NRL Team List
I dare say that there will be quite a few fans left aggravated that Brad Arthur has made zero changes to the line up that squandered a 14-point lead against Penrith on Sunday. The first up loss certainly stung but piping hot takes and gross over-reactions (Waqa Blake for Origin for example!) are the forte of the mainstream media so I will leave all of that to the professionals.
In fairness to anyone frustrated that I am not ringing the bell for changes after the loss to the Panthers, I did indeed point out in my Whisky Musings that Kenny Edwards should probably make his way back into the team. At the end of the day though we are merely one round into the season and while we may have named the same team to take on Manly this week, do we really expect them to produce the same type of performance?
The same same but different motif (an admittedly grammatically ghetto styling of words) will hopefully represent a focused return by the same Round 1 roster to the aggressive but expansive smash-mouth style of play that took the Eels to the finals in 2017. The Eels certainly showed on Sunday that they are fully capable of producing that brand of football and there is no doubt that the team would be fully aware of the flaws surrounding the 24-point capitulation.
Another storied rival looms for Parramatta on Sunday as they travel to Brookvale. Recent history between the two clubs has shone fondly on the Blue & Gold with the Eels riding a 6-game win streak over the Silvertails. However, with the Sea Eagles fielding a decidedly big and overly aggressive forward pack, the gauntlet will be thrown down to the likes of Beau Scott, Suaia Matagi and Kane Evans to match the efforts of their starting cohorts in Tim Mannah, Daniel Alvaro and Nathan Brown.
The bounce back factor will be in play for both clubs so look forward to a particularly fiery clash between two of the fiercest rivals in the competition!
Parramatta Eels squad
1. Bevan French
2. Josh Hoffman
3. Michael Jennings
4. Jarryd Hayne
5. Kirisome Auva’a
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. Beau Scott (c)
15. Brad Takairangi
16. Suaia Matagi
17. Kane Evans
18. Will Smith
19. Kenny Edwards
20. David Gower
21. Kaysa Pritchard
Intrust Super Premiership Team List
The Magpies were the pleasant surprise of the weekend as they produced an entertaining ambush over their much more fancied rivals in Penrith. There were plenty of palpitations in the second half as it became increasingly possible that Wenty might blow a 24-point lead but the joint-venture franchise eventually prevailed in a manic final 15 minutes of play.
Young guns Reed Mahoney and Ray Stone were sensational in the upset victory and the latter of the two has been rewarded for his efforts with the coveted (c) next to his name.
Wenty welcome back their first wave of reinforcements in Round 2 with George Jennings, Siosaia Vave and Marata Niukore all making their way back into the starting roster to boost the overall firepower of the team.
There will be plenty of familiar faces in the opposition line up this week given that Blacktown Workers (Manly’s ISP feeder club) have recruited heavily Parra or ex-Parra depth prospects and outcasts. Banter between the two teams will be flowing aplenty at Ringrose so expect a potentially explosive encounter.
Wentworthville Magpies
1. Anthony Layoun
2. George Jennings
3. Dane Aukafolau
4. Nathan Davis
5. Eddie Aiono
6. Kauri Appouri
7. Zach Nicholls
8. Siosaia Vave
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Magnus Stromquist
11. Matt Woods
12. Marata Niukore
13. Ray Stone (c)
Interchange
14. Sam Gorman
15. Andy Saunders
16. Haimona Hiroti
17. Piki Rogers
18. Brad Deitz
19. Nick Kassis
20. Daniel Dole
23. Dylan Izzard
Jersey Flegg Team List
There is just one change for the Eels after narrowly getting pipped by the Panthers in Round 1 of the Jersey Flegg. Austin Dias has dropped out of the team (most likely pertaining to injury or suspension) with James Porter claiming his place on the bench.
With a number of front-line players relegated to the sideline at the moment, the opening rounds of the competition might prove a touch tricky to navigate for our youngsters but even so they still possess the talent to mix it with anyone.
Just like with the NRL squad, finding consistency through the whole 80 minutes of play will be the key for this team. They played well in short bursts on Sunday but failed to maintain pressure on Penrith at key times and worse – gifted territory and possession back at other equally pivotal moments.
Dylan Brown and Joe Taipari were almost impossible to contain once they imposed themselves on the game on Sunday but they perhaps left their run too late. The team will certainly be leaning heavily on its young halves this week but that hasn’t ever proven a burden on them to date!
Eels Jersey Flegg squad
1. Haze Dunster
2. Michael Cheer
3. Tuimavave Afualo
4. Noel Aukafolau
5. Taufa Afu
6. Joseph Taipari
7. Dylan Brown
8. Sean Keppie
9. Jaydn Field
10. Oregon Kaufusi
11. Nick Oklandnikov
12. Dylan Clifford
13. Michael Tupou
Interchange
14. Jesse Cronin
15. Sam McGregor
16. James Porter
17. Beni Valu
18. Austin Dias
19. Bruce Wakeling
20. Todd Sapienza
21. Blaise Barnes
22. PJ Vaigalu
I thought you had to name 21 on tuesday but narrow it to 17 by ? , if true actual lineup may change plus there is a few unavailable
21 named on Tuesday before it is culled to 19 before game day and then the final 17 for kickoff. There is certainly room to maneuver the line up and squeeze Edwards or Smith in there but I am not expecting any changes as it stands.
We get a nice boost in Round 3 with the scheduled return of Peni Terepo for NRL selection (knock on wood given it is a hamstring injury) plus a string of quality depth players return as well.
With Edwards and Smith both getting nil game time last week Id be very surprised if they wernt in the 17 by game day.
If they are in the 19 by game day I believe they will be unavailable to play for Wenty, even if they don’t make the NRL top 17.
No way BA would allow Smith and Edwards to be none from 2. Taking your point Poo if they make the 19 there is a very good chance they will make the 17.
Decent logic mate. They probably need a run so if they don’t turn out for Wenty you could be right.
Sounds reasonable to me Gazza. They would be the two I am looking for. however given that it is only Rd 2 would be surprised if it happens.
We were all (most of us) hoping for a change or two but in reality BA seems likely to pick & stick at least for this week, sure would be nice to see Kenny again though…
I believe the turning point last year apart from the Tigers game was Kenny Edwards returning. Despite finishing 4th it’s easy to forget we won the first two games then I think lost four in a row.
I know some people have a problem with his antics but he is a good footballer and the other players that were chosen don’t make up for the energy and attitude he brings to the team. I’d change him and that’s it either beau Scott or Takas missing out.
I’m a little torn. I love Kennys energy and I do think we missed it on Sunday and we will certainly need it this weekend against the old foes, but there is a reason BA made the selections last week which I doubt anyone here knows.
By the same token though I can’t imagine that Smith and Kenny would be left sitting on the sidelines for another week so if they don’t put on a Wenty jersey…?
Our forwards MUST find a way to control / shut down the offloading of big Marty Tapau or he is going to hurt us big time. Anyone watching hi game against the Knights saw how much impact he had and in my mind he is going to be the biggest threat to us on the day.
In round one last year we limited Taupau to 101 metres from 9 runs. Also forced him to make 34 tackles with 5 missed and 4 ineffective. That was almost the exact same pack, only with Rory O’Brien instead of Kane Evans, and the Pritchard brothers for King and Takairangi.
I just have one thing to say;
I dislike manly…..lots.
You are in company here with that view Milo
In 1982 I watched the GF at the leagues club Auditorium. There was one Manly supporter, he was loud and did not make it until half time before one of the Eels supporters sorted him out
That sounds like a sad story…for him. I know its round two this week but we need to improve in def and playing for 80. Simple but important
The good teams have slightly varying approximations of taumalolo. Kickau for Penrith one example . I had hoped for more from Kane Evans but I suspect he is perhaps to tall and so has to crouch down so as to efficiently use his shoulder to barge into players. This crouching makes him less effective. If we can get trex to replicate his best years at manly then maybe we have a great mix. In obvious and less obvious ways we miss semi big time. His offloads alone were priceless and coupled with his mistake free football made him invaluable.
Evans was the only one of our forwards to make 10 metres per carry on the weekend. Unfortunately he spent most of his time on the field making tackles (and giving away penalties). He only got to make six runs. I’m sure Arthur intended for him to make more runs (and less tackles) but all that defensive work in the heat had him fingered.
Heat is a bullshit excuse. Both teams have to deal with it. Evans and the rest of the team better get use to the heat…it’s going to be even hotter on Sunday!
Good point Pou.
I believe the Manly game could not have come at a better time Butters.
We probably don’t need to be telling “Evans and the rest of the team that they better get used to the heat”either. These blokes smashed Newcastle in the heat 3 weeks ago and they have been smashing it out in full contact opposed sessions since Christmas.
The extraneous circumstances of that whole game against the Riff will not be repeated again this season, imo! We will be ready and will smash Manly on their home turf on Sunday.