NRL Team List
Round 19, Saturday 5:30PM, Cbus Super Stadium
For the third round running the Parramatta Eels are handing someone their maiden NRL cap. Following in the wake of Matthew Arthur, Jake Tago and Charlie Guymer we now see Lorenzo Mulitalo (yes, twin brother of Ronaldo) make his debut for the Parramatta Eels. It comes as Parramatta’s meagre backline stocks take another blow with Sean Russell seemingly ruled out due to injury and forces the ∞⁺¹th (nd/rd/st) reshuffle of the troubled positional group in 2024.
Lorenzo becomes Eel #849 and will make will debut on the right wing for the Eels with Blaize Talagi shifting one spot inside but also onto the opposite of the field to take over at left centre. Forced changes continue this week with Mitchell Moses looking to spearhead a series win for the NSW Blues and also with the loss of Junior Paulo for what looks to be the remainder of the season.
Dylan Brown will don his customary #6 again but becomes the primary playmaker in the Eels’ bid to defeat the Gold Coast Titans. Joining him in the halves is Daejarn Asi while Luca Moretti is the man earmarked to replace Junior in the pack. Trent Barrett has also tweaked the forward pack with Matt Doorey starting over Bryce Cartwright on the edge while Guymer is rewarded for an excellent debut last week with a start at lock forward.
On the whole it is an incredibly inexperienced Parramatta squad this week with 5 members of the squad having 12 games of NRL experience or less to their names. Hell, a further 4 only have 35 games or less to their names. Naturally that means that like Guymer above, Arthur and Tago (and Talagi of course but he has become a fixture in the squad) are both also present as the young talent continue to get a chance to impress incoming head coach Jason Ryles with strong showings against the Titans.
In terms of milestones this week, Reagan Campbell-Gillard notches his 100th game as an Eel. Congratulations to the big man for racking up the ton.
The Titans bring their customary speedy backline to the table this week with the likes of Kini, Khan-Peteira and Jojo Fifita ready to test the Eels with electric pace. If they are the lightning then overlooked QLD prospect David Fifita is the thunder with the powerful forward primed for a big effort after Billy Slater spurned him for the third time this year.
| Parramatta Eels | Gold Coast Titans | |
| Clinton Gutherson | 1 | Keano Kini |
| Jake Tago | 2 | Alofiana Khan-Pereira |
| Will Penisini | 3 | Brian Kelly |
| Blaize Talagi | 4 | Beau Fermor |
| Lorenzo Mulitalo | 5 | Jojo Fifita |
| Dylan Brown | 6 | Jayden Campbell |
| Daejan Asi | 7 | Kieran Foran |
| Reagan Campbell-Gillard | 8 | Josiah Pahulu |
| Brendan Hands | 9 | Sam Verrills |
| Joe Ofahengaue | 10 | Erin Clark |
| Ryan Matterson | 11 | David Fifita |
| Matt Doorey | 12 | Klese Haas |
| Charlie Guymer | 13 | Chris Randall |
| Interchange | ||
| Matthew Arthur | 14 | Isaac Liu |
| Shaun Lane | 15 | Jacob Alick-Wiencke |
| Luca Moretti | 16 | Keenan Palasia |
| Bryce Cartwright | 17 | Phillip Sami |
| Reserves | ||
| Makahesi Makatoa | 18 | AJ Brimson |
| Isaac Lumelume | 19 | Joe Stimson |
| Joey Lussick | 20 | Tanah Boyd |
| Morgan Harper | 21 | Iszac Fa’asuamaleuai |
| Wiremu Greig | 22 | Jaylan De Groot |
NSW Cup Team List
Round 19, Saturday 3:00PM, Lidcombe Oval
The wheels of junior development are churning and turning at the Eels as Mohamed Alameddine finally makes his NSW Cup debut. The promotion of Lorenzo Mulitalo to first grade finally opened the door for the young winger and he gets his shot against the New Zealand Warriors.
Parramatta continued their winning ways last week, albeit with a closer-than-necessary finish against Souths, and can close ground on the finals again with a win against the 5th placed Warriors.
Nathan Cayless has called upon Josh Lynn to partner Ethan Sanders in the halves while Reece Alderton gets the start at prop this week. Jock Brazel and Brock Parker start in the backrow while Saxon Pryke and Max Tupou also give an infusion of youth to the interchange. Makahesi Makatoa is a possible selection consideration as well but will probably be on the Gold Coast on the same day as the concussion reserve for first grade.
| 1 | Zac Cini |
| 2 | Mohamed Alameddine |
| 3 | Samuel Loizou |
| 4 | Morgan Harper |
| 5 | Isaac Lumelume |
| 6 | Josh Lynn |
| 7 | Ethan Sanders |
| 8 | Wiremu Greig |
| 9 | Joey Lussick |
| 10 | Reece Alderton |
| 11 | Dan Keir |
| 12 | Jock Brazel |
| 13 | Brock Parker |
| Interchange | |
| 14 | Meni Luke |
| 15 | Saxon Pryke |
| 16 | Adam Spicer |
| 17 | Max Tupou |
Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership Team List
Round 2, Saturday 10:30AM, Eric Tweedale Stadium
Big changes to the HNWP side despite last week’s win over the Sea Eagles. The likely cause could be the staging of the NRLW trial against the Sharks, with the players absent this week being members of the NRLW squad.
This sees a new centre pairing in Peadon and Haumono, new props in Namoce and Dimech, and Sandford switching from centre to back row. Most of these names will be familiar to those who follow the Eels Tarsha Gale team.
There are no changes to the bench but past Lokeni, there are four new names added to the reserves list.
| 1 | Yasmine Baker |
| 2 | Debbie Doueihi |
| 3 | Caitlin Peadon |
| 4 |
Aaliyah Haumono
|
| 5 | Shaye Shipton |
| 6 | Tallarra Bamblett |
| 7 | Sarah Dimech |
| 8 | Aliti Namoce |
| 9 | Chelsea Makira |
| 10 | Liaina Dimech |
| 11 | Bella Sandford |
| 12 | Tahleisha Maeva © |
| 13 | Ryshe Fa’amausili |
| Interchange | |
| 14 | Raphaella Perigo |
| 15 | Losalio Payne |
| 16 | Alysha Bell |
| 17 | Ashlee Pottinger |
| 18 | Kyanna Lokeni |
| 19 |
Tehillah Vaeluaga
|
| 20
21 22 |
Rory Muller
Caitlin Stanley Fontayne Tufuga |
Jersey Flegg Team List
Round 19, Saturday 1:00PM, Lidcombe Oval
The Flegg put together an absolute clinic on the weekend to roll the Rabbitohs up by the tune of 46-0 but it looks like it might have been a costly win with sweeping changes this week – even beyond the trickle-down changes forced by the NRL.
Apa Twidle shifts into the halves to partner Matthew Hunter while Zac Hunter takes over at fullback. Mohamed Alameddine is named on the wing but his replacement will come on game day presumably while the entire backrow gets a facelift this week. Out are the De Stradis brothers and Saxon Pryke with Will Lewis, Tyrese Lokeni and Damascus Neemia completely the overhaul.
Javahn Stevenson-Hala is back on the interchange this week and joined by another SG Ball talent in Jezaiah Funa-Iuta. Jezaiah makes his Flegg debut in his junior year of SG Ball eligibility in a ringing endorsement of his talents and hard work.
| 1 | Zac Hunter |
| 2 | Mohamed Alameddine |
| 3 | Antioch Faitala-Mariner |
| 4 | Araz Nanva |
| 5 | Ollie McCarthy |
| 6 | Apa Twidle |
| 7 | Matthew Hunter |
| 8 | Sam Tuivati |
| 9 | Ryley Smith |
| 10 | Teancum Brown |
| 11 | Will Lewis |
| 12 | Tyrese Lokeni |
| 13 | Damascus Neemia |
| Interchange | |
| 14 | Yehya Ayache |
| 15 | Michael Abdow |
| 16 | Javahn Stevenson-Hala |
| 17 | Jezaiah Funa-Iuta |
| 19 | Devonte Vaivela |
I wonder what is keeping Tuivita in Flegg as you would think he should on the bench for cup by now?
I believe Jezaiah future is in the middle as he seems to lack the lateral movement to play on the edge. I think he should try evolve his game to his look-alike Kolomantangi. High work rate and tackle hard which is already his strength. He is not your damaging backrower like Lokeni.
I hope that Martyn is a week away because his NRl debut could be sooner than expected.
Any idea what happened to the Stradis brothers?
Forty you have Alemeddine in Flegg and Cup?
Russell suffered a foot injury when the ball hit his foot from the dropout.
Haha 😂 fmd
😅😂 he is unfortunately not a first grade centre at this point in time. Some time in cup may improve his confidence
Unfortunately, it was a brain injury…..unbelievable!
NRL physio reporting he has a foot injury and a possible HIA that went unnoticed. 😂
He suffered the concussion when Bazz slapped him after the game.
😂 Baz got the slap from Nathan brown back in 2003,
He should of handed it down to Sean
.. for that letting the ball touch his leg in that silly sequence of events, lol
https://youtu.be/r7UN0ceENV0?si=wrxHe3baamPRBZI0
Trent barrets famous slap from Nathan brown in 03’ I believe.
Baz should of done this on the sideline after the game, lol 😆
Interesting selections.
Glad to see the Debut.
There’s no point sticking with underperforming players.
Moretti, Doorey and Guymer are worth preserving with. Not sure why Lane has been a protected species.
Russell injured and I’m sure there will be more mysterious injuries for the remainder of the season.
Paulo being at the Bulldogs game after he got injured leaves a bad taste for mine. He is a co captain and he’s supporting the Bulldogs? He’s on huge money, he’s in poor form, injured and a club captain. This doesn’t sit right with me.
With any luck (paulo) he can go to the dogs, I’ll take 2 Guymers for the same amount of money any day of the week for the eels 25’ and onwards…
Did you see RCG already saying how he will need to have a big pre season?
This is the thing us eels fans all suspected.
Now the players are shitting themselves knowing a real HARD pre season is coming.
Our players themselves know it will get harder.
This is first hand evidence of what we suspected –
Even the players expecting harder fitness & higher expectations.
Perfect example that our clubs been too soft on them and allowed these players to get comfortable.
The old head coach seems to have let these players get too comfortable.
Even the players themselves are feeling uncertain about their futures and expecting harder preparations.
That says it all, our players are less fit and given an easier preparation to what other clubs give.
Kinda sad that RCG was also saying something like:
“I don’t know if the coach wants me, but I’ll work hard and do my best”
Something along the lines of those words, and expressed how hard he will need to work in off season.
Isn’t that telling us something?
These players have gotten soft treatment and gotten into comfort zone.
Sounds good on and all for them.
But us eels fans have gotten a rotten dead last team as a result.
P.s and like you said man..
Best thing atm is the debuts.
A few good players will come out of these younger players getting quality first grade opportunities.
25’ with Jason we will see a new team.
And as I also predicted.
Players now will start to scramble to fight for their future careers and spots for next year and beyond.
Don’t be surprised if we all see a few of them fighting for their lives out on that field putting in efforts we have not seen all year.
That’s the power of real leadership and accountability coming in.
I know we all say the forwards have declined and backs depth is bad.
But we all know that team we have is underperforming by a mile.
And we have probably in the top 3 halves combos in the NRL.
Our team doesn’t belong in equal last.
The players have gotten comfy under the old coach and simply unfit and lazy.
That alongside age + faster game speed.
But you watch some of them finally “wake up” now a real hard disciplined coach is on his way.
Who will legit sack them or push them into reserve grade.
What most eels fan don’t realise is this:
– It’s not lanes Fault for example.
It’s our coach and club who’s supposed to set a high standard.
When you leave players like him and sivo in every week.
You are sending out the “ok” to the rest of the club that you are kinda safe even if you play absolutely awful or don’t put in your 100%.
This is poor leadership & management.
Because poor players and bad attitudes are influencing other good players to play worst.
It spreads like a virus.
Other clubs know this and remove it fast before it affects other players.
This is part of our problem.
Bad form is contagious, it lowers the moral of the whole squad.
We can see this happening in real time.
Sorry. RCG said “I’ll have to train in the off season”
Just shows you the mentality of the club at parra – they know other coaches are going to work them harder
Comfort zone!
It’s disrespectful, I love RCG but this comment is what I expected in their actions – he just said if our loud
Now they’ll have an actual proper coach who’s hard on them like coaches at the storm or roosters
They know now it’s going to be serious
I’m greatful for BA & co getting us into a solid position for a few years and some respectable results
But Several former eels players (Hindmarsh, Tim Mannah)
Have said the clubs lost its connection to fans the last 10 years and distanced itself from the community and fans
Alongside that, a boys club mentality where you just heard from RCG and what Tim Said after he left
If you are in the senior playing group you have no pressure on you to hold up a standard
But if you are a jnr or rookie, you can’t drop a ball or make a mistake it’s back to nsw cup (lol)
They’ve become best mates with the old coach it sounds like and gotten fat pat cheques and zero pressure to perform or face the axe
I’m will to bet 110% this is what we’ve had this reputation of inconsistency for years
And the fact we could lose to say tigers etc
Then beat the panthers the next week
They’ve been soft on them and they didn’t actually have to turn up every week
So why would they?
Bellamy is yelling at his players even while they are scoring (lol)
At parra you only have to fully turn up say 2 out of every 10 games on average
And you’ll continue to be a regular first grader doing less work than you would at other clubs
Whilst being paid more on average
Its no wonder they love parra
If you drop your standards at almost any club for over a month
They shop you off or ask you to go
At parra, you’ve got about 1-2 years of playing absolutely dreadful until they’ll tap you on the shoulder
I can’t understand how the clubs allowed this to happen
29 years without a premiership
And this is their reputation ^
Players are admitting they’ll have to train in the off season now because a real coach from a hard club is coming
Unbelievable
RCG just said out loud what we all thought
They are mostly unfit and lazy first graders
Who will start to scramble now a head coach is coming in who isn’t their mate
And will demand proper successful standards from them or move them on
I am willing to bet we will see a huge amount more action out of some of the players from now on
They’ll start to play with the same energy as other first graders
Where you play like you’ll be sacked if you don’t put in 100% effort
Because that’s how other clubs are ran
But for too long – ours has been ran the opposite
Even in our GF year the players only fully turned up every few games & had the reputation as least consistent team
It just worked out because a lot of our players peaked that year
And we had a younger roster and a lot of better players still that have since left
Agree Muz,
I like Reg he’s a keeper.
Junior can join the Bulldogs and Lane to Tigers that’s about $1.2M in cap space.
Get rid of ratchet clauses and player options.
💯 on the player clauses
lane & paulo may not even be good enough for the bulldogs, but we can hope they’ll take them
Surely gus isn’t silly enough to sign them on that type of salary?
Muz, I’ll have to listen to Regs interview.
BA said he gave the players a light warm up session prior to Dolphins game. Dolphins had a full session in the conditions. Every bye round the players were rested and given extra days off. The GF preparation was eased off as well players stayed in their own beds and travelled individually to the stadium. Laziness breeds poor performances. It’s poor management.
Yeah that sounds strange I doubt other clubs would have allowed this before a gf for example? Regardless Jason won’t be putting up with any of that shit moving forward and gutho has already said he’s aware some players may get the tap on the shoulder. Some The players themselves know their time is up. I don’t wanna be heartless, but hurting a couple of players feelings is not as important as the whole club’s success and the giant supporter base who are heart broken at the bottom of the ladder. It’s a business not a mates club, under Brad it sends like even if he did a decent job, that mates club culture has seemingly set in. I’m convinced Jason will stop this and be a hard man coming in, he is from clubs who simply do not put up with the shit we have seen happening, I hope we see all this stuff end. Players are seemingly in a comfort zone. At no other club would a reserve grade player come out and lead the pack in the nrl on their first game, that’s a reflection of how poor the clubs let them become. This wouldn’t have happened even at the tigers.
Is young latu ,injured, shame might have pushed for A grade,bench spot,
I really hope Moretti has a competent game. This guy had the right energy and attitude that has been missing in many of our NRL games. I thought at one stage that he was being developed like Marata, over 2 or 3 years with gradually more game time, but suddenly he drops a few balls and is banished to 2nds. He copped some poor passes for a high leg speed ball carrier, but deemed his fault it seems. I don’t know about his form in NSW Cup, perhaps someone can give me a heads up.
This is the leadership problem that’s been identified in our club.
Young players are walking in egg shells and cannot drop a ball or perform silly errors, yet some senior players can drop balls or play horribly every game and nothing happens to them (seemingly)
Wonder if Ryles will change this approach