The Cumberland Throw

Team List Tuesday – Clouded Nine Edition

NRL Team List

 

Sudden death footy and selection drama, is there a more anxiety inducing combination for fans? Sure enough Team List Tuesday has rolled around for the first week of the 2021 finals and it has delivered a doozy for the Parramatta Eels. Joey Lussick? Presumably nicked up and out hurt. Ryan Matterson? Back from suspension but relegated to 18th-man. Mitchell Moses? At halfback like usual thankfully. The Eels might have a serious issue at dummy-half for their massive clash against the Newcastle Knights on Sunday but at least the rest of the play-making corps are fit and ready to assume greater responsibility.

Brad Arthur has turned to Ray Stone as the man who will step up into the breach at dummy-half. With Parramatta recruiting both Lussick and Nathaniel Roache for 2021 to shore up depth at the position, it must be noted that the Eels are desperately unfortunate to be forced into this scenario. Still, as we all know, Stone deputised for Reed Mahoney in the 2020 season and did a commendable job and he looked in terrific nick last week against the the Penrith Panthers. Will Smith will share the burden at the base of the ruck with the utility named to #14.

Believe it or not there is good news for the Eels. Reagan Campbell-Gillard is back from a long layoff due to a groin injury and will start alongside Junior Paulo in the front-row. The formidable duo will be key in laying siege to Newcastle’s middle defence and winning the ruck. I love the call to start Marata Niukore on the right-edge. ‘Simba’ has brought an authoritative presence to the perceived weak edge of the Eels in defence and is arguably the most dynamic wide-runner among the Blue & Gold forwards.

Shaun Lane winning the left-edge position over Ryan Matterson (and technically Isaiah Papali’i but more on that shortly) is easily the most controversial aspect of this week’s TLT. Matterson has missed the recent form surge of the Eels due to a 3-week suspension and perhaps the answer is as simple as that. Parramatta want to bottle up what they produced to conquer the Melbourne Storm in Round 24 and Lane was a positive contributor there before a failed head injury assessment bumped him out of the game. Bryce Cartwright has shown a knack for making an impact in restricted minutes off the bench and with the dire need for Will Smith this week there simply isn’t space for a 4th forward on the bench.

Lane’s starting berth means that Papali’i drops back to the interchange bench but I like this move on two fronts. Constant monstrous 80min efforts have taken a marginal toll on the beastly Papali’i but even a slight downtick in impact is significant in the finals. A modest reduction in minutes lets him focus on dominating the opposition physically and equally important – it adds another genuine weapon to Parramatta’s bench.

Two rookies, the baby of the team in Will Penisini and the grizzled journeyman in Makahesi Makatoa get their first taste of NRL finals and their selections are a testament to their late season contributions. Charting the journeys of both of them has been a blast and their selections are genuinely deserved.

Ultimately the Parramatta Eels should be good enough to battle through the Newcastle Knights in week one of the finals – even without a recognised dummy-half on the team. Adjustments can be made to play closer to the ruck so as not to ask undue questions of the passing games of Stone and Smith and the rest of the roster should be capable of taking up the slack. The challenge on Sunday will centre on Parramatta’s ability to control possession and field position in order to minimise the pressure on the makeshift dummy-halves. Take care of that and you go a long way towards winning without Joey Lussick.

 

1. Clinton Gutherson ©
2. Haze Dunster
3. Will Penisini
4. Waqa Blake
5. Blake Ferguson
6. Dylan Brown
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
9. Ray Stone
10. Junior Paulo
11. Shaun Lane
12. Marata Niukore
13. Nathan Brown
14. Will Smith
15. Bryce Cartwright
16. Isaiah Papali’i
17. Makahesi Makatoa
18. Ryan Matterson
19. Oregon Kaufusi
20. Tom Opacic
21. Jakob Arthur

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65 thoughts on “Team List Tuesday – Clouded Nine Edition

  1. Ellen

    Joey Lussick is a massive loss. He’s been great for us since Reed’s injury. I also have a feeling Matto will come in on game day. Not sure who for. Maybe Lane to the bench for Carty?

      1. Zero58.

        I think this is a great selection pick except for Ferguson. I would like to have seen Waga to the wing with Penisini and Opacic the defensive centres.
        All the same it’s a great team and I will watching intently when Stone unrolls his hits on some of their big men. Lane is a worry but if managed right he will produce the goods. BA must be conscious of the bench rotation.
        I think Mitchell Pearce is the danger man and it would be great if Stone followed him – closely.

        1. Poppa

          Except for Ferguson, the one player with the most experience and you want the hooker to mark the half back.
          Your a deep thinker Zero 58.

        2. sixties

          Zero, I would not be surprised if that is the line up of our three quarters next year. But as Waqa has shown very solid form at centre in the back half of the season, I wouldn’t expect a sudden change for the finals.

  2. Michael Formosa

    Newcastle would have focused on shutting down our hooker so by not having one we should be able to confuse them! … Bold strategy BA, let’s see if it pays off!

  3. Darryl

    Good to see Ray Stone get a run. The ‘ human skewer’ will cause some pain in the centre of the ruck. Ice P will be dynamic off the bench, as will Makatoa. Worried about Lane, though. Hopefully, he’ll put his head down and hot the line hard. He needs to be switched on. Maybe a short stint will help. Need to get him off before he gets gassed.

  4. Eggman

    After last week ,Stone just had to be included, somewhere?anywhere? It is certainly a formidable looking defensive unit.I guess we all can still see the lazy efforts in defense from Lane in the finals last year,and the bad handling errors,but he has been in better form recently and honestly maybe I’m missing something but Matto hasn’t been that good this year.BA making the hard choices.Today being Opacec s birthday too,but Will is too good to leave out.

  5. Kevin

    I’m surprised at the selection of Lane over Matterson and Matterson’s complete omission. However I love the side and can not wait until Sunday.

  6. Offside

    I think we are better without Matto marata runs great lines and put doubt in the defence matto is a good player but I think Marata suites us and Mitch more

  7. Mr Eel

    Cartwright over Matterson is completely baffling.

    With all the Lane hate being spewed I’m surprised no one has mentioned Carty’s name.

    Stone at dummy half makes me extremely nervous. This will stunt our attack big time. Our defense better be A+ to compensate for this.

    1. sixties

      With Lussick out, we are now missing three dummy halves. The choice was basically Stone or Smith and I believe that Stone has recently been training there again

    2. Colin Hussey

      Have you considered the aspect that Cartwright has better ball skills than Matto? Both players have different attributes and playing skills as well. Carty is also still fitting into the team, and learning the game as an eels player.

      1. sixties

        I’d back that as a determining factor. I actually thought that whoever missed out on a starting spot between Lane and Matto might miss out altogether.

  8. Joe Blogged

    Well there you go. BA thought he was playing smart by resting a heap of players making it impossible to beat the Panthers. Then he chooses our last available hooker in the club and risks him. Is he kidding? This is unbelievable and ba must accept all accountability

  9. pete

    Surprise Tuesday addition.
    Lussick was good last week. Maybe he’s got a knock or something. I appreciate the strategy of horses for courses. If he’s not injured. Knights have all forwards on the bench…they think they can run through the middle. They’ll be looking for quick play the balls and Ponga jumping in first receiver. Stone will be like a brick wall defending the middle against the Safiti brothers. Don’t be surprised if Klemmer gets special medicine courtesy of Stone.
    Sorry Matto, but we look much stronger with Marata on the field. The problems down our right side involved (Matto) Waqa and Fergo. I’m assuming Waqa and WP will swap sides. Leaving Fergo as the common denominator. I hope he improves his shambolic defence. He can be brilliant in attack but can be the exact opposite next minute.
    Pappali off the bench will be explosive. Lane is not as dynamic more of a grafter with a big body. I think BA has given him this shot so it’s his position to lose come next week.
    Looking forward to seeing this game!
    Go Eels!!

        1. sixties

          I don’t expect too many nuanced dummy half play from Stone. He just has to deliver the ball and make those hits.

  10. Colin Hussey

    Good summation forty, but you forgot the elephant on the paddock!

    Ashley Klein who loves devouring eels, I mean not eating them but with a B on that word though

      1. Colin Hussey

        Rev, would love to see Klein taken out of the game == permanently.

        While the thought is good, he still comes up with the ability to find things wrong with the eels compared to whoever the opposition is.

  11. John Eel

    We are all assuming that Papali’i will go to left edge when he comes on. That is what he did at the start of the year and blitzed it off the bench.

    So happy to see Marata on the right edge inside Will. Based on last weeks performance by Newcastle I believe it could get ugly with Marata running at Bradman Best.

    I am also pleased to see Stone get his deserved place in the team. I just wish it was not at the expense of Joey Lussick.

    Would hope he returns next week. However based on the fact he is not in the 21 that seems unlikely.

  12. Mr controversy aka rev

    So great having RCG back in the team. Oh boy have we missed his hard running game.
    He brings so much to our team. Welcome back big reg.

    Strong side but i expect Matterson to start on game day. He will start n lane from the bench.

    So glad pensini is playing nothing against opicac but this kid pensini is something special.

    I think his better then his rooster’s friend Joseph saului spelling might be wrong. But you know who I’m talking about.

    I think brad Arthur is going to play a power game. As ling as we come with the right attitude we should be fine.

    Eels by 18.
    Eels 32
    Newcastle 14

    1. BDon

      Agree on Penisini rev. At NRL level he looks better than his mate Joe. Joe needs playmakers around him, Will adds to those around him.

  13. Luke winley

    Can we win when we are expected to win. Thats the question that previous semi final parra teams have consistently answered no

  14. BDon

    I like the look of this. It’s a pity the old outside centre position isn’t utilised,I reckon Penisini could give both wingers more confidence to slide and number up, but still our defence will be OK, so to me it s back to the basics of running hard, tackling hard, respecting possession and good kick/chase. Papali’i coming on as soon as Shaun Lane shortens stride could be a master stroke, I don’t doubt Lane’s ability to deliver a hit and hurt mission minus miracle plays.

  15. Mr controversy aka rev

    I’m confused. Ppl say we are better with out Matterson yet they don’t want Lane in the team.

    The only logical explanation is for papali’i n Marata to be the backrowers.

    If that’s the case who brings the energy from the bench. Lane will do what lane does n we can’t really relie on makatoa to bring energy.

    1. Dday

      Rev – I suspect we have to defer to BAs tactics here and match fitness. BA has been loyal to a fault in the past but he’s made plenty of tough calls this week, seems there’s a plan around Lane. Papalii will bring plenty of energy from the bench.

    2. Poppa

      Why wouldn’t we rely on Makatoa to bring energy, that’s why he was picked wasn’t it? He wasn’t picked to experiment with, but to continue the energy he has brought to date.

      1. Mr controversy aka rev

        Poppa i think he makatoa is a good player but not a great player. I like weiramoo Greig i think he runs hard n is hard to tackle.

  16. Dday

    Good team, BA has made the tough calls. Pleased to see Marata on the RHS, key selection. Penisini over opacic is tough but fair. Great having Reg back and like the prospect of the impact papalii will have off the bench.

    Shame about lussick getting injured, Stone will do a gr8 job in the middle but no doubt his service out dummy half may be a bit glitchy. Good plan having Smith as backup.

    Tough on kaufusi and Matto but
    I like the look of this team bring on Newcastle.

    1. Colin Hussey

      Dday, I would think that Stone may not be at DH all the time, in the past both Dylan and Moses have gone into that spot and made good ground, likewise they can get quick passes to the forwards including Stone. Using the halves and Gutho there also adds some speed and variation to the plays.

      1. Dday

        Makes sense to share the load Colin and as forty suggests if we control field position it takes the pressure off. I was just flagging Stone is not a specialist dummy half so we have to expect lower stds

  17. Phil

    Think BA might do a Storm shuffle with the 9. Stone at dummy half for first 20 mins then Will Smith. Stone can fill in at 13 when Brown has his 15 or so on bench.

  18. BDon

    Sixties, I’ve had a John Eel experience. A post that’s somewhere but not here. No big deal, just in case the gremlins are multiplying.

    1. John Eel

      BDon it seems to be when I do a long post.

      I think that the system is telling me the same thing as my wife.

      STFU.

    1. Milo

      Agreed Ken, we need to get some work from dummy half otherwise our halves will have pressure on them; we have seen that if the DH does not run / vary plays that our ruck begins to go slow….we also need some good varied play by the forwards again like we did with Melbourne.

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