The Cumberland Throw

Eels Territory Trial – An Interesting Squad

Following the success at the Auckland Nines, the Eels have named a strong squad to take on the Titans in the Northern Territory this Saturday night.

Although experienced players such as Watmough, Wicks, Norman, Radradra, Ma’u, Peats, Gower, Foran, Gordon, Jennings and Scott are missing from the line-up, the squad is still an interesting blend of experienced first graders along with NRL hopefuls. You can even add the likes of Schulte, Moss and Folau to the missing players list.

The players to take the field on Saturday night are: Daniel Alvaro, Mitch Cornish, Isaac De Gois, Kenny Edwards, Bureta Faraimo, Bevan French, Tyrell Fuimaono, Clint Gutherson, Luke Kelly, Cameron King, Tim Mannah, Tepai Moeroa, Ryan Morgan, Cody Nelson, Rory O’Brien, Junior Paulo, Kaysa Pritchard, Brad Takairangi, Kelepi Tanginoa, Peni Terepo, Vai Toutai, Honeti Tuha, Alex Twal, Matt Woods.

We will be seeing Gutherson in action for the first time this weekend.

We will be seeing Gutherson in action for the first time this weekend.

With up to eleven likely NRL starters missing, I still found it an interesting task to come up with a starting 13. I actually had difficulty finding a starting position for some players who may yet push for first grade selection. With almost a full NRL team missing, the pack and the bench forwards look quite strong. Looks like Wenty might give the NSW Cup title a shake!

French

Morgan

Toutai

Takairangi

Gutherson

Kelly

Cornish

Paulo

De Gois

Mannah

Edwards

Moeroa

Tanginoa

Bench: King, Alvaro, Faraimo, Fuimaono, Nelson, O’Brien, Pritchard, Terepo, Tuha, Twal, Woods.

Whatever the result, we know that there is some almighty strength to be added to the team for Round 1 (and maybe even the Penrith trial).

Sixties

Images Courtesy of The Parramatta Eels

 

 

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6 thoughts on “Eels Territory Trial – An Interesting Squad

  1. sinners

    Its pretty good to see the eels putting a very good team even for a trial. Lile you said exciting times for the eels and its supporters. No more the laughing stock. Can see a top 4 finish

  2. John Eel

    A player of real interest for me this year is Alvaro. I watched him a couple of times last year for Wenty and my view is that he has a big motor and does a lot of work in both defence and attack. I was glad to see BA use him sparingly in NRL last year and bring him on slowly. Apart from a dropped ball from Tepai on the line which was a tough get he did not let anybody down when given the opportunity.

    I beleieve that BA is using the same approach with Bevan French and I like it. It is an approach that you can only take when you have depth in the squad and are willing to put the players welfare and longevity ahead of quck results.

    In my mind I see Alvaro on the bench for NRL this season

  3. Mitchy

    I think our props will be the key this year. Hasson, Woods and even Tanginoa and Alvaro are all decent players. Think they will all be all pushing well for a spot in 17. All won’t make but the depth is good, and Rory Brien too- they all won’t come off but if 3 of them play well its only going to add strength to our squad.

    1. John Eel

      I think the other key to the bench will be if they decide to play a second hooker for the backend of each half. it must be very tempting to adopt that strategy. i agree with you about Hasson has been undervalued by some supporters.

      It would also be nice to know who is in the list for the top 25.

  4. Rowdy

    Pretty astute starting side sixties, and the bench does have a few players wanting to put their claims’ for consideration on display. Considering we have so many missing NRL players, to field a team of this quality augers well for the NSW cup side and the club as a whole in the future.
    Winning this trial would be nice, but my great hope is that this squad continue the never say die attitude that we saw in the Nines.

    1. sixties Post author

      Yes, I was just taking a punt on a potential starting 13, but given its a trial, who knows what will happen. You’re right, attitude is the key.

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