It's been a bloody long season for both clubs.
Both clubs have shown glimpses of potential during the year.
But the time is nigh when we stop talking about potential and start talking about bloody results.
Welcome to the final round. The countdown begins.
Teams
Dragons 17th vs Eels 13th, WIN Stadium, 2pm, Saturday 6 September
TAB: $2.35 Dragons, $1.60 Eels
Referees:
Match Officials: Liam Kennedy (on-field), Kasey Badger (touch judge), Wyatt Raymond (bunker)
Dragons: 1. Daniel Atkinson 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Dylan Egan 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
Bench: 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Ryan Couchman 16. Josh Kerr 17. Jacob Halangahu 18. Jacob Webster 19. Setu Tu
Reserves: 21. Kade Reed
Cut: 20. Ryan Hutchinson 22. Nicholas Tsougranis
Eels: 1. Apa Twidle 2. Brian Kelly 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Luca Moretti 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Williams 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Saxon Pryke
Bench: 1. Harrison Edwards 15. Jack de Belin 16. Teancum Brown 17. Dylan Walker 18. Tyrese Lokeni 19. Sean Russell
Reserves: 21. Jonah Pezet
Cut: 20. Kelma Tuilagi 22. Ryley Smith
Tryscoring Machines
Talyn Da Silva has scored 12 tries: an NRL record for a hooker in the regular season.
Tyrell Sloan has scored nine tries in his last 10 games.
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History
The Eels have won five of their past six games against the Dragons.
Form
The Eels have won 3 from their last 5 games WLWLW
The Dragons have 2 wins from their last 7 games but have conceded 88 points in their last two games.
The Wollongong WIN Factor
The Eels have not won in Wollongong since 2017. Not having played there for many years helps.
WIN has traditionally been a graveyard for the Eels winning just 4 from 15 since 1987.
But then again, the Dragons have lost their last five games here. So maybe we should move on and talk to Moses.
Last week's upset 38-18 upset win over title contenders (of sorts) the Sharks was the most pleasing game of the year for the Eels' faithful.
The Eels followed the simple blueprint that has been there for their wins this year. The Ten Commandments or near enough. Hold the ball, complete. Kick long. Run hard. Create ruck momentum. Support. That's been a hard act to follow week to week for the Eels.
Surely we can beat these blokes?
History says the Eels. The Bookies and Form Guide says the Eels.
Which, naturally, means one thing: We should be extremely worried.
There is also WIN Stadium that warns us: watch out. The Dragons are coming. And the Eels love nothing more than a curse or two.
Replies
Got a feeling Ado Carr scores 3 today. High scoring game with lackluster defence incoming haha
How come there is only 1 touchie? Cut backs due to nothing game?
Also, new kick off rule is in play.
Only one touchie thats different.
I'm always bullish when they see us as underdogs and we're at home. Today we are favourites and away and I'm wary.
Saints are low on the totem pole, but they have their last game at home and you'd think they'ed put in for their fans.
But we have Ronny who could guide us home.
26-12
Last day for Jim.. Last day for Macron
Gee, you would seriously think the Eels can win this match to end their season on a positive winning note! However, sometimes when the eels have been favourites in the expected to win matches they have either under performed and lost and/or the refereeing has been diabolical! For me all going well and the Eels turn up to play the eels should win by 15plus
Ryles will be thrilled, not far to travel home this evening haha.
Team has just been updated - Russell to wing Addo car will go to Fullback Twiidle to bench
He wanted to do this last time when Samrani got hurt. Think he wants a look at ado at fb. And Russell deserves one last game for Parra
Seems like a weird time to experiment. Might as well just try to win the game.
How is this a weird time to experiment? This is THE time to experiment. A nothing burger game that means nothing for this year lol.
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