Holden Cup Team List
The curtains may have drawn to a close on the campaigns of NRL and Intrust Super Premiership squads of the Parramatta Eels (and Wentworthville Magpies) but our young men in the Holden Cup are still flying the blue and gold flag as they enter the first week of the finals. Luke Burt and his troops lurched into Round 26 on the back of three straight losses and desperately needing to catch fire somehow as they traveled over the ditch to face the Warriors. A compelling 32-18 victory certainly went some way to doing just that as the Eels overcame a number of game-day changes to put their tilt at the title back on track to some degree.
Reed Mahoney made his club debut at Mt Smart Stadium and provided the Eels with spark from the bench at hooker and is billed as a dangerous attacking rake by Parramatta officials. Mahoney joined the Eels by way of Canterbury before the mid-season cutoff and had been patiently waiting for his opportunity in the Holden Cup. At just 18-years of age, Mahoney joins the likes of Tui Afualo (17), Filia Utoikamanu (17), Steve Dresler (18) and Sean Keppie (18) in a youthful brigade of talent that have been given the chance to impress against far more senior opponents. He now joins an extended bench that also features Michael Doolan, Kurt De Luis, Tom Field and Jye Challenor.
Parramatta will also be buoyed by the returns of Troy Dargan and Jermaine Maiti-Leifi. Dargan in particular will be a key inclusion as he looks to guide the Eels deep into the post-season after earning Holden Cup Team of the Year honours alongside team mates Alex Twal and Tyrell Fuimaono.
Dyldam Parramatta Eels Holden Cup v Wests Tigers, Sunday 11 September, Allianz Stadium
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
14. Michael Doolan
15. Kurt De Luis
16. Tom Field
17. Jye Challenor
18. Reed Mahoney
40’s would be wonderful for this game to be on the box, hopefully they can take us into another round with a sound win against the tig’s
Hi Colin, it is mate Fox 501 at 11;10am Sunday enjoy.
Have to put on the IQ. Although I will be watching the Warriers game again this week.
Congratulations to the three boys, Troy, Alex and Tyrell for being included in the team of the year! Well done lads and tear them a new one on Sunday.
Go you eels!