• With the Lisa Fiola, Tarsha Gale and Harold Matthews squads all on a Round 3 bye, it falls upon the SG Ball to fly the flag this weekend. They enter today with victories against the Warriors and Sharks under their belt and will now host the Balmain Tigers at Eric Tweedale Stadium.

Parramatta have named an unchanged squad from the team that posted a 10-point victory over the Sharks in Round 2. Their opposition come into this game on the back to two losses but will no doubt be keen to try and knock over the undefeated Eels. The action starts at 10:00AM so be sure to stay tuned!

 

SG Ball Team List

The Eels will kick off to start this game.

Dakota Kakoi leads the kick chase and makes a good first up hit. Balmain spin the ball to their left edge before completing their set just shy of halfway.  The clearing kick is swallowed up by Junior Fagalele with ease.

Parra attack down their left early on with Kakoi before using their lock Popo to centre the ball. Jezaiah Funa-Iuta bustles deep into Balmain’s half allowing Brettle to send an attacking bomb up but the Eels are pinged in the contest for the ball for taking out the catcher in the air. Might have been a tough call there as it looked to be contest rather than a tackle attempt.

The Tigers get an extended chance to test the Eels in reply with the referee signalling 6-again for a ruck infringement. Parra nearly drive the Tigers into touch down the Eels’ right edge before forcing an error on the following tackle with some strong defensive work through the middle of the field. Good team defence there.

There is a push in the scrum from the Tigers but Parramatta navigate it well as the ball goes to first receiver Dylan Brettle. The Tigers overcompensate in the defensive reallignment after the scrum and he judges it beautifully from there. He holds the ball up taking it into the line before throwing a lavish dummy and from there he is off to the races! Brettle streaks 80m untouched to open up this game for the Eels!

 

Try scored by Dylan Brettle. Conversion successful by Dom Farrugia.

Eels lead 6-0

7min gone.

 

An error on halfway resets the momentum in this game as the Eels fail to compelte their set after points. The Tigers break to their right from the scrum win before coming back through the middle as the Eels match them in the early tackles. A withering driving tackle from Javahn Stevenson-Hala and Seb Piukala jolts the ball loose and just like that the Eels are back in possession!

Jai Camilleri has shown he can be hard to stop when running around the ruck already this season and that is true again today as he fights through defenders to earn a penalty on the goal line. The Eels play to the short right edge over two tackles. The first option is the crash ball to backrower Funa-Iuta but the second is a deft pass from Talataina to his winger Mohamed Alameddine who dives over!

 

Try scored by Mohamed Alameddine. Conversion unsuccessful by Dom Farrugia.

Eels lead 10-0

12min gone

 

Big shift up tempo from the Eels now as Talataina, Stevenson-Hala and Funa-Iuta plunder monster metres after a midrange kickoff. A 6-again from a ruck infringement followed by a batted pass from the Tigers leads the Eels to a scrum just 25m out from the Tigers’ goal line. Really positive intent from Parra in that possession, can they build on it from the restart?

Early ball to big Devonte Vaivela who beats the first man and makes a strong gain on tackle one. Back to the posts for the Eels from there where they earn another penalty as the ball is reefed out. Tap and go left to Tyrese Lokeni who is well tackled. Back to the posts with Javahn for a settle before Camilleri showcases how dangerous he is close to the line with a powerful burst from short range to split defenders and crash over. A rare shank on a relatively simple conversion from Dom means the lead is only boosted by 4-points.

 

Try scored by Jai Camilleri. Conversion unsuccessful by Dom Farrugia.

Eels lead 14-0

17min gone

 

Oh no! What an unlucky break against the Eels. Camilleri is in the thick of it again with a dangerous sortie down the right edge. He threatens to open things up before passing to support to his right. His pass finds Vaivela who has to tip it forwards before regathering and the referee thinks for a good moment before indicating he gained an illegal advantage from tipping it up and catching it. The Tigers were in all sorts from the break as well.

Thankfully the Eels continue to dig in on both sides of the ball as they force another error in defence. Talataina has an electric charge down the right edge as he weaves through a swathe of defenders. The Eels drive right to the Tigers goal line where Fagalele is held up under the posts. Brettle executes a superb grubber on the last as he angles it to the right. A spirited kick chase from the Eels sees the home team win the chase for the ball but the ref is right on the spot and confidently signals the Parra chase failed to ground it properly. There is no protest from the players and the Tigers escape a devastating blow.

The Tigers pick up a penalty shortly after their 20m restart but only manage to complete two carries before losing the ball. Parramatta regain possession 10m short of halfway.

First run goes to Kakoi before Lokeni rumbles in after him. Some neat second phase play sees the ball eventually find Stevenson-Hala down the right edge but the big man loses control of the pill as he hits the deck.

A string of 6-again calls piggy back the Tigers downfield – including a dubious call for a one-on-one strip rather than a lost ball – and they are able to finally penetrate the Parramatta defensive line. It comes down Balmain’s right edge as they hammer the ruck and catch the Eels out with a short ball.

 

Try scored by the Balmain Tigers. Conversion successful.

Tigers trail 6-14

25min gone

 

Now a penalty against the team in possession! The Tigers fail to get to their feet to play the ball and the Eels get the ball back inside the redzone. Talataina takes another weaving run before Brettle links up with Fagalele but the Tigers mark him well.

Brettle cops a poor pass on the last and must have feathered a knock on as he looked to have scooped it up with the ref blowing his whistle. A penalty to the Tigers follows for a hand on the ball and they resume play 10m short of halfway.

A strong tackle jolts the ball loose but again the referee finds a penalty against the Eels as he signals the markers were not square. It is a torrential turn of possession and the Tigers take advantage of it. They are very nearly driven into touch down the Eels’ left edge but a quick held call prevents the home team from completing the process. From the resultant play-the-ball they are able to burrow over and shorten the deficit once more.

 

Try scored by the Balmain Tigers. Conversion successful.

Tigers trail 12-14

31min gone

 

Parra finally get the ball back after the Tigers complete their set after points. Fagalele has a good kick return and is unlucky not to earn a penalty for a slow ruck before time is called off for an injured Tiger.

Turns out he is alright and takes his place at marker. Alameddine goes on to secure that belated penalty with a tough charge in behind the ruck. Funa-Iuta starts the next set as the Eels work from right to left. Popo settles the ball before Talataina looks right and dances back left with a sharp pass back inside to a flying Piukala. The big man is over if the pass is good but the touch judge has held his spot and indicates it went forwards. Looked to be the right call from my vantage point.

The Tigers have time for half a set to try and score before the siren sounds but they fail to do so and we go into halftime with the Eels holding on to a slender lead.

 

Half Time 

Parramatta Eels 14 lead the Balmain Tigers 12

 

Second Half

 

Fagalele fields the kickoff to start the second stanza and earns a penalty on tackle one with the defenders keeping hands on the ball as he stands up. Lokeni gets us back underway with a busy carry as the Eels build to their right from there. Piukala centres the bsall later in the count before Lawson Moffitt makes an immediate impact from the interchange with a run up the guts that leads to a big offload to a fellow unit in Beau Luciean who dives over!

 

Try scored by Beau Lucien. Conversion successful by Dom Farrugia.

Eels lead 20-12

38min gone

 

That certainly isn’t optimal as the Eels butcher a midrange kickoff from the Tigers. Looked like Lorenzo Talataina, who has been excellent thus far, with the rare error.

Balmain work from edge to edge but don’t seem to have much cooking until their dummy half has a dart and offload that opens the Eels up near the posts. They look to be over for all money via one of their props but the scramble defence pour in from every angle to drag him down. Sensational team effort to save the try and a tackle later they wrap the Tigers up for the turnover on tackles.

A tidy set from the Eels in return. Fagalele is hit heavily sweeping down the right but Brettle completes the possession with a well weighted bomb. Farrugia chases and competes for the catch but it is well taken by his opposite to bring them back into possession.

They are forced to kick from deep in their own half allowing Vaivela and Alameddine to pave the way to an attacking play on the last. They run the ball down the last and lose their way before a series of looping cutouts find Funa-Iuta. He gets bumrushed but offloads to a looping Talataina and suddenly it is on! Lorenzo feeds Alameddine who sets sail for the line and just as I think he is going to try to take on the fullback by himself – a fair call mind you – he tries to pass back inside to Talataina where it is intercepted. Crazy play on both sides there!

Errors from both sides in the following sets lead to a disrupted period of play but field position favours the Tigers when the smoke settles. Late offloads then put them onto the front foot as they run it on the last down a narrow left edge with one of their props. He gets popped short of the line and loses the ball only to be saved by a call for offside defenders. It is a big shot for the Tigers to close the gap on the scoreboard but they make a carbon copy error in the next set as they drop the ball in almost the exact same spot.

No frills for the home team in reply. Funa-Iuta has a good charge to set up an early kick for Brettle who drives it deep and low. A disciplined kick chase then traps the Tigers deep in their half. It all leads to a big swing in territory for the Eels as the Tigers have to kick from well short of halfway allowing Fagalele to tidy it up with ease.

Brettle looks for an attacking bomb at the completion of the next set but the Balmain fullback makes an outstanding take to regain the ball and on the following tackle the Eels are pinged for a high shot.

What a terrific effort from Mo Alameddine at the end of the Tigers’ set! Rapid fire offloads and passes keep them alive on the last before they chip into Parra’s in-goals. Mo is the first to arrive and has to make a long run across the backside on his in-goals in order to get back into the field of play. Brettle again bangs it downfield with a good clearing kick to get the Eels out of trouble later in the set but another penalty for a high shot has the Tigers firmly on the front foot.

Time is off after the penalty because two Eels looked to have clashed heads in a tackle. Might be Brettle and Kakoi. They eventually take their places back in the line as the Tigers settle into an attacking set. And just as I type that they drop it. Or rather toe ahead a pass that falls on the ankles and the Eels reclaim the loose pill.

Brettle again looks to kick early but the Tigers are awake to it now as the pressure comes and it is charged down. They win the race to the bouncing ball and find themselves back on the attack in the blink of an eye. The following set doesn’t see them throw too much at the Eels but a deft kick on the last earns a line drop out.

The restart is allowed to bounce by the Tigers and rolls for a net gain of roughly 58m. Good start to the set for the Eels. Late offloads put the Tigers back on track but aggressive line speed from our left edge leads to a dropped ball.

Terrific charge from Farrugia! He plunders 20m up the guts and earn a 6-again call. Alameddine channels the same energy as he goes for over 30m through the middle and Seb Piukala sees it all open up for him! The big man steams in before passing to Javahn Stevenson-Hala back inside and the Eels finally build onto their lead! The two wingers and two bookends were the four pillars to that set.

 

Try scored by Javahn Stevenson-Hala. Conversion successful by Dom Farrugia.

Eels lead 26-12

61min gone

 

Short kickoff goes awfully awry for the Tigers as he barely travels 2m after all is said and done. The referee has somehow deemed it a contestable kick and thus it is a play-the-ball on Parra’s 40m line instead of a penalty. Bit of a head scratcher there.

Pretty ordinary set from the Eels as they get a bit lost on the last but at least the set is completed with the Tigers trapped a few metres off their line. That then leads to an error from the visitors and a chance for the Blue & Gold to bury their opponents as the clock ticks under 6min left.

And bury they do as they break to the left from the scrum win. Hands to Brettle I think it is before he heaves the cutout pass to a flying Dom Farrugia. I reckon the pass probably grades out as extremely flat but the touch jugdge lets it fly and so does Dom as he screams past his opposite to score a well earned try.

 

Try scored by Dom Farrugia. Conversion successful by Dom Farrugia.

Eels lead 32-12

67min gone

 

Some violent collisions on both sides here as the Eels and Tigers play out a very physical set. That physicality suddenly gives way to deft touch and pure speed as Brettle and Farrugia combine again down the left sideline! It is essentially the same play as last time with the sharp cutout pass finding Dom on the fly (although this one had no question marks over it). Farrugia pours down the sideline before pulling up enough to allow support to arrive and threads a pass back to his right to Fagalele who touches down under the sticks.

 

Try scored by Junior Fagalele. Conversion successful by Dom Farrugia.

Eels lead 38-12

69min gone

 

Fittingly, the game ends with another charge from Alameddine as he racks up another good carry and the Eels punch out their third straight victory to start the 2024 season in the SG Ball!

 

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 38 defeat the Balmain Tigers 12

 

NSW Cup Trial Updates (Sixties)

Eels vs Workers Sea Eagles

The conditions are very warm today and the Eels have kindly provided the Sea Eagles with a marquee shelter on the sideline. The Tigers had their own for the SG Ball.

This trial involves the Eels players not contracted to a full time deal. They train Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Todays team is rounded out by about five or six Flegg players.

There’s no team list to work from so Forty won’t be blogging a match description. However, there are some recognisable players in this game including Samuel Loizou (returning from the Tigers), Brock Parker and Tevita Taumoepenu.

All of the early running is with the Eels but the Sea Eagles have absorbed the pressure, even regaining possession from a line drop out. Just as the first quarter is down to the final minute the Sea Eagles have possession and cross from a simple dummy half play.

 

No kicks for goal are being taken.

 

Sea Eagles lead 4 nil at the end of the first quarter.

Second Quarter

Sea Eagles kicking off.

Parra once again get to apply the early pressure and again force a line drop out. The Sea Eagles kick it over the sideline this time. The Eels hit their left edge and Brock Parker crashes through for the try.

Eels 4 Sea Eagles 4

Parra fail to get to their kick after the restart. Time to defend! They force the ball runner over the sideline but are penalised.

Wow, the Eels number 14 Ryley Smith blocks an attacking kick inside the quarter, regathers the ball, and runs 80 metres to score in the left corner.

Eels 8 lead Sea Eagles 4

5 minutes remaining second quarter

Half time 8 points to 4

Parra kicking off through Loizou who has moved from centre to fullback.

Parra are forced into a line drop out but the Sea Eagles make an error. Parra regain possession and the number 12 (I’ll try to get a name – maybe Will Latu?)has run around 70 metres pushrugging off defenders to score. Now confirmed it was Will Latu.

Eels 12 Sea Eagles 4

Just over a minute till three quarter time and the Sea Eagles dummy half has thrown an almighty dummy just in front of the posts and the ruck defenders have fallen for it. His try brings the visitors back into this game.

Eels 12 lead Sea Eagles 8

Three quarter time

Final Quarter

Four minutes in and the Eels are pressing the Sea Eagles line. They centre play looking to find a shape but find success when the number 18 darts from dummy half for the try (will again look to confirm a name.

Eels 16 lead Sea Eagles 8

14 minutes remaining

The Eels are quickly back on the attack. The number 9 (is it Kruz NS?) has backed up a half break and bamboozled defenders with his footwork to score

Eels 20 lead Sea Eagles 8 about ten minutes remaining

The Eels have made an error in a kick return. The Sea Eagles swoop on the ball and a couple of passes later they score

Eels 20 lead Sea Eagles 12

Just over three minutes remaining

Full time

Eels 20 Sea Eagles 12

Late Update

There was a Jersey Flegg trial between the Eels and the Bulldogs immediately following the NSW Cup match. Unfortunately we weren’t able to stay for this clash. We’ve been advised by Mark in the Stands that the Eels scored an 8 tries to 2 victory.