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St George Illawarra Dragons v Parramatta Eels Saturday 5:30pm at WIN Stadium, Wollongong / Dharawal

Wollongong gets treated to a Saturday afternoon special as the St George Illwarra Dragons look to turn the tables against the much improved Parramatta Eels. 

The last time these two teams met, Zac Lomax broke his foot and kicked the winning field goal to give the Eels a 23-22 golden point win at Commbank Stadium, the Eels first of 2025. It ruined the homecoming of the King, Clint Gutherson, as the Eels looked to rise from what was a dour start to the season. 

Coming into round 17, it really hasn't improved for either side. The Eels, albeit hit by the injury bug once again, are starting to gel at the wrong end of the season as they linger in a tie for 16th place. The Dragons have more questions than answers in regards to their form, struggling all over the park under Shane Flanagan. 

The Dragons walked into half-time at Shark Park with a 12-point lead, having played some of their best football in 2025. What followed in the second half is best described as a puff of smoke coming out of a decrepit dragon with no will to move on. Fans have called for Flanagan to be sacked - whether it be the half in Kyle or the coach in Shane, remains to be seen. 

Questions have been asked about the outside backs, the halves and how the Dragons could turn 2025 around. The return of some key strike weapons will help this week, but it doesn't account for the awful track record that the Red V has against Parramatta (lost 13 of the last 16). Playing at WIN Stadium may help though, with the Dragons winning 10 of the last 14 against the Eels at the home of the Illawarra Steelers. 

The Eels looked shaky at times with a rookie spine against the Gold Coast Titans, but the Blue and Gold rewarded the 9,000 fans who rocked up on Sunday night with a 36-20 win. Dean Hawkins played his best game for the Eels, while the lethal combination of Josah Papalii and Isaiah Iongi showed why they could be the Eels spine alongside Mitch Moses for years to come.

It wasn't all smooth sailing, with two guns in Ryley Smith and Will Penisini copping bans for their respective dangerous tackles. Mitch Moses is still a while away, but it is worth noting that he was out of the side when Parramatta played the Dragons earlier in the season. 

The Dragons have changes galore as they look to keep in touch with the top eight. Corey Allan and Christian Tuipulotu come back from hamstring injuries, sending Tyrell Sloan and Nathan Lawson out of the side. Val Holmes returns to the side in place of Nick Tsougranis, while Viliami Fifita is named for his first top grade action of the season in place of Loko Pasifika Tonga. 

Parramatta lose Will Penisini and Ryley Smith to suspension, but gain Dylan Brown back from his contrary conduct charge. It means that Jordan Samrani moves into the centres, Dylan Brown goes to five-eight and Josah Papalii takes the bench spot that Ryley Smith occupied. 

Last meeting: Round 5 2025 - Eels 23 Dragons 22

Who to watch: Clint Gutherson will be looking to replicate his performance from last time out against his old side, having scored a double on his return to Parramatta in round five. The also managed to break the line four times, set up a try and run for 160 metres in a best on ground performance. While he maybe hasn't quite lived up to the expectation in 2025 at St George, the King of WIN will be stamping his authority early against the side that he knows best. 

Zac Lomax seems to feature almost every time this forlorn writer grabs an Eels game. By far the most dangerous man on the park, Lomax will be embracing the opportunity to get the double against his former club. The Eels leading man in run metres per game at 205m, he will lead from the back and aim to add onto his try-scoring tally this season against a very leaky Dragon defense. 

Favourite: The Dragons have the bookies' backing here.

My tip: It is at the point where it is nearly a do or die game for both sides. The Dragons will start to lose touch with the finals spots if they lose this week, while the Eels need this win prior to their bye to get back within striking distance. A nightmare run follows for the Eels, who will see this as a catapult into confidence after the Round 18 bye against a worrisome Dragons. Eels by 6, Lomax to score a try.

1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Corey Allan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Toby Couchman 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Hamish Stewart 16. Viliami Fifita 17. Luciano Leilua 18. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 19. Lachlan Ilias 20. Blake Lawrie 21. Nicholas Tsougranis 22. Nathan Lawson

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Jordan Samrani 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Jack Williams 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J'maine Hopgood 14. Dylan Walker 15. Matt Doorey 16. Charlie Guymer 17. Joash Papali'i 18. Dan Keir 19. Toni Mataele 20. Brendan Hands 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Samuel Loizou

Referees: Liam Kennedy; Sideline Officials: David Munro, Kieren Irons; Video Referees: Chris Butler;