Parramatta v Canterbury preview

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Parramatta Eels v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Sunday 2:00pm at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal

The Parramatta Eels host the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs this Sunday afternoon at Bankwest Stadium, hopefully in front of the capacity crowd befitting of these rival clubs.

The Eels come into this clash off the back of a comfortable 40-12 victory over the Wests Tigers, a victory that pushed them to 3rd on the NRL ladder and hanging out with the big boys.

Canterbury... well. Wow. Absolutely dismantling the St George Illawarra Dragons on Monday 28-6, and despite my doom and gloom match preview last week, providing this author with a lovely cash injection, having taken the Bulldogs 13+ option. Reverse psychology works! (gamble responsibly!)

In team news, Parramatta winger Maika Sivo is out (suspended), paving the way for Eels junior Sean Russell to make his NRL debut on the wing. Another debutant - Nathaniel Roache - comes in on the bench. Keegan Hipgrave also joins the interchange, replacing Bryce Cartwright who is demoted to the reserves.

For 'Dogs, the team that ran out against the Dragons on Monday is the team named Tuesday. After moving back to fullback (you know, his actual position), Nick Meaney will now hopefully stay there, after a superb performance in the custodian role. What have I been saying? Ahem...

Last time they met was in Round 8 this year at Stadium Australia, with Parramatta having the match wrapped up inside the first 20 minutes, eventually running out 32-10 winners.

Last meeting: Round 8 2021 - Bulldogs 10 Eels 32

Who to watch: Mitch Moses was brilliant on the weekend for the Eels (even allowing for being a bit lippy with teammates), and Clint Gutherson absolutely destroyed the Bulldogs last time they played. If these two turn it on this weekend, Parramatta win this comfortably.

Besides the already mentioned fullback playing at fullback finally, Jake Averillo's performance at #7 was easily his best in a Bulldogs jersey. He will need to keep going with this form if the Doggies are to be any chance this week. He took the line on, passed well, and his Rugby League brain was there for all to see. Much tougher challenge this week, though!

The favourite: At the time of writing, the Eels are $1.08, the Bulldogs $8. Parramatta comfortable favourites.

My tip: The Bulldogs are back in form, and this is the kind of fixture that could trouble the Eels. You never know, but the Eels just have to replicate their performance last week - or last time these two played - and they should come away with the two points. Parramatta by 12.

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Sean Russell 3. Tom Opacic 4. Waqa Blake 5. Haze Dunster 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Nathan Brown 14. Marata Niukore 15. Shaun Lane 16. Keegan Hipgrave 17. Nathaniel Roache 20. Bryce Cartwright

1. Nick Meaney 2. Nick Cotric 3. Will Hopoate 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Tuipulotu Katoa 6. Brandon Wakeham 7. Jake Averillo 8. Jack Hetherington 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Luke Thompson 11. Adam Elliott 12. Matt Doorey 13. Josh Jackson 14. Sione Katoa 15. Dylan Napa 16. Ava Seumanufagai 17. Corey Waddell 20. Joe Stimson

Referees: Matt Cecchin; Sideline Officials: Kasey Badger, Darian Furner; Video Referees: Henry Perenara;