Round 18 shapes up as a pivotal moment in the 2017 season for the Eels as they travel South to take on an Origin-ravaged Melbourne Storm before heading into their second and final bye. A run of favourable results over Round 17 means the Eels now have a 4-point buffer on the 9th placed Penrith Panthers but a win on Saturday keeps them in the hunt for a potential Top 4 finish.
Brad Arthur has elected to keep the same team that eked out a golden point victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs with one small twist. Tepai Moeroa moves into the starting backrow which in turn means Kenny Edwards will provide impact from the bench this week.
There is some movement on the shadow bench with Kirisome Auva’a returning from a knee injury to earn inclusion in the extended roster. In-form ISP backrowers Marata Niukore and John Folau plus Siosaia Vave round out the forward heavy extended bench.
Parramatta Eels side
1. Clint Gutherson
2. Semi Radradra
3. Michael Jennings
4. Brad Takairangi
5. Bevan French
6. Corey Norman
7. Mitch Moses
8. Daniel Alvaro
9. Cameron King
10. Tim Mannah (c)
11. Manu Ma’u
12. Tepai Moeroa
13. Nathan Brown
Interchange
14. David Gower
15. Kenny Edwards
16. Suaia Matagi
17. Will Smith
18. Siosaia Vave
19. Marata Niukore
20. Kirisome Auva’a
21. John Folau
Intrust Super Premiership Team List
Wenty ground out a dour 18-8 victory over Blacktown/Manly in a defensively driven game to keep in touch with the Top 8 as we enter the back end of the season. This week they will travel to Henson Park to face the Cronulla-aligned Newtown Jets. A last minute flurry of releases (Alex Twal, Kelepi Tanginoa, Bureta Faraimo) in the run to the June 30 transfer deadline means that Nathan Cayless was facing some interesting selection dilemmas this week but the arrivial of reinforcements has alleviated that to an extent.
Kirisome Auva’a is scheduled to make his return from injury for the Magpies – although he is also named in the extended NRL team list. Atini Gafa will join him in a revamped back line…but there could be game-day changes afoot. Mid-season recruit Magnus Stromquist will reprise his role as starting lock following the victory over Blacktown while Ray Stone will likely continue to work in his new role as a bench utility as he provides cover at both hooker and backrow. Dane Aukafolau has been named on the bench following Auva’a return but could possibly sneak back into the starting team if Auva’a travels with the NRL team to Melbourne as cover.
Wentworthville Magpies
1. Honeti Tuha
2. Atini Gafa
3. Nathan Davis
4. Kirisome Auva’a
5. George Jennings
6. Troy Dargan
7. Jeff Robson
8. Joseph Ualesi
9. Cody Nelson (c)
10. Siosaia Vave
11. Marata Niukore
12. John Folau
13. Magnus Stromquist
Interchange
14. Matt Woods
15. Dane Aukafolau
16. Taniela Lasalo
17. Ray Stone
18. Jack Morris
19. Scott Schulte
Holden Cup Team List
The Eels squandered another chance at consolidating their position in the Top 8 as they fell prey to the Bulldogs 26-18. A lack of game management from senior players along with sloppy execution in both attack and defence means that the Eels have let a gift 4-points slip though their fingers over the last two rounds.
Luke Burt has made a number of minor changes to the team as he looks to spark a revival in the fortunes of his young charges. John Fonua rejoins the team on the wing in place of Haze Dunster, Beni Valu moves from backrow to prop and Dylan Cliffered shifts into the starting backrow. Frank Salu earns a recall on to the bench while another 17-year-old can be spied in the extended roster as William Kei earns his first TLT rep for the Holden Cup.
The Storm sit just two points adrift of the Eels in a congested race for the Top 8 so Saturday’s game (played on the Sunshine Coast at the Storm’s junior base of operations) is a crucial swing game on the ladder. The Eels have shown all the talent to mix it with the best teams in the competitions but a disruptive mid-season slump due to injuries and rep selections has stalled their momentum. Senior players like Dean Matterson and Denzal Tonise need to take ownership of the team and right the ship as we enter the business end of the season.
Parramatta Eels NYC side
1. Anthony Layoun
2. Greg Leleisiuao
3. Emosi Alamoti
4. Noel Aukafolau
5. John Fonua
6. Dean Matterson (c)
7. Joseph Taipari
8. Sean Keppie
9. Denzal Tonise (c)
10. Beni Valu
11. Dylan Clifford
12. Salesi Faingaa
13. Mitch Butfield
Interchange
14. Reed Mahoney
15. Tangi Hokai
16. Frank Salu
17. Dom Murphy
18. Austin Dias
19. Matt Price
20. Nick Okladnikov
21. William Kei
22. Sam McGregor
23. Jye Challenor
Anyone know how Ma’u is going. I didn’t the he would be available.
Given the fact he is named, I reckon he’s a strong chance.
Great subtitle
Has Rory O’Brien been released? I haven’t seen his name anywhere for weeks
The club Tweeted today that O’Brien is out for the season with an ankle injury.
40/20 I’m getting a feeling that Manu ma’u is not going to play if still slightly injured.
Why else would BA name karisome auva’a on the extended bench. After last weekend can’t see BA putting Kenny ( killing us ) Edwards in the starting side. His stats tell me his not a starting player.
I’m thinking if Manu is not playing then i think BA would put brad takarangi to 2nd row n karisome will shift into the centre spot. In hindsight your really replacing a 2nd rower with a natural centre in the back line anyhow. Kenny Edwards well it’s time he shows us what he can do by coming off the bench he gives us good energy n lift but his silly n simple mistakes are killing us. Lets hope BA gave him a good stern talking to about the last few games. Eels by 20. Storm are week but still have there fowards n 2 strike wingers . I’m liking there future spine.
There are rumours on social media that Manu will not play as you predicted
Spot on 40/20 massive game for us and I am really confident the team will have the right attitude this week. It is no easy game, the storm have a very in form pack and very handy backline that for all purposes should of rolled the Roosters 2 weeks ago.
I’m heading down AAMI stadium on Saturday and really look forward to see what BA and the team bring to this game.
Anyone know if the Wenty team list will change eg if any backups are travelling to Melbourne
Thanks