NRLW Team List
Round 8, 1:30PM Sunday 10th September, CBUS Super Stadium
The Parramatta Eels got a first-hand look at the summit of the NRLW in Round 7 when the Sydney Roosters flexed all of their premiership might over the Blue & Gold in a 46-12 rout. The climb to the top of the premiership pile will stretch into 2024 at the very least for our girls but they take another step towards that goal this week as they travel to Queensland to take on the Gold Coast Titans.
Kennedy Cherrington is finally back from a lengthy suspension for a dangerous throw and naturally she comes straight into the starting team. She will don the #13 in place of Jade Fonua who in turn will play from the interchange in Round 8. Capri Paekau makes way for the move and joins the extended bench.
The return of Parramatta’s marquee lock forward sees the forward pack reach its strongest iteration of the 2023 season. Breakout star Tyla Amiatu will lead the way through the middle alongside Kennedy while Mahalia Murphy continues to impress on the edge.
It will take a seriously good team effort to unseat the Gold Coast this weekend. They enter the round with 5 wins and 2 losses to their name and in sole possession of 3rd place on the ladder. If the same string of errors made against the Roosters last week continues on Sunday then the Titans will be sure to pile on the points against Parramatta.
Conversely, there is little reason not to believe our girls can make a legitimate push for victory if they stay on top of their completion rates. Rachael Pearson is forming a great connection with Kimberley Hunt via the boot while players like Kennedy, Mahalia, Tyla and Cassey Tohi-Hiku give them strike at various points across the park.
All in all, it will be interesting to see how the Eels attempt to bounce back from the loss against the Roosters. Can they topple one of the other form teams of the competition? Can Kennedy’s return help the pack go to another level? As always, we will find out once the whistle blows come game day!
| Parramatta Eels | Gold Coast Titans | |
| Abbi Church | 1 | Evania Pelite |
| Zali Fay | 2 | Karina Brown |
| Lindsay Tui | 3 | Jaime Chapman |
| Cassey Tohi-Hiku | 4 | Miall Williams-Guthrie |
| Kimberley Hunt | 5 | Destiny Mino-Sinapati |
| Pihuka Berryman-Duff | 6 | Chantay Kiria-Ratu |
| Rachael Pearson | 7 | Lauren Brown |
| Talesha O’Neill | 8 | Shannon Mato |
| Rueben Cherrington | 9 | Brittany-Breayley Nati |
| Tyla Amiatu | 10 | Jessika Elliston |
| Amelia Mafi | 11 | Zara Canfield |
| Mahalia Murphy | 12 | Shaylee Bent |
| Kennedy Cherrington | 13 | Georgia Hale |
| Interchange | ||
| Taneka Todhunter | 14 | Sienna Lofipo |
| Noaria Kapua | 15 | Stephanie Hancock |
| Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis | 16 | Rilee Jorgensen |
| Jade Fonua | 17 | Dannil Perese |
| Reserves | ||
| Nakia Davis-Welsh | 18 | Kaitlyn Phillips |
| Kyra Simon | 19 | Laikha Clarke |
| Madeline Jones | 20 | Sienna Laing |
| Monique Donovan | 21 | Hailee-Jay Ormund-Maunsell |
| Capri Paekau | 22 | Taliah Fuimaono |
Jersey Flegg Team List
Finals Week 2, 11:00AM Saturday 9th September, Leichardt Oval
The Flegg marched on into Week 2 of the finals after knocking over the reigning premiers in the Penrith Panthers. After hunting down one of the apex predators of the jungle, now they cast their eyes (and nets) to the ocean with Shark on the menu. Coach Craig Brennan has unsurprisingly named the same team that took down Penrith and if anything it speaks to the depth of the squad that some seriously talented players are missing out.
Saxon Pryke, Lachlan Blackburn, Araz Nanva, Lance Fualema and Richard Penisini have all played crucial parts in getting the Eels to the postseason and could easily figure in the team playing on Saturday.
Cronulla and the Eels split the honours when they met this season with the Eels winning the most recent encounter in round 17 by 22 to 12.
The Eels absolutely have the talent and temperament to take on anyone in the finals series. They will be best served by getting out of the blocks faster than they did against Penrith but once they are in rhythm they are damnably hard to contain.
This game will be broadcast on NSWRL TV as well as live blogged here on TCT so be sure to tune in!
| 1 | Apa Twidle |
| 2 | Matthew Komolafe |
| 3 | Samuel Loizou |
| 4 | Blaize Talagi |
| 5 | Ethyn Martin |
| 6 | Joshua Lynn |
| 7 | Ethan Sanders |
| 8 | Brock Parker |
| 9 | Matthew Arthur |
| 10 | Jontay-Junior Betham-Misa |
| 11 | Jock Brazel |
| 12 | Max Tupou |
| 13 | Nicholas Lenaz |
| Interchange | |
| 14 | Charlie Guymer |
| 15 | Sam Tuivaiti |
| 16 | William Latu |
| 17 | Noah Reed |
| 18 | Saxon Pryke |
| 19 | Lachlan Blackburn |
| 20 | Araz Nanva |
| 21 | Lance Fualema |
| 22 | Richard Penisini |
Seems like the coach brenan is doing a great job . Why have they given the job to Jordan rankin ? Has brenan still with the club?
Brenno is a terrific coach. I believe he’ll step away from the club. I’m not sure of the rationale behind the decision. But it’s my understanding that Rankin will be in a full time role next season which must incorporate other responsibilities. He was the assistant SG Ball coach this season. The head coach of SG Ball, Steve O’Dea will become the assistant coach of Flegg. Brenno was only part time as a coach (though the role would involve full time hours when you throw in video work and planning) and is a teacher. Likewise Steve O’Dea was only part time.
It’s a good sign that we’re increasing the number of full time staff.
Fair enough Sixties just a shame Brenno can’t be employed etc. as no doubt the players have played for him. And I have heard good stories here – does Cayless have another job next yr? Or is this done later?? Brenno could be of use
Parra defeated Cronulla 22-12 last time they met in round 17 and they have improved immensely since then. Big chance on Saturday.
Just need to start better but I agree.
Fingers crossed for the Quinella!! Go Eels!!
Indeed
Fingers crossed for the Quinella!! Go Eels!!
What a team for the Jersey Flegg, Brennan has a wealth of players to pick from, like last week no matter which combination he goes with I don’t think there’s a wrong choice. The forwards are tough, uncompromising and very technical in their approach. While the backs and spine are full of speed, class, and a willingness to do the dirty stuff that is in vogue amongst first grade backs. Let’s hope this week that the sharks are a bit more willing to kick to Martin than the panthers were.
Also like last week a prior commitment will mean I can’t make the game, once again I am a #FakeFan
For the women that is the strongest team they’ve named all year. Really wish we could’ve seen what destruction Cherrington, Albert, Amiatu and Murphy could’ve caused the opposition when named together. We’ll just have to wait next year for that to happen. Another combination I would like to see is Pearson and Beckett, seems as if that concussion has had a big effect on the young half. Hope she’s doing well and we can see the pair in the halves next year.
Hey Ham, good points. We certainly didn’t see much ball going to Martin. As for the NRLW, it feels like player availability has been a club wide curse this season.
Hi Sixties and Forty, just wondering if anyone knows how long Tony Mataele is suspended for?
Amazing depth in jersey when Tony and Richard are both available!
Tony
Toni was suspended for three weeks. However, he also wasn’t eligible for the finals as he only played about four games towards the end of the season.
Thanks Sixties