The St George Illawarra Dragons and Parramatta Eels sit at opposite ends of the table but still have plenty to play for. Can the Dragons continue their strong form or will the Eels cause an enormous upset to burrow their way off the bottom of the table? Join The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage.
The Dragons currently sit on top of the table after a great start to the season that has seen them win eleven of their first fourteen matches.
Paul McGregor’s side are set to be tested as a result with a number of Red V players being selected for representative duties over the weekend. Tyson Frizell has been rested after playing in State of Origin on Sunday night alongside Ben Hunt, Paul Vaughan and Jack De Belin while James Graham, Gareth Widdop and Leeson Ah Mau were all involved in the Denver Test.
A big question mark hangs over how the aforementioned trio back-up from the high-altitude test match with Jai Field and Darren Nicholls on standby for Widdop.
The Dragons will need to assert their dominance through the middle of the park and it’s imperative Ben Hunt alleviates some of the pressure off Gareth Widdop to allow him to adjust back to the conditions.
The Parramatta Eels have had a season from hell and will need to rectify that against the Dragons if they are to be even a slim chance of qualifying for September football.
Injuries have ravaged the blue and gold, however, Mitchell Moses will return in the halves, settling the instability in the spine that has affected them over recent weeks.
Parramatta go into the game as massive underdogs and will need a lot to go their way however, if they settle into their structure in hope of sparking their attack and lay the platform for their forwards to work through the middle of the park, they could set fatigue into the Dragons’ side given none of the Eels players took part in the Rugby League Challenge or State of Origin.
The Eels have won 17 of their 33 meetings with the Dragons, who have been victorious on 14 occasions while two matches have been drawn.
Last time they met, the Eels ran out 24-10 victors at ANZ Stadium in round 15 of the 2017 season. The Dragons have three wins from six outings against the Eels in Wollongong, the blue and gold winning twice, with the other match ending in a draw.
Prediction
The St George Illawarra Dragons will be far too strong for the Eels, putting in a spirited display to stay on top of the table.
Dragons by 10.
Join The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
danwain
Guest
Yeah, Brimson who has 1 try assist, keep on trying
G
Guest
Haha yes that was his reason for hating Dragons so much. Everyone has teams they hate, but this Carnt is infatuated with Hunt and St.George, it's really unhealthy.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Better than his replacement Jack Bird.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sing it with me now. Oh when the Saints! Oh When the Saints! Oh when the Saints go marchin' in, I want to be in that number, oh when the Saints go marchin' in.
DP Schaefer
Guest
Sims picked up a tip from Cordner in camp
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Lol Titans have 2 playmakers as well. Just goes to show how Taylor can relied on as a guenuine no.7 compaired to Hunt who just pops up as a cameo player.
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Couldnt care less they can have him. Complete waist of money for the Dragons. I just wish Ash Taylor still played for Broncos because he is far more class.
danwain
Guest
Thats two fold though since everything goes through Taylor at the titans whereas the dragons have another genuine threat in widdop on the field
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
At the start sure. But at one point they lead 18-8 and didn't take the two - I couldn't believe it. The way the Dragons were playing they weren't going to score more than 20 anyway.
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Lol Hunt was quiet for most that game then finally did something. He also let in a try if you are happy with that performance then you are quite delusional. Hunt made the most of a tired team which every team has done against the EEls this year
Emcie
Roar Guru
funnily enough he spent half the year hating the dragons for "stealing" Hunt
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
That concludes The Roar’s coverage of St George Illawarra Dragons vs Parramatta Eels. Coverage of the National Rugby League continues on The Roar over the weekend as well as the AFL, Super Rugby and FIFA World Cup. I'll be back on Sunday afternoon from 4:10pm (AEST) for live coverage of South Sydney Rabbitohs vs North Queensland Cowboys from Cairns. Thanks for following along.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
They needed the confidence in their attack. Penalty goals won't help, given they are bottom of the table it was smarter to roll-on and get their attacking structures in place. Keep the intensity and momentum up.
LMM
Guest
That ridiculous penalty for Jennings "taking out' Sims turned the game.
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
Thanks Parramatta. Thanks for once again meeting your fans’ expectations.
Maroon Dragon
Guest
Never in doubt. Now I'm off to change my pants.
Andrew
Guest
Micheal jennings rushing in again, thought souths taught him something obviously not.
Dodgy Dragons
Roar Rookie
Go you good things. Get that up you, you Ben Hunt hater Kenoathcarnt
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Great comeback, it goes to show how confident the Dragons are in their abilities.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Still don't know why Parra refused the penalty goal on a number of occasions in that game,