Match Centre

Round 8: Canterbury v Parramatta preview

Duck egg broken, now Bulldogs look to rattle Eels

Seven rounds in the making, it was enough to make Trent Barrett shed a tear, and by season's end the Bulldogs' breakthrough victory over the Sharks may yet go down as one of the gutsiest of the season.

Perhaps it was the realisation that their careers were on the line, whatever it was, an unchanged Canterbury line-up will need to greet the Eels with the same ferocity that sent the Sharks reeling.

In rewinding back the clock, Dylan Napa delivered his finest in Canterbury colours and alongside Luke Thompson the bookends punished Cronulla from the kick-off. Up by three tries, time didn't countdown fast enough for Barrett and his emotions escalated as the possession and points dried up.

Ultimately the Bulldogs defied the pressure that comes with a 42 per cent share of the ball and in doing so found a resolve that could shape the rest of their season. In a competition with its fair share of strugglers who have turned the tide, the good news for Barrett is that the aesthetics of the first win don't matter because the next is often just around the corner.

Having had the better of the Bulldogs in eight of the past 10 clashes including wins in the last two, another for the second placed Parramatta will be crucial in its race to catch the first placed Panthers.

Last week in Darwin the Eels cruised past a disappointing Broncos in what proved to be a glorified training run. Mitchell Moses, Clint Gutherson and the rapidly improving Bryce Cartwright toyed with Brisbane's right edge where Maika Sivo powered over for his third hat-trick in 53 games.

With victory assured, the Eels directed the majority of their second half raids towards the right in an attempt to sharpen Dylan Brown's combinations.

While it didn't compromise the result, the decision seemed at odds with the sustained week-in week-out intensity Arthur craves from his side as they strive to be identified alongside the competition's elite.

And they'll need to be careful this week. Last season against their longtime rival, Parramatta were the raging favourite and raced to an 18-0 lead before taking the foot off the pedal and eventually limping home 18-16.

Ryan Matterson makes a welcome return this week, but it'll be off the bench with Isaiah Papali'i retained in the second row. Haze Dunster is the only other change for the Eels, joining the interchange in place of the injured Will Smith.

Last meeting: Round 12 2020 - Bulldogs 16 Eels 18

Who to watch: Last week Dylan Napa ran a season best 139 metres. What the stats don't show is the return of the chaotic intensity that made him a Roosters premiership winner. Approaching the end of a three year deal it's clear the former Origin prop is bristling. And if this season is the final roll of the dice, he's sure to rattle the Eels' cage.

From an entertainment perspective Blake Ferguson is box office. From freakish hands to tough carries intermixed with fumbling capers, the next gasp is never far away. Already ahead of last season's meagre tally of four tries, Fergo can expect more opportunities this week against Canterbury. Where the Sharks struggled to plant the ball in the right corner, the former Blues winger might just be about to show them how

The favourite: At very short odds, Parramatta are favoured to make it three straight wins.

My tip: After a mostly predictable opening to the season, more and more punters are finding themselves on the ropes thanks to a few sneaky upsets. It won't happen here though. Even if the Bulldogs fire up with a pepper sprout in each nostril, it still won't be enough to extinguish Parramatta's class. Parramatta by 16.