Eels vs Dragons
Round 3 2026, Sunday 22 March 2026
Verdict: Eels by 7
EelsDragons
Result: Eels 30 defeated Dragons 20 ✓ Tip correct
Match facts
- Kick-off
- Sun 22 Mar, 4:05pm AEDT
- Venue
- CommBank Stadium, Sydney
- Ladder going in
- Eels 12th, Dragons 14th
- Referee
- Ashley Klein
- Crowd
- 25,573
- Weather
- Fine, good ground
How the experts tipped
Eels 100%0% Dragons
| Expert | Tip | Tip correct |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Baker | Eels | ✓ |
| Chris Barrett | Eels | ✓ |
| Zoe Samios | Eels | ✓ |
| Zac Bailey | Eels | ✓ |
| Frances Howe | Eels | ✓ |
| Christian Nicolussi | Eels | ✓ |
| Billie Eder | Eels | ✓ |
| Adrian Proszenko | Eels | ✓ |
| Dan Walsh | Eels | ✓ |
| Andrew Johns | Eels | ✓ |
| Emma Kemp | Eels | ✓ |
| Neil Breen | Eels | ✓ |
Going in
| Club | Ladder going in | Last five, oldest first | Model rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eels | 12th | LW | -1.5 |
| Dragons | 14th | LL | -4.2 |
Last five games
Eels
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Round 2 | at Broncos | W 40–32 |
| Round 1 | at Storm | L 4–52 |
| Round 27 2025 | v Knights | W 66–10 |
| Round 26 2025 | at Warriors | W 26–22 |
| Round 25 2025 | v Roosters | W 30–10 |
Dragons
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Round 2 | v Storm | L 20–46 |
| Round 1 | at Bulldogs | L 14–15 |
| Round 27 2025 | v Panthers | L 20–40 |
| Round 26 2025 | v Sea Eagles | L 24–40 |
| Round 25 2025 | at Rabbitohs | L 0–40 |
Head to head since 2024
| Season | Round | Game | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Round 27 | Dragons v Eels | 24–22 | WIN Stadium |
| 2025 | Round 17 | Dragons v Eels | 34–20 | WIN Stadium |
| 2025 | Round 5 | Eels v Dragons | 23–22 | CommBank Stadium |
| 2024 | Round 26 | Eels v Dragons | 44–40 | CommBank Stadium |
Team lists
Eels
- 1 Isaiah Iongi Fullback
- 2 Bailey Simonsson Winger
- 3 Jordan Samrani Centre
- 4 Sean Russell Centre
- 5 Josh Addo-Carr Winger
- 6 Jonah Pezet Five-Eighth
- 7 Mitchell Moses (c) Halfback
- 8 J'maine Hopgood Interchange
- 9 Ryley Smith Hooker
- 10 Junior Paulo Prop
- 11 Kelma Tuilagi 2nd Row
- 12 Kitione Kautoga 2nd Row
- 13 Jack Williams Prop
- 14 Dylan Walker Lock
- 15 Sam Tuivaiti Interchange
- 16 Matt Doorey Interchange
- 17 Tallyn Da Silva Interchange
- 19 Joash Papalii Reserve
- 20 Charlie Guymer Replacement
Coach: Jason Ryles
Dragons
- 1 Clinton Gutherson (c) Fullback
- 2 Christian Tuipulotu Winger
- 3 Moses Suli Centre
- 4 Valentine Holmes Centre
- 5 Setu Tu Winger
- 6 Kyle Flanagan Five-Eighth
- 7 Daniel Atkinson Halfback
- 8 Emre Guler Prop
- 9 Damien Cook (c) Hooker
- 10 Toby Couchman Prop
- 11 Luciano Leilua 2nd Row
- 12 Jaydn Su'A 2nd Row
- 13 Hamish Stewart Interchange
- 14 Jacob Liddle Interchange
- 15 Josh Kerr Interchange
- 16 Blake Lawrie Lock
- 17 Ryan Couchman Interchange
- 19 Mathew Feagai Reserve
- 20 Lyhkan King-Togia Reserve
Coach: Shane Flanagan
Numbers as named by each club on nrl.com. Changes are measured against the club's previous game.
Why the model leaned this way
Going in, Eels rated -1.5 and Dragons -4.2 on our scale, a gap of 2.7 points, plus 4.5 points for playing at their own ground.
Scoring
- Eels
- Tries Jonah Pezet 10', Tallyn Da Silva 34', Kitione Kautoga 38', Tallyn Da Silva 44', Josh Addo-Carr 72'
- Goals 5/5
- Half-time 18
- Dragons
- Tries Luciano Leilua 12', Jaydn Su'A 23', Moses Suli 56'
- Goals 3/3, pen Valentine Holmes 3'
- Half-time 14
Draw, teams and scoring: nrl.com match centre. Expert tips: The Sydney Morning Herald panel.