Dragons v Eels
VENUE & TIME: Oki Jubilee Stadium, Sunday afternoon - 15:00 AEST
COVERAGE: Channel 9, ABC Radio (NSW), 2GB
LAST TIME: Eels 40 - Dragons 14 at Parramatta Stadium, Round 18, 2005.
WALKING WOUNDED
Dragons centre Matt Cooper (hamstring) has dropped out, but prop Jason Ryles (groin) will return after missing last week. Any thoughts of halfback Matt Head (knee) making a surprise return were put to rest during the week by the coaching staff.
The Eels' chances of challenging for the minor premiership suffered a blow when form centre Timana Tahu (broken hand) went down. He is tipped to return in the second week of the finals and will be replaced by Daniel Wagon. Fullback Wade McKinnon (hamstring) and prop Michael Vella (broken hand) will both miss another week, while lock Glenn Morrison will miss the remainder of the premiership season with a broken finger.
FORM
The Dragons made it five wins in succession with their comfortable away victory over the Broncos. Their big forward pack easily accounted for its Brisbane counterpart, leaving Barrett, Hornby and co to do the rest. They have shortened even further as premiership favourites following the easy win over the competition leaders.
The Eels ran rampant over the depleted Bulldogs to record one of their biggest wins of 2005. The massive 56-4 drubbing improved their for-and-against to the point where they can now seriously challenge the Broncos - who they play in Round 22 at home - for the minor premiership.
WHO'S HOT
Dragons skipper Trent Barrett blew the Broncos away with a brilliant solo try to break the deadlock in the 32nd minute. Showed plenty of pace to dash past Broncos fullback Karmichael Hunt to score in the right corner. After a rather forgettable performance in Round 18 against the Eels which resulted in a suspension, the former Test pivot will be looking for revenge this week.
For the Eels, hooker Mark Riddell deserves a mention for bringing the post-try celebration back into vogue against the Bulldogs. His little jig at the conclusion of his determined solo four-pointer had the enthusiastic Eels crowd in raptures. He also killed them every time he took the ball up or made a dash from dummy-half. This match will be his first at Kogarah since leaving the Dragons for the Eels at the end of last season.
WHO'S NOT
Tahu. After two weeks of exceptional centre play, the exciting former Test back must now watch Parramatta's charge for the minor premiership from the sidelines due to injury.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Trent Barrett v John Morris
Lance Thompson v Nathan Hindmarsh
Mark Gasnier v Ben Smith
LIKE TO SEE
This match live up to its billing as one of the blockbuster clashes of the year. Hopefully both sides can continue with their attractive brand of footy and maintain the intensity levels for most of the 80 minutes.
WOULDN'T LIKE TO SEE
Fans turned away from blockbuster games such as this in the future. All 17,000 tickets have been sold well in advance for this match, stopping many people from attending. This match was definitely one for a much bigger stadium than the boutique Oki Jubilee.
WE THINK
The home ground advantage will be crucial for the Dragons in what should be a closely-fought contest. They should also have a slight advantage in the forwards with Ryles returning to partner Bailey in the front row. There are still question marks over the Eels halves, particularly the inexperienced No.7. Dragons by 8.
) It usually happens in games that are hyped up by the media though.
