Round 23: Eels v Bulldogs preview
Traditional rivals clash in Bankwest baptism
Holding a long-running rivalry immortalised throughout the 1980s, the Parramatta Eels will resume hostilities with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in their first meeting at Bankwest Stadium.
Accounting for the Titans in a comprehensive 36-12 performance last Friday, the Parramatta Eels will look to guarantee a home final with victory on Thursday night, while keeping their top four hopes alive in a remarkable transformation from the side that ran last 12 months ago.
Winning six of their past seven matches against the Bulldogs since 2016, coach Brad Arthur will be wary of the threat posed by the blue and whites as more than just nuisance value, but as one of the in-form teams of the premiership over the past two months.
Bolstered by the return of hulking front rower Junior Paulo after being a late withdrawal last week with an ankle issue, departing forward Tepai Moeroa reverts to the extended squad in the only change from the team that triumphed on the God Coast.
Coming into the match off the back of three consecutive wins for the first time in two years, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will be determined to lay the foundations for a much-improved 2020 campaign with a strong finish to the season.
Stunning South Sydney with inspired resolve last Saturday to emerge with a 14-6 win at ANZ Stadium, coach Dean Pay will have plenty of confidence in his side exacting payback following the disappointment of being blown off the park when the two sides last clashed in the early rounds of the competition.
Opting to keep the faith with the same squad that prevailed over the Rabbitohs last week, promising playmaker Jack Cogger will be hoping to get on the field on Thursday night after being relegated to the bench following Kieran Foran's successful return from injury.
Last meeting: Round 2 2019 - Bulldogs 16 Eels 36
Who to watch:Â Enjoying a career renaissance following a dismal introduction to his time at Parramatta, Fijian prop Kane Evans has embodied the strides taken by the Eels in 2019. Signed from the Roosters as a high profile signing only to languish in reserve grade for large stretches of last season, the 27-year-old has been a constant fixture in the front row averaging just under 100 metres per game during the side's mid-year resurgence. Possessing the added threat of creating second phase play with offloads, look for Evans to create plenty of problems for the Bulldogs as the Eels strive to finish the weekend inside the top four.
Providing the Bulldogs with tremendous service on the left edge after graduating through Penrith's production line of talent, Corey-Harawira-Naera will be out to cement his status as a starting forward under Dean Pay. Bouncing back from the disappointment of being dropped to reserve grade midway through the year, the 24-year-old Maori representative has made his mark in recent weeks as part of a potent combination with Kieran Foran that yielded two tries in last week's win over South Sydney. Facing pressure from 2020 signings Joe Stimson and Dean Britt for his place in the starting side, look for Harawira-Naera to cause plenty of havoc in a bid to secure the Bulldogs number 12 jersey for years to come.
The favourite: Winning seven of eight matches at Bankwest Stadium, the Eels are expected to get the job done against the Bulldogs, despite suffering their only loss at the venue in a Thursday night fixture earlier this season.
My tip: While the Bulldogs have gone about their business in impressive fashion recently, the chance to push for a top four finish should see the Eels prove too classy at home. Eels by 14.
