NRL Team List
Round 3 saw the Parramatta Eels stun the Melbourne Storm and produce a galvanising 28-24 victory. As with the earlier win over the Gold Coast Titans in Round 1, it has come at a brutal price with Ray Stone rupturing his ACL in the very act of winning the game. With Stone departing the club at the end of the year to join the Dolphins, it marks a final playing stint from the rugged backrower that was equally incredible and completely on brand. I will deeply miss Stone’s unique brand of footy and wish him the very best in his recovery and future.
After weeks of mounting injuries, the Eels finally get some reinforcements. Or rather a singular reinforcement as Ryan Matterson returns from a troublesome hamstring that sidelined him for two weeks. He steps immediately into the spot on the bench vacated by Stone and Brad Arthur further shores up the backrow stocks as Wiremu Greig makes way for Bryce Cartwright. It gives Parramatta a far more balanced interchange roster although the lack of a dummy-half utility might upset some.
The starting team remains unchanged from the thirteen who took the field against the Storm. Bailey Simonsson seems to has avoided a serious head knock but it could be a situation that is being monitored. If the Eels end up down yet another winger it leaves ‘BA’ with three options on the extended roster in Hayze Perham, Solomone Naiduki and Samuel Loizou. Perham, despite a lack of familiarity with the role is the form player of the trio otherwise Arthur could roll the dice on either of the two other outside backs.
Parramatta’s foes this week are the St George Illawarra Dragons who are coming off a thumping at the hands (fins?) of the Cronulla Sharks. Regardless of current form, the Eels have unfinished business from 2021 with the Red V following an early season ambush at then Bankwest Stadium. The Blue & Gold get their chance to right that wrong on Sunday evening as the two teams close out the round. Kick off is 6:15PM and if you are feeling energised after the game you can catch The Tip Sheet live from Jacks Bar & Grill as myself and Sixties break down all of the action.
1. Clinton Gutherson (c)
2. Waqa Blake
3. Will Penisini
4. Tom Opacic
5. Bailey Simonsson
6. Dylan Brown
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Junior Paulo (c)
11. Shaun Lane
12. Isaiah Papali’i
13. Nathan Brown
14. Makahesi Makatoa
15. Ryan Matterson
16. Bryce Cartwright
17. Oregon Kaufusi
18. Mitch Rein
19. Wiremu Greig
20. Hayze Perham
21. Ky Rodwell
22. Solomone Naiduki
23. Samuel Loizou
24. Elie El-Zakhem
Injury Report
| Player | Injury | Return |
| Jake Arthur | Appendectomy | Rd 5-6 |
| Marata Niukore | Calf | Rd 6-7 |
| Sean Russell | Ribs/Lung | TBC |
| Maika Sivo | Knee | TBC |
| Haze Dunster | ACL, PCL, MCL | 2023 |
| Ray Stone | ACL | 2023 |
NSW Cup Team List
In a relocated, waterlogged affair Ryan Carr and his boys cashed in another victory as they muscled past the Mounties in a 18-12 win in Round 3. Even considering the frustrating dropped game to the Jets, the NSW Cup are doing a very good job of navigating a tricky period with NRL injuries heavily impacting their own playing stocks. This week they host the Dragons and are looking in reasonable shape by Team List Tuesday metrics.
Jack A Williams is due to return from a knock in Round 2 while Elie El-Zakhem boosts the backrow stocks after a multi-game injury layoff. The fearsome middle rotation of Ofahiki Ogden, Wiremu Greig and Ky Rodwell anchors the forward pack again this week while the return of Mitch Rein also boosts the bench as Brendan Hands slips back to the interchange utility tole.
The NSW Cup will play the curtain raiser on Sunday at CommBank Stadium. They kick off at 3:50PM.
1. Hayze Perham
2. Solomone Naiduki
3. Samuel Loizou
4. John Olive
5. Zac Cini
6. Jordan Rankin
7. Jack A Williams
8. Ofahiki Ogden
9. Mitch Rein
10. Wiremu Greig
11. Dan Keir
12. Elie El-Zakhem
13. Ky Rodwell
14. Luca Moretti
15. Keaton Walkington-Meads
16. Brendan Hands
17. Peter Taateo
Jersey Flegg Team List
Full list to come. Round 3 team listed as a placeholder.
1. Corey Fenning (c)
2. Arthur Miller-Stephen
3. Josh Tuipulotu
18. Lachlan Blackburn
5. Matthew Komolafe
6. Dantoray Lui
7. Ethan Sanders
8. Jack Colovatti
9. Kruz Niutili-Schmidt
10. David Hollis
11. Nikau Wrathall
12. Felix Niutili-Schmidt
13. Ryan Jones
14. David Tui
15. Jayden Skinner
16. Larry Muagututia
17. Brock Parker
Considering the amount of injuries we have, that’s a decent looking team and I’m looking forward to seeing Carty get a run, never a dull moment!
I’m not sure why we persist with Kaufusi. He is a sound player who is leaving. I’d be interested to see Rodwell or someone else get a run.
Whats the go with Hollis. Had big wraps but still stuck in Jersey Flegg.
Forty what do you think of BAs bench rotation? Given how physical the game is I don’t understand the logic in not using the entire bench. Even if it’s a spell either side of half time. It didn’t make sense to me.
I don’t think Carty will get a run……. This is not enough for me….. I would prefer leaving 3 on the bench without any game time…. Old skool……. In the modern game we became soft….. Old skool all the way……. Look at our premierships……. The bench did not get a look in…..BA is into something here
I was keen to see if Wiremu Greig could make a statement, willhave to wait. The roster looks strong and Marata must be close to returning, it does make you think about how the salary cap couldn’t keep everyone happy.
I saw a photo of Zac Cini and wow he has bulked up! I read on here that he killed it in our last game. We might have something with him.
I don’t think BA gets the bench right. What happens if a back gets injured? It has been happening ! Does Carty go out and play in the backs? I would rather see Jordan Rankin on the bench (rather than say Kaufusi) who can cover every back spot except maybe a wing .. and at a push could play in the forwards. I’m also quite concerned about our centre defense. The speed men of the last few weeks have been making a lot of long distance breaks on us. I’m surprised that BA is not talking about this other than a comment about the ruck defense. He’s been so strong. Has been taking some nice pills?
BSB I think between Carty and Matto BA could pretty much paper over any unforeseen backline events.
While it is not ideal it can be made to work I believe.
Eelo, I think your right! It’s paper … Paper thin ! We keep getting caught out this way!
Ba is a dope
What’s ba ever done, win two semis against two bum teams lower than him on the ladder. Ba should have been sacked long ago if it was based on his finals record which is like 20% . Wake up everyone
He’s the best coach to have ever drawn breath. Maybe we should bring back SK or pRicky.
But, BA got bagged for putting a half on the bench. Does that only apply when it’s Jake? He got bagged for picking a back when our best forward options for backline coverage weren’t available, cos the bench wasn’t big enough. And now he gets bagged cos there’s no backline coverage, when there are forwards available and selected that can provide cover. Basically, no way he can win.
(noting I’m still critical of the bench usage, I just think some of the commentary on it is ridiculously one-eyed and agenda-driven)
Great read Forty,
I was so relieved we got the bounce back we deserved last week.
NAS is the biggest grub in the game (literally).
Maka showed the blueprint for how we should stand up to opposition. In your face and didn’t take a backward step. The match officials are bordering on corrupt for consistently ignoring plays that adversely effect our players. They’re turning a blind eye..
It’s a good 17 a lot to like about this team.
Not sure why Greig didn’t play last week but given the pace of the game and scramble it was probably thought a difficult step up for him..
Shame about Stone’s ACL but he will get life membership for that game. Because I have forgiven the brain explosions of the past. I will always remember his Stone like defence and his double in that game. He’ll probably be dining out on that for many years to come.
Missed tackles need to keep those under control.
I’m confident we can get the win.
Go Eels!!
There is a lot of criticism on this post regarding BAs use of the bench. At times I have been a little frustrated by myself.
However he was asked this morning to explain his use of the bench by Vossy.
Paraphrasing him he basically said that in the clutch moments trying to win against the best opponents he needs to have his best players on the field
I think that the explanation is very hard to argue with.
Cannot dispute that John, wonder why so many cannot understand that the coach does have a say in what is going on in the team, and what he sees is needed.
The way some talk Colin you would think that it is U7’s and every player has to have a run.
There is only one thing that mattered against the Storm.
Winning