NRL Team List
Round 13, 8:00PM Friday 26th May, CommBank Stadium
The length of Parramatta’s injury list is matched only by the quality of players on it as we enter Round 13. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Shaun Lane, Ryan Matterson and Andrew Davey are all unavailable for Brad Arthur this week due to injury while Junior Paulo finds himself in camp for the NSW Blues. Frankly, it makes for a rather dire situation in the forward pack. Well the call for reinforcements has gone out and it has been heeded by a new recruit, a returnee to first grade as well as a debutant.
Joe Ofahengaue steps immediately into the starting front row alongside Wiremu Greig. The former Wests Tiger and adds important experience to a pack missing well over 700 combined games worth of talent and leadership. He is joined in the starting pack by Matt Doorey who has been productive in the NSW Cup – scoring 3 tries in his 3 games there. Bryce Cartwright has shown the versatility to play on either edge while Doorey has played exclusively on the right this year in the NRL. It points to Doorey partnering Mitchell Moses on the right edge with Cartwright working next to Dylan Brown on the left but a switch isn’t beyond the realms of possibility.
While the acquisition of Ofahengaue is the big news of the day, Luca Moretti’s NRL debut shouldn’t be overshadowed. Despite Parramatta’s struggles in NSW Cup, Moretti has been a consistent performer for the team and has earned his shot this week. While he is at home at lock or prop, he has also covered the edges in reserve grade and gives ‘BA’ a flexible piece on the bench.
The Cowboys are feeling the selection pinch this week as well, although their issues are largely brought on due to Origin. Murray Taulagi, Valentine Holmes, Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter are in camp with the Maroons and thus unavailable for Round 13. Jason Taumalolo, while not selected in the top roster, is part of the extended list and could be a late inclusion for the visitors.
The question this week will centre around how competitive Parramatta’s depleted forward pack can be? Wiremu Greig has been on an absolute tear for well over a month now acting as the Eels’ #2 prop in the absence of ‘RCG’. Now he stands alone as the guy with Junior out and will lead the Eels middle rotation. J’maine Hopgood and Cartwright will provide the subtlety and second phase footy while Makahesi Makatoa and Ofahiki Ogden just need to build on the good, honest showings they have provided in recent weeks.
| Parramatta Eels | North Queensland Cowboys | |
| Clinton Gutherson | 1 | Scott Drinkwater |
| Maika Sivo | 2 | Kyle Feldt |
| Will Penisini | 3 | Zac Laybutt |
| Bailey Simonsson | 4 | Peta Hiku |
| Sean Russell | 5 | Robert Derby |
| Dylan Brown | 6 | Ben Hampton |
| Mitchell Moses | 7 | Chad Towsend |
| Wiremu Greig | 8 | Jordan McLean |
| Josh Hodgson | 9 | Reece Robson |
| Joe Ofahengaue | 10 | Coen Hess |
| Bryce Cartwright | 11 | Luciano Leilua |
| Matt Doorey | 12 | Heilum Luki |
| J’maine Hopgood | 13 | Jake Granville |
| Interchange | ||
| Ofahiki Ogden | 14 | Jack Gosiewski |
| Brendan Hands | 15 | Kulikefu Finefeuiaki |
| Luca Moretti | 16 | Jamayne Taunoa-Brown |
| Makahesi Makatoa | 17 | Griffin Neame |
| Reserves | ||
| Daejarn Asi | 18 | Mitchell Dunn |
| Haze Dunster | 19 | Brendan Elliot |
| Ky Rodwell | 20 | Sam McIntyre |
| Jack Murchie | 21 | Thomas Duffy |
| Isaac Lumelume | 22 | Jason Taumalolo |
NSW Cup Team List
Round 13, 5:40PM Friday 26th May, CommBank Stadium
A tough week awaits the Eels in the NSW Cup. Not only have they lost their important playmaker in Jake Arthur to the Sea Eagles, their pack has been gutted to reinforce first grade. To make matters that much worse they take on the table-topping North Sydney Bears on Friday night.
Daejarn Asi moves into the halves to take over from the departed Arthur which in turn sees Zac Cini start at fullback. Jirah Momoisea and Ky Rodwell start in the front row with Jayden Yates named at lock.
| 1 | Zac Cini |
| 2 | Haze Dunster |
| 3 | Joshuah Minhinnick |
| 4 | Isaac Lumelume |
| 5 | Chris Tupou |
| 6 | Daejarn Asi |
| 7 | Jordan Rankin |
| 8 | Jirah Momoisea |
| 9 | Meni Luke |
| 10 | Ky Rodwell |
| 11 | Jack Murchie |
| 12 | Dan Keir |
| 13 | Jayden Yates |
| Interchange | |
| 15 | Tevita Taumoepenu |
| 16 | Niko Apelu |
| 17 | Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa |
| 17 | Toni Mataele |
Jersey Flegg Team List
Round 13, 2:45PM Saturday 27th May, Kellyville Park
The Eels were run down by the Rabbitohs in Round 12 amidst a flurry of injuries and missed opportunities. Gun halfback Ethan Sanders left the game with a hand injury and is absent from the team list this week, replaced by fellow SG Ball winning half Joshua Lynn. Sam Tuivati and Saxon Pryke step into the starting pack while captain Jock Brazel returns from his NSW Cup debut to lead the team.
The Eels take on the Melbourne Storm this week.
| 1 | Apa Twidle |
| 2 | Matthew Komolafe |
| 3 | Turoa Williams |
| 4 | Richard Penisini |
| 5 | Lene Feterika |
| 6 | Mac Puafisi |
| 7 | Joshua Lynn |
| 8 | Noah Reed |
| 9 | Jacob Davis |
| 10 | Sam Tuivati |
| 11 | Jock Brazel (c) |
| 12 | Saxon Pryke |
| 13 | Nic Lenaz |
| Interchange | |
| 14 | Matt Arthur |
| 15 | Lance Fualema |
| 16 | Lachlan Mears-Crabbe |
| 17 | Larry Muagututia |
| 18 | Damien Nati |
Thanks Forty!
Can you tell me what happened to Ethyn Martin?
What has happened to Waqa Blake and Mitch Rein.
Sixties or Forty, Could you please provide an update on C Parry and Blaze Talagi? I thought they would been in Flegg by now with such good SG balls season and being junior school boy players.
In the highlights the edge of Paufusi, Williams and Komolaefe is horrible in defence. Surely Talagi could at least take Williams spot whilst Parry could take that wing spot that keeps changing every week lol. Does this Paufusi have any raps on him?
In one of the podcasts, it was mentioned that Blaze was injured in the city country under 19’s game.
Louizou and Komolafe were the only ones that scored 2x tries each against rabbits. The Ref was questionable for the fleg game.
Why has Loizou recently not been named in any squad but than will magically appear in Flegg lol.
Injured again !
So glad Hopgood is not on origin duty. But good to see Joe O straight in in and Moretti debut. Looking forward to seeing them play on Saturday.
When we first recruited Moretti nearly 2 seasons ago I went on YouTube to find his highlights. What stood out to me was his ability to hit in defence.
There have been some good reports on his form this year so I am hoping we see some of those big shots in defence this week in the NRL.
Have a great debut Luca. Welcome to the Eels Joe. Do your best big fella.
Now I’m even more excited to see him play. Thanks JE.
If they turn up Saturday they will be late !
Ha! But well rested!
I would have liked to see Ogden get a start. He‘s been building quite nicely.
I wonder how long we’ve signed Joe O for. If beyond this year then that is a VERY expensive forward pack…
Paid out part of his Tigers contract I believe, end of 2025 if memory serves
Welcome to big O!!
Could have done with a big bopper last year but (I’ll take it round 13) better late than never. Recruitment has copped a pasting on Fox recently and probably helped move things along.
So glad Ogden and Moretti are in the team.
These new players give great enthusiasm to the team. We can wean our over reliance on tired forwards and use a strong bench.
Sorry to see Jake leave. But given some toxic fans, I don’t blame him. I’m sure he will be better off. It will be great for his development and he will come back. Probably as edge back row or maybe 13.
I’m confident.
Go Eels !!
Some dangerous ball runners in Cowboy’s pack, let’s not give them cheap ball and field position, we’ve got full strength back line and spine and a pack that can go forward. Plus home crowd.Will be interesting game.
Some good options this week for me. Good to see the club make a forward move…no pun intended and also good to see Moretti in the team. Hope he’s a strong as the Beer Bira Moretti, a decent ale from Italy.
Sad to see Jake move on but he will do well and who knows where he ends up.
We will win this week; just need fwds to defend well and hold up. Our back Five need to take on the tough C line runs form kicks and take pressure off the pack.
I’m confident.
Nice, now get to see the best biot in the club being used , Asi at 6 is gonna be good.