NRL Team List

Round 16, 5:30PM Saturday 17th June, CommBank Stadium

The Eels feel the pinch of State of Origin this week with Mitchell Moses and Junior Paulo joining the NSW Blues in camp. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, who successfully navigated a shock return from a groin injury yesterday, has narrowly missed out on Origin selection. While it is obviously a boost for the Eels it is a damn shame for ‘RCG’ who has been nothing short of outstanding this year.

There was always going to be one burning question for the Eels once it was confirmed that Moses would get the call. Who or even how do the Parramatta Eels replace their superstar halfback?

Brad Arthur has delivered the literal biggest possible answer to the question by naming Ryan Matterson at five-eighth and sliding Daejarn Asi to halfback to take on the Manly Sea Eagles in Round 16. How Asi and Matterson divide playmaking responsibilities will be intriguing.

‘Matto’ offers a surprisingly deft grubber kick and can be a dangerous short passer given the threat he poses as runner. It is also very much time is flat circle moment for the towering backrower as he returns to the position where he played as a youngster in the National Youth Competition as an Eel.

Daejarn looked good in his club debut against the Bulldogs and ending up doing a little bit of everything. His responsibilities will expand on Saturday with the vast majority of long kicking and organising falling on his shoulders. It is an exciting challenge for the young playmaker and I have no doubts that Clinton Gutherson will be heavily involved in order to aid him as much as possible.

Brendan Hands will be tasked with playing the full 80-minutes again this week as Josh Hodgson recovers from the same neck injury that kept him out of Round 15. He is joined in the starting front row by the surging Ofahiki Ogden while Luca Moretti will earn his third consecutive NRL cap on the bench.

Manly are without a pair of crucial players themselves with Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic also taking part in Origin. In a twist of cosmic footy fate, Jake Arthur gets his first start for Manly against the Eels as he partners Josh Schuster in the halves. Looking at Parramatta’s run home, this is a shockingly high leverage game for their potential ladder finish. The team rallying together in the absence of Moses and Paulo for a win on Saturday would be a massive outcome for the club.

NSW Cup Team List

Round 16, 3:00PM Saturday 17th June, CommBank Stadium

The less said about the loss to the Bulldogs the better I reckon.

The recovery job against Manly or rather the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles is the singular focus moving forwards and it will be a tough task given the unavailable players this week. Waqa Blake finally returns from the shoulder/collarbone injury that has sidelined him for weeks and will turn out in the centres. Dan Keir is the complete wild card pick to play five-eighth and will partner Jordan Rankin as the frontline playmakers.

Jacob Davis is the latest Flegg prospect to get the call to the NSW Cup and will play from the bench as part of the dummy half rotation with Meni Luke. We also have a new player in Robbie Graham, who I know next to nothing of but he joins Jock Brazel and Niko Apelu as part of the interchange.

Jersey Flegg Team List

Round 16, 3:00PM Saturday 17th June, New Era Stadium

Plenty of troops back for the Flegg this week. Joshua Lynn returns from a single game hiatus to partner Apa Twidle in the halves while Noah Reed and Brock Parker boost the pack as they make their way back from lengthy layoffs. Charlie Guymer finally gets the call up and will start on an edge

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