NRL Round 15 Preview and Prediction - Parramatta Eels v St.George Illawarra Dragons @ ANZ Stadium

NRL Round 15 Preview and Prediction - Parramatta Eels v St.George Illawarra Dragons @ ANZ Stadium

Parramatta Eels v St. George Illawarra Dragons @ ANZ Stadium 
 
Preview - Both the Eels and Dragons will be desperate to get back into the winner’s circle, after poor performances in Round 14, as they lock horns at ANZ Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Eels put in one of their worst performance son the season in going down 32-6 to the Cowboys and remain right not he fringe of the Top 8.  The Dragons have now lost 4 of their past 6 games and they were listless in attack in going down 16-2 to a plucky Bulldogs’ outfit. Despite clinging to their Top 4 spot, the Dragons look to have hit a wall a bit of late from the outstanding physical football and attacking prowess that shocked most sides in the NRL over the opening 8 rounds. 

History - The Eels have dominated the Dragons over the past 3 seasons winning the last 5 matches between the two clubs. Earlier this season the Parramatta pack physically dominated the Dragons as they enjoyed a 34-16 rout at WIN Stadium in Wollongong. Th4 Dragons have won just 2 of their last 8 games at ANZ Stadium. 
 
Parramatta Eels’ Scouting Report – Eels’ Coach, Brad Arthur, has dropped Nathan Davis from the wing bringing back in Kirosome Auva’a in his place. The Eels have also named experienced centre Michael Jennings on an extended interchange bench as he looks to make a return from a calf injury. Mitchell Moses and Corey Norman are under pressure to gel together as halves after an underwhelming display in Darwin last week. 
 
St. George Illawarra Dragons’ Scouting Report - The Dragons have followed a similar path to earlier this season with Jason Nightingale replacing Josh Dugan at fullback. Tariq Sims will need to bring some aggression to his starting role in the back row in the absence of Tyson Frizzle. Kalifa Faifai Loa will be looking to take his opportunity on the wing to try and push for a more permanent starting role. 
 
Verdict - Eels by 6-12

This is a difficult game to call as both sides are hard to get a real read on at present, however I have to favour the Eels given they are not missing any Origin players and likely to bounce back from that embarrassing display in Darwin last week.  The Dragons are disadvantaged in this game with them missing Frizzle and Dugan, two of their best players, whilst the Eels are at full strength. Both sides will be desperate so I'm expecting this to be a very physical clash in the forwards, with both packs performing pretty well this season. I just don't know if the Dragons have the points in them at the moment, with sides having worked them out a bit. I think too much is falling upon Gareth Widdop. The Eels should win this game at home which will propel them back in to the Top 8.