxon PrykeLock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes
Interchange
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Interchange for Eels is number 14 Harrison EdwardsInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa Talakai
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Interchange for Eels is number 15 Ryda TalagiInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Billy Burns
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Interchange for Eels is number 16 Teancum BrownInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
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Interchange for Eels is number 17 Dylan WalkerInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton
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Reserve for Eels is number 20 Kelma TuilagiReserve for Sharks is number 20 Riley Jones
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Reserve for Eels is number 21 Jonah PezetReserve for Sharks is number 21 Riley Pollard
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels have won three of their last four games at CommBank Stadium.
- The Sharks have won three of their last four games against the Eels.
- The Eels have defeated only one top eight team this season (Cowboys).
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo will bring up 150 NRL appearances.
- Eels five-eighth Ronald Volkman has scored a try in three consecutive games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
