It’s time!
As this post goes live, the 2024 season is about to kick off with the round zero matches in Las Vegas. Some of you might even be reading this as those matches are playing out or just after full time.
Forget about pre-seasons. That work has been done and the results will be known come kick off. And you can watch every minute of every game across the broadcast options.
Are you ready?
Lets go, bumpers up!
Trial Results
What did you take out of the pre-season games?
Each club had their own approach. Some played their NRL players across both matches. Others loaded up their teams with Flegg and NSW Cup players.
Given this, and the unlimited interchanges, it would be pure folly to draw any form line out of the pre-season.
Coaches were probably watching with their fingers crossed hoping their key players avoid injuries. Unfortunately Tom Gilbert and Coen Hess were out of luck.
I suppose that’s footy.
As for the Eels, we witnessed two distinct performances.
In the first trial, the emerging talent learnt a valuable lesson about the physicality of open age football. They will be better for the experience.
A solid result in the second trial
The second trial reinforced what we have always known – that the Eels pack will be instrumental to any success this season and that there are match winners who can take advantage of the platform that they set.
Considering that Matto, Woody and Joffa all missed the this match, and Moretti played in the NSW Cup trial, there’s decent depth with the middles.
However, with two depth players in Arthur Miller-Stephen and Richie Penisini out for the season, and Maika Sivo facing a three week suspension, Parra cannot afford to lose another back.
Not unless a signing is imminent?
The Sivo Suspension
Losing Maika for three weeks at the start of the season was exactly what the Eels were trying to avoid in 2024.
Last season, Eels players were suspended for a combined 22 matches, which along with injuries was a major factor in the team missing finals footy. The record was by far the worst in the NRL.
Forget being unhappy with Sivo’s trial form and suggesting that he shouldn’t be in first grade. Just like injury, suspension weakens the depth and removes selection options. But unlike injury, suspension is mostly avoidable.
Avoidable
Yet here we are, before round one, already losing a player for three weeks.
So what will BA do with his team list?
My call would be picking Harper at centre with Simonsson on the wing. I believe that Harper is both reliable and experienced and can play a role at centre similar to Tom Opacic.
Haze isn’t out of the picture but I believe he will benefit by getting more games under his belt.
Could Kelma Become The New Marata?
During the preseason, I identified Kelma Tuilagi as a major addition to the club. Only two external recruits were added to the 2024 Eels roster, and I reckon both will be successful.
Focussing on Tuilagi, I expect him to bring similar qualities to Marata Niukore.
Tuilagi
Coming off the bench, Marata was capable of moving to an edge or being part of the middle rotation. He could also be used very effectively at centre. There were occasions when he would start in any of those positions.
If you get the opportunity to see Tuilagi up close, you’ll get an appreciation of what a big human he is. Playing in the middle would not be an issue plus he has the mobility to push out to the centres. If injury strikes in 2024, that could prove to be invaluable to the Eels.
Nu Brown Send Off
We all witnessed some of the farcical calls in the World Club Challenge. It was genuinely head scratching stuff.
Watching the Panthers being brought down to earth should always be a thing of beauty, and I’ve seen enough of decisions going the Riff’s way over the years, especially against the Eels.
However, they copped some clangers from the bloke in charge of the World Club Challenge.
But that seems to be the tip of the iceberg in the UK.
Super League players were on the verge of revolt over the new high tackle interpretation where players are now required to tackle below the armpits.
Across the first two rounds, there were a combined 21 yellow and red card incidents, with 11 involving high contact or contact with the head.
Of the five red cards (send offs), the dismissal of Nu Brown was by far the most controversial. He was sent in the first half for what was unquestionably an accidental head clash. His Hull team was subsequently thrashed by Warrington.
That incident with Brown
There was uproar about the call, with even Warrington coach Sam Burgess stating it was erroneous.
The match review panel decided that Brown had no case to answer. In the face of a potential uprising from the players, the governing body has since looked to amend the application of the rule to include aspects of “initial contact” in the tackle, with referees now encouraged to “use their knowledge and game management to mitigate”.
Does that have the smell of the future blame on ordinary calls being shifted to the match officials?
Brain damage caused from concussions is unquestionably at the centre of concerns, and the path is being taken to avoid potential legal action by affected players. If there are rules in place to protect players, then it’s more challenging to find the governing body liable.
Could this be the future of the NRL?
We’ve seen all manner of crackdowns in the past, in addition to numerous rule changes. Cue the obligatory flood of penalties, sin bins and send offs. We then find that the crackdown ends or the rule is amended or interpreted differently.
But in this instance, there is a trend happening.
Concussion protocols and player stand downs will only be extended. Maximum limits for contact work at training will probably be mandated at some time soon.
The time will then come when the NRL will examine high tackle rules. And if it goes down the same path as the UK, controversy awaits.
Vegas Venture
If you haven’t already done so, please have a listen to our podcast with American NRL fan, and huge Eels supporter, Ron Greep.
Ron is American born and bred and lives close to Chicago.
He’s become part of the Blue and Gold army and has totally embraced rugby league.
As an American who has become a student of the game, Ron’s views are fascinating. He looks at the game from fresh eyes, those of a person with no background in rugby league but who has set about educating himself on the rules of the game, the players, and the teams themselves.
Ron is also beginning that rabbit hole dive into the history of rugby league and of course Parra.
Our man Ron
For now, he has travelled with his fiancé to Vegas. He’s arranged to sit with other American fans at the game. Though he’s watched countless hours of NRL over recent years, this will be the first time he’ll be able to attend the game.
His insights and expectations, his opinions on the promotion all make for fascinating listening. Please check it out.
And of course, we’ll be getting his takes after it’s all over.
Pre-Season Training Thanks
As I indicated in my report from February 15, there was every chance that my pre-season training reports had ended. When the training focusses on specific match preparation, it’s impossible to report on sessions.
Therefore, I’d like to thank the staff and players who made myself and other visitors feel welcome at Kellyville over summer.
Fans meet the players at a south coast preseason training camp
The Centre of Excellence construction project makes viewing a challenge, but I’m happy that the reports could still be a major summer feature on TCT.
Thank you to the thousands of readers who continue to validate the content. Your support is appreciated.
A special thanks to those who reply to the posts. It’s not always possible to answer some questions without crossing a line, so I’m sure you understand the limitations of such reporting.
Now bring on Round One.
The Cumberland Throw Live
We are very pleased to announce that The Cumberland Throw Instant Reaction Podcast will be returning to the 2024 home game schedule
at the “Home of the Eels”, Parra Leagues.
There will be a mixture of pre-game and post-game appearances, depending on the match day and kick off time.
This Saturday’s blockbuster opening round clash with the Bulldogs kicks off at 5:30pm, so we’ll be commencing the podcast from 8pm.
But wait, there’s big news about the Eels legend guest.
A massive round one against a huge traditional rival deserves something special. So we will be bringing you not one legend but two!
David Liddiard pictured talking to Forty during a TCT podcast at Parra Leagues
Both Steve Ella and David Liddiard will be joining us to share stories and to give their takes on the result – an Eels victory of course.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Eels forever!
Sixties
“Not unless a signing is imminent?”
I can’t help but feel you’re hiding something from us
There is always movement happening at clubs at this time of year. There are clubs with multiple spots open which must be filled. There are a couple with cap issues who need to move players even at this late stage.
You word things perfectly haha
😁😁😁
Really appreciate your efforts mate it must take up a lot of your time but I can see you love it up the eels. Me and and the missus going to to the bulldogs game hopefully I can meet you and boys
Cheers Tanky. Forty and I will be appearing in the club after the game so we’d love to meet you there.
Thanks as always for your thoughts guys – love it and the podcast!
Thank you for your support Marlon
I think the concussion issue will definitely be something that gets bigger and bigger over the coming seasons. As you pointed out there are potential legal issues down the track, but Rugby League in general needs to get to a stage where they are providing a sport that is reasonably safe for players, particularly with respect to injuries that cause long term health issues. Will this change the game? Most certainly, and we’ll probably be watching a game that we would not recognise from the 1970s. That’s a little sad, but unavoidable really.
Looking forward to a much more successful season ahead.
Longfin, I wonder what the limits to change will be in our contact sport. The rules are now there to prevent avoidable injuries. But with our sport there are so many concussions suffered by the tackler or by head clashes which are difficult to control. The game is becoming safer at a junior level but at what point does the senior game become too sanitised?
Is it correct to think that players in a contact sport understand and accept the risks? Or should they be protected against themselves?
I believe that there has to be a limit or else the game will lose its identity.
You never know. It could look more like the 70s if they revert back to a 5m defensive line.
Indeed!
I’m looking forward to Kelma playing. He can come on for 20-30 minutes per game and try and rip heads off. He won’t have to do much more than those minutes with all of our other forwards capable of playing 60 minutes or more. He’ll be surrounded by a great pack with 4 forwards who have played Origin and another who is in contention for a spot
He would genuinely fill that role of impact player.
The concussion issue is a big one I have a son and step daughter playing I help coach I trained in 1st aid etc I remember when I was playing I played at a decent level we would get the concussion test of how many fingers who knows what effects a generation of people will have.
It’s enough that I have had concerns about my kids playing after the age I’ve said once they are 12 I might not let them play that’s not something I had ever considered but the more evidence of head injuries the more I think about it.
As for Sivo I’ve said it many times he shouldn’t be in the team yet our poor recruitment and devolpment means he doesn’t have to even look over his shoulder.
Anyway another long begins and whilst my expectations are low my hopes are foolishly high
Agree with your comments on Sivo.
Yes!! The old holding up fingers test. Always two fingers held up by our trainer absolutely fool proof lol. Then a big dose of the magic sponge and off you go!
Sivo, really hasn’t improved his technique. A bit lower would probably be more damaging to his opponent. The defence coach needs to work on this as it has cost us games too often.
I guess we’ll see what happens this week if Simonsson is selected on the wing
I think he will Bailey is more suited to the centre position again the lack of depth in outside backs was there to be seen by us all but nothing happened to fix it
I think last season things were being set up to make Sivo take notice of those who could take his spot. Unfortunately injuries stopped that, and again this season we have key outside backs in the lower grades out for the season. Hoping Dunster and others can start to put more pressure on Sivo to retain his place. At his best he is unstoppable, but he is rarely at his best.
Longfin, I agree. I said a number of times last season that selection options weren’t available. Recently I also noted that it was not possible to consider dropping Sivo unless a player could tick at least three of these four boxes
(Sivo ticks the first two)
1 Unstoppable in the red zone
2 Safe under the high ball
3 Good metres in kick returns/yardage
4 Sound defensive decisions
Keen to see Tuilagi with and without the ball, if he can bring impact all round will be a great asset. I’ve been watching Moretti in relation to the Marata days. Marata was brought on slowly,almost had a 3 year grounding and when Fonua Blake leaves, he will likely lead the Warriors pack. Moretti needs game time to build confidence and consistency. I like his style and attitude.
And given his contract situation of Dev this year and top 30 next that slow build seems the plan