UPDATE: Both teams struggled, and the low restart and penalty count meant teams could figure it for themselves. The clunky Dogs had the lion's share of field position, and possession. Again the Eels fought hard for the seventh week straight for no result. Too many errors at critical moments (12-9), poorer completions (78% v 83%) and a few critical penalties against them. The controversial no try ruling at the death of the first half proved a critical call against the Eels. That's three games and six competition points that have gone begging this season.
The Eels face their oldest foe in their 160th clash in a must win for the Dogs with their season on life-support.
Monday clashes and Accor Stadium have not been happy hunting grounds for the Eels in recent years.
History paints a grim picture for the Eels. They have won only one Monday clash against the Dogs since 1955, losing 6 from 7. The Eels have lost 7 of their last 9 games at Accor in the last five years. They have lost 3 of their last 4 against the Dogs. Their only win against the Dogs since 2022 was round seven's 38-20.
They also carry the worst injury toll in the competition and will have used 30 players, the most of any club alongside the struggling reigning premiers, after Teancum Brown's debut. Congratulations to Eel #872. We wish you a long NRL career. With us.
The Dogs will be desperate and look to bash, barge and ambush the Eels early.
Dogs 14th v Eels 15th
Weather: 18°, cloudy, some earlier showers possible
Referee: Todd Smith (on-field), Dave Munro and Belinda Sharpe (touch judges), Adam Gee (bunker, senior review official)
TAB: Dogs $1.43, Eels $2.85, Eels odds have lengthened a bit as the week went on.
Key team notes: Connor starts at one, with Kiraz to the wing. Edwards starts with Tayln Da Silva to the bench.
Dogs: 22. Connor Tracey 1. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 14. Bailey Hayward 10. Leo Thompson 11. Sitili Tupouniua 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Harry Hayes
Bench: 2. Jethro Rinakama 15. Jed Reardon 16. Jack Underhill 17. Josh Curran 19. Sean O’Sullivan 21. Lipoi Hopoi
Cut: 9. Kurt Mann 23. Marcelo Montoya 20. Logan Spinks
Head Coach: Cameron Ciraldo
Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Brian Kelly 3. Jordan Samrani 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Joash Papali’i 7. Ronald Volkman 8. Luca Moretti 17. Harrison Edwards 10. Jack Williams 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Jack de Belin
Bench: 9. Tallyn Da Silva 14. Dylan Walker 15. Sam Tuivaiti 18. Apa Twidle 19. Teancum Brown (debutant) 20. Charlie Guymer
Cut: 22. Araz Nanva 16. Toni Mataele 21. Ryley Smith
Head Coach: Jason Ryles
Under Fire
The Eels remain short on experience in key positions and have had little time to build combinations, with Joash Papali'i and Ronald Volkman only playing their second NRL game together in the halves. It is very much a rebuilding roster in progress.
The Eels showed plenty of character against Newcastle last week. If not for a stack of errors and several bombed try-scoring opportunities, they likely would have walked away with a genuine upset victory. If they won the golden point against the Tigers they would be in finals contentions. What Eels fans? Yes. So close, yet so far. A game of inches, momentum and critical moments.
They are Undermanned. Inexperienced. Lambasted by many of their own fans on social media 24/7 as bottom-tier and not NRL quality. If the club, coaching staff and players listen to that noise, they may as well put up the white flag hand in their NRL licence.
The Dogs are under pressure. Last year's top-four contenders desperately need a win and should come out firing. They have injury concerns of their own, with Viliame Kikau and Jacob Preston sidelined, while Jacob Kiraz has overcome some minor concerns and is expected to play.
They have improved over the past fortnight and, if not for some courageous Tigers defence last week, could easily be coming into this game on a two-match winning streak. Kiraz has been averaging close to 300 metres a game at fullback, and their outside backs have consistently generated strong yardage.
Where the I4Give Cup could be won or lost
The Dogs will try to play up-tempo, force errors, and gain momentum through the middle and exploit Parramatta's edges, particularly the right side, which has leaked more tries than any corridor across both teams.
To stand a chance, the Eels need to do the fundamentals better. Some of the things they failed to do against Newcastle. Starting with Ben Gardiner's Three Pillars: reduce errors, play direct rather than side-to-side, and manage the ruck better. They also need to kick for at least 600 metres, maintain that output in the second half, improve their kick chase, and take their opportunities when they arise.
If the restart count balloons under Todd Smith in the Dogs favor in the first half, the game will almost be lost by then even if the ledger gets balanced later.
Bottom line
The Eels' fight over the past six weeks, despite little reward, has impressed even hardened Bulldogs fans such as Chad Townsend's faboulous sidekick, Hectic Eric, who despises Parramatta with a passion. Is this the week the Eels drop away? Or will the fight continue?
The bookmakers, history, and most experts will favour the Bulldogs. Not many outside the Eels camp will give them much chance. Few will believe in the Eels.
But the players must believe.
Replies
Moses and Paulo play we win. Hard truth unfortunately.
Honestly was pretty happy with our effort, lot of young blokes and got 0 calls or good ball. Held up the gloves well and stayed in the fight. Dogs got every call and won by 2. Ryles has done a good job keeping this together and in the fight. But yeah nrl as a whole is hard to watch atm. Lot of flopping and playing for penalties
I don't reckon that TDS was an obstruction or that his tackle was a high shot. Both teams were very poor but neither deserved to lose especially with a penalty goal.
The obstruction I was ok with. The high shot have seen let go a lot.
I think it was a mutual touch even though TDS didn't have his eyes full towards the ball I reckon the Dogs player was also leaning in towards TDS so don't know how they fully blame TDS and it was as if the Bulldogs player was that close to be a threat
The obstruction Da Silva looked over his right shoulder beforehand, that's what gave him away.
All Ryles has to say is it seems like all you have to do is have a whinge about the refs like Coraldo did last week and you win a game? If that's what I have to do I'll start tonight. Why the fuck does a coach have a whinge about the refs and gets rewarded the next week?
...and ciraldo well and truly knows this
Yep that comment is all he needs to say. Won't get a fine and everyone can see what he is implying.
Do what BA did in 2021 with the Penrith final.
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