Match Centre

Round 23: Eels v Bulldogs preview

Foes bonded by history strive to bounce back

The Parramatta Eels will be determined to put a place in September beyond doubt when they take on the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in a Saturday afternoon grudge match at CommBank Stadium.

Heading into the final weeks of the regular season in the precarious position of finishing in the top four or missing the finals entirely, the Parramatta Eels will be out to atone for a dismal showing in their most recent outing.

Failing to fire an attacking shot during last Friday's 26-0 defeat to the Rabbitohs, coach Brad Arthur will welcome back Mitchell Moses at halfback with Jakob Arthur dropping to the extended squad.

Currently sitting in seventh position at the bottom of a group of three teams tied on 28 competition points, the Eels could finish the round as high as fifth or low as eighth pending the outcome of other results.

Set to play the Broncos (away) and Storm (home) in the final fortnight of the home-and-away season, the Eels will need to claim the two points on Saturday afternoon or risk the threat of the Raiders, riding a wave of momentum, claiming a place in the finals at their expense. 

Coming off a disheartening collapse across the Tasman last week, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will have their sights set on moving out of wooden spoon contention.

Managing to level the scores early in the second half only to concede four late tries to go down to the Warriors 42-18 last Friday, interim coach Mick Potter could welcome back Tevita Panga Jr and Luke Thompson after the representative duo were named on the extended bench.

Holding a poor record against the Eels with three wins from 13 meetings over the past six years, the Bulldogs will be vying to record multiple wins over their Western Sydney rivals for the first time since 2015.

Sitting in 12th position four points clear of last position, a win on Saturday afternoon would remove any mathematical chance of the Bulldogs claiming back-to-back wooden spoons. 

Last meeting: Round 14 2022 - Bulldogs 34 Eels 4

Who to watch: Making a brief appearance in his club debut for the Eels last Friday, interchange forward Ofahiki Ogden will have a point to prove against the teammates he used to know.

Playing 45 matches for the Bulldogs between 2018 and 2021, the 26-year-old has spent the majority of this season in reserve grade, averaging close to 120 running metres and 22 tackles in 12 appearances.

Contracted to the Eels for a further two seasons, Ogden will be out to consolidate his place in the top grade ahead of the finals by providing the blue and gold's with much-needed punch off the bench.

Enjoying a career-best campaign after missing the entire 2021 season through injury, rejuvenated front-rower Max King has been a standout contributor in the blue and white's resurgence.

Appearing in every game this season to earn an upgraded extension until the end of 2024, the 25-year-old former Gold Coast and Melbourne interchange player has revelled in the starting side with close to 100 running metres each week and a 97% tackle efficiency.

Proving his worth as arguably the best value for money buy this year, King will have his sights set on achieving one final feat over the remaining rounds: crossing for a try to avoid the nudie run.

The favourite: Coming off the disappointment of last Friday's shutout on home soil, the Eels are expected to bounce back against their long-standing rivals.

My tip: If Parramatta are going to confirm a place in the finals - let alone have any impact - Saturday afternoon should be a sure thing. Eels by 16.