The Eels vs Bulldogs might be a headline game in the NRL on the holiday Monday, but the action between these two great rivals kicks off tonight at Belmore when the western Sydney foes face off in the Jersey Flegg Cup.

It’s a near top of the table clash too with the Eels sitting in fourth place, one spot above the Bulldogs due to a superior differential. However the Dogs have actually won 8 games to the Eels seven, with Parra having the benefit of three byes.

Earlier this season the Dogs were victorious at Kellyville.

Can the Eels turn the tables?

The action kicks off at 7pm.

Jersey Flegg Cup Team List

First Half

Eels kick off and Dogs complete the first set with a deep kick. Parra reply in kind but the ref immediately awards a penalty for offside. Touch found on the halfway.

Dogs drive play to the Eels quarter but the ball comes free in contact. Parra scrum. They explore the left side for a couple of tackles before centering play and Koina splits the line before offloading to Leigh who hands off to Maa-Nelson who’s tackled in the red zone. Another big charge this time from Petrus. Parra look for Koina again but the ball comes free ten out.

The Dogs complete their set with a kick to the red zone. Parra does the same next set, then the Dogs again. Parra break down the right through Leigh. Now they sweep back to the left to Taula. Short kick ahead and the Dogs make a half break to set up a good platform for their next set. It ends with a high kick to Bamblett and the Dogs knock on. Handover.

Eels work a narrow left side mid set and Bamblett and Taula link before Lui backs up to take the inside pass to gallop away and plant the ball between the sticks.

Moujali converts.

Eels 6 Bulldogs nil after 12 minutes

Disaster from the kick off. Lucien loses the ball in contact as he returns the kick off. Three tackles later the Dogs score between the posts off a crash play.

Conversion successful

Eels 6 Bulldogs 6 after 14 minutes

Bulldogs get expansive down their left mid set following the kick off. They drop the pill and Maa-Nelson scoops it up. Dogs are penalised for a second effort tackle into touch. Another penalty to Parra in the red zone for a tackle off the ball.

Parra work through the forwards at the posts. Left now to Leuluai in the centres and he does it all himself as he pulls out of a tackle then slams the ball over the line.

Moujali misses the wide conversion

Eels 10 Bulldogs 6 after 19 minutes

Mistake free set after points from Parra with a kick deep into Dogs territory. Good metres from the Dogs in reply but it falls apart with a forward  pass 25 out and late on the set.

Second phase footy off the scrum with Petrus finally taking the tackle. Another surge down the left wing as Leuluai breaks free but the pass to an unmarked Taula goes over the sideline. Opportunity goes begging!

Dogs down to the Eels 30 but the ball comes off Moujali as he makes the tackle. Dogs scrum. Dogs work into the red zone. Left side play to the fullback and he has too much pace for Leigh and slices through for the try eight in from touch.

Conversion nailed.

Bulldogs 12 Eels 10 after 27 minutes

Dogs receive an offside penalty in the set after points and find touch 45 out from Parra’s line. Reprieve for Parra as the mistake is made in the play the ball!

Eels scrum. Big charge mid set from Nunn. Parra make a mess of a short side play down the right and the knock on is ruled.

Six again to the Dogs as they drive into Parra’s half. Dangerous grubber into the Eels in goal as the Dogs player wins the race for the ball but knocks on.

The match heats up as a Dogs player is penalised for an illegal tackle and the boys charge in from both sides for a bit of push and shove. Hang on the Dogs lock is binned and he’s having a few words to the Eels team as he departs.

What? It’s a Dogs penalty. Not sure how that all worked out. Bulldogs advance to the red zone and the fullback nearly gets around Leigh but the Eels centre makes the tackle. The kick goes to Parra’s left and the ball deflects and Parra come away with it. No. Ref rules the Eels lost it. Dogs scrum ten out. Big right side shift and it’s a try to the Dogs in the right corner.

Conversion hits the upright.

Bulldogs 16 Eels 10 after 32 minutes

Second Half

Sixties

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