Round 14: Eels v Dragons preview
Third-placed Eels out to heap more misery on hapless Dragons.
The Parramatta Eels will be chasing a fourth consecutive win when they host the St George Illawarra Dragons on Friday night.
Currently in third place and only one point behind ladder leaders Penrith, the Eels will fancy their chances having comfortably accounted for the Dragons in nine of the past 10 by an average margin of 16 points.
Last week against Cronulla, a late Mitchell Moses penalty goal literally kept the Eels' head above water. In conditions better suited to sharks, the 14-12, two tries to three victory came as a bonus and keeps the club on track for its first minor premiership in 15 years.
Confident backrower Ryan Matterson returns in a boost for the Eels after a two week recovery from concussion while Marata Niukore shifts to the interchange.
Further south, and the Dragons are staring down the barrel of four straight defeats as they battle among the also rans wondering where it all went wrong. In what is a shortened season, before the resumption you would have been locked in a padded cell for suggesting ‘Mary' McGregor's men would have nothing but pride to play for after round 13.
But in Wollongong last Thursday night the Dragons trod a familiar path, matching the Roosters for 70 minutes before going down 24-16. Doubts over McGregor's future won't go away and seem to cripple the team at critical stages when clear heads are needed most.
This week the Dragons' search for answers goes full circle, with axed playmaker Corey Norman returning to face his former club in a move that sees Ben Hunt revert to hooker and Cameron McInnes to lock.
In a blow up front, Tariq Sims and Trent Merrin are out alongside the suspended Jackson Ford. Tyrell Fuimaono moves into the pack with Korbin Sims and Jacob Host named on the bench.
Last meeting: Round 20 2019 - Dragons 4 Eels 12
Who to watch: Two subtle pieces of Dylan Brown brilliance sank the Sharks last week, but for comical brilliance Blake Ferguson was a class above. In a day of clangers including an experimental pass that arched like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Origin veteran was cruelled by the torrential conditions. Still tryless in 2020, but with five tries in his last five outings against the Dragons, look for a change of fortune as the big winger threatens to extend his career tally beyond 112.
With 21 tries between them, Matt Dufty and Zac Lomax account for nearly half the Dragons' 43 tries. Now in the groove after early season doubts, the zippy fullback and rangey centre are the Red V's most potent.
Throw in Dufty's eight try assists alongside Lomax's sizzling dominance on the right edge and there's little doubt both would've been on Brad Arthurs' watch list too.
The favourite: There's no surprise here, back on home turf with only one loss from seven this season, Parramatta are hot favourites to inflict the Dragons' third defeat at Bankwest in 2020.
My tip: Despite racking up the wins Parramatta's irresistible form has come off the boil in recent weeks. And with an eye on the Storm next week in what could decide their top two prospects, Arthur will need to be wary of taking the Dragons for granted. But for a club riddled with uncertainty and no Paul Vaughan or Tariq Sims to counter a rampant Parramatta pack, it's difficult to see the Dragons outlasting one of the competition's genuine contenders. Eels by 10.
