NRL Team List
Round 1, Saturday 9th March 5:30PM, CommBank Stadium
For the second year running the Parramatta Eels will be without one of their core players for the opening three rounds of the competition. In 2023 it was Ryan Matterson and now Maika Sivo throws a wrench into the Team List Tuesday formula for Brad Arthur.
As such the Eels are forced to reach into their shallow pool of outside back depth in the very premiership round. Realistically Arthur had two options; bring Morgan Harper into the centres and push Bailey Simonsson to the wing or slot Haze Dunster onto the left flank as the direct replacement for Sivo. Either Arthur has got Boston’s catchy bopper stuck in his head or slightly more realistically, he has leaned into Harper’s advantage in experience over Dunster for Round 1.
That was the only real question mark in the starting line-up with the Eels filling out their First XVIII as expected. Even the composition of the bench was streamlined significantly by minor misfortune this week with Wiremu Greig sitting out a week with a low-grade hamstring strain. It has paved the way for a straight forward interchange of Brendan Hands, Ryan Matterson, Joe Ofahengaue and Kelma Tuilagi.
Ofahiki Ogden is the 18th man following a good showing against the Titans while Blaize Talagi makes the team sheet for Round 1 as he embarks on the most important leg of his journey towards a NRL debut.
Equally so, the Bulldogs have picked a straight forward team that strongly reflects their trial configurations. Stephen Crichton leads the team from the centres while Blake Taaffe starts at fullback with Drew Hutchinson partnering Matt Burton in the halves. The Dogs field a pair of new faces in their starting pack with Poasa Faamausili and Jaeman Salmon starting in the middle while Josh Curran leads their interchange rotation.
Parramatta have a strong claim to form over their Western Sydney rivals in recent times – even considering the humbling 34-4 defeat sustained in 2022. The Eels have won their last three outings against the Bulldogs and going further back – seven of their last eight matches dating back to the start of 2020. They will need to tap into this head-to-head ascendancy on Saturday because a repeat of the nightmare start from last year simply cannot happen.
| Parramatta Eels | Canterbury Bulldogs | |
| Clinton Gutherson | 1 | Blake Taaffe |
| Bailey Simonsson | 2 | Blake Wilson |
| Will Penisini | 3 | Jacob Kiraz |
| Morgan Harper | 4 | Stephen Crichton © |
| Sean Russell | 5 | Josh Addo-Carr |
| Dylan Brown | 6 | Matt Burton |
| Mitchell Moses | 7 | Drew Hutchinson |
| Reagan Campbell-Gillard | 8 | Max King |
| Joey Lussick | 9 | Reed Mahoney |
| Junior Paulo | 10 | Poasa Faamausili |
| Shaun Lane | 11 | Viliame Kikau |
| Bryce Cartwright | 12 | Jacob Preston |
| J’maine Hopgood | 13 | Jaeman Salmon |
| Interchange | ||
| Brendan Hands | 14 | Kurt Mann |
| Ryan Matterson | 15 | Samuel Hughes |
| Joe Ofahengaue | 16 | Josh Curran |
| Kelma Tuilagi | 17 | Kurtis Morrin |
| Reserves | ||
| Ofahiki Ogden | 18 | |
| Daejarn Asi | 19 | Bronson Xerri |
| Luca Moretti | 20 | Toby Sexton |
| Makahesi Makatoa | 21 | Jake Turpin |
| Blaize Talagi | 22 | Connor Tracey |
| 23 | Kitione Kautoga |
NSW Cup Team List
Round 1, Saturday 9th March 3:05PM, CommBank Stadium
The NSW Cup kick off the action at CommBank Stadium on Saturday fielding a team that sports a quintuplet of talented prospects. Blaize Talagi, Ethan Sanders, Matt Arthur, Charlie Guymer and Brock Parker.
On paper it looks to be a fairly well balanced squad, although again the Eels look to be somewhat lacking at depth in the backline. Still, the growth of the spine will make the team’s progress in 2024 that much more interesting.
Canterbury were quite competitive in the NSW Cup last year and will be a good test for the Eels to start the season.
| 1 | Blaize Talagi |
| 2 | Isaac Lumelume |
| 3 | Samuel Loizou |
| 4 | Zac Cini |
| 5 | Haze Dunster |
| 6 | Daejarn Asi |
| 7 | Ethan Sanders |
| 8 | Ofahiki Ogden |
| 9 | Matt Arthur |
| 10 | Ky Rodwell |
| 11 | Matt Doorey |
| 12 | Luca Moretti |
| 13 | Makahesi Makatoa |
| Interchange | |
| 15 | Meni Luke |
| 16 | Dan Keir |
| 17 | Charlie Guymer |
| 17 | Brock Parker |
Jersey Flegg Team List
Round 1, Saturday 9th March 3:00PM, New Era Stadium
Frustratingly, the Jersey Flegg start their campaign with a scheduling clash on the weekend. The Flegg will be running onto the turf at New Era stadium just about the same time that the NSW Cup take the field at CommBank.
The Eels look to boast a fearsome pack in this grade with Sam Tuivaiti, Saxon Pryke and Jock Brazel headlining a group of forwards that runs deep. 2023 SG Ball standouts Apa Twidle and Joshua Lynn with guide the team around the park while the backline has been restocked with new faces in Tamarere Simons, Eric Vaafusuaga, Charlie Scorovi and Mitchell Chester.
On the bench there looks to be another fresh QLD recruit who also happens to sport a cracking name in Damascus ‘Steel’ Neemia. He forms part of a monstrous trio of rotation forwards alongside Lance Fualema and LeBron Tuala while Pat Spence occupies the utility role.
| 1 | Apa Twidle |
| 2 | Tamarere Simons |
| 3 | Araz Nanva |
| 4 | Eric Vaafusuaga |
| 5 | Charlie Scorovi |
| 6 | Joshua Lynn |
| 7 | Mitchell Chester |
| 8 | Sam Tuivaiti |
| 9 | Ryley Smith |
| 10 | Saxon Pryke |
| 11 | Will Latu |
| 12 | Jock Brazel |
| 13 | Max Tupou |
| Interchange | |
| 14 | Pat Spence |
| 15 | Lance Fualema |
| 16 | Damascus Neemia |
| 17 | LeBron Tuala |
| 18 | Will Lewis |
Didn’t take long for our skinny backline depth to be tested. Round 1..
Anyway, if we do what we did against Titans we should take this one. Bulldogs will be trying to save their coaches skin and will bring it.
Go Eels!
Agree, the pressure will be on, the dogs will be fired up and I know it was only a trial, the dogs spine was terrible, chopping and changing
Pretty much as expected – shame Woody is unavailable, I think he would have had a big impact off the bench against a Dogs team that’s light on through the middle.
Interesting to see Sam Loizou straight back into cup upon returning to the club.
It’s been a long off season, looking forward to finally playing for points on Saturday!
Don’t write off Ofahengue, he was brilliant towards the back end of last year, BA magic dust all over him!
Peter, Joe has had an outstanding preseason
Agree with PP. Joe’s game against the Panthers, in the final game of 2023, was his best game for the club. However like most on here, would have preferred Woody was there as well.
Ofahengue looks good but don’t rate him as an impact player. Woody or Ogden are preferred to see up against the dogs
I’m not sure he was brilliant , I like your enthusiasm. For me he never quite lived up to the boom , maybe his uncles name was a factor. When he was at the broncs he had a lot of the weight room records. I note sixties he had a great off season and he does look ripped. I’m not convinced these more than ever body building bodies with minimal fat are the key, I think a little bit of fat will sustain a player thru out the year but as I read this I’m not sure I know wat I’m saying , lol. Stream of consciousness. Imagine our bench if we can get down to one hooker , wiremu , kelma. Offa , Ryan. Biggest dynamic bench in the comp.
No one else knows what your saying either , ??? 🤪🤪🤪
I will try harder next time!
a) Great to see Brock Parker in the Cup squad; he shows great promise.
b) Is Ethyn Martin injured?
A – Yes, pleased for him
B – Possibly
Our long national nightmare is over! The best team given injuries but still a strong side. Let’s continue to dominate the Doggies.
Do you think Hands spells Luissick at LOCK or Hopgood and LOCK. I can see a situation late in the games where a LUSSICK HANDS combo could wreak havoc amongst a tiring forward pack
Lussick at HOK rather
I think Hands gives options for BA to spell Lussick if needed and to provide utility coverage if there’s an injury in the backs.
Do you think he could be effective in the small lock role that seems to be becoming popular though. He seems well suited to it?
Love this team. Stronger without Sivos poor defensive decisions.
I hope simmo plays so well that for sivo to get back in will mean he is back to his absolute best.
Wait, is Loizou back? Didn’t we release him at the end of last season? Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy, just surprised.
Desperation both parties ???
Returned a few weeks back, though not top 30
Ok wasn’t there talk about did Hollis back to parra also I wondering what happened to komalfe .
I can assure you that Dave Hollis has not returned.
Where are the 2 de-stradis twins in flegg? Where is Ethan Martin?
The twins are in the Flegg squad. I’m not sure about Ethyn. He’s not Flegg eligible, and not sure if he is injured
Last year was tough. Some bad decisions compounded considerable bad luck. Let’s hope for a better start and minimal injuries. Hope the Harper/Simmonson deal works out. Also fingers crossed for a good year from our number 9. We’ll know more by Saturday evening.
Its not great that we start the year with a player on a 3 week suspension. We can’t continue on last years path of 22 weeks of games missing due to suspension. Hopefully it’s a message to all, because suspensions can be controlled far better than injuries can.
Off topic question
What is our home ground run out song?
I cannot really be sure of it. Can someone please
clear it up. Is it electric feel?
My kids are hooked on Thunderstruck acdc and it has 1.5 Billion views on you tube. But that’s the Storm song. It’s an awesome song to run out. Panthers Hells Bells again acdc another awesome song.
As I said I cannot really be sure. It should be something that really motivates the team.
If it’s electric feel it seems a bit passive…
Sorry for the question
I think that they make a call on that pregame hype music and then the run out song each year. I guess we will soon see.
Paradise City Guns n Roses would be good
I don’t think it’s ever been Electric Feel. Past 2 years the players have run out to Enter Sandman with last year being an electronic version. The pre-game video package was Jungle by Fred Again
Ok thanks! That sounds better
Wasn’t Sam Loizou released?
Interesting that Pat Spence is named as utility for Jersey Flegg. This kid is fast and strong and I have no doubt he will do well in that position. Is that where the club is nurturing him into now? He was a fullback/winger in the past few seasons.
He was predominantly a hooker last year in SG Ball but played a couple of times in the centres.
Pat is strong. He put on extra kgs for the move to dummy half. His versatility should be a big asset. He scored a great 80 metre try last year coming off the bench into the centres. I don’t recall Pat playing wing at all in junior reps. From recollection he played fullback exclusively before switching to dummy half/utility.
Where is Ethyn Martyn?
Not sure. Might be injured.
Thanks Sixties,
Not sure what to make of the team. I’m unsure if I’m happy or not about Sivo being out. When at his best I love watching him play, but at times last year it seeemed he wasn’t there in terms of effort. For me Simmonsson seems to have played better for us when at centre rather than on the wing. And I remain unsure about Harper, although I think that remains mostly from memories of that one game against the Sharks where he was towelled up. I have to constantly remind myself that I have seen him play better – and against the Eels at that. I was happy to see Blaize in the reserves, hopefully this will give him even more confidence that he is on way to making a first grade debut in the nearer term. I still think we need another outside back but I know myself and others are like a cracked record on that.
I’m happy with the forwards and bench, although it would have been good to have Wiremu available. And I like Hands there. He can play several positions.
Looking forward to the game against the utility Dogs. Hopefully bragging rights against my uncle!
Really wish I knew wtf the club are doing with Moimesia and Taumepenu.
Hope this was a good learning opportunity for the club to NOT jump and sign players to top 30 that lack experience. How they have progressed Moretti should be how they progressed those two.