SATURDAY APRIL 5th 2025
PARRAMATTA EELS v ST GEORGE,
COMMBANK STADIUM SYDNEY 2pm
All eyes will be on Zac Lomax as he faces his former club for the first time, with the Eels set to host the Red V at CommBank Stadium in search of their first win of the season.
After conceding 88 points in their opening two games, the Eels have tightened up defensively in the past fortnight, allowing just 42 points. However, they remain winless under new coach Jason Ryles. New recruit Dylan Walker has been named on the bench for his Eels debut, bringing with him a wealth of experience from 232 NRL appearances.
EELS
1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6.Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Joe Ofahengaue 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood
Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Sam Tuivaiti 17. Dan Keir
Reserves: 18. Joash Papali’i 19. Charlie Guymer 20. Bailey Simonsson , 21. Brendan Hands 22. Ronald Volkman
The Dragons showcased impressive defensive resilience on Saturday, holding the high-powered Storm attack to just eight points in what was one of their most memorable victories in recent years.
With Kyle Flanagan and Lachlan Ilias building chemistry in the halves, and seasoned campaigners Clint Gutherson and Val Holmes providing experience and composure, the team has found a sense of stability. Riding this momentum, the Dragons will be looking to build a winning streak in the coming weeks, with matchups against the Titans, Sea Eagles, and Roosters following their clash with Parramatta.
DRAGONS
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin
Bench: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Hamish Stewart 17. Dylan Egan
Reserves: 18. Mathew Feagai 19. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 20. Sione Finau 21. Lyhkan King-Togia 22. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
Referee: Gerard Sutton Touchies: Drew Oultram Bunker: Kasey Badger
The Eels have scored 118 points in their last three games against the Dragons.
The Dragons have lost four of their past five games at CommBank Stadium.
Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored eight tries in six games against the Dragons.
Dragons fullback Clint Gutherson has scored four tries in his last two games at CommBank Stadium.
Eels centre Zac Lomax requires one try for a half century of NRL tries.
The Eels put up a strong fight against the Sea Eagles last week but fell short of securing a win. Meanwhile, the Dragons pulled off a remarkable victory over the Storm in the wet conditions at Kogarah, which would have given them a significant confidence boost. However, their biggest challenge now is to avoid complacency—resting on last week’s success and assuming this game will be an easy win could be their downfall.
GOLD COAST TITANS v REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS
CBUS STADIUM GOLD COAST 4:30pm
The Gold Coast Titans will look to maintain their momentum as they host a desperate Dolphins side in Saturday night’s Queensland derby.
Under the guidance of Des Hasler, the Titans have secured back-to-back wins over the Knights and Roosters, and they are aiming for their best season start since 2016 during this weekend’s NRL Multicultural Round.
Titans:
1. Jaylan De Groot 2. Tony Francis 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson, 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Bench: 14. Sean Mullany 15. David Fifita 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Brock Gray
Reserves: 18. Arama Hau 19. Tom Weaver 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 21. Tukimihia Simpkins 22. Josiah Pahulu
The Dolphins are aiming for their first win of the season, with coach Kristian Woolf hoping the team can put a tough month behind them.
Fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is expected to play a key role in this weekend’s game, while halfback Isaiya Katoa is eager to make an impact at Cbus Super Stadium.
This venue has been a successful one for the club, with the Dolphins winning both games they’ve played there so far.
Dolphins:
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth , 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Max Plath, Bench: 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Kenny Bromwich, Reserves: 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Josh Kerr 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Max Feagai 22. Junior Tupou
Referee: Wyatt Raymond Touchies: Belinda Sharpe, Chris Sutton Bunker: Adam Gee
A win will give the Titans their best start to a season since 2016.
The Dolphins have won both of their games at Cbus Super Stadium.
Titans centre Philip Sami has scored three tries in his past three games against the Dolphins.
Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako requires one goal for 400 NRL goals.
The Titans have won four of their past six games at Cbus Super Stadium.
The Titans were impressive last weekend in beating the Roosters, while the Dolphins fell to another defeat, this time at the hands of the Broncos. If the Titans can continue to play to their ability they should provide plenty of headaches to teams this year and the Dolphins will be no exception.
BRISBANE BRONCOS v WESTS TIGERS
SUNCORP STADIUM BRISBANE 6:35pm
The Broncos are steadily improving under new coach Michael Maguire, with not only their usual stars like Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan leading the charge, but also other players stepping up with impressive performances.
In last week’s hard-fought win over the Dolphins, NRL veteran Gehamat Shibasaki earned the Man of the Match honors, while Cory Paix, who didn’t play any NRL games last season, continues to make the most of his starting opportunities each week.
Broncos
1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars, 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski , 12. Brendan Piakura 13. Kobe Hetherington
Bench: 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen, 16. Xavier Willison 17. Jaiyden Hunt
Reserves: 18. Tyson Smoothy 19. Deine Mariner , 20. Martin Taupau 21. Benjamin Te Kura 22. Jock Madden
The home team will face a challenging matchup against the lively Wests Tigers, who continue to defy expectations week after week. Despite narrowly losing to the Warriors last week due to a penalty goal, Benji Marshall’s side has shown plenty of resilience this season and remains determined not to back down from any fight.
Led by the crafty play of co-captain Api Koroisau and the energetic performances of young halfback Lachlan Galvin, the visitors will be looking to capitalize on their chances when they face Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.
Tigers
1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Luke Laulilii , 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal
Bench: 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird, 17. Sione Fainu
Reserves: 18. Heath Mason 19. Kit Laulilii 20. Solomona Faataape 21. Reuben Porter 22. Tony Sukkar
Referee: Liam Kennedy Touchies: TBA Bunker: Ashley Klein
The Broncos have scored 80 points in their past two games against the Tigers.
Wests Tigers have won only two of their past eight games at Suncorp Stadium.
Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs has scored five tries in his past five games at Suncorp Stadium.
Wests Tigers centre Adam Doueihi has scored six tries in his last seven games at Suncorp.
The Broncos’ 118 points is their highest tally after four rounds since 1996.
The Broncos took care of the Dolphins last week in the heavy rain, while the Tigers mixed it with the Warriors in similar conditions but blew too many chances to wrap up the game. The Tigers are much improved from last year, but they are unlikely to be able to match the firepower of the Broncos in this clash, especially without Jarome Luai.
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