Eels v Dragons: Hopgood back from ban; Liddle good to go
There's no better way to kick start your season than taking down the premiers in their own backyard and that's precisely what the Eels did last week in Brisbane.
With Mitch Moses and Jonah Pezet gelling in the halves and edge back-rower Kelma Tuilagi running riot, the Eels claimed a 40-32 victory that will give them a huge confidence boost moving forward.
The Dragons took on last year's other grand finalist Melbourne and gave a great account of themselves for 60 minutes before electric Storm fullback Sua Faalogo ripped the game away with three tries in 12 minutes.
That came on the back of a frustrating loss to the Bulldogs in Las Vegas where the Red V matched motors with one of the competition's heavyweights for 90 minutes before Stephen Crichton stepped up in golden point.
The ladder shows 0-2 but there have been plenty of positives for Dragons coach Shane Flanagan to take into matches against the Eels, Titans, Cowboys and Sea Eagles in the next month.
Match: Eels v Dragons
Round 3 -
home Team
Eels
9th Position
away Team
Dragons
16th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Eels: Dylan Walker starts at lock, Jack Williams goes to prop and J'maine Hopgood slides to the bench in a late switch 90 minutes before kick-off. Jack de Belin dropped out of the squad on Saturday and was replaced by Charlie Guymer. Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored eight tries in his last four games at CommBank Stadium, while Parramatta have won their past four games against the Dragons at the venue.
Dragons: Blake Lawrie starts and Hamish Stewart goes to the bench in a game day swap. Jacob Liddle is on track to make his return from a hamstring injury and will form a one-two punch with starting hooker Damien Cook. The co-captain left the field late in last week's loss to Melbourne but passed his HIA and will play on Sunday. Also cleared to line up are halves Kyle Flanagan and Daniel Atkinson, who have avoided serious ankle injuries.
Match: Eels v Dragons
Round 3 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Isaiah IongiFullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Bailey SimonssonWinger for Dragons is number 2 Christian Tuipulotu
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Jordan SamraniCentre for Dragons is number 3 Moses Suli
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Sean RussellCentre for Dragons is number 4 Valentine Holmes
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Dragons is number 5 Setu Tu
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Jonah PezetFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle Flanagan
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Daniel Atkinson
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Dragons is number 8 Emre Guler
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley SmithHooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien Cook
-
Prop for Eels is number 13 Jack WilliamsProp for Dragons is number 10 Toby Couchman
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Kelma Tuilagi2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A
-
Lock for Eels is number 14 Dylan WalkerLock for Dragons is number 16 Blake Lawrie
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 8 J'maine HopgoodInterchange for Dragons is number 13 Hamish Stewart
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Sam TuivaitiInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Matt DooreyInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Josh Kerr
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Tallyn Da SilvaInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Ryan Couchman
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 20 Charlie Guymer
-
Reserve for Eels is number 19 Joash PapaliiReserve for Dragons is number 19 Mathew Feagai
-
Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Lyhkan King-Togia
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels have won their last four games against the Dragons at CommBank Stadium.
- The Dragons have lost their last eight away games.
- Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored eight tries in his last four games at CommBank Stadium.
- Dragons fullback Clint Gutherson has scored try doubles in his last three games at CommBank.
- The Eels have scored 115 points in their last three games at CommBank.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
