NRLW 2021: St George Illawarra Dragons v Parramatta Eels match preview

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 5 Mar 2022, 03:40 PM

The Dragons and Eels both savoured the sweet taste of success in round one and will head to WIN Stadium full of confidence on Sunday.

For Jamie Soward's Dragons the opening 50 minutes was worth bottling but they'll need to address the defensive lapses that allowed the Titans back into the match with two tries in eight minutes.

The battle of the halves promises to be a beauty with Rachael Pearson coming off a superb debut for the Dragons up against the experienced Maddie Studdon, whose last-minute field goal got the Eels home in a thriller.

Both sides will be out to improve their completion rates and show more respect for possession - the Dragons going at 67 per cent with 25/37 and the Eels 63 per cent with 21/33.

Round 2 - Round 2 - Sunday 6 Mar

Full Time

Dragons

Eels

Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Highlights Latest

The Rundown

Team news

Dragons: In a triple blow, captain Kezie Apps (hand), centre Jaime Chapman (concussion) and Talei Holmes (wrist) are all out with Ulladulla product Keele Browne and former Australian gridiron player Renee Targett called in to make their NRLW debut. Coach Jamie Soward has also recalled Aliti Namoce with the former Rooster to play her first NRLW game in over three years.

Keeley Davis will move to lock, shifting Holli Wheeler to the back row with Quincy Dodd to start at hooker.

Eels: Therese Aiton (cheekbone) has been ruled out despite being cleared of a fracture following her graphic facial injury last week. Tarsha Gale Cup product Christian Pio moves into the starting side with Ellie Johnston back to the bench and Jade Etherden 18th player.

Match-winner Maddie Studdon again calls the shots in the halves alongside Fijian youngster Sereana Naitokatoka while Botille Vette-Welsh and Rikeya Horne provide impetus from the back.

Round 2 - Round 2 - Sunday 6 Mar

Full Time

Dragons

Eels

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Emma Tonegato

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Botille Vette-Welsh
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Teagan Berry

Winger for Eels is number 2 Taina Naividi
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Page McGregor

Centre for Eels is number 3 Tiana Penitani
Centre for Dragons is number 19 Keele Browne

Centre for Eels is number 4 Jocephy Daniels
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Madison Bartlett

Winger for Eels is number 5 Rikeya Horne
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Taliah Fuimaono

Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Sereana Naitokatoka
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Rachael Pearson

Halfback for Eels is number 7 Maddie Studdon

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Elsie Albert

Prop for Eels is number 8 Kennedy Cherrington
Hooker for Dragons is number 14 Quincy Dodd

Hooker for Eels is number 9 Nita Maynard
Prop for Dragons is number 21 Aliti Namoce

Prop for Eels is number 10 Tommaya Kelly-Sines
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Shaylee Bent

2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Christian Pio
2nd Row for Dragons is number 13 Holli Wheeler

2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Jamie-Anne Wright
Lock for Dragons is number 9 Keeley Davis

Lock for Eels is number 13 Simaima Taufa

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Kody House

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Seli Mailangi
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Tegan Dymock

Interchange for Eels is number 15 Abbi Church
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Janelle Williams

Interchange for Eels is number 17 Filomina Hanisi
Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Renee Targett

Interchange for Eels is number 20 Ellie Johnston

Reserves

Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Shellie Long

Reserve for Eels is number 18 Jade Etherden

Match Officials

Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall

Last updated: 12/19/2023 9:04:45 PM

Key match-up

Emma Tonegato v Botille Vette-Welsh: Two of the absolute standouts of the opening round square off and their performances will go a long way to deciding the outcome. Tonegato barely skipped a beat in her return to rugby league after a hugely successful rugby sevens stint while Vette-Welsh carved out 178 metres and four tackle breaks in a dynamic display for the competition newcomers.

Stat attack

Simaima Taufa's tally of 44 tackles was the most by any player in round one and her resolute defence will again be crucial to the Eels' chances. Taufa was ably supported by Kennedy Cherrington (33 tackles) and Tommaya Kelly-Sines (25) as Parra scrambled their way to a morale-boosting win. "Simaima was enormous out there today ... at the toughest of times on the field she came up with the biggest of plays," coach Dean Widders said.