NRL
It was almost literally a case of two steps forwards followed by one step backwards for the Parramatta Eels over the last three weeks. Following important victories over the Penrith Panthers and Manly Sea Eagles, the Eels completely dropped the ball against the Rabbitohs in Round 22. South Sydney’s prolonged dominance over the Blue & Gold is proving to be quite a troubling issue and one they desperately need to solve ahead of the finals.
Right now though the focus needs to be entirely on the Canterbury Bulldogs as the Eels host their Western Sydney rivals in Round 23. Canterbury thoroughly embarrassed Parramatta back in Round 14 with a shock 34-4 upset in a game where much like last week, the Eels were clearly off the boil from the opening exchanges. In that vein of thought, we will know plenty about what sort of Parramatta outfit to expect on Saturday in the first few minutes following the first whistle of the game.
Thankfully this week’s team sheet comes with a huge boost as Mitchell Moses returns from a broken finger. Jake Arthur has certainly been more than capable working in relief, particularly against Manly, but Moses is the man when it comes to the Eels. He runs the show, he is the signal caller and the field marshall. He certainly can’t guarantee that the forwards will win the collision around the ruck but he is the man who keep Parramatta on time and on script while also being able to provide some sparkle and brilliance when necessary.
Mitchell’s return is the solitary change to the team this week. That means that Ofahiki Ogden will get a second crack from the bench while Bryce Cartwright made a solid case for an increase in playing time given his honestly solid performance against the Rabbitohs.
The Bulldogs have been somewhat wayward of late dropping three of their last five games. Their Round 23 line-up still features plenty of strike power mind you with the lethal combination of Matt Burton and Josh Addo-Carr headlining their team sheet. Like the Eels, Canterbury were roundly embarrassed last week following their 42-18 thrashing by the Warriors. The big question this week is which teams turns it around the most? Canterbury quite possibly have a psychological edge over the Eels after the Round 14 victory. Conversely, for all the complains we fans have this year, Parramatta are yet to string consecutive losses together.
This is a game the Eels have to have if they want to stay in touch with the Top 4 – or even host a finals game from 5th or 6th. Let’s get it done Parra.
The Parramatta Eels take on the Canterbury Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon at 3:00PM at CommBank Stadium.
NRL Team List
1. Clinton Gutherson (c)
2. Maika Sivo
3. Will Penisini
4. Tom Opacic
5. Waqa Blake
6. Dylan Brown
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Junior Paulo
11. Shaun Lane
12. Isaiah Papali’i
13. Ryan Matterson
14. Ofahiki Ogden
15. Bryce Cartwright
16. Oregon Kaufusi
17. Marata Niukore
18. Makahesi Makatoa
19. Bailey Simonsson
20. Jake Arthur
21. Sean Russell
22. Elie El-Zakhem
NRLW
The NRLW launches this week and there is plenty to be excited about for the Eels following a significant overhaul of their roster from the belated 2021 premiership. Their first up task is a huge one though as they host the reigning premiers in the Sydney Roosters in what I hope will be a large and vocal home crowd at CommBank Stadium.
Core returning members for the Eels on this week’s team sheet include Tiana Penitani, Abbi Church, Rikeya Horne, Filomina Hanisi, Shirley Mailangi, Ellie Johnston, Christian Pio, Simaima Taufa and Kennedy Cherrington. Between backs and forwards, hopefully that proves to be enough of a stable core for the Blue & Gold to allow a host of new faces to shine in Round 1.
An almost entirely new look spine features newcomers Brooke-Morgan Walker, Losana Lutu and Gayle Broughton as the Eels bring speed and big game experience from Rugby 7s to their playmaking corp. Walker and Broughton will likely be key for the Eels this season and for Broughton in particular, the early word is very exciting about just how critical a signing she might prove to be for the club.
It certainly won’t be an easy task for our ladies on Saturday though. The Roosters feature quality all over the park and they are quite likely the team to beat in 2022.
The Parramatta Eels take on the Sydney Roosters on Saturday afternoon at 1:00PM at CommBank Stadium.
NRLW Team List
1. Gayle Broughton
2. Tess Staines
3. Tiana Penitani
4. Abbi Church
5. Rikeya Horne
6. Brooke-Morgan Walker
7. Losana Lutu
8. Filomina Hanisi
9. Shirley Mailangi
10. Ellie Johnston
11. Christian Pio
12. Vanessa Foliaki
13. Simaima Taufa
14. Kennedy Cherrington
15. Brooke Anderson
16. Navjanda George
17. Rima Butler
18. Ruby-Jean Kennard
19. Tayla Preston
20. Rueben Cherrington
21. Ashleigh Quinlan
22. Luisa Yaranamua
NSW Cup
Kicking off the big triple header at CommBank Stadium is the NSW Cup. Despite a heart breaking loss to Penrith two weeks, Jordan Rankin’s men are starting to surge and that showed in their 32-10 win over the Rabbitohs. It sets up an incredibly important showdown with the Bulldogs this week. With just one round in the NSW Cup (and Jersey Flegg) left after this week, Saturday’s game sees the Dogs (3rd) against the Eels (5th) with just the one win separating the two teams. A win this week, and especially a healthy win, catapults Parramatta towards a Top 4 finish in the NSW Cup ahead of the finals.
Jake Arthur is a huge in for this game and his partnership with Rankin in the halves will likely decide the contest. Bailey Simonsson was a late scratch last week in the Cup and will turn out this week after finally shaking off a hamstring injury. Ky Rodwell looks to be injured or suspended this week which sees Jayden Yates get the start at lock forward.
The Parramatta Eels take on the Canterbury Bulldogs on Saturday morning at 11:00AM at CommBank Stadium.
NSW Cup Team List
1. Hayze Perham
2. Solomone Naiduki
3. Zac Cini
4. Bailey Simonsson
5. Sean Russell
6. Jordan Rankin (c)
7. Jake Arthur
8. Wiremu Greig
9. Mitch Rein
10. Makahesi Makatoa
11. Elie El-Zakhem
12. Toni Mataele
13. Jayden Yates
14. Brendan Hands
15. Tevita Taumoepenu
16. Dan Keir
17. Luke Bain
Jersey Flegg
A roaring hot start against the Rabbitohs proved to be enough – just barely mind you – as the Eels cashed in for a 32-26 victory. After racing out to a 22-0 lead Parramatta did just enough to hold off the fast finishing Bunnies and ink their 9th win of the year. The focus now turns to Canterbury who sit one spot ahead of them on the ladder in 8th by virtue of a drawn game.
Parramatta enjoy some nice roster continuity this week with the major changes coming in the backline as Corey Fenning returns while Samuel Loizou will turn out for the Flegg this week with Bailey Simonsson back for the NSW Cup.
Alas for the Flegg, they are the lone game away from CommBank Stadium this week as they return to Ringrose Park and will kick off at the same time as the NSW Cup.
The Parramatta Eels take on the Canterbury Bulldogs on Saturday morning at 11:00AM at Ringrose Park.
Jersey Flegg Team List
1. Dantoray Lui
2. Arthur Miller-Stephen
3. Corey Fenning (c)
4. Samuel Loizou
5. Moala Graham-Taufa
6. Mac Puafisi
7. Ethan Sanders
8. Peter Taateo
9. Kruz Niutili-Schmidt
10. Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa
11. Ryan Jones
12. Felix Niutili-Schmidt
13. Brock Parker
14. Jacob Davis
15. Saxon Pryke
16. Larry Muagututia
17. Jack Colovatti
18. Markis Atoa
With 22 named, it looks like Moses is still very doubtful. Still, this is a game we should win well, but as we know that depends very much on which Parra team turns up.
“Should”, I hate that word. With Parra it is should’ve, could’ve, would’ve, didn’t!
Sometimes they surprise us.
Anyone else have a bad feeling about this week?
My feelings about the game are in a state of quantum superposition and can be considered both good and bad until the final score is known.
Ahh yes, Schrodinger’s Eel.
Excellent
Were the Bulldogs the first team to travel to NZ for eons? The Warriors back home in front of a large crowd after 2 years of being where they probably didn’t want to be. You can see that result happening. But here we go, back home, Ciraldo signing, Gus on the warpath, Burton’s kicking game…If we play soft, we’ll struggle because they won’t.
2nd warriors beat the tigers.
Dogs were off hopefully the players knowing they have nothing to play for are starting to switch off and we can fire hopefully
Along with last week. The most painful defeat was when we got towelled up by Bulldogs.
I remember they got that father that lost his kids to speak with the Bulldogs prior to the game. It turned out to be a master stroke.
I believe we can bounce back after last week’s debacle. We need to heal our soft underbelly!!
If we win everyone will say “it’s just the Bulldogs” If we lose, well no prizes for guessing what will be said and rightly so.
We cannot afford to lose this game!
Go Eels!!
I think BA is being a puppet master and positioning our team for the bottom part of the ladder with the objective being to not have to play rabbits until the grand final. I call it the BA master plan (BAMP).
See what being a parra supporter does to the mind!
I like your thinking and I hope you are right.
Agree entirely. We are tapering to perfection.
Good to see I am not the only one losing my marbles! 😜
The dogs will be up with more clarity on their coaching future. The may want to impress Cirialdo with extra effort.
They may but they should have done this prior to the CA 5 year deal. We will win.
We will win, and do enough to win. I think there may be some ups and downs but we will get there, and its old boys day isn’t it? If they dish up Pal dog food it could be thrown in their face…..we will win. As we are due for a win after last weeks loss.