NRL Team List
Injury and form have led to positional swaps, promotions and debuts in a significant Team List Tuesday shakeup as the Parramatta Eels continue to fight through a 3-game slide in preparation to take on the Manly Sea Eagles in Round 22.
As expected, Joey Lussick will don the #9 in the absence of Reed Mahoney. Lussick performed admirably when deputising Reed earlier this year but the pressure is ratcheted up this time around. The Eels obviously need to produce an upset result against the Sea Eagles on Saturday night and Lussick’s responsibilities around the ruck will be a crucial deciding factor in the contest.
Haze Dunster has paid for the price for the defensive struggles of the right edge against the Rabbitohs with the young winger dropped in favour of seasoned journeyman Michael Oldfield. Interestingly, Sean Russell was seemingly overlooked here as Brad Arthur leans on an experienced head instead although the fact the Russell has played the entirety of the 2021 season on the left flank could have been also played into the selection decision.
The changes continue as Isaiah Papali’i moves into the front row to partner Junior Paulo. This move was facilitated by the loss of Oregon Kaufusi for at least a week to concussion protocols but looking at the move on its own merits it might also be something that ignites the rest of the forward pack. Parramatta have struggled with the physicality of the ruck in recent losses and no one consistently dominantes that aspect of the game in our team more than Isaiah. Perhaps he can drag the rest of the middle forwards up with him to win the ruck against Manly.
That leaves an open spot of the left edge and ‘BA’ has elected to give Shaun Lane a chance out wide after a string of games in the middle this year. Lane’s poor off-ball efforts in defence have stood out recently but I expect his role to be more about soaking up the early exchanges and opening the way for more minutes for Bryce Cartwright.
Finally, although perhaps the least significant roster move in the eyes of some, Round 21 also marks the NRL debut of seasoned warhorse Makahesi Makatoa – something that I am legitimately excited for even amidst all of the understandable gloom surrounding Parramatta’s current struggles. Makahesi was awesome for the Eels in the NSW Cup this year prior to the competition ending prematurely for a second straight season. The big man shouldered a monstrous workload but never let that impact the quality of his work, often dominating the defensive line with the ball in hand while never shirking defensive responsibilities.
I am not trying to hype up his debut to fans in order to burden him with unfair expectations because he will play on Saturday night in a far reduced capacity off the bench. This is however a real moment of celebration independent of our other struggles. So congratulations to Makahesi for a thoroughly earned NRL debut and hopefully you can play a role in knocking over an archrival this weekend.
1. Clinton Gutherson ©
2. Maika Sivo
3. Tom Opacic
4. Waqa Blake
5. Michael Oldfield
6. Dylan Brown
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Isaiah Papali’i
9. Joey Lussick
10. Junior Paulo
11. Shaun Lane
12. Ryan Matterson
13. Nathan Brown
14. Will Smith
15. Bryce Cartwright
16. Marata Niukore
17. Makahesi Makatoa
18. Ray Stone
19. Will Penisini
20. Haze Dunster
21. Jakob Arthur
Based on previous debut games we can probably look forward to Makotoa getting 3min at the end of the game.
In all seriousness though I think Marata needs to go back to centre because an edge that was hopeless against South’s is going to get lit on fire by Turbo.
if he played for the Rouse Hill Rhinos he’d get 80 minutes if he wanted .
So if Oldfield is found compressed and 2 players infield, do we acknowledge that it is not the wingers, but the defensive systems coached at the Eels.
is there a defensive coach at the eels ,I’m yet to see any success,a coach from under 10s would do a better job.
David Kidwell, was appointed in that role now I believe its been changed and incorporated into the forwards.A seperate coach is used for the backs.
Its going to be a tough match, the big hope is for an eels win and I wont tip against them.
I would have actually liked to have seen Lane and Cartwright play together in the 2nd row, both of same/similar builds & heights, both have pretty good offload skills as well, they could work very well together, especially if given the right amount of time together as against the short runs so far seen from the bench.
I also wonder how Sivo is going to go against his opposite number in the form of speedster Jason Saab?
Let’s hope they Front Load their efforts whatever that means
I actually think we might win this I have reason to justify this and that is odd because in my head and heart i have given up hope but my gut are saying something (maybe I just need a poo) but maybe we will be surprised
Shit happens offside who knows i hope we win seeing us play like this is hurting my head.
Why not Offside. Why not!
Yes agreed, why not both!
Can any one tell me who are all the eels players in the bubble up in qld?
Full time squad less injured players, less Rankin.
Thanks Sixties, . There are some photos of players up there who i don’t know who they are. Can you list the others not in the normal 17 if possible. Be interesting to know. Shame about Rankin not being up there too.
Well the only surprise was Michael oldfield.
I’m glad papali’i is starting in the front row. I hear his a much better prop then he is a backrower.
The only other changes i would have made is swapping Marata with lane.
Marata is not a prop or bench prop. Lane should be coming off the bench as a prop.
I think it’s time brad Arthur needs to give him ( Marata ) a starting spot otherwise i can see Marata moving on to get a starting spot.
Personally I’d have Marata on the edges or starting in the centre’s.
On our latest debuts Michael oldfield I’ve head about but not the other fella. Any you tube videos of him the makato. Anyhow ill be watching hopefully we can win but i have my doubts.
Have you not watched any of this year’s NSW Cup Rev? If you haven’t read it, I’ve covered his stats in the Canterbury Cup review.
PS, while ever BA is at Parra, I’d expect Marata to be staying.
Sixties I’ve only seen snippets of Canterbury cup. Never really focused on the forward pack just backs.
Marata needs to start sixties really does. His wasted sitting on the bench. A bit like papali’i was at the start of the yr. I can see Marata playing on the edge ot centre’s.
I hope these changes will spark a better result. I’m most looking forward to seeing Makahesi Makatoa… I hope he gets a solid hit out.
Oldfield must be back from injury making a long awaited club debut. I hope He has a blinder. I’m an optimist and This game is winnable. We just need to grind out a win…an ugly win!!
Go Eels!!
Manly provided the blueprint for resilience in their first half last week. It was very impressive and something that the Eels should learn from.
This is a different game to Souths. Souths spine are all gamebreakers. That is the essential difference between Parra and Souths. Parra has not got a game breaker per se. This week they only have to deal with one Tommy Turbo. DCE is good as a schemer but Tommy is the gamebreaker.
Moses kicking game should be away from Tom.
Manly without Tom are a bottom eight. That’s obvious. Contain Tom and Parra is a big show.
This game will be a cracker and I am tipping Parra by 12 points.
Loving the confidence Zero! Need the players to dial into it.
Everyone has written us off! The death rattle! The late season freefall! Yeah…I gotta admit, that Souths game last week was one of the most depressing games I’d witnessed, and I was 16 when we first won the comp. against the Jets back in 1981, so I’ve been around.
But…here’s hoping, the players stop listening to noise, just shut up and come out and make a statement. Not for me or you, not for the critics…but for themselves. Surely there will be the idea of redemption as a motivating factor. There’s gotta be some fighting spirit there somewhere. Have a red hot go. Leave nothing in the tank. And hopefully play smart as well.
THE EELS BY 6
Is there a reason Keegan Hipgrave has not been selected in the team? He provided some good go forward in the early rounds
Some good discussions here; the team and coaches need to have their heads clear and just play the game. The media etc can be a hindrance and they just need to play on the field. Actions need to confident, strong and consistent for 80. Least we had an extra days rest for this one. We must have an improved result.