The NRLW season is back, and so much has happened behind the scenes in the heartland of Parramatta.
After a Grand Final appearance, the Eels found themselves as the wooden spooners in 2023. Moving in to 2024, the Eels have appointed a new coach in Steve Georgallis, and with that there are definite changes in the side’s approach to their football.
Georgallis brings a wealth of experience to the role, having held a number of assistant coach and head coach roles in the NRL and in international football.
The new era begins now.
Game Info
Date: Saturday, July 27, 2024
Kick-off: 12:45 PM AEST
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Rochelle Tamarua
Broadcast: Foxtel and Nine Gem
Live Stream: Kayo & Nine Now
Team Lists
Parramatta Eels
1. Abbi Church 2. Zali Fay 3. Rory Owen 4. Rosie Kelly 5. Monique Donovan 6. Cassey Tohi-Hiku 7. Rachael Pearson 8. Elsie Albert 9. Rueben Cherrington 10. Madeline Jones 11. Boss Kapua 12. Mahalia Murphy 13. Kennedy Cherrington 14. Taneka Todhunter 15. Tyla Amiatu 16. Jade Fonua 17. Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis
18. Taffy Asauna 19. Rosemarie Beckett
The lineup is unchanged from the trial match with the exception of rookie Rory Owen replacing Mia Middleton.
Abbi Church retains the fullback role after a stellar 2023. Her consistency was one of the bright spots in an otherwise disappointing season.
New recruit Rosie Kelly brings an elite background in union and has both the speed and ball-playing skills that will allow the Eels to play some expansive football.
Cassey Tohi-Hiku shifts to five-eighth after coming into the NRLW as a winger, then centre. By
moving her closer to the action, Georgallis can unleash one of his most threatening players in 2024.
A healthy Rachael Pearson will provide the team with a much needed game manager. The representative halfback had a strong 2024 Origin series for the Blues. Look for her cool head to be instrumental in guiding the Eels around the park.
Elsie Albert and Rachael Pearson
Likewise, after missing all but a few minutes of the 2023 season, Elsie Albert literally begins her Eels career in this match. Her contributions will go a long way to determining the Eels fortunes in this game and in the season proper.
The big out is Lindsay Tui who suffered a fractured jaw in the under 19s Origin. It’s never easy to return from this type of injury and it’s not unusual for players to have to work hard on their confidence after such a setback. All of us at The Cumberland Throw send our best wishes for her recovery.
Brisbane Broncos
1. Hayley Maddick 2. Julia Robinson 3. Mele Hufanga 4. Lauren Dam 5. Bree Spreadborough 6. Skyla Adams 7. Ali Brigginshaw 8. Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala 9. Jada Ferguson 10. Brianna Clark 11. Mariah Denman 12. Romy Teitzel 13. Keilee Joseph 14. Lavinia Gould 15. Chelsea Lenarduzzi 16. Tazmin Rapana 17. Jasmine Fogavini
18. Tafito Lafaele 20. Bridget Hoy
The only change for the Broncos is the inclusion of Jasmine Fogavini, who replaces Tafito Lafaele on the bench.
Former Eel, Gayle Broughton, is recovering from an L4-L5 disc bulge in her lower back that was pressing against her nerves and will miss this game.
The Broncos have a lot of experience in the forward pack and on the bench. The last time that these teams met, the Broncos perfected their rotation and took advantage of a fatigued Eels squad.
Expect them to aim for similar here.
Believe in Steve
The Eels new coach will make a difference to this team, but new structures could take a while to gel so supporters might need to be patient.
That said, Georgallis is a quality coach and the longer NRLW preseason would have allowed him to learn about this group. However, real learning about his charges begins in the premiership proper.
The Broncos are a physical team that love delivering the big hits in defence whilst playing off the subtle creativity of Queensland Maroons playmaker Ali Brigginshaw. Like fine wine, Brigginshaw continues to get better with age.
The start from Clark and Nu’uausala in the front row will be crucial to Brisbane, as will the contributions from new recruit Keilee Joseph, who has joined the club after playing for the Roosters in 2023. Joseph’s ball playing talent will help the Brisbane playmakers considerably. She will also make a difference to their defence. Some defensive failings from Brisbane have been costly to their title aspirations in recent seasons.
I expect the Eels to shine through their right edge shapes. Their transition between structured and unstructured play could help to create fast-break opportunities in the middle third of the field.
Look for the one two punch of the running game of the Cherrington sisters, with Abbi Church to star with both her work in yardage and when bobbing up in support. This will put pressure on a tired Brisbane defence.
Cassey Tohi-Hiku offers all sorts of threats but her running game and direct play at the defensive line was a shining light in her new position in the trial against the Dragons.
Cassey Tohi-Hiku in Pre-season training
Enough on the individuals. What can we expect from this Eels team as a unit?
Based on the evidence of the trial, the Eels will be playing with greater structure in their attack, and there will be increased speed around the ruck and decisiveness in their shifts. The middle forwards look fitter and will lay the platform for the edge players to punch holes in the defence.
The Eels have retained many players from last season, and we all know about their potential. This game, and the season to follow, will be about resilience when questions are asked of them, especially in defence. Furthermore, it will also be about building the consistency and habits that will shape the team identity and culture.
I expect the Eels to start strong in 2024.
Prediction: Eels victory by 6+
Player of the Game: Cassey Tohi-Hiku
Kye
I’m expecting this to be a cracking game. There’ll be a major difference in how the team will play this season
Well done to the girls. They were excellent.
What a difference a fit Elsie Albert is to the team.
Special shout out to both Rory Owen and Rosie Kelly.
Rory in particular was great.
They are playing an entirely different brand of football in 2024. It was obvious when I visited training that they were employing greater structure in attack, and playing faster around the ruck. Cassey Tohi-Hiku is a potential superstar, whilst Abbi Church is the NRLW version of Gutho. The aggression of the forwards was terrific to see.
Cracking game by the whole team, looked significantly better in all aspects of the game compared to last year, great work by the coaching staff especially Georgallis.
Steve is an exceptionally good coach. We’ve had the pleasure of speaking with him a number of times on our podcast, including before and after the recording. He’s knowledgeable, a straight shooter and a genuinely good bloke. The NRLW players speak very highly of him.
Shaping as a bad day for the Broncos all round. As hard as it is to cheer for the Dogs, I’d love to see them put one of the final nails in the coffin of the little Ponies finals chances. How strange is rugby league, that’ll be 2 teams in successive years that make the GF and then miss the 8 the next year. Goes to show how tough the competition is and just how much work needs to be done to be consistent like the Panthers and Storm. You really have to tip your hat to them as much as you dislike them.
Stubbyholder, the fall of the Broncos is more stark than the Eels given the number of Origin players in their squad.
What a great effort by the girls. Thought our halves and fullback were great and the forward pack worked really well together. Moved the ball around nicely and teh forwards all worked for each other.
MB, there is a quality spine, tough, uncompromising forwards, and a backline with pace. There are some genuinely underrated players in the Eels side such as Abbi Church and Mahalia Murphy. And Tohi-Hiku could be anything.
Best game Rachael Pearson has played in Parramatta colours, in my opinion.
New coach Steve Georgalis has straightened up her attack and she plays more direct. Her kicking game was spot on, unlucky with first kick that was intercepted after Eels looked certain to score..Landed a conversion from the sideline, had a try assist, kicked a 40/30, and tackled like a demon.
The Rat is going to have a good season in a team that is looking strong…Onya Rachael..proud..
Well said Parra Pete.
Pearson was enormous, she looks every bit a halfback. Boy didn’t Albert cause some damage, Church was brilliant at the back, the entire team was impressive.
So happy for Steve and the team.
They won’t be underdogs in to many games this year.
Joseph, I’m happy for them to continue to underestimate this team and the individual players. There is strike and grit in the group and they are well coached. It was a terrific start
Great news!
I really wasn’t looking forward to another Eels team just making up the numbers in 2024 and disappointing losses week in week out. Its early days I know. But a win is good medicine.
Well done to the team and Steve Georgalis