Parramatta took the opportunity to regroup over the representative round after two disappointing losses to West Tigers and the Cowboys, and got back on to the winner’s list with a 42 – 24 win over the Sharks.
Where and when: Pirtek Stadium, Saturday May 17, 3pm
Big Fijian winger Semi Radrada got the Eels off to the perfect start, crossing for his eleventh try of the season in just the 3rd minute of the game.
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The Sharks hit back with two tries and took the lead before the home-side crossed twice in the space of five minutes ensuring a 22 – 12 half-time advantage and a lead they were able to maintain for the remainder of the match.
Hayne was in top form for the Eels, crossing twice including a fantastic solo effort, and was well supported by a backline that packing plenty of punch in attack.
Defensively however, the Eels have to tighten up if they are going to make and survive the finals this year. Whilst they’re capable of scoring points, they’ve conceded an average of 29 points in their last three games and need to be better.
The Eels now have a winning record of 5 – 4 this year and are unbeaten in four games played at Pirtek Stadium.
The Dragons were never in the hunt last week against competition front-runners Canterbury Bulldogs and were comprehensively beaten, 38 – 6, with their only try coming in the last minutes of the game.
The loss, the Dragons’ fifth from in their past six weeks, has seen the Dragons slide to thirteenth on the table and produce only 20 points from their last two matches.
The last time these two sides met, back in round 25 last year at Pirtek Stadium, the Eels were successful – for only the fifth time last season, and recorded a 26 – 22 win, their first victory over the Dragons in eight matches.
All the momentum seems to be with Parramatta at present with the Dragons struggling to find the form that saw them start the season with three consecutive wins.
The return of winger Jason Nightingale from injury will be a boost for the Dragons but not enough to see them upset the Eels home-ground record.
TIP: EELS -4.5
Odds Comparison:
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| Parramatta Eels | 1.57 | 1.57 | 1.57 | 1.57 | 1.57 | 1.57 |
| St George Illawarra Dragons | 2.45 | 2.45 | 2.45 | 2.45 | 2.45 | 2.45 |
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.
Teams:
Parramatta Eels: 
1. Jarryd Hayne 2. Semi Radradra 3. Will Hopoate 4. Willie Tonga 5. Ken Sio 6. Corey Norman 7. Chris Sandow 8. Tim Mannah 9. Nathan Peats 10. Darcy Lussick 11. David Gower 12. Manu Ma’u 13. Joseph Paulo. Interchange: 14. Pauli Pauli 15. Peni Terepo 16. Junior Paulo 17. Mitch Allgood
St George Illawarra Dragons: 
1.Josh Dugan 2. Brett Morris 3. Joel Thompson 4. Gerard Beale 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Sam Williams 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Mitch Rein 10. Leeson Ah Mau 11. Bronson Harrison 12. Ben Creagh 13. Trent Merrin. Interchange: 14. Jack Stockwell 15. Dan Hunt 16. Jack De Belin 17. Will Matthews
