Sunshine Coast Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 17 NRL game between Dolphins and Parramatta Eels. The game kicks off at 3:00 pm with Parramatta Eels heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Dolphins vs. Parramatta Eels game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday June 24, 2023 at 3:00 pm

Where: Sunshine Coast Stadium

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Dolphins vs Parramatta Eels Odds

Dolphins vs Parramatta Eels Preview

The overachieving Dolphins are at a season crossroads after slipping to 10th with two heavy defeats leading into the Round 16 bye.

But they can make another debut-year statement against streaking Parramatta on the Sunshine Coast.

Unlike after the series opener, the Dolphins have named Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to back up from Origin, while Felise Kaufusi is back from suspension and mid-season pick-up Josh Kerr comes straight onto the bench, Valynce Te Whare and debutant Brayden McGrady replace Brenko Lee and Tesi Niu.

The Eels have named NSW pair Mitchell Moses and Junior Paulo to back up, with Ryan Matterson reverting to the bench and Luca Moretti and Matt Doorey dropping to the reserves.

The Dolphins’ defence ranks 14th in the NRL after going down on the road to the Warriors (30-8) and Manly (58-18) – the latter easily their most insipid showing of an admirable maiden campaign.

Heading into Round 12 with a 4-7 record, the Eels have nabbed a spot in the Top 8 for the first time in 2023 courtesy of four straight wins – three coming by 20-plus margins.

After Dylan Brown was stood down, Daejarn Asi has been a revelation in the halves in convincing victories over Canterbury (34-12) and Manly (34-4), the latter in the absence of linchpin Moses.

Unheralded types Ofahiki Ogden and Bailey Simonsson have also been in great touch, along with breakout back-rower J’maine Hopgood.

The Dolphins will be aiming to parlay their 6-3 record in Queensland this season into a momentum-changing upset result and the Eels have lost all three of their matches outside Sydney in 2023.

Given the Dolphins’ bolstered pack, this has a smell of a Bennett ambush about it and this shapes as a much tougher assignment than has been presented to Parramatta in recent weeks.

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