The match against the Parramatta Eels for 2026 is upon us, and as history has told us before, this one is bound to be another Sunday afternoon classic.
It's a tale of two teams, but the Bulldogs will need to be on their game if they want to get the two competition points, despite their opponents' recent injury woes and form.
Download Your 2026 NRL Team Poster here!
Match: Eels v Bulldogs
Round 7 -
home Team
Eels
16th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
7th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
As usual, there is plenty of team news, stats and info to unpack in our Round 7 Match Preview.
- Teamlists and Team News
- History vs Eels and Last Time Out
- Key Match Up
- What They Said
- Stat Attack
- Where to Watch
Teamlists and Team News
Three major boosts for the Bulldogs offset the loss of Max King (broken jaw). In his place in the front row is new recruit Leo Thompson, who is set to make his first appearance in the Blue and White since his highly-anticipated arrival at Belmore.
Captain Stephen Crichton is joined by forward Josh Curran on the extended bench, with the duo given until kick-off to prove their fitness after returning from shoulder and rib injuries respectively.
For the home side a number of changes have been made with Sean Russell returning from concussion and Brian Kelly moving to the wing. Charlie Guymer and Jack Williams move into the second row with forward trio Kelma Tuilagi, Kitione Kautoga and Sam Tuivaiti. Toni Mataele has been named on the extended bench alongside Saxon Pryke, who will be hoping to make his NRL debut.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Eels is number 1 Joash PapaliiFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
-
Winger for Eels is number 2 Brian KellyWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob Kiraz
-
Centre for Eels is number 3 Will PenisiniCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Enari Tuala
-
Centre for Eels is number 4 Sean RussellCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Bronson Xerri
-
Winger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-CarrWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
-
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Ronald VolkmanFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
-
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell MosesHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin
Forwards
-
Prop for Eels is number 8 Luca MorettiProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Samuel Hughes
-
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley SmithHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward
-
Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior PauloProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo Thompson
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Charlie Guymer2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
-
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Jack Williams2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
-
Lock for Eels is number 13 Dylan WalkerLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon
Interchange
-
Interchange for Eels is number 14 Tallyn Da SilvaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt Mann
-
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Saxon PrykeInterchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Sitili Tupouniua
-
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Jack De BelinInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes
-
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Toni MataeleInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Jake Turpin
-
Interchange for Eels is number 18 Teancum BrownInterchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Jonathan Sua
-
Interchange for Eels is number 19 Araz NanvaInterchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Lipoi Hopoi
Reserves
-
Reserve for Eels is number 20 Lorenzo TalatainaReserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Josh Curran
-
Reserve for Eels is number 21 Jezaiah Funa-IutaReserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Alekolasimi Jones
-
Reserve for Eels is number 22 Mohamed AlameddineReserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Stephen Crichton
Eels Ins
- Jezaiah Funa-Iuta
- Mohamed Alameddine
- Saxon Pryke
- Sean Russell
- Teancum Brown
- Toni Mataele
Bulldogs Ins
- Alekolasimi Jones
- Jonathan Sua
- Josh Curran
- Leo Thompson
- Stephen Crichton
Eels Outs
- Kelma Tuilagi
- Kitione Kautoga
- Sam Tuivaiti
Bulldogs Ins
- Jethro Rinakama
- Max King
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
History vs Eels and Last Time Out: Round 14, 2025
Season 2026 marks the 80th year of Canterbury-Bankstown and Parramatta clashes - with the Bulldogs holding the ledger with 81 wins from 158 matches at NRL level.
Of course, we would be remiss with talking about the rivalry without mentioning the Golden 80's, which saw both clubs take out eight Premierships across the decade.
NRL Match Highlights: Bulldogs vs Eels - Round 14, 2025
The Bulldogs claimed their quartet of Premiership titles in 1980, 1984, 1985 and 1988, while Parramatta won their titles in 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1986.
In the 1984 Grand Final, Steve Mortimer led the Bulldogs to a tense 6-4 victory, with a crafty try from hooker Mark Bugden putting a stop to the Eels' string of three Premierships.
Last time out it was another classic King's Birthday clash, which saw the Bulldogs surge in the second half to claim a 30-12 victory at a packed Accor Stadium.
Key Match Up: The Halfbacks
Look no further than the two dynamic no.7s in Lachlan Galvin and Mitchell Moses to dictate the outcome of this match.
Galvin had arguably his best performance since arriving at Belmore in last week's 32-16 victory over the Penrith Panthers, which saw him run for 109 metres, create four line break assists and set up a crucial try.
A Prince Emerges on The King's Birthday!
Ironically his first game in the famous Blue and White was against the Eels in the last King's Birthday clash, where he marked the occasion with a match-sealing try.
His opponent in Moses is Parramatta's captain and key figure - when he's on, so are the Eels.
The 31-year-old veteran is in his thirteenth season, and in his six matches to start 2026, has set up three tries and six line break assists. As we've seen in the past, he has a big performance in him, so Bulldogs beware.
With a dry track expected out at Parramatta, keep an eye on these no.7s to battle it out for supremacy on sunny Sunday afternoon.
What They Said: Connor Tracey & Marcelo Montoya
Connor Tracey Round 7 Media
Marcelo Montoya Round 7 Media
Stat Attack via NRL.com
- The Bulldogs have won their last three games against the Eels.
- Bulldogs centre Enari Tuala has scored six tries in six games against the Eels.
- The Eels have conceded 122 points in three straight losses at CommBank Stadium.
- Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 11 tries in his last eight games at CommBank Stadium.
- Eels centre Will Penisini has scored six tries in eight games against the Bulldogs.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Where to Watch
Bulldogs Members and supporters will be available to watch the match on Channel 9, FoxSports and streamed via Kayo.
