NRL Team List
Round 11, 4:05PM Sunday, Suncorp Stadium
Magic Round and the Melbourne Storm don’t exactly invoke fond memories for the Blue & Gold after a disastrous maiden venture into the mega weekend of footy way back in 2019. Presently in 2024 the Parramatta Eels in all kinds of ways needing a win after seriously testing the Sea Eagles and Broncos in recent outings but failing to yield a result in either contest. Suffice to say, the Eels need to find a way to bottle lightning on multiple fronts!
It certainly requires a healthy (unhealthy?) optimism to buy into at this stage but if Parramatta are to stabilise and even go on something of a run this is a game they absolutely have to win. The difference between a 4-6 record and a 3-7 record is just the solitary win but it feels like a gulf when it viewed on paper.
So, can they do it? I certainly wouldn’t blame any fan that is beyond sceptical. It is another week without Clinton Gutherson and Mitchell Moses and the opposition are ensconced inside the Top 4. Yet, the Eels legitimately pushed both Manly and Brisbane with good strategy only to stumble over poor individual lapses and some outright horrible luck. They will clearly need to find that final step, that next level in order to snap the losing streak but there are some reasons to believe it can be done.
Brad Arthur has made a couple of changes this week in pursuit of that critical win while there are some fortunate to cling to their place in the team. Daejarn Asi has replaced Ethan Sanders in the halves following an electric effort in the NSW Cup as he spearheaded a comeback against the North Sydney Bears. Second time might be the charm on the bench with Bryce Cartwright named again on the interchange this week. Hopefully he won’t be a late week scratching again but it is difficult to believe he is at 100%.
A lack of viable wing options keeps Maika Sivo in the team but Shaun Lane also holds his spot after a prolonged run of bad form on the left edge. Perhaps Cartwright’s lack of full fitness is staying the axe but like Asi, Matt Doorey was a standout in the Cup on the weekend so there is at least one option there.
The Storm are not full strength this week either with Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jahrome Hughes heading their missing players list. They still feature plenty of talent but they are certainly notable omissions. Even so, I believe the Storm are firm favourites on Sunday and it will take a huge effort from the totality of the team to secure the upset.
| Parramatta Eels | Melbourne Storm | |
| Blaize Talagi | 1 | Sualauvi Faalogo |
| Maika Sivo | 2 | Will Warbrick |
| Will Penisini | 3 | Reimis Smith |
| Sean Russell | 4 | Nick Meaney |
| Bailey Simonsson | 5 | Xavier Coates |
| Daejarn Asi | 6 | Cameron Munster |
| Dylan Brown | 7 | Tyran Wishart |
| Reagan Campbell-Gillard | 8 | Christian Welch |
| Joey Lussick | 9 | Harry Grant |
| Junior Paulo | 10 | Josh King |
| Shaun Lane | 11 | Shawn Blore |
| Ryan Matterson | 12 | Eliesa Katoa |
| J’maine Hopgood | 13 | Trent Loiero |
| Interchange | ||
| Bryce Cartwright | 14 | Jack Howarth |
| Makahesi Makatoa | 15 | Tui Kamikamica |
| Joe Ofahengaue | 16 | Nelson Asofa-Solomona |
| Kelma Tuilagi | 17 | Alec MacDonald |
| Reserves | ||
| Brendan Hands | 18 | Grant Anderson |
| Morgan Harper | 19 | Joe Chan |
| Ethan Sanders | 20 | Bronson Garlick |
| Wiremu Greig | 21 | Dean Ieremia |
| Luca Moretti | 22 | Chris Lewis |
NSW Cup Team List
Round 11, 11:00AM Sunday, North Sydney Oval
The Eels are back at North Sydney Oval for the second week running as part of the NSW Cup Magic Round equivalent. They take on the Magpies this week and have a real chance to take a serious step towards getting back into finals contention with a win this week. What a wild sentence given their atrocious start.
Ethan Sanders takes over at halfback with Asi in first grade and he will partner Josh Lynn as the Eels name two young playmakers in the spine. The presences of Ethyn Martin, Matt Arthur, Charlie Guymer, Saxon Pryke and Brock Parker keep the team loaded up on young prospects and has perhaps been a key part of the resurgence.
Notably, Brendan Hands is not named in Cup but is part of the extended NRL bench suggesting he will travel to Brisbane to be 18th man in the first grade game.
This game will be broadcast on NSWRL TV so you can catch it online!
| 1 | Zac Cini |
| 2 | Ethyn Martin |
| 3 | Jake Tago |
| 4 | Morgan Harper |
| 5 | Isaac Lumelume |
| 6 | Josh Lynn |
| 7 | Ethan Sanders |
| 8 | Luca Moretti |
| 9 | Matt Arthur |
| 10 | Wiremu Greig |
| 11 | Dan Keir |
| 12 | Matt Doorey |
| 13 | Charlie Guymer |
| Interchange | |
| 15 | Meni Luke |
| 16 | Saxon Pryke |
| 17 | Brock Parker |
| 17 | Reece Alderton |
Jersey Flegg Team List
Global Bye.
Ethan is unlucky imho plays well gets dropped.. However, Lane and Sivo cost us 3 games, get selected week in week out. Asi was the scapegoat because of Lane and Sivo last time. Depth is an issue but so is lack of accountability. It’s a great way to alienate players that bust their guts. They look to the left and see these guys still there. Why bother?
To be honest pete, I’m not fussed about dropping Ethan, he failed to execute at crucial times. And why bother further developing him for Canberra.
Lane was a main impediment both in defence and attack. Lane provided Zero cover defensively for the young half. Lane also did the same to Asi. Asi got dropped and Lane remains. That’s my point.
Point taken pete, I don’t think anyone will argue with Lane’s form. His best game was poor and his worst game would have him playing cup for any other NRL team. But he’s not the reason BA opted for Asi, Ethan failed to execute at crucial times in attack, Asi has proven he’s more likely to execute. This a game we must win, I think BA made the right call.
I agree Asi was unlucky to be dropped in the first place, I thought he was a scapegoat in the Darwin disaster.
100% right joseph , ethans poor game management has always been his downfall and was evident all through juniors , hes a good player but cant run or read a game .
I get your point. But I don’t blame Sanders. Its his development and being picked at 6 when he’s trained and played to be 7 all year. Couple this with a less than dynamic edge back rower clogging up the play…
I hope Asi has a good game. He’s off contract this year and still unsigned.
Not 100% related. In previous years Parra has hosted a social event in Brisbane on the day of the Magic Round game. As a Brisbane based fan/member it has been a great event. I’ve had the opportunity to meet and talk with Ray Price, Brett Kenny, Mark Tookey, Sam Loizou , Sean Russell and even Jim Sarantinos put his head up to be whacked by fans and Pricey in particular.
Not having received my regular invite I contacted the club to be told it wasn’t being held this year and to look out for NRL events. A real shame and disappointment for me as I looked forward to it. I’ll now be supporting the team from home while watches on tv. As I said, not 100% related to selections and sorry to interrupt the flow. However, I just needed to vent a little.
I hope the Eels come up with another good game plan and this time are able to execute better.
Pricey wouldn’t have missed Sarantinos.
I was lucky enough to be at a golf day with the 81-83 old boys a number of years back, Fitzgerald wasn’t there but that didn’t stop Pricey from expressing his opinion of Fitzy to anyone who cared to listen. It was a day I’ll never forget, my fondest memories are Jack Gibson giving me life advice and Steve Ella shouting me a beer.
Although my experience was not organised by the club, these events leave lasting memories, something the club should never lose sight of.
You’re right about Pricey Joseph. He was his usual direct self. He also gave BA a serve during a Q&A session. To Sarantinos credit he stood up and copped criticism on the cheek from a number of people as well.
For me it’s disappointing because it was my one real chance to do something with the club each year.
Anyway, as I said I’ll be cheering on the team from the lounge room as always this Sunday. Hopefully Harry Grant will still be thinking of his judiciary win and have a shocker to help us on our winning way.
We spoke to Pricey at the BGA reunion. He definitely speaks his mind. No filter.
I’ll just sit on the lounge and hope that Harry Grant has a shocker. That’s laughable. Pricey would love to meet you.
If 2026 is maybe our next viable opportunity to win the comp I’d be intetrsted to hear the team people would hope to see us take the field in the GF
Sanders got called up because of Asi HIA Asi is back so that’s that.
Sivo Lane and Lussick continue
A few more weeks and the season will be officially over then we might see some more youth getting a run
Going by last weeks warmup i would say 2 juniors have foot in dooor , guymer and ma.
Hopefully Gymer gets a run when Hopgood is in QLD Origin.
Doorey must also be close. Played a blinder in NSW Cup
That’s great news, we finally have a bit of depth putting pressure on our forwards.
Doorey plays left edge. Seems a pretty obvious solution. I’ve always felt he had potential as a centre.
Oh, and what’s happening with Woody Sixties?
He’s had a full off season and 10 games, surely he’s match fit, is just out of form?
He just gets hurt too easily, not injured, hurt. Pretty much every collision and he’s down and can’t get up.
Asi didn’t miss a game due to HIA. Sanders was promoted and Asi played Cup.
I thought he was out I stand corrected
Like Joseph I’m wondering where is Woody right now. Towards the end of last year he looked to be reaching the level we all hoped he would, but now, after being injured this year, where is he now at, and has he been held up by his foot injury?
Playing NSW Cup.
How has he been going?
Better than Paulo!