Eels v Dragons NRLW preview

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Parramatta Eels (W) v St George Illawarra Dragons (W) Saturday 12:45pm at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal

Saturday afternoon NRLW comes from Parramatta where two sides want to bounce back from defeats with wins as the Eels play host to the St George Illawarra Dragons at Commbank Stadium.

Having only lost one game all season, the Eels were confident that they could spring an upset against the Knights last week but they had that thought quickly evaporated as the Knights opened up a 20-0 lead within twenty minutes of the game. The Eels though to their credit didn't give up and put in a mini fightback as they were able to bring the score back to 24-16 before the Knights sealed the deal late.

The performance despite being defeated showed how the Eels season has been strong  picking up wins against fancied rivals such as the Broncos in Round 1 and a narrow defeat to the Sharks in Round 2. Sitting in fifth spot, the Blue and Gold have three wins along with six other teams which could push them up or down the ladder depending on results.

Only one change has been made by Parramatta coach Steve Georgallis and that comes on the bench with Lindsay Tui coming into the 17 for her first appearance of the season with Tafoa Asaua dropping out.

The St George Illawarra Dragons have been a side that's been hard to draw a line with given that they have underperformed compared with expectations picking up just the one win this season but that win was against the Newcastle Knights. Last week, the Dragons were again poor when they fell to a 28-4 defeat to the Sharks when they looked completely off the pace.

Having a promising side, the Dragons fell behind early in Round 1 against the Titans then had to come from behind when scoring 34 points against the Cowboys yet were still defeated. They did pick up another come from behind win against the Knights which is the biggest scalp of the NRLW season before two concerning 20+ defeats against the Roosters and Sharks.

The Dragons have been boosted by the return of Bobbi Law to the squad after missing last week although they are still without NZ rugby international Tyla King who is not named after being a late out of the clash last week. The other changes see Shenai Lendill moving back to the second row with Maatuleio Fotu-Moala coming onto the wing.

Last meeting: Round 2 2023 - Dragons 38 Eels 12

Who to watch:  A lot of the success for Parramatta this season has come through their powerful PNG international Elsie Albert leading from the front. The Parramatta veteran is having one of her best NRLW seasons averaging close to 150m per game and being damaging going forward. Albert's power going forward is what the NRLW needs.

Dragons winger Teagan Berry has been their platform to go forward from the back as she has 29 tackle breaks for the season to go with her 7 line breaks and has been one of the Dragons best performers this season. Berry needs to be the star for a Dragons side that is underperforming and her runs from the back are going to be important to put the Red ‘V'into good attacking position so that they can pressure the Eels defence.

The favourite: Parramatta are heavy favourites

My tip: The Eels should have too much for the Dragons. The Eels play this season has been strong this season and they look like they should put the Dragons to the sword if things go right. Eels by 10.

1. Abbi Church 2. Zali Fay 3. Rory Owen 4. Rosie Kelly 5. Monique Donovan 6. Cassey Tohi-Hiku 7. Rachael Pearson 8. Elsie Albert 9. Taneka Todhunter 10. Madeline Jones 11. Chloe Jackson 12. Mahalia Murphy 13. Kennedy Cherrington 14. Rosemarie Beckett 15. Tyla Amiatu 16. Jade Fonua 17. Lindsay Tui 18. Breanna Eales

1. Teagan Berry 2. Maatuleio Fotu-moala 3. Keele Browne 4. Bobbi Law 5. Alice Gregory 6. Kasey Reh 7. Raecene Mcgregor 8. Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa 14. Sophie Clancy 16. Jamilee Bright 11. Shenai Lendill 12. Ella Koster 13. Alexis Tauaneai 9. Zali Hopkins 10. Madison Mulhall 17. Steph Hancock 19. Charlotte Basham 18. Jordyn Preston

Referees: Daniel Luttringer; Sideline Officials: Billy Greatbatch, Dillian Wells; Video Referees: Kasey Badger;