Sunday, ANZ Stadium, 3pm
Referee: Sean Hampstead
The Eels needed a bit of luck if they were going to begin to get back on track and they got that against the Panthers last weekend, when a couple of close calls went their way while they were 14-6 down. Parramatta scored the next four tries to put the Panthers out of the game. The Eels still have a way to go before they can claim to be back to their best form, but there were flashes of vintage Eels brilliance in the win and it would have given their confidence an enormous boost to mow the opposition down that way.
Who knows what to expect from the Dragons? They bounced back from a four-game losing streak to beat the Roosters in emphatic fashion on Anzac Day, but then had the bye last weekend. The Dragons are infamous for coming up with the odd spectacular win that turns out to be a false dawn, so perhaps it will be a good thing for them that they didn't play last weekend. Maybe it has been long enough since their win over the Roosters for them to forget about that and concentrate on their next game. They have got the lineup to be competitive. It's all in the head with the Dragons.
Late mail
Parramatta winger Eric Grothe is expected to play against the Dragons on Sunday despite being heavily concussed last Saturday night against Penrith. "He seems OK," coach Michael Hagan said. "He trained well [yesterday]. He's more likely than not."
St George Illawarra are expected to be as named, provided Test opponents Mark Gasnier and Jason Nightingale are passed fit.
EELS: Luke Burt, Joel Reddy, Ben Smith, Jarryd Hayne, Eric Grothe, Feleti Mateo, Brett Finch, Nathan Cayless (capt), Mark Riddell, Fuifui Moimoi, Nathan Hindmarsh, Daniel Wagon, Chad Robinson. Interchange: Matthew Keating, Brendan Oake, Weller Hauraki, Junior Paulo, Kristopher Keating, Taulima Tautai, Todd Lowrie. (three to be admitted).
DRAGONS: Brett Morris, Jason Nightingale, Mark Gasnier (capt), Matt Cooper, Chase Stanley, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby, Justin Poore, Dean Young, Jason Ryles, Kirk Reynoldson, Ben Creagh, Stuart Webb. Interchange: Simon Woolford, Dan Hunt, Beau Scott, Michael Lett, Lagi Setu, Josh Morris (two to be omitted)
