Two teams languishing in the bottom half of the ladder will be desperate for a win when the St George Illawarra Dragons host the Parramatta Eels at WIN Stadium in Wollongong.
Start date/time: Saturday June 28, 2025: 12:30am
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How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
St. George Illawarra Dragons team news
Wingers Corey Allan and Christian Tuipulotu are back on deck after suffering hamstring injuries, as Val Holmes makes a much-needed return, after being absent from the clash against the Sharks because of State of Origin duty. Forward Jaydn Su’A comes back after being sidelined with an ankle injury, and Viliami Fifita is named for his first game of the season, and will come off the interchange, with Loko Pasifiki Tonga dropping out.
Squad: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Corey Allan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Toby Couchman 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Hamish Stewart 16. Viliami Fifita 17. Luciano Leilua 18. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 19. Lachlan Ilias 20. Blake Lawrie 21. Nicholas Tsougranis 22. Nathan Lawson
Parramatta Eels team news
Dylan Brown is named after serving his suspension. That means Joash Papalii goes to the interchange. Jordan Samrani is named in the centres, with Will Penisini copping a three-game suspension due to a dangerous throw. Papalii slots into the interchange position that was left vacant by Ryley Smith, who himself has been handed a two-game ban.
Squad: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Jordan Samrani 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Jack Williams 9. Joey Lussick 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Dylan Walker 15. Matt Doorey 16. Charlie Guymer 17. Joash Papali’i 18. Dan Keir 19. Toni Mataele 20. Brendan Hands 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Samuel Loizou
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Parramatta Eels prediction
The Dragons (11th) are coming off a bye, with their last match being a 30-18 loss to the Sharks in Round 15. They have struggled for form in recent weeks, with three losses in their past four games.
The Dragons have a strong recent record against the Eels at WIN Stadium, having won four of their past five encounters at the venue.
The Eels (15th) recorded a much-needed 36-20 win over the Titans in Round 16. This was their third win in five matches. Winger Josh Addo-Carr has an incredible try-scoring record against the Dragons, having crossed for nine tries in his seven games against them.
The Eels have had the better of the Dragons in recent years, winning their past four encounters. This includes a 23-22 golden point victory earlier this season at CommBank Stadium.
This is a must-win game for both sides if they are to have any chance of making a late charge for the finals. The return of key players for both teams adds an extra layer of intrigue to what is already a crucial clash.
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Parramatta Eels tip: Parramatta Eels to win
Dragons revamp line-up to get back on track
The Dragons’ playoff hopes are slipping away after they have lost five of their past seven matches to sit in 11th spot on the NRL ladder.
After a week off for their third and final bye of the season, Flanagan has overhauled his line-up for the WIN Stadium stoush with the Eels.
Maroons centre Valentine Holmes is back in the starting side after a strong performance in last week’s State of Origin upset win over NSW in Perth with rookie Nick Tsougranis making way.
Wingers Christian Tuipulotu and Corey Allan are also back in the backline after overcoming hamstring injuries.
Tyrell Sloan has not been selected amid reports he will be granted a mid-season release to join another club despite having 18 months left on his contract.
The Dragons’ other winger from their 30-18 last-start loss to traditional rivals Cronulla was Nathan Lawson, who has been dropped to the reserves.
Former Queensland second-rower Jaydn Su’A will make his comeback from a month out with an ankle problem, sending Luciano Leilua to the interchange.
Gerringong forward Hamish Stewart has retained his place on the bench as he looks to continue his impressive first season at NRL level.
The match will hold extra significance for St George Illawarra co-captain Clint Gutherson who will be taking on his former team for the second time since Parramatta controversially told him to look elsewhere in the off-season.
The Eels triumphed 23-22 when they first met this season in Round 5 with former Dragons star Zac Lomax booting the winning field goal.
Parramatta have moved off the bottom of the ladder by beating Gold Coast 36-20 on Sunday but if the Dragons want to have any chance of sneaking into the finals, they need to get revenge on the Eels for their nail-biting loss earlier in the season.