The Eels’ premiership drought is set to continue for another year but they can play the roll of spoiler in the run home starting with the Rabbitohs in Round 17.<\/p>\n
With games against the Sea Eagles, Roosters and Panthers to come in the next month, Jason Ryles’ men can take down some tall poppies while also looking to lay a platform for next season.<\/p>\n
The Rabbitohs sit seventh entering the round and only one win outside the top four so a win against the 14th-placed Eels is imperative before a stern test against the Panthers in Round 18.<\/p>\n
Another injury to Latrell Mitchell has thrown a spanner in the works although the Bunnies haven’t had him on the field since Round 11 so they are well versed in coping without their star centre.<\/p>\n
The Eels have had plenty of injury dramas of their own in 2026 but with gun halfback Mitch Moses back in the fold they will fancy their chances of racking up a fourth win on home soil for the season.<\/p>\n
Team News<\/p>\n
Eels: Star playmaker Mitch Moses returns from Blues duty for the 250th game of his NRL career so Ronald Volkman switches to five-eighth and Joash Papalii slides to the interchange. Ryley Smith and Saxon Pryke made way in the 24-hour update.<\/p>\n
Rabbitohs: Captain Cameron Murray is back on deck after missing the emotion-charged Round 15 win over the Broncos on Origin duty. Lachlan Hubner slides to the bench alongside Jamie Humphreys, Liam Le Blanc, John Radel, Jayden Sullivan and potential debutant Dayne Jennings, who represented NSW Under 19s last week in the centres. Latrell Mitchell faces four weeks out with a calf injury. No changes in Wednesday’s 24-hour update with Thomas Fletcher and Moala Graham-Taufa dropping off the reserves list.<\/p>\n
Stat Attack<\/p>\n
The Eels have not defeated the Rabbitohs at CommBank Stadium since 2019.
\nThe Rabbitohs have won nine of their last 10 games against the Eels.
\nEels winger Josh Addo-Carr requires one try to move to outright seventh on the all-time list.
\nRabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 18 tries in 16 games against the Eels.
\nEels captain Mitchell Moses will make his 250th NRL appearance.<\/p>\n
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services,\u00a0author of the\u00a0official annual of the NRL.<\/a><\/p>\n