NRL Team List
A stirring 32-18 comeback victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons kept the Parramatta Eels in touch with the Top 4 but the most fearsome challenge of their young season looms ahead in the ‘Magic Round’. Craig Bellamy laid down an all-time spray on his charges in the post-match presser of their surprise 20-18 loss to the Cronulla Sharks and now there is no doubt that the Melbourne Storm will be ready to rumble come prime-time Saturday night.
Brad Arthur welcomes back both short and long-term reinforcements from the injury ward as Tim Mannah reclaims his place on the bench while Will Smith finally makes his recovery from a broken arm to fill out the shadow bench.
The Eels will need to be at their very best on Saturday night and if they are anywhere near that it will be a cracking match up.
Parramatta Eels side
1. Clint Gutherson
2. Maika Sivo
3. Michael Jennings
4. Brad Takairangi
5. Blake Ferguson
6. Jaeman Salmon
7. Mitch Moses
8. Daniel Alvaro
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Junior Paulo
11. Shaun Lane
12. Marata Niukore
13. Tepai Moeroa
Interchange
14. Peni Terepo
15. Tim Mannah
16. Oregon Kaufusi
17. Manu Ma’u
18. Ray Stone
19. Kane Evans
20. Will Smith
21. George Jennings
Injury Report
Nathan Brown – Pectoral – Round 14
Dylan Brown – Lower Back – Indefinite
Canterbury Cup Team List
BYE
Jersey Flegg Team List
After a horrific start to the season where they strung together five consecutive losses the Eels have bounced back to post two wins on the trot and begin the arduous ascent back towards Top 8 contention.
With the Wentworthville Magpies sitting on a bye in the Canterbury Cup the Jersey Flegg receives a reinforcement in the way of Haze Dunster on the wing while blockbusting prop forward Stefano Utoikamanu is cleared to return after sustaining a syndesmosis injury in the final NRL trial in the preseason. David Hollis also clocks in for his second Flegg appearance of the season after completing his SG Ball duties.
A Western Sydney derby with their arch-rivals the Penrith Panthers is on the books this weekend and gives the Eels a real chance to see where their revitalised team sits.
Parramatta Eels Jersey Flegg side
1. Michael Cheer
2. Haze Dunster
3. Tuimavave Afualo
4. Noel Aukafolau
5. Tyler Tuigamala
6. Joey Taipari
7. Bailey Biondi-Odo
8. James Porter
9. Kyle Schneider
10. Stefano Utoikamanu
11. Joe Small
12. Lachlan Poko
13. Arron Shelford
Interchange
14. Jayden Yates
15. Dallas King
16. Jesse Cronin
17. David Hollis
I honestly believe with Perenara as ref we will struggle. That is terrible to say but with Cam Smith in his ear expect a caning eels fans. This now becomes a test of our mental strength. Are we up to it? Seriously,how do we cop this bloke so regularly. I’m depressed now.
And to think that the imbecile played for Parra.
Yes and both him and his little brother got the chop and i know his brother was unhappy at the time about it. Guy had all a heap of potential but played 1 game
Reading Perenara’s name out as the main official always causes that moment of your heart dropping doesn’t it?
The boys will do well to get up this week but that is what makes it such a great test.
Tim coming back leaves Kane Evans probably being dropped. It’s good to see some our first graders making it out of the injury ward.
I notice Josh Hoffman is not on the extended bench. Is there a reason for that. Smith n perenara to ref the game omg we are in big trouble. I’d say we will win but with them two we are special to lose
Only two players in the injury ward. Am i in some strange parallel universe?!
Yep, the injury list has gone from a C to a B+. Both players have an X factor. We haven’t seen much of N Brown but I reckon he’ll be far more effective with a pack with some go forward. He got a few smashings last year trying to solve that problem as a lightweight forward.
Wondering if I’m the only one who has noticed this::
Magic Round is being promoted on Fox with a song by Johnny Cash – listen to the words and you would be excused for thinking they were written by Israel Folau. Very catchy, but also very strange choice of song, given what is happening with the other code.
Johnny Cash always had a religious side to his music, I doubt if any one in the NRL would be smart enough to connect any dots.