The Blue and Gold Army were out in force for Parra’s first home game of 2026 as they welcomed the passionate Red V faithful to CommBank Stadium.

After disposing of the premiers in Round 2 the Eels have now made it two straight with a 10-point win over the Dragons.

The final chapter in Round 3 will be written in Townsville when either the Cowboys or Titans will get off the mark in 2026 and the loser will be consigned to 0-3 and a whole heap of soul searching.

Follow all the action from Round 3 of the NRL Telstra Premiership on NRL.com’s live blog.

 

Cowboys v Titans at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

3 min: Magnificent goal line defence by the Titans as they stand firm for three consecutive sets on the back of six-again calls.

Late Mail

Cowboys: Griffin Neame will start and Coen Hess goes to the bench in a game day change after Matthew Lodge was added to the six-man bench in place of Harrison Graham on Saturday. Inspirational skipper Reuben Cotter is straight back into the starting side after missing last week’s loss to Wests Tigers due to family reasons. Cotter’s return will see Kai O’Donnell shift to the bench. 

Titans: Jayden Campbell returns from a hamstring injury in a major boost for new coach Josh Hannay. The playmaker was named on the six-man bench on Tuesday but the coach confirmed on Saturday that Campbell would start at halfback and Lachlan Ilias would move to the bench. Fullback Keano Kini suffered a minor cork last week’s game against the Dolphins but has trained well and is good to go.

Numbers Game

The Cowboys scored 80 points in two wins against the Titans in 2025.
The Titans have won only once in seven attempts at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi has scored a try in his last three games against the Titans.
Titans lock Chris Randall will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Cowboys centre Jaxon Purdue has scored five tries in his last six NRL appearances.

 

Eels v Dragons at CommBank Stadium


599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>



Up Next



/








Replay





Play Next

Eels v Dragons – Round 3, 2026


599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>



Up Next



/








Replay





Play Next

NRL Press Conference: Eels v Dragons – Round 3, 2026

No.1 gun: Isaiah Iongi was magnificent at the back under the high ball and defused plenty of dangerous situations. He ran for 139 metres and had three tackle breaks. Wingers Josh Addo-Carr (15 runs for 205m) and Bailey Simonsson (23 runs for 232m) also carried the ball back strongly and aimed up in defence.

Full-time: Parramatta’s defence in the second half was outstanding as they lock in their second win of the season. The Eels have now won their last five games against the Dragons at CommBank Stadium. Both sides lost a player to the sin bin in a tense contest that was broken open in the end by a runaway try to Josh Addo-Carr, who is now 10th on the all-time premiership trycoring list.

78 min: More clunky Dragons attack and it comes to nothing when Luciano Leilua tries to tap the ball on but it goes behind his winger and into touch.

77 min: Isaiah Iongi puts a bomb down with Kyle Flanagan applying the pressure. The Dragons have a scrum feed 15 metres out.


599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>



Up Next



/








Replay





Play Next

Josh Addo-Carr Try

74 min: The Dragons go to the right and a poor pass from Dan Atkinson is spilled by Val Holmes. The loose ball is scooped up by Sean Russell who pops it up for Josh Addo-Carr to sprint 70 metres for the 160th try of his career. The CommBank Stadium crowd erupts as The Foxx celebrates in style. Eels 30-20.

71 min: A booming klck by Mitch Moses goes dead and the Dragons get seven tackles but the Eels can set their line.

68 min: Dan Atkinson hoists the ball high but Isaiah Iongi again shows his aerial skills to bring down the catch.

66 min: Consecutive sets for the Dragons inside the red zone but they come up empty as the Eels dig deep in defence. Parra are now back to 13 men.

62 min: Mitch Moses deliver a ‘hospital pass’ to Junior Paulo who puts the ball down in contact.

61 min: Eels forward Sam Tuivaiti leaves the field for a HIA.


599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>



Up Next



/








Replay





Play Next

Moses Suli Try

57 min: A pinpoint left foot grubber by Kyle Flanagan sits up perfectly for Moses Suli to score and the Dragons are back in it. Val Holmes adds the extras. Eels 24-20.


599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>



Up Next



/








Replay





Play Next

Charlie Guymer sent to the bin

56 min: Charlie Guymer is sent to the sin bin for a professional foul to leave the Eels a man down.

55 min: A high tackle penalty against Sam Tuivaiti gives the Dragons field position.

54 min: The Dragons continue to cruel themselves with errors as Val Holmes fails to control a tough pass with the Eels defence all over him.

48 min: Mitch Moses chips over the top and Clint Gutherson makes a mess of the clean-up to hand the Eels a shot at points from 25m out but Kitione Kautoga comes up with an error.


599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>



Up Next



/








Replay





Play Next

Tallyn Da Silva 2nd Try

46 min: Poor marker defence by Luciano Leilua and Josh Kerr is exposed by Tallyn Da Silva who darts over from dummy half to complete his double. Mitch Moses converts. Eels 24-14.

Mixed bag for Toby: Red V workhorse Toby Couchman was all effort in the opening 40 as he got through 11 runs for 116 metres and made 20 tackles. He was forced from the field in the 32nd minute for a HIA after a head clash.

Half-time: Two tries in the space of five minutes to Tallyn Da Silva and Kitione Kautoga give the Eels the lead at the break despite having only 48 per cent of possession and running for 200 less metres.

40 min: Jordan Samrani is helped from the field with a leg injury with the Eels already missing J’maine Hopgood who went off with a knee injury.


599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>



Up Next



/








Replay





Play Next

Kitione Kautoga Try

39 min: The Dragons are back to 13 men but they can’t stop Parra’s left edge when Matt Doorey is pulled down just short and Tallyn Da Silva gets into dummy half quickly and picks up Kitione Kautoga who scores. Mitch Moses again adds the extras. Eels 18-14.

37 min: Mitch Moses goes to the air and Kyle Flanagan is penalised for running an escort on Isaiah Iongi.


599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>



Up Next



/








Replay





Play Next

Tallyn Da Silva Try

35 min: Tallyn Da Silva grabs a try after slick lead-up from Mitch Moses, Kelma Tuilagi, Jordan Samrani and Jonah Pezet on the right edge. Moses converts. Dragons 14-12.

32 min: Toby Couchman leaves the field for a HIA.

30 min: A chance goes begging on the right edge for the Dragons when Val Holmes delivers a flick pass that gives Setu Tu no chance and rolls into touch.

29 min: Mitch Moses grubbers for the in-goal and Kitione Kautoga and Clint Gutherson both dive for the ball with the referee ruling it went dead off the Eel.


599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>



Up Next



/








Replay





Play Next

Ryan Couchman sent to the bin

28 min: Just 10 minutes after coming onto the field in his return from suspension J’Maine Hopgood is dragged down from behind by Ryan Couchman who is placed on report and sent to the sin bin for a hip-drop tackle.

27 min: Clint Gutherson puts Val Holmes into space but the centre’s pass to Dan Atkinson is ruled to have gone forward.


599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>



Up Next



/








Replay





Play Next

Jaydn Su’A Try

24 min: Damien Cook scoots out of dummy half and picks up Dan Atkinson who delivers a short ball to a rampaging Jaydn Su’A who surges past Jonah Pezet to score. Val Holmes converts. Dragons 14-6.

18 min: Jonah Pezet launches a bomb, Clint Gutherson lets it bounce and it finishes up with Kelma Tuilagi who decides to kick but his banana kick is a shocker and is easily cleaned up by the Dragons.


599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>



Up Next



/








Replay





Play Next

Luciano Leilua Try

13 min: Kyle Flanagan drifts across field from 10 metres out and turns Luciano Leilua underneath him with the back-rower surging through the middle of the ruck to score under the sticks. Val Holmes converts. Dragons 8-6.


599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>



Up Next



/








Replay





Play Next

Jonah Pezet Penalty Try

11 min: A huge moment in the match with the Eels awarded a penalty try to Jonah Pezet after Jaydn Su’A dragged him back as he loomed in support of Kitione Kautoga. The bunker ruled that Pezet would have scored had he not been dragged back despite the fact Clint Gutherson was in close proximity to make the tackle. Eels 6-2.

9 min: Luciano Leilua tries to push a pass in traffic but comes up with an error 10 metres inside the Eels half.

7 min: Kyle Flanagan runs the ball on the last and is dragged down just a metre short by Junior Paulo and Ryley Smith.

6 min: Another Dragons high ball, another escort penalty, this time by Kitione Kautoga on Val Holmes. The Dragons elect to tap and go for a try.

3 min: An early penalty against Ryley Smith for an escort as the Dragons went to the air. Val Holmes makes no mistake with the shot. Dragons 2-0.

Late Mail

Eels: Dylan Walker starts at lock, Jack Williams goes to prop and J’maine Hopgood slides to the bench in a late switch 90 minutes before kick-off. Jack de Belin dropped out of the squad on Saturday and was replaced by Charlie Guymer. 

Dragons: Blake Lawrie starts and Hamish Stewart goes to the bench in a game day swap. Jacob Liddle is on track to make his return from a hamstring injury and will form a one-two punch with starting hooker Damien Cook. 


599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>



Up Next



/








Replay





Play Next

Cook Islands on Valentine’s mind

Numbers Game

The Eels have won their last four games against the Dragons at CommBank Stadium.
The Dragons have lost their last eight away games.
Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored eight tries in his last four games at CommBank Stadium.
Dragons fullback Clint Gutherson has scored try doubles in his last three games at CommBank.
The Eels have scored 115 points in their last three games at CommBank.