FRIDAY, APRIL 19th, 2024. TIO STADIUM, DARWIN
Dolphins vs. Eels: NRL Clash at TIO Stadium, Darwin
The Battle for Points
Demonstrating the narrow margins in the NRL ladder, the Dolphins occupied the top spot last week but risk dropping out of the top eight if they suffer a loss this round.
Eels Building Momentum
Wayne Bennett’s team will travel to Darwin this Friday to take on an Eels squad that is steadily building momentum.
Key Line-up Changes
Trai Fuller is set to make his second NRL appearance as he steps in for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at fullback, with Herbie Farnworth still sidelined for the Dolphins.
Coach Wayne Bennett brings in Trae Fuller to take his place, while Sean O’Sullivan also joins the bench in place of suspended Anthony Milford after a dumb tackle off the ball last week on Walsh .
Eels.
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Morgan Harper 5. Sean Russell 6. Daejarn Asi 7. Dylan Brown 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Luca Moretti 15. Ryan Matterson 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Blaize Talagi 18. Brendan Hands 19. Kelma Tuilagi 20. Wiremu Greig 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Maika Sivo
Meanwhile, the Parramatta Eels were able to return to winning ways with a 27-20 victory over the Cowboys. Daejarn Asi alleviated the pressure on Dylan Brown by delivering a composed performance at five-eighth, while the reorganized backline showed significant defensive improvement compared to previous weeks. One change this week sees young gun Blaize Talagi on the bench for Kelma Tuilaga, with coach Brad Arthur eager to offer him as much exposure to first grade as possible.
Dolphins.
1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Tesi Niu 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Kenny Bromwich 12. Euan Aitken 13. Max Plath 14. Josh Kerr 15. Sean O’Sullivan 16. Ray Stone 17. Jarrod Wallace 18. Oryn Keeley 19. Edrick Lee 20. Mason Teague 21. Valynce Te Whare 22. Jeremiah Simbiken
Referee. Todd Smith, Touch Judges. Michael Wise, Tyson Brough, Bunker. Peter Gough
Bunker Controversy
STAY AWAKE PETER. You missed the charge down on Kieran Foran last week in the Titans v Raiders game. It’s not that hard mate. I seen it live, and you have multiple camera’s and slow motion as well. If you can’t do the job mate, just call me and I will come and train you!!!
Strategic Insights
The Dolphins are every chance. The Queensland team is slightly depleted and has been dismissed by the bookies. Wayne Bennett loves it. It’s the type of game built for an ambush. So where do they find success on the park? The seasoned veterans in the middle, Jesse Bromwich and Mark Nicholls, will need to put in a huge shift against their opposites in Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo.
Should they outmatch the Eels in the middle, they possess sufficient speed on the flanks to unsettle the typically vulnerable edge defense of the Eels.
Eels’ Offense Challenge
Contrastingly, the Eels hate being in this position. Favourites on the back of a good performance. Usually, it can only spell disaster. During Mitchell Moses’ absence, one glaring truth has emerged: the Eels struggle to generate points without an organizing halfback.
Last week, they showed considerable improvement with Asi taking charge, and they’ll be counting on him to maintain that level of performance comfortably in the upcoming weeks. If their halves fall apart, the entire team falls with them. Nonetheless, if Asi can effectively organize the team, enabling Brown to play in his more natural style, the Eels stand a good chance of securing victory.
Prediction.
This is a very tough game to pick, because it is not really clear whether the Dolphins are heading to the finals or whether they will be found out by the stronger teams. The Eels would be considered one of the stronger teams if it weren’t for Mitchell Moses’ absence, yet they managed without him last week.
To add to the confusion, they are playing in steamy Darwin. Temperature will be around 30 degrees at kick off, and very humid. The Eels will start as favourites, but I like a gamble so I will go with the Dolphins with a 13.5 points start @ $1.50
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