How sweet it is, the taste of footy in February. While the dedicated have been able to watch the occasional blurry, badly commentated NRL trial over the last few years via streaming, 2022 marks the first time Fox Sports has gone all in on pre-season rugby league and is broadcasting all trial games. What a time to be alive. To top things off, the Eels are even hosting a home ground trial for the first time in my memory, as the good guys in Blue & Gold will set foot on CommBank Stadium for the first time since June last year.
It’s football, but it is still a trial, so much like Brad Arthur I’ll be keeping the preview powder dry for the most part this week. Do we really care what our opponents will be doing here? Do we care about the result? It’s hard to not care about a win when the Blue & Gold run onto the field, but win or loss this result should be quickly forgotten. We just want to get through injury free, put some metres in the legs of the first grade squad and get a glimpse of the future of the club, with heavy, heavy emphasis on that first point. Stay healthy, Eels. Please.
Game Info
Date: Sunday February 20, 2022
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
Kick Off: 6:00PM AEDT
Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Broadcast: Fox League, Kayo
Teams
Parramatta Eels
1. Hayze Perham 2. Haze Dunster 3. Tom Opacic 4. Will Penisini 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Jordan Rankin 7. Jake Arthur 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Makahesi Makatoa 11. Marata Niukore 12. Shaun Lane 13. Ray Stone. 14. Mitch Rein 15. Bryce Cartwright 16. Sean Russell 17. Luca Moretti 18. Ky Rodwell 19. Ofahiki Ogden 20. Elie El-Zakhem 21. Brendan Hands 22. Solomone Naiduki 23. Matthew Komolafe 24. Josh Tuipulotu 25. Ryan Matterson
St George Illawarra Dragons
1. Cody Ramsey 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Tautau Moga 6. Talatau Amone 7. Moses Mbye 8. Francis Molo 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Poasa Faamausili 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Tyrell Fuimaono 13. Josh Kerr. 14. George Burgess 15. Daniel Alvaro 16. Jackson Ford 17. Josh McGuire 18. Mathew Feagai 19. Jaiyden Hunt 20. Michael Molo 21. Joshua Coric 22. Connor Muhleisen 23. Jackson Shereb 24. Bailey Antrobus 25. Jonathon Reuben 26. Dean Blore.
For those unfamiliar with trial footy, it is played in quarters (or at a minimum, with a drinks break near the 20th and 60th minute marks) and with unlimited interchange, hence the gigantic squads named here. Expect the starters to play somewhere either side of 40 minutes of footy before the reserves start to filter in. Usually you’ll see plenty of players who aren’t named in the initial squad get a run, sometimes wearing the same number as another player, but given both the televised nature and the lack of lower grade trials directly before the game we (and the commentary team) might be saved from such confusion on Sunday.
What to Watch for
With only eight players in the Parramatta squad assured of a start in round one, this first trial will act as both a showcase of young talent and the first chance for some fringe forwards to make a claim for the round one interchange bench. The few new recruits to the Eels’ squad in 2022 are also getting their first run in Blue & Gold. Let’s take a deeper look at all of those groups.
The Young Guns
Close followers of Sixties training reports will be keen to see the development of Jake Arthur, who has a couple of NRL pre-seasons under his belt now but precious little open-age football. This should be a development year for the young Arthur, but his position in the top 30 squad as the only specialist half outside of Dylan Brown and Mitch Moses means he will be the first call up should either go down. Converting a strong pre-season into good trials performances will be crucial for the young half in building confidence, both his own and his teammates.
Easy to forget he’s still a kid, but expect another big leap from Jake Arthur this year
It is easy to forget that Haze Dunster and Will Penisini haven’t seen a lot of first grade football. Penisini in particular hit the ground running late in 2021 while Dunster improved dramatically once given a starting berth. Dunster’s yardage work is something to watch for, but both look assured of a round one spot and shouldn’t need to force their hand.
Hayze Perham, Sean Russell and Ky Rodwell will be familiar to fans from their run in round 25 (or earlier in Russell’s case) last year. All three impressed, but only Rodwell has a realistic shot at seeing first grade without injury striking the top squad. Russell appears to be the first drop winger behind Dunster and Simonsson while Maika Sivo is out, and will be one to watch for some increased size. Perham is stuck behind the unbreakable Clint Gutherson at fullback, but he is still only 22 years old and could force his way into the utility equation ala Nicho Hynes, should his NSW Cup performances demand it.
Deeper in the roster you’ll find the guys looking to accelerate their progress towards the top grade with some standout moments. Elie El-Zakhem was a strong performer in NSW Cup last year, a real stats beast that Supercoach players will be hoping gets a run in 2022. Brendan Hands is a young hooker who has had a future open up for him with the impending departure of Reed Mahoney in 2023, he’ll be hoping to prove he belongs.
Komolafe and Naiduki are talented young outside backs who will be encouraged by the debuts of their peers Dunster and Penisini, but both are well back from a first grade spot to start the year. Josh Tuipulotu is in a similar boat, but as a fullback he’ll be hoping to make a contest of the backup battle with Perham.
The New Faces
There aren’t many new arrivals at Parramatta for 2022, but those we do have are all getting a run here. Mitch Rein is the clear backup to Reed Mahoney and might fancy himself for a bench spot, especially as Reed returns from injury. He’s a 200 game veteran who will just be looking to do his job well in his first trial appearance.
Bailey Simonsson was a late arrival to the Eels but has impressed in his short time training with the squad and it appears he’s secured a wing position for round one. It would be nice to see him in some space and doing some tough yardage work. Luca Moretti is another new face, not yet included in the top squad or development list but he’s a second rower of some promise who has come over from the Roosters.
Ofahiki Ogden is the other new recruit, on a train and trial deal that from Sixties reports seems certain to be upgraded to at least a NSW Cup deal, if not a top 30 position. He found himself in some trouble in the off-season but he’s proving a hard runner and an impact player in opposed sessions.
The Bench Battle
I would expect the starting forwards to come out strong in this one, because the makeup of the round one bench is wide open from my point of view. Oregon Kaufusi is the incumbent middle reserve and is duly rewarded with a starting spot here, but he has suffered from a continued case of butterfingers and will need to step up to play much more first grade in 2022, especially as he has already signed on elsewhere for ‘23.
Big Mack will make a strong case for a round one bench spot
Breathing down his neck are Makahesi Makatoa and Ogden, as well as Wiremu Greig who has been rested here after playing the All Stars game last weekend. Makatoa made his name known in the trials last season and is a high effort, high motor player who doesn’t have the ceiling of the others but, perhaps more importantly, is the most consistent and reliable.
It isn’t just props competing for a bench spot, as the option of moving Shaun Lane or Ryan Matterson to the middle rotation has been floated, as well as the flexibility Marata Niukore offers by covering both edge and middle. I expect Niukore has locked his bench spot in after serving his one week suspension. This opens up the opportunity for two utility players on the bench, with Cartwright and Stone offering value as forwards as well as flexibility to cover several positions, while Rein is a high quality backup who could spell Reed Mahoney if needed.
The Opposition
Anthony Griffin has named a Dragons squad of similar experience to the Eels, particularly in the pack. The starting pack appears to be the possibles rather than the probables, which will present a stern test for Kaufusi, Makatoa, Lane and co. as the Dragons forwards make their own case for a bench spot. There is some talent in their reserves too, including former Eel Daniel Alvaro, English international George Burgess and the perpetually suspended Josh McGuire. That’s good news for guys like Rodwell, Ogden and El-Zakhem who get the chance to impress against some big names.
It also appears there’ll be a fullback battle taking place, as young gun Tyrell Sloan duels with Cody Ramsey for the first grade custodian role. It will make both players a must-watch for both fans and the Eels defensive line. Moses Suli will be looking to make a big impression on debut as well, and while it won’t matter much to the Eels, I’m curious to see how Moses Mbye fits into the team.
The Low Down
Try not to get too hung up on the result here. Even if the starters are thoroughly out-pointed, Brad Arthur will only be looking for fitness and health come full time. Standout performances are just a bonus. Enjoy an early look at some certain round one starters, and hope that a few young guns make you remember their name for the future.
One point to note is that defensive combinations will be all over the place out there. Without Waqa Blake you can’t judge any wide defence, while the first grade halves are resting and thus breaking both edge combinations. One-on-one efforts can be judged accordingly, I wouldn’t want to be seeing any lazy jersey grabs, but don’t worry too much about overlaps and structural breakdowns. Similarly, remember that the Dragons will be in the same situation and breaking them down doesn’t mean an awful lot. Some slick combinations would be nice, but it doesn’t mean we’ll see the same against a well drilled first grade defence.
So sit back, relax and enjoy the unofficial start to the rugby league season. No more pretending to know the rules of the NFL or caring about the Winter Olympics, the real deal is only weeks away. The game might not mean much, but even a trial game of rugby league is better than any other sport on the planet. Go you Eels!
Thanks Gol,
Your typical well researched and written report. Thanks.
I wish i could watch this one but alas not to worry. Hope we get through without any injuries and that some combinations build.
I truly think we will do ok this year, but hope our halves stay fit as I think without Moses we may struggle if he gets a bad injury. But we have some guys who can fill in.
Our forwards and backs seem quite ok for depth.
Hey Milo, I think the fact that there are 9/10 omissions from a full strength team in this line up says plenty about our depth.
Hey mate
jake aruthur have train all year for this I don’t see u doing it
There aren’t too many clubs that could keep up if their best half went down, I don’t think I could name Melbourne’s backup (Cooper Johns?) while Souths are looking at a rookie alongside Walker, Penrith have Sean O’Sullivan as backup and most of the fringe teams don’t even have two good halves, let alone three.
I’d love to be the Roosters and afford to keep two or three depth halves with first grade experience, but they’re all by themselves on that front. I think Arthur will progress rapidly this year with a couple of off-seasons and a few games of first grade experience, he’ll go back to NSW Cup and the game will slow down for him. He’s still very young and raw, we threw him in well before his time last year out of necessity, but he’ll be better for the experience.
A lot of thoughtful content there Gol.
Looking forward to seeing some football and how some of fringe players perform knowing the result doesn’t matter
I’m interested to see how that Moretti goes. I’ve heard good things from his time at the Roosters.
I reckon he’ll do well
Good post Gol.
For me this trial is a warm up game, have seen them many times in the past and usually they are/were stop goes affairs with many or most of the players making mistakes and I would suggest pre season nerves as to who rolls on, especially with the number of new faces that are trialing.
The next hit out prior to the main game and start will be somewhat different as BA will be handing out some warning tickets for those who are in this game and the next one. That match I would think is the primary lead up to season proper, likely with the NRL players in that game to get a hit out at the expense of the ones running out this Sunday.
As usual I can be very wrong in my post. But, I will be watching the game without any hesitation, when things go right, I will cheer, when they go wrong, I will yell at the box letting them know my view.
Colin when you yell at the box, does it ever respond?
Like you I am hanging out for this game. There is so many interesting facets to it. New faces, young up and comers and others simply trying to catch the eye to make the seventeen that line up against the Titans on March 13.
Can’t wait
Wiremu Greig is not playing today not surprisingly as he played last week in the Maori All Stars.
He is looking a different shape and very fit this season and I thought that in the game last week he acquitted himself very well. He ran hard and was very strong in defence.
No doubt BA is keen to get a look at him in his new fit version against top quality opposition against Panthers.
PS. Good to see the contract extensions of D Brown, Greig, Makatoa, Ogden and Rodwell
How good is pre season?
I can’t wait till we loose our 2nd trial and the sky starts to fall.
I’m just looking forward to the season starting getting my hopes up and then being dissapointed again
This year will be different 😃
Offside, according to 1EE they sky has already fallen. Matterson is a reserve grader, same as Cartwright, Ogden, Rein and Penisini should be put on the wing. JA is only their because of BA. When we had the ball, we were dangerous. Then Saints had some luck with possession, repeat sets, six agains etc. The stats didn’t give you a good gauge on the game, we only missed 11 tackles to Saints 24, we ran for more metres, yet we only had 44% possession. Can’t wait for the Penrith game, I think that will give us a better indication as to where we are.
We made a lot of errors from around the 20 minute mark on, til then St George were making them. We played them back into the game and were not able to build pressure.
It was bludger of a game but after 20 mins it’s a reserve grade trial.
People expecting Ogden to be a star are deluded he got axed from the wooden spoon team with the worst pack for the last 3 year maybe there is a 1st grader in there but not yet.
The players showed they are reserve grade players most apart from Rankin have potential to develop into 1st graders and that’s what you want in your lower grades.
But some showed genuine improvement Russell and Arthur have improved
Perham looks like that player who will one day get a decent run in 1st grade and never look back a Nico Hynes type.
Rankin worst on field ,people wanting this guy in top side deluded!
Yeah I never understood why anyone wanted him in the team he is a solid reserve grader and that’s what he’s shown
Offside, you’ve made some fair observations here. I’ve written more on this in my column, but on Ogden I thought his form was mixed. I have been impressed with his form alongside the NRL regulars and I reckon he’ll be better for his first run in a match.
For the 20 minutes our starters were out there we massacred them. Any trial where you lose a first grader to injury is a disaster, but you don’t need to look far to find positives. As for everything else, you got what you deserve for going to 1EE.
Those stats were not just significant, some of the calls were or lack of were head scratching. It was just a trial but apart from two bad tackles the Dragons were apparently perfect. I was there – they were not.
Still, they would not have scored if we hadn’t made errors.
The most concerning aspect of that game was Haze’s injury. I assume Sean Russell is in line? Or maybe Hayze Perham which would help the team (especially the forwards) as they do no need to learn a new name. Yes the Dragons showed a greater desire to win but I’m not at all worried that Parra didn’t step up a gear. I expect the same next week. Good start with the regular team on the field and then intensity to lessen as the fringe players get a run.
February………………………Setember !!
I really feel for Haze. It was a good chance of being a regular starter, he would have been aware of that now he will be shattered.
I heard today that Haze is dating Tyrell Fuimaono’s sister. Do not know if it is true or not.
Some mail that they are trying to sign Isaako from the Broncos for this season before he goes to the Dolphins.
John I read on the other site that apparently Fooee is supposed to be his cousin.
I really feel for him, main thing is to get the surgery done and then play well for the future that I believe he will still have.
For me I think that a player taken out for an illegal tackle like the one he copped should be suspended for the same length of time that the injured player is out for. Pretty hard to take when its the first trial of the season really.