NRL Team List
Round 22, 8:00PM Friday 28th July, CommBank Stadium
While the odds were stacked against them last week, Parramatta’s loss to the Cowboys will go down as a costly one in the context of their season. North Queensland have jumped above the Eels on the ladder as a result and the battle for a Top 4 spot is wildly competitive all the way down to 7th with the Rabbitohs. Now faced with a second trip that takes them from the furthest Northern reaches of the continent right down to the Southern most venue of the mainland, Parramatta keenly need a win against the Melbourne Storm.
Brad Arthur has made a single, solitary change this week with the luckless Shaun Lane sidelined for approximately 6 weeks with a dislocated elbow. Andrew Davey replaces him on the left edge while a familiar face returns to the interchange rotation as Joey Lussick re-joins the club. Despite the upcoming reduction in playing time, Brendan Hands is a big winner here with the strengthened dummy-half rotation. Fresher, faster stints from both Hands and Lussick should help Parramatta in both attack and defence while Hands can now be redeployed as a utility when required.
Despite a less than stellar showing against North Queensland, Waqa Blake has been retained on the left wing. Haze Dunster has been named to play in the NSW Cup so as it stands right now it seems this is an outright decision to take Waqa over Haze. It is hard to be excited about Blake’s selection after multiple low energy efforts last week and it is a glaring weakness in the team list from an opposition perspective.
The Melbourne Storm are missing key personnel this week with Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Reimis Smith and Tariq Sims all out. Naturally they still feature plenty of star power with Cameron Munster headlining their team while Harry Grant is incredibly fortunate to be available for selection after escaping suspension for the use of knees in a tackle.
Parramatta were narrowly pipped by Melbourne in Round 1 and even with their key outs this week, the Blue & Gold can absolutely take the win on Friday night. They will need to find a way to shore up a fragile left edge but if they can mitigate damage down that side of the field then they will be able to launch a counter offensive that pushes them towards victory. And push towards victory they will need to do because with games against Brisbane and Penrith coming up every win now is a massive step towards securing a spot in the finals.
| Parramatta Eels | Melbourne Storm | |
| Clinton Gutherson | 1 | Nick Meaney |
| Waqa Blake | 2 | Will Warbrick |
| Will Penisini | 3 | Marion Seve |
| Bailey Simonsson | 4 | Young Tonumaipea |
| Sean Russell | 5 | Xavier Coates |
| Daejarn Asi | 6 | Cameron Munster |
| Mitchell Moses | 7 | Jahrome Hughes |
| Ofahiki Ogden | 8 | Tui Kamikamica |
| Brendan Hands | 9 | Harry Grant |
| Junior Paulo | 10 | Christian Welch |
| Andrew Davey | 11 | Trent Loiero |
| Bryce Cartwright | 12 | Tom Eisenhuth |
| J’maine Hopgood | 13 | Josh King |
| Interchange | ||
| Luca Moretti | 14 | Bronson Garlick |
| Joe Ofahengaue | 15 | Alec MacDonald |
| Joey Lussick | 16 | Elisea Katoa |
| Ryan Matterson | 17 | Tyran Wishart |
| Reserves | ||
| Haze Dunster | 18 | Grant Anderson |
| Makahesi Makatoa | 19 | Chris Lewis |
| Wiremu Greig | 20 | Tepai Moeroa |
| Ky Rodwell | 21 | Aaron Pene |
| Jack Murchie | 22 | Jayden Nikorima |
NRLW Team List
Round 2, 3:10PM Saturday 29th July, WIN Stadium
The reinforcements that I was hopeful were coming this week have not arrived and it has left the Parramatta Eels in a precarious position heading into Round 2. No Rachael Pearson and no Elsie Albert for the second week running is an absolute gut punch to the team’s prospects but all they can do is rally around each other and find an alternate way to win.
Rookie playmaker Rosemarie Beckett heeds the call from coach Dean Widders in Round 2 and the Parramatta prospect will guide the team at halfback. Beckett was an outstanding performer for the Eels in the Tarsha Gale where she proved herself to be a well balanced half. The Eels will need plenty from her – especially her kicking game – if they are to upset the Dragons on Saturday.
Nakia Davis-Welsh comes onto the bench and gives the Eels an interesting option to throw into the game. Presumably she will be used somewhere in the backrow but she could also be a tertiary playmaking option.
Cleaner set finishes in attack and frankly put an attitude overhaul on defence will define whether the Eels can compete with and then defeat the Dragons.
| Parramatta Eels | St George Illawarra Dragons | |
| Abbi Church | 1 | Teagan Berry |
| Zali Fay | 2 | Margot Vella |
| Mahalia Murphy | 3 | Keele Browne |
| Shontelle Stowers | 4 | Bobbi Law |
| Cassey Tohi-Hiku | 5 | Cortez Te Pou |
| Pihuka Berryman-Duff | 6 | Tyla Nathan-Wong |
| Rosemarie Beckett | 7 | Raecene McGregor |
| Madeline Jones | 8 | Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa |
| Rueben Cherrington | 9 | Renee Targett |
| Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis | 10 | Roxy Murdoch |
| Amelia Mafi | 11 | Sara Sautia |
| Talesha O’Neill | 12 | Shenai Lendill |
| Kennedy Cherrington | 13 | Alexis Tauaneai |
| Interchange | ||
| Capri Paekau | 14 | Kaarla Cowan |
| Nakia Davis-Welsh | 15 | Ella Koster |
| Shannon Muru | 16 | Tara McGrath-West |
| Monique Donovan | 17 | Maddison Weatherall |
| Reserves | ||
| Tyla Amiatu | 18 | Zali Hopkins |
| Kyra Simon | 19 | Cheynoah Amone |
| Kimberley Hunt | 20 | Sophie Clancy |
| Taneka Todhunter | 21 | Taylor Mapusua |
| Chloe Jackson | 22 | Macie Carlile |
NSW Cup Team List
Round 22, 3:00PM Sunday 30th July, North Sydney Oval
Emboldened perhaps by a significant injection of youth, the Parramatta Eels delivered their best performance in months to defeat the Roosters 32-16 on the weekend. Now Charlie Guymer gets his first taste of senior rugby league as he debuts in place for Jock Brazel in the backrow. Turoa Williams and Joshua Lynn hold their places in the team while Wiremu Greig begins to work his way back to the NRL as he returns from injury on the bench.
| 1 | Arthur Miller-Stephen |
| 2 | Haze Dunster |
| 3 | Dan Keir |
| 4 | Samuel Loizou |
| 5 | Turoa Williams |
| 6 | Joshua Lynn |
| 7 | Jordan Rankin |
| 8 | Ky Rodwell |
| 9 | Jayden Yates |
| 10 | Makahesi Makatoa |
| 11 | Jack Murchie |
| 12 | Charlie Guymer |
| 13 | Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa |
| Interchange | |
| 15 | Jacob Davis |
| 16 | Wiremu Greig |
| 17 | Niko Apelu |
| 17 | Brock Parker |
Jersey Flegg Team List
Round 22, 2:00PM Saturday 29th July, Seabrook Reserve
The Eels were valiant in defeat as they took the ladder leading Roosters just about the distance last week. Blaize Talagi was strong in his long awaited return and should be much better for the run this week. Araz Nanva moves into the centres in Round 22 as Lachlan Blackburn shifts into the backrow while Saxon Pryke is back from a layoff and will play from the bench.
| 1 | Apa Twidle |
| 2 | Matthew Komolafe |
| 3 | Richard Penisini |
| 4 | Araz Nanva |
| 5 | Ethyn Martin |
| 6 | Blaize Talagi |
| 7 | Ethan Sanders |
| 8 | Noah Reed |
| 9 | Matthew Arthur |
| 10 | Toni Mataele |
| 11 | Lachlan Blackburn |
| 12 | Max Tupou |
| 13 | Nic Lenaz |
| Interchange | |
| 14 | Saxon Pryke |
| 15 | Lance Fualema |
| 16 | Lachlan Mears-Crabbe |
| 17 | Sam Tuivati |
| 18 | Patrick Spence |
What happened to Brazel
BA believes redemption can only be earned on the field. Here’s hoping for one the greatest turnarounds in personal form seen in rugba leeg. If the rest of the team could also turnaround their form that would be nice as well.
And good to see The Emu is back from injury.
Surely Haze comes in for Waqa on game day. Dunster might not be 100% but he won’t gift the opposition tries and unforced errors like Blake.
Ikr. Who gives a **** about Dunster not keeping up in line breaks. Atleast his defence was solid. Blake was poor in every single area. His defence was poop as usual. His carry’s to start the set were poop. And he bombed every opportunity he had to score.
You’d think that Waqa would be playing out of his skin to try and get a contract somewhere next year. Here’s hoping that he realises that no one will sign him if he’s playing like he couldn’t care less.
Good to see young players in nsw cup,and emu back from injury
That we don’t have an alternative to Blake is an indictment of our recruitment and retention. It is an appalling situation and there needs to be ramifications for those in charge. Ofenenguae and Davies and Hodgson are just 3 examples of very ordinary decisions. Resigning Sivo is another. He has been poor for the past 2 years. I could name a lot of other cases. These are just a few. I can’t say I have been excited by any new signings over the past couple of years. Time for big changes in this part of Parra’s administration. Our talent scouts and those responsible for signings have been shown to be inept.
Yep. Everyone could see we were too light on for hooker and outside backs but nothing was done.
Anyone who thought Hodgson was going to play 20+ games was totally delusional but again we are left with only one back up hooker. The Lussick signing is ok short term but unfortunately we won’t be signing any real talent at hooker in the foreseeable future.
Don’t disagree, I get what you mean by ‘excited’ as Hopgood sort of snuck in as a reserve grader but I’d include him any day of the week. And Hands has been around for a couple of years, but he is a top squad player.Thin pickings though.
Yeh! so would the Qld selectors, snuck in as a reserve grader? come-on that is garbage!
Hopgood was a reserve grader at Penrith when we signed him near 2 years back. I reckon only insiders had any knowledge of him, I didn’t see or hear much excitement, so for me , he snuck in as a reserve grader. But I rate him big time now, 100% footballer. Just sorting through your garbage now Poppa.
So you rate him now but couldnt see the potential that those with the knowledge did , enough said , and he didnt sign till end 22 .
Maybe you could also add Wiremu Greig and Luca Moretti to that list of quality young hopefuls.
Also, if you’re willing to take away the “young “ part of the equation. How about Carty as a master stroke.
Ever heard of Hopgood? you haven’t given Offie a look in yet….. try a little harder and maybe the team will as well.
PS Its Davey and Sivo came off the end of a good year last year, so I don’t quiet think you are up there with the supporters group, maybe try your luck with Saints or Tigers, they seem to have some style in their R&R…… had a few things go wrong (you think) this year but we have won 6 of our last 8.
Hopgood was signed in 21, I was referring to recent events. The argument that I should desert a team that I have supported my entire, long life is ludicrous. I am merely offering my opinion about an important role in our club that I consider to be lacking in judgment. In fact I believe this view is shared by many supporters. I am merely a concerned fan with enough passion to profer an opinion.
With zero knowledge or credentials !
Well said , cant see woods for trees most of them .
There’s not one player in reggies that you’d want anywhere need your first grade squad atm. Slim pickings even considering the recent injuries/suspensions.
Here’s hoping the “top 17” can keep it together until the reinforcements arrive. Go Eels!
There is 7 players unavailable at the moment. While the KO Cup have been very ordinary recently that is a lot of players to drop out of your top echelon of players.
Which outside back other than Sivo would you put in if available?
I don’t have an answer for you MattL. I have not seen a KOE match since early in the season.
However what I do know is that there have been a lot of players unavailable for selection. No club is able to cover that level of omissions
Great to see young Charlie Guymer getting a go in KOE this week. 3 months ago, he and Josh Lynn were playing SG Ball.
I also note that Sam Loizou has been selected for his third straight game back in reggies. He scored in both of his return games and I assume is playing for a contract extension. Good luck to him.
Think louizio being released !