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Match Preview: Eels v Bulldogs

The old rivalry between the Parramatta Eels and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs returns to CommBank Stadium this Sunday.

Parramatta have played the Bulldogs more than any other opponent in the club’s history, with this week to mark the 153rd encounter between the two sides.

The two clubs famously dominated the 1980s, winning four premierships each and facing off in two Grand Finals, including the Eels’ 1986 triumph.

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Classic Encounter: Eels v Bulldogs

Team News

The Eels have received a major boost with co-captain Junior Paulo returning to the side.

Following a two-week suspension, he is back in the front row with Wiremu Greig joining the bench and Jack Murchie pushing to the reserves.

Shaun Lane, Haze Dunster and Sean Russell retain their roles in the starting side after making successful returns from injury in the win over Wests Tigers.

The Bulldogs will be without star duo Viliame Kikau (pec) and Josh Addo-Carr (ankle) after the pair picked up serious injuries over the past week.

However, they are boosted by the return of both Tevita Pangai Junior (calf) and Raymond Faitala-Mariner (concussion), with the former making his first appearance of the season.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
    Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Hayze Perham
  • Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
  • Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Jake Averillo
  • Centre for Eels is number 4 Sean Russell
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Paul Alamoti
  • Winger for Eels is number 5 Haze Dunster
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 15 Jayden Okunbor
  • Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
    Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
  • Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
    Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle Flanagan

Forwards

  • Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
  • Hooker for Eels is number 15 Brendan Hands
    Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
  • Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Tevita Pangai Junior
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 13 Ryan Matterson
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 16 Corey Waddell
  • Lock for Eels is number 14 J'maine Hopgood
    Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Interchange

  • Interchange for Eels is number 12 Bryce Cartwright
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Josh Reynolds
  • Interchange for Eels is number 16 Wiremu Greig
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Ryan Sutton
  • Interchange for Eels is number 17 Makahesi Makatoa
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Jackson Topine
  • Interchange for Eels is number 19 Matt Doorey
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 23 Andrew Davey

Reserves

  • Replacement for Eels is number 18 Jake Arthur
    Replacement for Bulldogs is number 22 Declan Casey

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Butler
  • Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
  • Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
  • Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated:

Recent History

The Eels have dominated this fixture in recent seasons, winning seven of their last ten meetings with the Bulldogs dating back to 2018.

In their latest match-up the Eels enjoyed a dominant 42-6 victory at CommBank Stadium, with Dylan Brown and Waqa Blake both scoring doubles.

Form Guide

The Eels have been finding their feet in recent weeks, winning two of their past three games. After three tight losses to begin the season, Parramatta have won two of their last three against the Panthers and Tigers.

NRL Match Highlights: Wests Tigers v Eels

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs suffered a 50-16 loss to South Sydney Rabbitohs on Good Friday after close encounters with North Queensland (15-14 win) and the Warriors (16-14 loss).

Key Match-Up

Damaging props Junior Paulo and Tevita Pangai Jnr will each return as a welcome inclusion for their team this week.

Two damaging no. 10s with both offensive and defensive flair, Paulo and Pangai Jnr are bound to collide in a fiery individual battle.

Key Stat

Between the Eels and Bulldogs this season, there has already been three golden point matches.

Parramatta have gone to extra time against Melbourne (16-12 loss) and Penrith (17-16), while the Bulldogs went into overtime two weeks ago against North Queensland (15-14 win).

Match Information

Acknowledgement of Country

Parramatta Eels respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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