NRLW R2: Dragons v Eels preview

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St George Illawarra Dragons v Parramatta Eels Sunday 3:40pm at WIN Stadium, Wollongong / Dharawal

Tim takes a look at the upcoming clash between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Parramatta Eels at WIN Stadium.

Round one winners face off by the sea.

While neither side impressed for the full 70 minutes in their respective games last weekend, it's a case of 'any win is a good win' in such a short competition - and coaches Jamie Soward and Dean Widders will be happy to have got that feather in their caps to start the season.

Home team St George Illawarra will be raring to go, enjoying the benefit of playing a home game next to their training base for the first time since the competition's inception. Soward's charges will be looking for a more fullsome performance on Sunday, after nearly giving up a 14-0 lead early in the second half. A tense finish looked likely when the Titans narrowed the margin to two points with five minutes left, but a Quincy Dodd try in the last minute saved the Dragons' skin.

Parramatta's win was a memorable one for an inaugural performance. Before a solid 5,000+ crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium - mostly cheering for their opponents Newcastle - the Eels twice fought back from a six-point deficit, tying the match up at 12-all before a gruelling final fifteen minute period where neither side could strike a blow. Indeed it was Maddie Studdon's 70th-minute field goal which proved the difference in a finish Eels fans will remember for a long time to come.

Both sides have the luxury of naming the same lineups for the second round as took the field in the first, with the only injury concern out of either side being Dragons second-rower Talei Holmes, whose wrist injury will be monitored heading into the weekend.

Last meeting: first ever meeting

Who to watch: The ones and sevens will both be great battles. Both halfbacks were outstanding for their teams last week. In her inaugural NRLW appearance, Dragons #7 RACHEL PEARSON had a fantastic game, while STUDDON's match-winning field goal propelled the Eels to a thrilling maiden victory.

Both teams are also blessed by outstanding fullbacks as well. EMMA TONEGATO and BOTILLE VETTE-WELSH were solid gold for their respective sides in the opening round, burning up the metres gained - Vette-Welsh also breaking four tackles.

The favourite: Parramatta hold narrow favouritism for this one. Throw a dart at two pieces of paper to pick a winner here.

My tip: I underestimated the Dragons last week and it came back to bite me. Meanwhile, Parramatta were slow out the blocks - and yes - they were able to claw their way back on more than one occasion from a deficit, but they won't have it as easy against the Red V. ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA BY 6.

1. Emma Tonegato 2. Teagan Berry 19. Keele Browne 4. Page McGregor 5. Madison Bartlett 6. Taliah Fuimaono 7. Rachael Pearson 8. Elsie Albert 14. Quincy Dodd 21. Aliti Namoce 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Holli Wheeler 9. Keeley Davis 15. Kody House 16. Tegan Dymock 17. Janelle Williams 18. Renee Targett 20. Shellie Long

1. Botille Vette-Welsh 2. Taina Naividi 3. Tiana Penitani 4. Jocephy Daniels 5. Rikeya Horne 6. Sereana Naitokatoka 7. Maddie Studdon 8. Kennedy Cherrington 9. Nita Maynard 10. Tommaya Kelly-Sines 11. Christine Pauli 12. Jamie Anne Wright 13. Simaima Taufa 14. Seli Mailangi 15. Abbi Church 17. Filomina Hanisi 20. Ellie Johnston 18. Jade Etherden

Referees: Belinda Sharpe; Sideline Officials: Kailey Beattie, Clayton Wills; Video Referees: Alan Shortall;