Brad Arthur has pulled no punches in today’s team announcement. Key recruits Kieran Foran, Michael Jennings, Michael Gordon, Beau Scott are all named to start against the Panthers while fellow newcomer Clinton Gutherson will get a chance to lock down a spot on the right wing. With senior squad members Anthony Watmough and Danny Wicks racing the clock to be fit for Round 1 an opportunity has arisen for Tepai Moeroa to push his starting claims at lock.
Isaac De Gois has seemingly fended off competition from Kaysa Pritchard and Cameron King to hold down the secondary hooking role and is joined on the bench by a resurgent Peni Terepo, breakout bookend Danny Alvaro and Kenny Edwards who will be looking to make a splash after a long layoff between injury and suspension. David Gower has been named as 18th man but should also get a run and in that vein I am expecting the Eels to name several NYC and NSW Cup players to an extended bench prior to kick off and thrust them into the first-grade action in the latter exchanges of the game.
Dyldam Parramatta Eels:
1. Michael Gordon
2. Semi Radradra
3. Michael Jennings
4. Brad Takairangi
5. Clint Gutherson
6. Corey Norman
7. Kieran Foran
8. Tim Mannah
9. Nathan Peats
10. Junior Paulo
11. Manu Ma’u
12. Beau Scott
13. Tepai Moeroa
Interchange:
14. Isaac De Gois
15. Peni Terepo
16. Daniel Alvaro
17. Kenny Edwards
18. David Gower
Head Coach: Brad Arthur
Read the full release at parraeels.com.au
Forty – great write up mate. I think you’ll find Tep has already locked down that starting position, but we’ll see.
The bench will be interesting – Watmough/Wicks/Alvaro/hooker/Edwards/Gower/Terepo can’t fit into 4 spots.
Wow, I look through the list & think what a team. It was a very weird experience when the Eels won the nines & one I hope to feel many more times as I have supported the Eels since 1973 when my teacher was Eels fullback Mark Levy. No one knows what this season will bring but if we don’t get smashed with injuries this season it will be a happy time to be an Eels supporter. As an Eels fan I starve for info during the pre season & would like to thank TCT for keeping us all informed. I look forward to reading more as 2016 progresses.
Kind words Jim. We do this because we genuinely enjoy being able to report on the team we all love. Wait till the season starts!
Wicks and Watmough were not considered for this trial due to injury and also you would expect that both will be in contention for the 17 if fit for round 1. Given that Gower is nominated at number 18 for the trial against Penrith, it is hard to see him making the 17 for Rd 1 assuming that Wicks and Watmough are likely going to be available for the game.
He has been good for the Eels since his arrival especially in 2014. I think that this is a strong indication of the depth in the Eels forwards for 2016.
One never knows what the season has in store. Gower is an astute footballer and a good communicator. Plenty of others could push their cause too, such as Tanginoa and Nelson.
I like Gower just watchng him over the last two years would never have anticipated this happening come rd 1 2016.
Personally, I’d like to see Wicks and Watmough supplant Alavaro and Peni in that 17 if they are fit for round one.
Unfortunately David Gower will join them in the new NSW Cup premiership favourites.
Just my opinion, but that would be our best possible 17 man squad.
Rowdy I think that you are right about Watmough and Wicks I think they deserve their spot. Alvaro is the one that I have future hopes for. People talk about Tepai reminding them of Hindmarsh, I think that Alvaro is a similar player to a young Hindmarsh. As I have posted before he has a big motor, makes a lot of tackles and runs a lot of metres. He enjoys scoring a try as well. Maybe it is just the fact that Tepai has long hair.
Looking forward to seeing Kenny Edwards. Has the potential to be a quality regular first grader. If he gets a decent run with injury he could surprise a few people.