Eels v Dolphins preview

Embed from Getty Images

Parramatta Eels v Dolphins Thursday 7:50pm at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal

Kaufusi and Donoghoe bolster Dolphins side travelling South to Parramatta

Parramatta plays host to the Dolphins this Thursday night to open round ten in what both teams will be seeing as a key opportunity to get a much-needed win on the board. The Eels have been performing better since the return of their halfback Mitch Moses, however they are still sitting in dead last on the competition table. The Dolphins have been unable to back up their surprise win over Melbourne three weeks ago, with defence looking to be the significant issue for the 14th-placed side. 

The Eels opened Magic Round last week against Cronulla, falling to a 28-18 defeat. They were certainly in the game for the full 80 minutes, which is significant progress from where they were as a team back in March. Junior Paulo led the charge up front making 44 tackles, whilst Mitch Moses tried his best to take control. They'll be disappointed with the result, as it stems any momentum they may have been building following their victory against the Tigers.

Big name forward Ryan Matterson still can't force his way into the top grade side, listed as 18th man. NSW U19 representative Sam Tuivaiti, who played 25 minutes off the bench last week, wasn't named in the 17 on Tuesday due to an unfortunate right ankle syndesmosis injury, which will see him sidelined for 8-10 weeks. In his place comes Matt Doorey, added to the bench for his 5th appearance of the season. 

Injuries within their forward pack has made the past few weeks more difficult for the Dolphins, however they only have themselves to blame for the amount of points they have been conceding. After blowing a lead against Canberra two weeks ago, ‘Redcliffe' have fallen to two straight losses following their 36-26 defeat at the hands of the Roosters last week. The Dolphins were far too slow out of the blocks, letting in three tries before getting on the board themselves, and were indeed lucky to trail by only six points at the break. But three Easts' tries in the first ten minutes of the second half proved the nails in the Dolphins' coffin. 

The inclusions of Felise Kaufusi and Kurt Donoghoe cannot be underestimated, with the forwards named on Tuesday to return to the side following injuries. Donoghoe will wear the number nine, with Jeremy Marshall-King again out due to an infected cut. Mark Nicholls will start on the bench, forcing Oryn Keeley out of the 17.

These teams have met twice over the past two years that the Dolphins have been in the NRL, with the spoils split one apiece. 

Last meeting: Round 7 2024 - Eels 16 Dolphins 44

Who to watch: Brendan Hands, Joey Lussick, and Charlie Guymer are three of the names who have taken on the role of hooker in the Eels side this year, with Ryley Smith tasked with the job this weekend. Jason Ryles has struggled with naming a consistent number nine this season so far - Lussick suffered a broken thumb in round four, Hands has been dropped to NSW Cup, and Guymer has been shifted into the back row. In comparison with these players, Ryley Smith has consistently been playing top grade hooker minutes this year. The Malta international made his NRL debut in round one off the bench, and played anywhere between 30-60 minutes as the interchange hooker through the first six rounds. Since then, the Eels have rewarded him for his efforts, upgrading him to the starting number nine, where he's made nearly two full game efforts over the past two matches. Expect the 22 year old to feature heavily this Thursday.

The Dolphins' Kurt Donoghoe is Smith's opposing hooker, replacing Jeremy Marshall-King. This will be Donoghoe's first start of the 2025 season, having previously appeared off the bench in seven of his team's games this year. He suffered an ankle injury during the captain's run prior to round eight, and has been sorely missed by the Dolphins during his stint on the sidelines. This weekend is also set to be just his second NRL start at hooker, with his first coming back in round 3, 2023 (a game the Dolphins would win). He has much more top grade experience as a part of the forward pack, especially in the back row and lock, however he has also played in positions including five-eighth and halfback for Fiji and fullback in this year's pre-season challenge. He truly can play any position and his return from injury is a great asset for the Dolphins.

Favourite: Despite sitting last on the ladder, the Eels are the favourites to come away with the 2 points.

My tip: Mitch Moses will prove the difference in this one. Eels by 10.

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J'maine Hopgood 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Jordan Samrani 17. Matt Doorey 19. Joash Papali'i

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Kurt Donoghoe 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 14. Ray Stone 13. Tom Gilbert 12. Connelly Lemuelu 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Josh Kerr 18. Harrison Graham 17. Sean O'Sullivan

Referees: Wyatt Raymond; Sideline Officials: Kasey Badger, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski; Video Referees: Chris Butler;