NRL Match Preview: Round 9 v Eels

Author: Troy Whittaker Media Coordinator
Timestamp: Thu 1 May 2025, 05:59 PM

Cronulla's playmaking wizards are out to cast a spell over the Mitch Moses-led Parramatta as they kick off an NRL Magic Round extravaganza at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Friday night.

24-hour squad update

The Sharks come into the clash in seventh position after their two-game winning run was snapped in a golden-point thriller against Wests Tigers last week.

A five-day turnaround means Craig Fitzgibbon's men won't have to wait long for a shot at redemption as they look to build upon a 4-4 season record.

They're pitted against a fresh Eels side who enjoyed a bye last round. Despite sitting in 16th place with only two victories, Parramatta looked rejuvenated in their most recent outing as NSW halfback Moses returned from a foot injury to guide the Jason Ryles-coached team to a 38-22 win over the Tigers on Easter Monday.

Both clubs have endured their share of Magic Round struggles, with the Sharks winning two of their five games over the years while the Eels are one from five.

The tide may have turned for Cronulla last season, however, with a resounding 38-30 win over the Roosters in what was arguably the highlight of the weekend.

The Sharks backed it up by returning to Suncorp the next month and beating the Broncos; the first time they'd secured back-to-back wins at the venue since 2019/20. Overall, Cronulla have won 10 of 30 games at the formerly-named Lang Park.

Parramatta were trounced 48-16 by Melbourne at Magic Round in 2024, bringing back memories of their 64-10 defeat to the Storm five years earlier.

In team news, the Sharks will be boosted by the inclusion of KL Iro, who is named to return from a hamstring injury in a straight swap for Mawene Hiroti (high-grade MCL sprain). Prop Braden Hamlin-Uele is also back on deck from a knee issue, joining the interchange bench at the expense of Tuku Hau Tapuha.

Front-rower Tom Hazelton will play his 50th NRL game.

For the Eels, Charlie Guymer will replace Kelma Tuilagi in the second row.

There are crucial matchups across the park, with the battle through the middle expected to be influential, but the spotlight will be fixed on the halves pairings.

Cronulla's Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall have shown glimpses of their best this season. Hynes has stolen the Magic Round spotlight multiple times, including with a masterclass against the Roosters last year, and will again be a key figure.

Meanwhile, there's no denying the impact rival No.7 Moses has on his team. The Origin star didn't miss a beat in his comeback against the Tigers, producing three try assists and two line-break assists to drag the Eels over the line. Moses' calming presence will help to unshackle talented five-eighth Dylan Brown.

Elsewhere, Sharks fullback Will Kennedy continues to impress. The underrated 28-year-old maintained the lead atop the Dally M Medal leaderboard by polling two votes in a losing cause last week, scoring a try and running for over 200 metres.

His counterpart, 21-year-old livewire Isaiah Iongi, scored a double against the Tigers to showcase his game-breaking abilities. The duel between the custodians is one to monitor, with both men capable of pulling a rabbit out of the hat.

Kick-off tomorrow is at 6pm AEST, with coverage on Foxtel and Kayo.

See the updated 24-hour squads below.

Round 9 - Friday 2nd May

Full Time

Sharks

Eels

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Isaiah Iongi
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Samuel Stonestreet

Winger for Eels is number 2 Bailey Simonsson
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien

Centre for Eels is number 3 Will Penisini
Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro

Centre for Eels is number 4 Sean Russell
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Eels is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall

Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes

Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Eels is number 8 Jack Williams
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Eels is number 9 Ryley Smith
Prop for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton

Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Charlie Guymer
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Billy Burns

2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Kitione Kautoga
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Lock for Eels is number 13 J'maine Hopgood

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 10 Oregon Kaufusi

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Dylan Walker
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai

Interchange for Eels is number 15 Luca Moretti
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Braden Hamlin-Uele

Interchange for Eels is number 17 Sam Tuivaiti
Interchange for Sharks is number 20 Jesse Colquhoun

Interchange for Eels is number 22 Jordan Samrani

Reserves

Replacement for Sharks is number 14 Daniel Atkinson

Replacement for Eels is number 19 Joash Papalii

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 12:50 pm Friday 2nd May 2025

Stat Attack

The Sharks have won only one of their past four Magic Round games.
The Eels have conceded 104 points in their last three games at Suncorp Stadium.
Sharks fullback William Kennedy has scored three tries in three Magic Round games.
Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored six tries in four Magic Round games.
Sharks forward Tom Hazelton will make his 50th NRL appearance.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.