The Eels traveled to Patrician Brothers Blacktown on Saturday where they were hosted by the Penrith Panthers. A massive array of talent was on display for both clubs from the Under 14s Talent Squads right through to the SG Ball as the two Western Sydney rivals looked to whittle down their huge train-on squads into final rosters.
In spite of resting a bevy of their injured junior stars in both the Harold Matthews and SG Ball, the Eels enjoyed a fruitful day with positive showings in both the 16s and 18s. Here are the players that caught the eye of TCT’s Senior Junior Correspondent!
Harold Matthews Trial – Parramatta Eels (6 Tries) DEF Penrith Panthers (4 Tries)
The final score line perhaps flattered the Panthers a smidgen as by my reckoning the Eels were up 5 tries to 2 before both teams rang in wholesale changes to give their fringe players healthy game time.
The Eels quickly established a dominant platform up the middle as their premier bookend duo of Sam Hughes and David Hollis overwhelmed the Panthers in the ruck. Hughes nabbed two tries – with his first coming off a brilliant short ball from Hollis – and provided a superb outlet for second phase play for the Eels. Hollis on the other hand proved to be a nightmare to bring down for the Penrith defenders as he constantly generated significant metres after contact. Both Hughes and Hollis defended strongly throughout the match as their coach leaned on them both for lengthy hit outs.
With standout rake Kyle Schneider moving onto the SG Ball in 2017 it is fair to say that the Harold Matthews squad were left with a considerable hole at #9 heading into the coming season but the performance of Jed Edwards has certainly allayed quite a few concerns. Edwards was tireless around the ruck in both attack and defence and critically he displayed an even temperament and the ability to control the game from the play-the-ball. The game management aspect of Edwards’ skillset will mesh well with Tyler Field, who is himself a dangerous running half but perhaps not the strongest organiser.
Justin Dalby, a centre-come-backrower, was injected into the game early and provided plenty of spark across the park while back line members Christian Pasitoa (Left Centre), Jandamurra Stewart (Left Winger) and Braith Aspin (Right Winger) were solid in limited attacking opportunities but acquitted themselves well in defence where they consistently rebuffed the attacking raids of the Panthers. Ben Tohi was the star of the back line as he terrorised the Panthers from Right Centre. Tohi threatened to break the line constantly (and did so a couple of times) and didn’t let anyone down on the defensive side of the ball.
There were a number of complimentary efforts elsewhere across the park for the Eels and with a raft of strike power in the engine room returning soon they look to be well positioned in the approach to Round 1.
SG Ball Trial 1 – Parramatta Eels (2 Tries) TIE Penrith Panthers (2 Tries)
The Eels were without a wealth of talent (and I do not say that lightly) for both SG Ball trial games but held their own despite the handicap.
Luke Sommerton and Dallas King enjoyed strong starts to this trial with Sommerton, a hooker, making an incisive burst down the left edge while King (Backrow) was well involved in attack and defence and made good use of his considerable frame.
Parramatta’s two tries were both scored by halfback Alex Seve, who put himself in the right place at the right time to backup for both 4-pointers. In the grand scheme of things, Seve (who is a livewire threat) had a relatively quiet game but the effort to be on the spot proved to be invaluable on the scoreboard.
Dylan Brown was composed as Seve’s partner in the halves, neither over-playing his hand nor letting the game slip by him. A first-year SG Ball prospect, Brown looks to have a bit of class to his game and is one to monitor in 2017.
Another first-year SG Ball prospect ending up stealing the show from the bench for the Eels. Matt Doorey, an edge backrower, continues his remarkable ascent through our junior ranks and has put himself firmly in the contest for a starting spot in the SG Ball squad after shredding the right-edge of the Panthers in attack and laying the wood in defence.
Doorey is a fascinating player to spectate from the sidelines. Eventually he will fill out into a prototypical edge backrow build but currently he errs on the wiry side of the scale. I can only assume that he possesses considerable deceptive strength as he consistently sheds would-be tacklers. Additionally, he is an incredibly nuanced line-runner for his age and creates separation through subtle pre-defensive line adjustments. Definitely one name worth jotting down for the future.
Finally, Jesse Cronin enjoyed a strong stint towards the backend of the game and it was terrific to see him get back on the field after a number of setbacks dating back to midway through 2016.
SG Ball Trial 2 – Parramatta Eels (4 Tries) DEF Penrith Panthers (2 Tries)
Charbel Tasipale was the best on field in the second SG Ball trial on Saturday. The Penrith defenders constantly struggled to bring the edge backrower down while he repaid the favour twice over in defence, dominating the wrestle in the ruck. Tasipale also showed off some serious play-making chops after sliding down the right-edge and laying on a pin-point cut out pass for winger Jesse Allan to cross over.
Backrowers P.J. Vaigalu and Kyle Cassell had solid showings with several strong moments in defence a piece while Vaigalu also churned out some tough carries up the middle. Mark Tepu-Smith was thrown into the fray in the front row in the latter stages of the game and worked well against the tiring defence.
The aforementioned Jesse Allan had a mixed showing. There were a couple of hiccups under the high ball but he looked every bit the part once the ball was in his hands. He added to a second try to his personal haul after splitting the Penrith goal line defence with some lovely footwork and positively glides across the turf once he gets a little bit of space. The SG Ball backline is positively stacked, even with a number of players pushing up to the NYC, so it will be tough for him to crack the team at full strength but he looks to be a player with intriguing upside if he can overcome his nerves under the bomb.
Good report forties and thanks. Hope to see another game up here at Wyong this year as well once these trials are settled and draw available.
I believe we play the Centurions on the 1st of April. Will confirm later. Unfortunately it’s the same day that we play the Raiders in Canberra for first grade.
I’m with you Col. I went to the Wyong venue last year. Are you a coasty too?
Cheers 40 and that’s a superb read. Nice to hear and read the mix of players and how we fared. It seems to be a decent squad,but injuries and the rest will tell.
How many trial games are there?
There’s one more trial left for the junior squads which is on Saturday in Liverpool. After a week’s rest the first round begins.
Good to see so many promising young players. Parra seem to dominate HM and Ball but have yet to transfer that dominance to NYC. In fact if you look at the history of NYC Parra have been extremely disappointing. What happens between Ball and NYC is certainly intriguing.
Has Parra instituted a plan to keep the very best of our juniors to stop other clubs, many who put peanuts into junior development, from signing them. Have noticed some movement in that aspect with Tui and Morris? (the backrower) signed to long term goals. A another couple of good big skilful props in the Paulo mould wouldn’t go astray either.
Well spotted Glenn. Anthony Field is doing a great job with this now. You can’t compete against the insane money that rich clubs who are junior poor will offer. But when the player knows how well they are developed, they become reluctant to leave.
You would have noticed the publicity around the young cousin of Inglis being put into the Parramatta system because of how they are nurtured and developed. Have a look at some of the young blokes that will be playing NYC this year such as Tui, blokes who would still be Ball eligible. The tide is changing.
Tui is one tough boy. I saw him as a younger junior come on and it’s pleasing to see him sign on. I hope he can stay injury free as with more development and size he is one to watch. The same with Schnieider from last year. It’s good to read about these guys and we have seen the work done with the management and hope it’s turning……
Tui is a minchinbury jets junior.
Parra still signing 14 and 15 year old kids.
The families of the juniors I’ve spoken to are very happy with how they are taken care of. Plenty of younger kids placed into the system out of Sydney are left to continue their education at home, with support in their football development provided by Parra. Local teams and their juniors remain a high priority.
Parra have been winning Harold Matthews Cups for years, how many players have gone on to play NRL? When was the last halfback they produced?
What players has this Anthony Field signed other than 14 year old kids?
History shows you will be lucky if 1 player from HM goes on and has a successful career in the NRL…..I still remember them parading Barney Haslett on the footy show.
Does Bevan French ring a bell mate? Watch for other signings to make their way through. I’m assuming you’re a Panthers fan.
Yes they are Sammy.
Tui has done well mate.
Obviously Penrith didn’t get him early enough.
Sammy we’ve won many HMATTS but not as many over the last ten years as some may think. We’ve been competitive and yes you’re right, many don’t go on to NRL.
You need discipline I think, and also high levels of fitness and drive and not to mention luck with injuries mate. And a supportive family and or friends.
I think we’ve all known guys who’ve made reps but not gone on for many reasons.
My good mate managed to play about 10 or so first grade games with parra in the early 90’s. Never had any bad injuries until then, he did his knee and shoulders. Was stuffed.
He now does personal training and has a family…..so many don’t have the dream run.
Sammy has pulled out a classic with Barney Haslett Mitchy. For Sammy’s benefit, every club is littered with talented juniors that don’t play first grade. I’ve looked at a few old junior rep programs recently and barely recognised a name. Every year, age squads with 30 or more players in each, graduate through clubs. Others are kept in the system through academies. That funnel into NRL squads is incredibly small. It is an elite few that will get that level.
Should the Eels have been better at who they’ve kept in the past? 100% But the current administration, coaches, BA and Anthony Field have nothing to do with that past. Their job is ensuring our future and the graduation of players like French is evidence of that.
Absolutely. We could go through many Matts squads.
But I reckon the year when Parra beat Penrith in a tight one at St Mary’s had a good squad in both.
I’m sure we had Mannah, Hayne, and pennies had Jenko and T Grant to name a couple. Reckon there’s well over 3-400 NRL games between that lots. I am sure there could have been more. Trent Hodkinson I’m sure was parra half.