3:00 pm SATURDAY AUGUST 31st 2024 COMM BANK STADIUM SYDNEY
Eels Fight to Avoid Wooden Spoon
After taking the Panthers to the limit in Round 23 and making the Broncos work overtime to subdue them last weekend, the Eels have shown they’re not about to go down without a fight.
Regardless of the outcome of this match, the Eels’ Round 27 showdown with the Tigers will determine the wooden spoon. However, a win against the Red V this weekend could give the blue and golds a significant boost heading into that decisive game.
Eels
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Blaize Talagi 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Daejarn Asi 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Shaun Lane 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Joe Ofahengaue , 14. Joey Lussick 15. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Luca Moretti 17. Dan Keir , 18. Jake Tago 19. Matt Doorey 20. Ethan Sanders 21. Morgan Harper 22. Ofahiki Ogden
Dragons’ Push for Top Eight
The Dragons squandered a prime chance to secure a spot in the top eight by losing to the Sharks at home, and they must avoid complacency when they face an Eels side known for racking up points.
With matches against the Eels and Raiders ahead and a two-point lead over their closest competitors, the Dragons remain in a strong position to claim eighth place, but another misstep could be very costly.
For Shane Flanagan’s Dragons, the equation is straightforward: win their final two games, and they’ll reach the finals for the first time since 2018.
That goal should provide ample motivation to finish the season strong and keep the Broncos, Dolphins, Knights, and Raiders from overtaking them.
Dragons.
1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Mathew Feagai 4. Max Feagai 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Jack Bird 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth, 14. Toby Couchman 15. Ryan Couchman 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner , 18. Lyhkan King-Togia 19. Mikaele Ravalawa 20. Michael Molo 21. Connor Muhleisen 22. Moses Suli
Referee. Wyatt Raymond ,Touch Judges, Jon Stone, Chris Sutton, Bunker, Matt Noyen
Key Player Stats
The Eels have claimed victory in five of their last seven encounters with the Dragons.
The Dragons are on a streak, winning their last seven games against teams outside the top eight.
The Eels have struggled at CommBank Stadium, losing their last four games there.
Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu has been in fine form, scoring eight tries in his past eight games.
Eels winger Maika Sivo is just one try away from reaching his milestone of 100 NRL tries.
Prediction
The Eels are fighting desperately to avoid the wooden spoon, while the Dragons are in an intense struggle to stay in the Top 8. Following their loss to the Sharks last week, four teams, led by the Broncos, are poised to overtake the Dragons for a finals spot. While the Eels can still produce flashes of brilliance, sustaining it for the full 80 minutes might be a challenge. This game could go either way, but the Dragons seem to have more at stake.
BUT, I am going with the Eels. They were unlucky against Brisbane last week and I think an upset is due.
Comments