Eels Slay Dragons In Sunday Afternoon Heat

Parramatta moved to 2-1 after a hard fought, scrappy win over the St George Illawarra Dragons

The flashiness that marked their upset round 2 win over the Brisbane Broncos was absent this week, as the Eels found their shoulder to the grindstone against the Dragons.

The 30-20 win is what some would call “scrappy”, others “tough”. At the end of the day it results in 2 points and moves Parramatta into ninth on the table. Which is ahead of Cronulla, Manly, Brisbane, Canberra and the Roosters.

After an incredibly tough start to the year, the Eels have steadied the ship and netted 2 wins inside the first 3 rounds for the first time since 2022.

It goes someway to easing the pressure following their round 1 demolition at the hands of Melbourne.

Parramatta’s starts have been something of a problem so far in 2026. Despite scoring the first tries against Melbourne and the Dragons, they quickly found themselves behind and chasing the game.

Jason Ryles mentioned in his press conference that their middle defence is too soft at times, and Luciano Leilua’s stroll under the posts early in the contest highlighted that.

A disconnect between Jonah Pezet and Kitione Kautoga was also clear and was attacked relentlessly by the Dragons.

Similar to the Broncos match though, the Eels steadied the ship and then went to work.

Bench goes boom

Once again it was the bench interchange that flipped the script for the Eels.

Big man Sam Tuivaiti played perhaps his best game to date, thundering through 44 minutes of work to the tune of 18 runs for 175 metres with 79 post contact metres.

Tallyn Da Silva also came in for praise from the head coach, with the diminutive rake playing his finest game so far in the blue and gold while grabbing himself a try double and proving a real handful during his 20 minutes of game time.

Matt Doorey was less impressive numbers-wise but was hard to handle with his 8 charges grabbing 72 metres and 32 post contact metres.

He threatened to burst through the Dragons defence on multiple occasions, while one of his charges and quick play the balls gave the Eels the time and space needed to score on the next play.

Bullocking Bailey

Bailey Simonsson’s Eels career has been up and down courtesy of form, injuries and the 2025 acquisition of Zac Lomax.

But with the departure of Lomax, Simonsson had an opportunity to claim the right wing for his own. And against the Dragons he showed the physicality and toughness needed.

The Dragons chose to kick away from him, which meant Simonsson spent a lot of time charging into the teeth of the Red V defence and fought for every metre.

His 25 runs for 255 metres with 101 post contact was the top of the charts across both teams. His ability to bend the line and keep driving helped dig the Eels out of some early set holes and give them some breathing space.

Moses Kicking On

Some would say Mitchell Moses has had a quiet start to the year. I would say if Mitch is having to play lights out every week, then we have a serious problem.

Early in his career he was accused of playing too much for points on every play. Looking for that big pass or the next line break.

Now he’s taking his time, remaining patient and looking to execute when the opportunity presents itself.

Not only that but he once again proved why he’s one of the game’s elite halves and the best open play kicker in the game.

His 750 kick metres continually flipped the field on the Dragons, with their back three regularly collecting kicks near their own goal line. For an Eels side that can occasionally be soft on their own try line, getting the ball down the other end of the field is a priority.

His goal kicking too was on song, landing 5 from 5 to ensure the Eels were out of sight in the final few minutes.

12 Men

Charlie Guymer’s sin binning could have been more of a talking point if the Eels let it.

Moses confirmed in the press conference he had asked for a challenge but referee Ashley Klein waved play on and then claimed he couldn’t hear the Eels captain.

Nevermind the fact Liddle was most definitely off the mark for the quick tap, nor the fact that yours truly had Sports Ears on and clearly heard Moses yell for the challenge through the referee’s mic.

Considering that’s the second time in the weekend a referee said they couldn’t hear the captain exercise their right to challenge, perhaps they need some hearing tests completed?

Anyway, Guymer’s binning could have been the undoing of the Eels as the Dragons mounted wave after wave of pressure on Parramatta’s line. They only conceded the one try, coming from a kick after the Eels right edge rushed the Dragons attacking left edge.

It was the only try the Dragons scored in the second half.

The Eels will need more of that next week when they face the benchmark Penrith Panthers.