NRL Round 22 Preview and Prediction - Canterbury Bulldogs v Parramatta Eels @ ANZ Stadium
Canterbury Bulldogs (13th) v Parramatta Eels (6th) @ ANZ Stadium
Preview - The Eels will be looking to keep the momentum rolling in their final’s conquest as they take on a downtrodden Bulldogs’ side at ANZ Stadium on Thursday night. The Eels made it 7 wins from their last 9, and 4 on the trot, with a highly impressive 22-14 victory over the Broncos on Friday night. The game lived up to its billing as a final’s clash come early as both the Eels and Broncos brought a skill and physicality to a regular season game that is rare at this time of the season. The Bulldogs’ slim final’s hopes were officially extinguished as they put in another lifeless attacking display in a 16-8 loss to the Panthers. The Bulldogs have now lost 16 of their last 23 matches and, with the worst attacking record in the NRL, the heat continues to mount on embattled coach Des Hasler before reinforcements arrive next season.
History - The Eels have already beaten the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium this year although it took a mighty struggle with Parramatta eventually prevailing 13-12 in Golden Point. The Eels are now on a 3 match winning run against the Bulldogs after losing 9 of 10 matches against Canterbury between 2011 and 2015.
Canterbury Bulldogs’ Scouting Report - The Bulldogs welcome back veteran winger Brett Morris who was ruled out last week through illness. Sam Kasiano looked to have suffered a serious injury last week against the Panthers, however has been named on the interchange bench.
Parramatta Eels’ Scouting Report - The Eels have a few players under an injury cloud, however, if they are fit, this is a settled and strong side. Bevan French was strong last week in his switch to fullback with Kirisome Auva’a getting a try on the wing. Nathan Brown suffered a head concussion late in the game last week and will have to pass a test to be cleared to play. Mitchell Moses was outstanding last week against the Broncos and is starting to form a deadly combination with Corey Norman after a couple of months of playing together.
Verdict - Eels 13+
The Bulldogs would struggle to fight their way out of a wet paper bag at the moment - that's how bad they are going. I would fancy pretty much any team in the NRL to beat them at the moment and I don't see them getting near a Parramatta side that are building their best momentum and form they have had since 2009. Even though this is a Bulldogs’ home game, you would expect there to be far more Eels fans in attendance and that should help propel the Eels another step closer to securing a final’s berth. I just think the Eels will have not only far too much motivation, but far too much quality for a Bulldogs’ side that really struggles to score more than 2 tries a game. The Eels to win this game 13+ to continue their march towards an unlikely Top 4 position.