NRL Team List
Round 19, 5:30PM Saturday 8th July, CommBank Stadium
State Of Origin has hit the Parramatta Eels far harder than initially expected this week with Clinton Gutherson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard called into the NSW squad alongside Mitchell Moses. Breakout star J’maine Hopgood is also in the QLD camp as 19th man for the week but will be available to play on Saturday. In a massive boost for the team but perhaps more than a smidgen unlucky for the man himself, Junior Paulo also turns out for the Eels this week. Paulo was one of a number of players axed by Brad Fittler and Greg Alexander as they overhauled the NSW squad for Game 3.
Thus, Brad Arthur has been left with a number of selection puzzles to solve. Naturally he has turned immediately to Daejarn Asi and Ryan Matterson to fill the gaps in the halves. The duo steered the Blue & Gold to a strong victory over the Manly Sea Eagles in Round 16 and know what is required of them.
Replacing Gutherson at fullback is the doozy here with Parramatta’s talismanic custodian known far and wide for legendary defensive efforts and relentless drive. Sean Russell has been tasked with acting as the King’s Hand for a week. No not Brendan Hands but he is still here killing it at dummy half. Rather the Game Of Thrones ‘Hand‘ or steward or consul but you get the idea. Sean will probably take over goal kicking duties as well with Gutherson and Moses both missing and how he handles both responsibilities will be crucial on Saturday.
Somewhat surprisingly, Isaac Lumelume has gotten the call to play right wing. Lumelume beats out Waqa Blake and Haze Dunster and will partner Will Penisini. Andrew Davey has been named to start on the left edge with Shaun Lane making his long awaited return on the interchange bench. Ofahiki Ogden, one of Parramatta’s real surprise packets in 2023, starts alongside Junior Paulo.
The New Zealand Warriors have named an unchanged line-up after getting knocked over by the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 18. There is however an asterisk next to outstanding halfback Shaun Johnson given that he and his wife expecting their second child sometime this week. Should Johnson understandably stay in New Zealand, Ronald Volkman would be his likely replacement for the Warriors.
2023 has felt like it has been a milestone game just about every other week for the Eels. Round 19 is no different with fan favourite Maika Sivo bringing up his century in the NRL. May the big man bag a try or four this week to celebrate!
| Parramatta Eels | New Zealand Warriors | |
| Sean Russell | 1 | Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad |
| Maika Sivo | 2 | Dallin Watene-Zelezniak |
| Will Penisini | 3 | Rocco Berry |
| Bailey Simonsson | 4 | Adam Pompey |
| Isaac Lumelume | 5 | Marcelo Montoya |
| Ryan Matterson | 6 | Luke Metcalf |
| Daejarn Asi | 7 | Shaun Johnson |
| Ofahiki Ogden | 8 | Addin Fonua-Blake |
| Brendan Hands | 9 | Wayde Egan |
| Junior Paulo | 10 | Bunty Afoa |
| Bryce Cartwright | 11 | Jackson Ford |
| Andrew Davey | 12 | Mitchell Barnett |
| J’maine Hopgood | 13 | Tohu Harris |
| Interchange | ||
| Luca Moretti | 14 | Dylan Walker |
| Joe Ofagenhaue | 15 | Bayley Sironen |
| Shaun Lane | 16 | Tom Ale |
| Makahesi Makatoa | 17 | Freddy Lussick |
| Reserves | ||
| Haze Dunster | 18 | Brayden Wiliame |
| Waqa Blake | 19 | Ronald Volkman |
| Ky Rodwell | 20 | Kalani Going |
| Matt Doorey | 21 | Zyon Maui’u |
| Jack Murchie | 22 | Taine Tuaupiki |
NSW Cup Team List
Round 19, 3:05PM Saturday 8th July, CommBank Stadium
The NSW Cup get some troops back at dummy half with both Jayden Yates and Jacob Davis back in action this week. There is plenty of young talent spread across the line-up with Arthur Miller-Stephen at fullback, Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa and Toni Mataele starting in the middle with Brock Parker aiding them in the ruck from the bench.
It has been a rough recent run for the Eels with a number of highly seeded teams racking up the score against them. The degree of difficulty is right up there again in Round 19 with the New Zealand Warriors sitting inside the Top 4 entering the round. Tipping a win is a tough ask but they looked far more competitive in their last start loss to the Newtown Jets. If they can build on that then they might be able to spring the upset.
| 1 | Arthur Miller-Stephen |
| 2 | Haze Dunster |
| 3 | Waqa Blake |
| 4 | Zac Cini |
| 5 | Lorenzo Mulitalo |
| 6 | Dan Keir |
| 7 | Jordan Rankin |
| 8 | Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa |
| 9 | Jayden Yates |
| 10 | Ky Rodwell |
| 11 | Jack Murchie |
| 12 | Matt Doorey |
| 13 | Toni Mataele |
| Interchange | |
| 15 | Jacob Davis |
| 16 | Brock Parker |
| 17 | Jirah Momoisea |
| 17 | Niko Apelu |
Jersey Flegg Team List
Round 19, 1:00PM Saturday 8th July, Ringrose Park
TBA
This game worries me a lot. I’m still backing the boys to get the job done. Looking forward as always to the podcast
Lads
Thanks for the insights. I am pleased for the players but must admit to being concerned for the team’s loss of players. Hope it works out well for everyone.
I think it’s now or never in giving Sanders a go in reserve grade. All topic Flegg from this year have already made their debut in cup. Makes me worried that he will be leaving the club.
Sanders is playing u/19’s state of origin
You could’ve given me 20 guesses and I still wouldn’t have come up with Lumelume.
I agree Graz……one things for sure,
BA plays very cunningly, with his cards close to his chest. I thought I could read him however I failed again……I could always see the talent in Ogden and that’s been proven, still I thought he would’ve thrown Murchie at them, which he’s been inclined to do previously (Ex players). BA has been improving every year and this week we’ll get a really good look at his work.
Like some I’m concerned but i feel we are a different type of animal this year. We just have to defend well; pressure them with the ball and limit errors.
BA will have us up for it, and we need to stay in the grind.
Good to see that Lebron played on the weekend. Hopefully he gets a shot at flegg and improves rapidly.
Cody Parry is an Australian schoolboy and started SG ball on fire before getting injured. But now he is no where to be heard off. Is he on the outer to join a rival club? He played flegg last year as well so surely something is up?
Who is the Jabriel Kalchie and Josh Tuipolotou on our development contract list. Both our outside backs and have not been listed in an eels squad since Flegg last year?
Peter Taateo what happened to him
Nvm he went to the riff wow. He was our SG ball captain
What happened to Larry?
Gone down hill by reports
Any idea why? Its a shame cause some players TCT have told us to keep our eyes on have completely fallen of. Mataele hasnt done anything, Zini, etc
this year, I was really hoping to be wrong about our NSW Cup team, but the last time the same bloke was the coach of this squad, we found ourselves with a eerily similar win/loss ratio.
A shame we didn’t lure back a certain Under 20’s coach that steered the team he helmed to a grand final instead of bringing back a coach whose record at this club and others as a lower grade coach has been somewhat lacking in the “W” column .
We can live in hope of a better result from the reggies squad
Umm can we sign Sanders ASAP cause rival clubs are circling his only young and can take Moses spot once he retires !!!??? 💙💛💙💛
The club will get it done,
How do you know