The Cumberland Throw

Team List Wednesday – Pride Cometh After The Fall Edition

Pray excuse me as I sign off on Team List Tuesday (or Wednesday in this case!) for the deliberate misquote of a decidedly famous proverb but I do feel it rather perfectly encapsulates what has transpired over the course of this tumultuous season. Thanks to everyone who has joined us at The Cumberland Throw in our first season of providing content. You can look forward to a great deal more from us in the off-season.

NRL Team List

 

After fare-welling Parramatta Stadium in style with a triumphant display over Dragons, the Eels and coach Brad Arthur have been rewarded with a rare luxury in 2016 in the form of an unchanged line-up. The Eels now travel to Auckland in order to conquer the Warriors and bring a close to a season where the coaching staff and playing group have unquestionably proved the worth of their characters. While the term ‘playing for pride’ is purely consigned to fixtures that have no bearing on the post-season, Arthur has shown that with pride as his only motivational currency he can consistently muster his playing group to take on just about any challenge in the NRL. There is an added twist this week though as with a win over the Warriors the Eels can secure a minor psychological victory by claiming their 13th win of the season and thus locking in 8th spot on the ladder when not considering the (very much deserved) salary cap penalty. It may seem silly and trivial but in a season where quite possibly everything has gone wrong – from mind numbingly stupid cap cheating to marquee players quitting on the club – finishing in that phantom 8th spot would be a deserved final validation of the courage and grit displayed by all our players, coaches and support staff.

 

What else is at stake on Sunday? Two key pieces of the Eels’ future in Bevan French and Clinton Gutherson get more vital first-grade experience as they ply their trade at fullback and five-eighth respectively while our club also has the chance to break a rather frustrating streak by simply nabbing the two competition points. The last time the Eels won in Round 26 was in 2011 when they beat the Titans 32-12 to narrowly avoid the wooden spoon. There is little doubt the Eels will want to start making a habit of winning in Round 26 moving forwards in order to take momentum into their future post-season campaigns.

 

Dyldam Parramatta Eels NRL v NZ Warriors, Mt Smart Stadium, Sunday 4 September.

1. Bevan French

2. Semi Radradra

3. Michael Jennings

4. Brad Takairangi

5. Michael Gordon

6. Clint Gutherson

7. Jeff Robson

8. Danny Wicks

9. Isaac De Gois

10. Tim Mannah

11. Manu Ma’u

12. Tepai Moeroa

13. Beau Scott

Interchange

14. Kaysa Pritchard

15. Kenny Edwards

16. Peni Terepo

17. Daniel Alvaro

18. David Gower

 

Holden Cup Team List

 

The Eels collapsed to an utterly disappointing 32-10 loss to the Dragons on Monday night and are now consigned to finishing between 5th and 8th come the completion of the regulation season. Luke Burt has two changes as he looks to reignite his team with just one round left before sudden death football. Alex Twal has been recalled after completing his tour of duty in the Intrust Super Premiership while Michael Doolan has been dropped to the bench with Burt promoting Dean Matterson in his place. With the Tigers (6th) and the Raiders (7th) also slugging it out on Sunday, the week one seeding of 5v8 and 6v7 is still very much in the air. Parramatta’s opponents, the Warriors, find themselves in a very unfamiliar position this week. Traditionally a powerhouse in the 20s, the Warriors enter this round in 14th and completely out of the race for the finals. They have opted to sacrifice the 2016 season as a developmental write-off by blooding a considerable amount of young talent. Given the slump the Eels find themselves in currently there is no way they can take the Warriors lightly.

 

Dyldam Parramatta Eels Holden Cup v NZ Warriors, Mt Smart Stadium, Sunday 4 September.

1.     Mason Cerruto

2.     James Gammidge

3.     Tuimavave Afualo

4.     Atini Gafa

5.     Jermaine Mati-Leifi

6.     Dean Matterson

7.     Troy Dargan

8.     Alex Twal

9.     Denzal Tonise (c)

10.   Jamie Stowers

11.   Jack Morris

12.   Tyrell Fuimaono

13.   Tom Amone

Interchange

14.   Michael Doolan

15.   Kurt De Luis

16.   Tom Field

17.   Jye Challenor

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5 thoughts on “Team List Wednesday – Pride Cometh After The Fall Edition

  1. Mitchy

    Agree on that sixties. Warriors were v disappointing last weekend. We should win but nothing is a certainty end they are v unpredictable.

  2. John Eel

    I was surprised to see how they capitulated las week at home. If the Eels are at their best they can win this. How good would that be. saw the program on Monday but did not purchase it, Sorry I missed your article Sixties.

  3. Jim

    The Eels will win against the worriers this weekend which would have meant we would of ended with 30 points by seasons end if the NRL didn’t take our points. I know it had to happen & I’m glad this season saw us finally boot out the board members as well as making sure the other fools can’t get back in. For fans of other clubs looking at the Eels it’s easy to see why they think we are a basket case. Nothing but drama’s for years, then this season, but for the Eels fans that have stayed close & took note of what really happened we can see that this once Great club is on the verge of braking the shackles that have held it back for so very long.

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