NRL Team List
Round 3, 4:05PM Sunday 24th March, CommBank Stadium
Congratulations to anyone who had Round 3 rookie debut on their 2024 Parramatta Eels bingo card!
Faced with an early season backline crisis (what, is it 2022 again?) Brad Arthur has chosen the bold and brash option as he entrusts rookie sensation Blaize Talagi with his NRL debut against the Sea Eagles.
While his primary focus has been developing as a fullback in 2024, Talagi blazes a trail in the centres this week as he replaces Bailey Simonsson (concussion protocols) and will partner Morgan Harper on the left edge. He carries the torch as the first NRL graduate from Parramatta’s all-conquering SG Ball premiership squad of 2023 and becomes the face of a wave of rising talent expected to bolster the club over the coming seasons.
The decision certainly doesn’t come without risks. Blaize has played five-eighth, centre and now fullback but he not a specialist in either of the last two roles yet. Playing him on Sunday over a more conservative option in Haze Dunster could backfire against a potent Manly right edge. Yet it is the kind of positive, aggressive and daring move that should be lauded at this point of the season. Talagi possesses rare athleticism and projects as a cornerstone to Parramatta’s backline in the coming years – so believe in him.
This is the right time to be taking a risk.
With Parramatta sitting on one win and one loss coming into Round 3 he gets the chance to play as low a stakes NRL game as you get. If he struggles, Maika Sivo and Bailey Simonsson will be available next week and he simply continues to hone is craft in the NSW Cup. If he shines then suddenly you have a wild variable emerging amidst the long chase for an x-factor in Parramatta’s backline. Anything in between simply keeps him in the mix for 2024 and beyond.
We know the Eels are a good team. We saw in 2022 that they have it in them to be a very good team. This is the sort of move, albeit not in isolation, that can nudge a team towards the rarefied air of greatness.
Amidst all the understandable hubbub about Talagi’s debut there is another team move this week as Luce Moretti returns to NRL action for the first time this year. He swaps into the team for Brendan Hands as the Eels configure their bench for more horsepower against the Sea Eagles
In a shocking turn of events it looks like Kelma Tuilagi will take to the field this weekend after dislocating his shoulder against the Panthers. It remains to be seen whether this is a ruse by Arthur but if Kelma is fit it is a significant boost to the team given that he could have been sidelined for anywhere from 3-6 weeks. If he is out look for Wiremu Greig to join the bench.
As for Manly, their hot start to the season has come with some literal fraying at the edges after losing Jason Saab in Round 1 and then his replacement in Tommy Talau in Round 2. Now Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega steps into the seemingly cursed spot for Manly this week.
A home Sunday afternoon game against Manly is as classic a setting as you can ask for in our great code. Throw in the debut of Talagi and it should be a raucous affair with electricity practically running through the stadium. If you can get out there you should. If you are out there, as always, you can catch myself and Sixties live at Parramatta Leagues Club after the game as we chat to a Parra legend in Sterlo’s.
| Parramatta Eels | Manly Sea Eagles | |
| Clinton Gutherson | 1 | Tom Trbojevic |
| Morgan Harper | 2 | Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega |
| Will Penisini | 3 | Tolutau Kolau |
| Blaize Talagi | 4 | Reuben Garrick |
| Sean Russell | 5 | Jaxson Paulo |
| Dylan Brown | 6 | Luke Brooks |
| Mitchell Moses | 7 | Daly Cherry-Evans |
| Reagan Campbell-Gillard | 8 | Taniela Paseka |
| Joey Lussick | 9 | Lachlan Croker |
| Junior Paulo | 10 | Josh Aloiai |
| Shaun Lane | 11 | Haumole Olakau’atu |
| Bryce Cartwright | 12 | Ben Trbojevic |
| J’maine Hopgood | 13 | Jake Trbojevic |
| Interchange | ||
| Luca Moretti | 14 | Karl Lawton |
| Ryan Matterson | 15 | Corey Waddell |
| Joe Ofahengaue | 16 | Ethan Bullemor |
| Kelma Tuilagi | 17 | Nathan Brown |
| Reserves | ||
| Ofahiki Ogden | 18 | Jake Arthur |
| Wiremu Greig | 19 | Tommy Talau |
| Brendan Hands | 20 | Aaron Woods |
| Makahesi Makatoa | 21 | Brad Parker |
| Daejarn Asi | 22 | Gordon Chan Kum Tong |
NSW Cup Team List
Round 3, 1:35PM Sunday 22nd March, CommBank Stadium
The Eels are still searching for their first win in the NSW Cup this year after losing to the Panthers in Round 2. This week sees a host of changes for the team as they play the curtain raiser on Sunday against the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles.
Daejarn Asi drops back to fullback to replace Blaize Talagi while Brendan Hands takes his place at five-eighth. Newcomer Jake Tago slots into the centres while Charlie Guymer will start on the left edge in place of Matt Doorey (concussion protocols).
There were good passages of play against Penrith last week but impatience in the attacking quarter proved costly for the Eels. Curbing your their enthusiasm (cracking show by the way) ever so slightly will go a long way towards getting them on track and on the board this week.
| 1 | Daejarn Asi |
| 2 | Isaac Lumelume |
| 3 | Jake Tago |
| 4 | Zac Cini |
| 5 | Haze Dunster |
| 6 | Brendan Hands |
| 7 | Ethan Sanders |
| 8 | Ofahiki Ogden |
| 9 | Matt Arthur |
| 10 | Wiremu Greig |
| 11 | Dan Keir |
| 12 | Charlie Guymer |
| 13 | Makahesi Makatoa |
| Interchange | |
| 15 | Meni Luke |
| 16 | Toni Mataele |
| 17 | Reece Alderton |
| 17 | Brock Parker |
| 18 | Kyle Cassel |
Jersey Flegg Team List
Round 3, 3:00PM Saturday 23rd March, New Era Stadium
It has been a tough start to the season for the Flegg after comprehensive defeats at the hands of the Bulldogs and Panthers. Getting right is now the priority in Round 3 with the Eels making minor adjustments to their forward pack. Max Tupou starts at prop this week with Saxon Pryke returning to lock foward. Teancum Brown will play from the interchange after making his club debut in Round 2.
| 1 | Apa Twidle |
| 2 | Tamarere Simons |
| 3 | Eric Vaafusuaga |
| 4 | Araz Nanva |
| 5 | Charlie Scorovi |
| 6 | Mitchell Chester |
| 7 | Joshua Lynn |
| 8 | Sam Tuivaiti |
| 9 | Ryley Smith |
| 10 | Max Tupou |
| 11 | Will Lewis |
| 12 | Jock Brazel |
| 13 | Saxon Pryke |
| Interchange | |
| 14 | Pat Spence |
| 15 | Teancum Brown |
| 16 | Damascus Neemia |
| 17 | LeBron Tuala |
| 18 | Dom De Stradis |
I don’t think Blaize is ready. Surely Haze, looking better than ever with very little in the way of opportunity was the safer bet with Morgan freed for playing in his best position of centre. Is Luca eligible for NRL? I didn’t think he was listed in the NRL thirty. In fact the bench looks less adaptible than before with him there
In the Cup side, is Sam injured again? Terribly disappointing if true
I thought Sam was subject to the 11 day concussion stand down
I mentioned to 2 people this week I’d like to see blaise picked but I think they’ll go with haze I even think I mentioned it to you sixties the other
With cini/dunster not picked in the 3/4 line with our injuries and suspensions a smart manager would be looking for another club as they clearly have no future at the eels
I hope and pray your right 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
With Blaize being a 5/8, he might find himself there when defending and Dylan in the centre position, at times. We know how good Dylan’s defence is.
In attack, you would definitely have Dylan in 5/8.
Interesting selection that has more than 1 option.
Great to see Blaize get an opportunity in the centre position, he was outstanding on the right edge in Flegg last year.
Is there any news on Ethyn Martin?
Ron Massey cup I believe
That’s disappointing, should be playing NSW cup
That last game exposed our problem with not having a utility on the bench. So what does Brad do? Removes a potential utility in hands to add Moretti. Good stuff
Obviously he needs match fitness considering last weeks game time , wont get it on bench nrl so full game ko under his belt needed i would think but thats just me .a grossly over rated player anyway , poor defence and terrible passing game not to mention he cant read a game .
Cruel words Higgsy
But true!
Big ask for Blaize in this matchup, particularly if Manly shift wide early as has been their game plan the first 2 rounds. We will need a smart game plan in this one.
Sivo and O’Neill both owe the club big contributions over the coming weeks for different reasons…
Nice last paragraph.
Putting a rookie in against an inform manly and lethal tommy turbo (with Morgan Harper on the wing as a defect edge partner). Hamoule and Daly will also be opposite said rookie. This will be the initiation of all initiations from a defensive point of view for Blaize and geez I hope he kills it. He’s a really nice young player.
How is Greig behind Moretti? Barely noticed Moretti in NSW cup while Grieg was the obvious standout in a well beaten team
You’ve got the wrong team list for the NRL side, still have Bailey there and no Harper
Blaize is a talent but has just turned 19. Played mainly 5/8 in the junior reps and right centre on occasions. Trained as a backup fullback in the preseason and is now asked to play left centre with Harper as his winger who is not recognised as a strong defender. That’s a huge challenge for a young player making his NRL debut. Let’s hope he absolutely nails it.
Congratulations to Blaize on his first grade debut. I hope this is the beginning of a successful and illustrious career for him.
Well said.
Agree.
what do think Moretti’s role will be off the bench – will he be the one to start for Paulo do you think?