Both the Eels and Dragons will be aiming up after heavy losses last week, where they fell away in the second half after making promising starts.
Parramatta were bested 30-6 by the Knights, while the Dragons were not able to stem the tide as the Broncos found their gallop in the second half to post a 30-6 victory after both teams went to the break 6-6.
Parramatta forward Elise Albert however had one of her best games of the year and will be a key player up front, while the Dragons - who unfortunately for them will be missing a number of stars - will need the likes of co-captain Raecene McGregor to step up in the halves.
Match: Eels v Dragons
Round 5 -
home Team
Eels
5th Position
away Team
Dragons
9th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Team News
Eels: NSW forward Kennedy Cherrington is set to make her return from a knee injury suffered during the State of Origin series. The 26-year-old will come off the bench in her first NRLW game of the year. Tess McWilliams moves to 18th player as a result. Boss Kapua will have to wait at least one more week to make her return from a knee injury.
Dragons: Tyra Ekepati comes straight back into the starting side after leaving the Roosters and joining the Dragons this week. Ekepati replaces the suspended Teagan Berry. Indie Bostock remains sidelined with a finger injury while Zali Hopkins shifts to five-eighth to cover for Kasey Reh (head knock). Jamilee McGregor and Alice Gregory are the new faces on the bench.
Match: Eels v Dragons
Round 5 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Abbi ChurchFullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyra Ekepati
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Zali FayWinger for Dragons is number 2 Margot Vella
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Rory OwenCentre for Dragons is number 3 Shenai Lendill
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Lindsay TuiCentre for Dragons is number 4 Keele Browne
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Martha MataeleWinger for Dragons is number 5 Jayme Millard
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Cassey Tohi-HikuFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Zali Hopkins
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Rachael PearsonHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Raecene McGregor
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Elsie AlbertProp for Dragons is number 8 Madison Mulhall
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Rueben CherringtonHooker for Dragons is number 9 Nita Maynard-Perrin
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Breanna EalesProp for Dragons is number 10 Trinity Tauaneai
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Chloe Jackson2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Ella Koster
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Mahalia Murphy2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Charlotte Basham
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 Ryvrr-Lee AloLock for Dragons is number 13 Hannah Southwell
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Taneka TodhunterInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Jamilee McGregor
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Paige TravisInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Alice Gregory
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Kennedy CherringtonInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Bronte Wilson
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Fleur GinnInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Ahlivia Ingram
Reserves
-
Replacement for Eels is number 18 Tess McWilliamsReplacement for Dragons is number 18 Tahlia O'Brien
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Eels play at McDonald Jones Stadium for the first time since 2022.
- Dragons lock Hannah Southwell will play her 40th NRLW game.
- The Eels have lost all four games against the Dragons.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
