NRL Team List
Parramatta lost their way in the second half of their Friday night fixture against the Broncos and turned in a rare, genuinely disappointing performance as Anthony Milford led a resurgent Brisbane Broncos to a 38-16 victory. The Eels now face a brutal task as they try to juggle examining exactly what went wrong on Friday night while also preparing to face the imperious Canberra Raiders, who solidified their spot as title contenders after a commanding win over the Melbourne Storm on Monday night.
It goes without saying that the odds are stacked against the boys in blue and gold this week and even though the Eels will be buoyed be two massive inclusions in Beau Scott and Semi Radradra, the trip to the nation’s capital will test the mettle of the squad like perhaps no other game in this most torrid of seasons. Brad Takairangi is a notable omission for the Eels as he presumably continues to battle a troublesome hamstring. Manu Ma’u will reprise his role in the centres as a result – despite his struggles in defence against Milford – and he will be pitted against the red-hot right-edge of the Raiders. He will certainly be boosted by the return of Radradra on the left-flank and it makes for a fascinating game-within-a-game as Manu and Semi look to somehow take the points over B.J. Leilua and Jordan Rapana.
The Eels have received one slice of luck in the prelude to this weekend’s battle with Josh Hodgson pleading no contest to a dangerous contact charge and subsequently missing one round as a result. Hodgson has been a pillar for Canberra around the ruck in 2016 and will almost certainly feature in the business end of the Dally M Medal so his exclusion will certainly be felt even though Canberra still have plenty of class around the park.
Dyldam Parramatta Eels NRL v Canberra Raiders, Sunday, 21 August, GIO Stadium.
1. Michael Gordon
2. Semi Radradra
3. Michael Jennings
4. Manu Ma’u
5. Bevan French
6. Clint Gutherson
7. Jeff Robson
8. Danny Wicks
9. Isaac De Gois
10. Tim Mannah
11. Kenny Edwards
12. Tepai Moeroa
13. Beau Scott
Interchange
14. Kaysa Pritchard
15. David Gower
16. Peni Terepo
17. Daniel Alvaro
Intrust Super Premiership Team List
The comeback streak is finally over for the Magpies as they lost 39-14 to the Tigers on Saturday afternoon. Despite the blowout nature of the scoreline there was plenty of controversy involved as Wenty ended up on the wrong side of several doozies including a terrible no-try call against the Magpies that resulted in captain Cody Nelson delivering a pointed and stinging rebuke to the chief match official regarding his ability to follow the play when it is right in front of him. As it stands though, Wenty’s seasons hangs by a thread and they will have to run the gauntlet in the remaining three rounds if they are any chance to make the finals.
There are a handful of changes this week for the Magpies as they look to scramble back to their feet. Vai Toutai returns to the centres, which in turns sees Roydon Gillett drop out of the backline. Additionally, Rory O’Brien and Alex Twal reunite to anchor the front-row.
Similarly to our NRL team, the Magpies face one of the form teams of the competition in the second placed Illawarra Cutters and will have to turn in a herculean effort if they are to keep themselves in the hunt for the post-season.
Wentworthville Magpies Intrust Super Premiership NSW side v Illawarra Cutters, Ringrose Park, Sunday 21 August.
1. Honeti Tuha
2. Scott Schulte
3. Vai Toutai
4. John Folau
5. Jake Butler-Fleming
6. Dylan Izzard
7. Cameron King
8. Alex Twal
9. Sam Gorman
10. Rory O’Brien
11. Cody Nelson (c)
12. James Hasson
13. Kelepi Tanginoa
Interchange
15. Yileen Gordon
16. Nick Kassis
21. Adrian Ha’angana
25. Evan Lee
Holden Cup Team List
The Eels were painfully pipped on the final buzzer by the Brisbane Broncos in Round 23 as they relinquished a four point lead to a contentious converted try to the Broncos to lose 34-32. Despite the loss the Eels still maintain their grip on a Top 4 position, although the likes of the Dragons, Sharks and Tigers are now breathing down their necks.
Coach Luke Burt has made several changes,both positional and roster wise this week, including a potential debutante. Michael Doolan has shifted to fullback, which opens a path for Dean Matterson to jump from the bench to the halves. Mason Cerruto is the big loser in this reshuffle as he drops back to an extended bench. The makeup of said bench is quite intriguing as Cerruto is joined by outside Atini Gafa, SG Ball forward Filia Utoikamanu, new recruit Jye Challenor and finally the potential debutante in prop/lock Sean Keppie. Keppie was an integral contributor at prop and lock for the SG Ball in 2016 before he was sidelined by a broken hand mid-season. Keppie bounced back from the injury by earning selection in the Australian Schoolboys and now finds himself in line for a debut from the bench for the Eels in the run to the NYC post-season. Look for one of Cerruto or more likely Gafa to drop out with the Eels to adopt the 1 back, 3 forward bench composition that is becoming increasingly popular.
Dyldam Parramatta Eels Holden Cup v Canberra Raiders, GIO Stadium, Sunday 21 August
1. Michael Doolan
2. James Gammidge
3. Tyrell Fuimaono
4. Dane Aukafolau
5. Jermaine Mai-Leifi
6. Dean Matterson
7. Troy Dargan
8. Kurt De Luis
9. Denzal Tonise (c)
10. Jamie Stowers
11. Jack Morris
12. Tom Field
13. Tom Amone
Interchange
14. Atini Gafa
15. Jye Challenor
16. Filia Utoikamnu
17. Sean Keppie
18. Mason Cerruto
The only thing going for the eels this week against the Raiders is the fact they know the side they are playing against. Last week they were outsmarted by the horses, & likely thought they would be the same as the last couple of losses. Although the two tries each side of the break sucked the year out of them which had finally taken its toll.
The hope is I guess is that they just stand tall & play to their potential
I’d say Ma’u will be up against the Raiders’ left edge, and Sezer won’t be running around him the way Milford did. Gutherson will probably defend at right centre again, marking Jarrod Croker.
I can’t work out why BA is putting Manu in the centres if via toutai is available.
If he plays via then he can shift Manu back to the back row n shift Kenny back to the bench.
I don’t think Kenny is a starting 2nd rower. Good bench player but not good at starting. I think Manu offers more then Kenny.
It might be to do with containing Papalii on that side as well.
Our team has been fantastic under the circumstances this season. They looked like at team that had been through hell all season last week & all this crap that has gone on is taking it’s toll. I truly believe most teams would have hit the wall early in the season but BA has been able to keep them focused on the task at hand. No matter what the outcome of the last 3 games is I will still have nothing but pride in the team for all their efforts this season.
IN BRAD WE TRUST
I give us a good chance; Canberra may be sore from Melbourne game; and may underestimate us. Canberra have had a bit of luck so far this year….they could be a little flat. If we make our tackles we are in this one….
If I’m honest, the task is probably beyond the boys. Undermanned, little to play for, full house in Canberra, Raiders on fire. The demolition of the Raiders by our Eels earlier this year seems so long ago. But maybe it’s still fresh in the minds of our team…..