NRL Team List
Round 2, 6:00PM, Friday 10th March, CommBank Stadium
A golden point loss to the Melbourne Storm was certainly not the ideal way to start the 2023 campaign but the Parramatta Eels get the chance to right the ship this week as they host the Cronulla Sharks on Friday night. Of course, the Sharks are a formidable opponent themselves and given they too are coming off a first-start loss there will be plenty of hunger on both sides to secure that all important first win of the season.
The changes are extremely simple for the Blue & Gold this week with Sean Russell clocking in for his first appearance of the year. Russell replaces Isaac Lumelume on the right wing in an otherwise unchanged roster. Simple, straightforward and all that was needed really. What let the Eels down last week were uncharacteristic errors and an over eagerness to attack aggressively early in sets. Temper both of those factors and throw in perhaps a cleaner interpretation of the ruck from the officials and the Eels are ready to get down to business.
It is also a milestone game for the club with Mitchell Moses notching his 200th game in the NRL (133rd for the Eels). Yes we have another week of the media circus to look forward to surrounding his contract status but for the team the milestone should be a catalysing force – especially in front of a home crowd.
Cronulla are without the services of their star halfback Nicho Hynes for the second straight week but still have the talented Braydon Trindall to work as his deputy. Wada Graham (Careless High Tackle) and Jack Williams (Concussion) both drop out of the backrow in a twin blow to Craig Fitzgibbon’s player stocks but gee it must be said that Connor Tracey and Royce Hunt are more than reasonable replacements. South Sydney spoiled Cronulla’s home opener with a 27-18 victory that will have the Sharks fired up heading into Round 2. It sets the table for a massive clash at CommBank Stadium on Friday night where the Eels will need to be at their best if they are to secure the win.
| Parramatta Eels | Cronulla Sharks | |
| Clinton Gutherson | 1 | William Kennedy |
| Maika Sivo | 2 | Sione Katoa |
| Will Penisini | 3 | Jesse Ramien |
| Waqa Blake | 4 | Siosifa Talakai |
| Sean Russell | 5 | Ronaldo Mulitalo |
| Dylan Brown | 6 | Matt Moylan |
| Mitchell Moses | 7 | Braydon Trindall |
| Reagan Campbell-Gillard | 8 | Toby Rudolf |
| Josh Hodgson | 9 | Blayke Brailey |
| Junior Paulo | 10 | Braden Hamlin-Uele |
| Bryce Cartwright | 11 | Briton Nikora |
| Matt Doorey | 12 | Teig Wilton |
| J’maine Hopgood | 13 | Dale Finucane |
| Interchange | ||
| Jirah Momoisea | 14 | Cameron McInnes |
| Jack Murchie | 15 | Royce Hunt |
| Wiremu Greig | 16 | Oregon Kaufusi |
| Makahesi Makatoa | 17 | Connor Tracey |
| Reserves | ||
| Jake Arthur | 18 | Thomas Hazelton |
| Bailey Simonsson | 19 | Mawene Hiroti |
| Ofahiki Ogden | 20 | Max Bradbury |
| Ky Rodwell | 21 | Jayden Berrell |
| Haze Dunster | 22 | Niwhai Puru |
NSW Cup Team List
Round 2, 3:30PM, Friday 10th March, CommBank Stadium
It was a fruitless week for the Eels in the lower grades with both the NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg getting narrowly pipped by the Canberra Raiders. Nathan Cayless has named an improved backline for Round 2 following false starts in the returns of Haze Dunster and Bailey Simonsson last week. Simonsson will turn out in the centres against the Newtown Jets (Cronulla affiliated) while Dunster starts on the flanks.
Like the NRL, much of the improvement will come in more refined efforts from core players. They will need to make a solid step forwards over the course of the week as well given that the Jets are one of the stronger teams in the competition. Thankfully they get the boost of playing at CommBank on Friday afternoon which can hopefully make the difference.
| 1 | Jordan Rankin |
| 2 | Isaac Lumelume |
| 3 | Bailey Simonsson |
| 4 | Zac Cini |
| 5 | Haze Dunster |
| 6 | Brendan Hands |
| 7 | Jake Arthur |
| 8 | Ofahiki Ogden |
| 9 | Jayden Yates |
| 10 | Ky Rodwell |
| 11 | Toni Mataele |
| 12 | Luca Moretti |
| 13 | Dan Keir |
| 14 | Mitch Rein |
| 15 | Tevita Taumoepenu |
| 16 | Niko Apelu |
| 17 | Sam Loizou |
Jersey Flegg Team List
Round 2, 1:00PM, Saturday, 11th March, New Era Stadium
Matthew Komolafe comes back to the Jersey Flegg this week with the significant reinforcements made to the NSW Cup backline. He is the only change to the starting team this week although there are two differences to the bench this week. William Latu and Larry Muagututia are both out this week with Lachlan Mears Crabb and Tyson Chase replacing them.
The Eels have a home game at Cabramatta this week where they join the SG Ball and Tarsha Gale for a 3-game block of footy on Saturday. Cronulla enjoyed a strong win over the Rabbitohs in Round 1 and will be a big test for our boys this week.
| 1 | Arthur Miller-Stephen |
| 2 | Lene Feterika |
| 3 | Ned Hicks |
| 4 | Turoa Williams |
| 5 | Matthew Komolafe |
| 6 | Mac Puafisi |
| 7 | Riley Lack |
| 8 | Noah Reed |
| 9 | Nicholas Lenaz |
| 10 | Jontay Junior Betham Misa |
| 11 | Jock Brazel (c) |
| 12 | Max Topou |
| 13 | Brock Parker |
| 14 | Jacob Davis |
| 15 | Lachlan Mears Crabb |
| 16 | Nikau Wrathall |
| 17 | Tyson Chase |
| 18 | Beau Newlands |
Is Larry from, Flegg injured? And not seen Blayze Talagi name mentioned yet. The other is Blackburn. Any info on these guys?
Thanks
Add in Kyen Murphy
Blaize has an injured foot and might return late in the SG Ball season. Will try to get mail on what’s happening with the others.
Thanks 60s your a good man.
Good to see Russell back he deserves his chance hope to see him do well
This is his opportunity Tanky.
Can we swap harry grant for hodgson please . Hodgson defence lapses caused one try at least . 80 min for one player too.much .
Come on Anon. Harry Grant is currently the number one dummy half in the game.
Obviously we choose the wrong guy ha ha
Last year I saw our 2 best (arguably) forwards look at each other while Payne Haas strolled in under the posts untouched from 25 mtrs out. Now that’s a defensive lapse. I also saw our 2 best (arguably) forwards interrupt but not nail Harry Grant, but no way would I say they cost us a game, they had outstanding games. For me, Hodgson was definitely not in ‘lapse’ territory, some clumsy individual moments cost that game, not Hodgson, no way.
I thought Russell looked pretty good in the trials I am happy to see him back.
No Nathan Brown anywhere. Presumably still injured. There was some speculation that he may return this week.
No, still not ready John.
Russell, hopefully add to his try tally. He and Will will be a great combination.
Spent time training as a combination in the preseason.
Russell, hopefully add to his try tally. He and Will will be a great combination.
What is his try tally in NRL? I think he has more tries than games as a guess.
Not sure… I think he might have 5 tries from a few games. He’s a big lad too
I still don’t understand why we haven’t produced a Fullback in years from our vast jnr area and continue with rankin who has absolutely no hope of progressing to fg. Can you imagine penrith filling development gaps with 9ver 30s players . That just proves how this club has neglected its pathways
Who are the 9 over 30 players?
Sean Russell is playing first grade this weekend
I see that Sam Loizou isn’t even in the starting side at Cup. Considering he’s in our top 30 how is he progressing?
Simonsson could have taken Rankins spot at the back and Loizou could have been added to the backline.
One would think that would have to be a breakout year for Loizou.
He should be playing Jersey Flegg. Not up to reserve grade standard yet. Don’t know how he got a top 30 spot.
Is Corey Fenning still with the club? Was Flegg captain last year.