As we collectively sit in the death throes of another year, waiting to ring in the new calendar on the back of fireworks and festivity I can’t help but notice it is a Tuesday. The opportunity only comes around once every seven years, so why not indulge in a cheeky little bit of Team List Tuesday action? Armed with only the assumed knowledge from the year gone by and the insights provided to all by way of the stellar training reports courtesy of Sixties this is my take on the lay of the land with just over two months until the Parramatta Eels kick off in 2025.
First though, we do need to set the scene. New Year’s Eve dictates a bit of pomp and ceremony after all.
Jason Ryles is spearheading a new era for the Parramatta Eels that has already seen change and roster upheaval on a generational level. Ryles has made a series of pragmatic calls on Clinton Gutherson, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Maika Sivo which in turn has paved the way for the most aggressive recruitment drive for the club since arguably 2005.
While Zac Lomax was recruited by Brad Arthur, Ryles has overseen the acquisitions of Josh Addo-Carr, Isaiah Iongi, Jack Williams, Joash Papalii, Dean Hawkins, Ronald Volkman, Jordan Samrani and Gideon Katoga. It is every bit exciting to read as it is exhausting to type. Obviously, they won’t all be featuring in Round 1 against the Melbourne Storm but collectively they can reinvigorate both the NRL and NSW Cup programs.
With so many new variables in the mix there is an obvious concession that any attempt at solving the Round 1 team list comes with an agricultural approach. Also consider a lack of clarity derived from preseason trials and there is a recipe for a carton of eggs on the face.
Yet that is what makes it so fun. A big part of me definitely hopes I am wildly off the mark trying to fill in the gaps as a fan. Will Ryles look to seniority and incumbency for more stability to start 2025? Conversely, are there more positions up for grabs than anyone is anticipating?
And now a cheeky shot in the dark at how the Eels will look when they look to end Melbourne’s Round 1 reign of terror:
| 1 | Isaiah Iongi |
| 2 | Sean Russell |
| 3 | Will Penisini |
| 4 | Zac Lomax |
| 5 | Joash Papalii |
| 6 | Dylan Brown |
| 7 | Mitchell Moses |
| 8 | Junior Paulo |
| 9 | Brendan Hands |
| 10 | Joe Ofahengaue |
| 11 | Bryce Cartwright |
| 12 | Jack Williams |
| 13 | J’maine Hopgood |
| 14 | Luca Moretti |
| 15 | Kelma Tuilagi |
| 16 | Ryan Matterson |
| 17 | Charlie Guymer |
Considered Omissions: Josh Addo-Carr (suspension), Bailey Simonsson (injury)
As a thought exercise, that was honestly far more difficult than I anticipated for a number of reasons. From the outset we have established that we don’t really have a grasp on the identity of the Eels under Jason Ryles just yet. I have leaned towards giving younger, smaller and more mobile forwards the inside running but there several different ways the team could be structured.
Naturally there are players who simply pick themselves. Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown are no-doubters at #7 and #6 while things are equally set in the centres with Zac Lomax and Will Penisini. Brendan Hands is the clear top option at dummy-half and perhaps controversially I have opted to leave him without an understudy in Round 1. I do think that the Eels will eventually plump for a utility in the #14 but Hands has shown he can shoulder the load at dummy-half for stretches of the season and thus I am leaning solely on him against the Storm.
Brendan Hands
The backline is yawning chasm of uncertainty but also opportunity for at least the opening two rounds. Isaiah Iongi leads the Eels into the post-Gutherson era but allowing for the absences of both Josh Addo-Carr and Bailey Simonsson, the Eels desperately need multiple other players to step up. Sean Russell is a sure bet on one flank and would traditionally line up on the right but in this scenario he matches up against Will Warbrick on Parramatta’s left.
That leads us to easily the boldest call in this initial mock team list with rookie recruit Joash Papalii named on the right sideline to go head-to-head with the imposing Xavier Coates. It is a complete mismatch on paper but with Joash regularly lighting up Sixties’ preseason training reports he is building a compelling case to be one of the next men up.
In this hypothetical the Eels will need to find a way to shield him from Coates. Iongi and Papalii could feasibly rotate between wing and fullback and perhaps make it work but the most optimal match up – and indeed the importance of Papalii playing on the right – pairs Lomax off against Coates, allowing Joash to slide inside to centre. While Lomax has declared his preference to play at centre given the circumstances the Eels potentially find themselves in here it is the most effective solution.
Could I have just named Joash in centres? Certainly, but you also want to invite Melbourne to game plan for a potential mismatch that won’t be there. It is a modest advantage at the best but you take anything you can get when plotting to break one of the most impressive streaks in the NRL.
Joash Papali’i
There are alternatives of course.
Haze Dunster, Jake Tago and Arthur Miller-Stephen all have varying degrees of NRL experience and could be tasked with the Round 1 responsibilities. Richard Penisini could make his debut alongside his brother and shift Russell back to the right. A wildcard option also could figure – perhaps the solution is currently not here. Mark O’Neill is on record with TCT declaring the club is on the hunt for an outside back and there is still ample time in the preseason to integrate an early year signing.
And you know what? At the end of it all, Bailey Simonsson could very well be fit to play and make this entire thought exercise moot.
Joe & Junior
Hard choices were made in the forward pack in the pursuit of tempo and agility. A slimmed down Junior Paulo and the bastion of consistency that is Joe Ofahengaue anchor the starting pack. J’maine Hopgood naturally slots in at lock to round out the middle. New recruit Jack Williams claims a starting berth on the edge in another big call while I have Bryce Cartwright fending off Kelma Tuilagi on the other edge. Instead, Kelma provides impact off the bench where he and Ryan Matterson are balanced against the smaller and more mobile Luca Moretti and Charlie Guymer.
Shaun Lane is the big absentee here, and Dan Keir was the late 2024 season bench incumbent, but I have opted to entrust Matterson and Moretti to work the middle rotation with Paulo and Ofahengaue. Tuilagi and Guymer are inversely related with Kelma primarily deployed on the edges but providing emergency cover in the middle while Charlie spells Hopgood while also giving Ryles an extra option on the edge.
Really though, the bench is a beast unto itself. Joash Papalii, Dean Hawkins, Joey Lussick and even Ryley Smith could vie for various interpretations of the utility role. Lane or Wiremu Greig could be levied for an older school configuration while the pack I have named could easily be shuffled around.
All of which brings us to the closing invitation…as we farewell 2024, what Parramatta line-up are you welcoming into 2025? How does Jason Ryles navigate a brief but tricky challenge in the back line and will he embrace a lighter, nimbler forward pack? Is there a bolter I have overlooked that is ready to stake a claim in the team? Sign off on the year with a bold, brash shot at how the Eels line-up on the 9th of March.
Forty20
Firstly, Happy New Year!
Thanks for all of the time invested in your posts.
The team you selected in my view is spot on for round one.
Forty is very close Richard, though I think Ryles will find a spot for Lane.
Yeah I was surprised he left Lane out. I figured he’d be selected on the basis of incumbency and having recently inked an extension (unless I am making things up?)
I don’t think he’s inked an extension as yet Mick. But it was rumoured.
It was super close with Lane but in the end given I drafted the bench through the lens of getting lighter and more agile (hence Moretti and Guymer) and it came down to him vs Matterson in the same slot. I think Matto is the more stable pick while Lane gives you some special upside at the cost of more errors/lapses.
You could definitely make a strong case to slip him onto the bench.
So do I.
As sixties suggested, I think lane has looked good in the middle. I too imagine he might be in the Middle rotation.
I’d like to read more of the training reports before I guess a team list but believe whats shown could be close to being correct. Maybe Junior off the bench and Riley Smith to 14 for a more dynamic attack. What I know is we’d have to be bold to beat Storm first up and maybe Ryles will be just that with surprise bold decisions. And I’m looking forward to our 28th player for top 30 whether from outside or within.
Pretty close to the mark I reckon. Things can change of course but I can see the new regime picking teams based on effort. Obviously Lane doesn’t qualify if that’s a major criteria.
I toyed with putting Junior on the bench but ended up giving him the nod to start on the back of the reports on his stripped down frame.
Optimally, I believe a utility #14 is best for the team and it would be fantastic if Riley can make that jump for the Eels this year. Both the Panthers and the Storm favoured a utility option (Tyran Wishart, Brad Schneider) through the entire finals series in 2024 and in the big picture the Eels need someone in that vein. I just struggled to pick a clear cut option this far out from Round 1 but it is also a very fair criticism of this particular team construction.
Thanks for your update and I agree with your selections given that there are still several unknowns due to injury.
I’m interested in knowing more about Joash Papali’i.
I was surprised when I saw his stats that he is quite short. Is he built and does he play in the mould of Brian To’o? Is he versatile enough to play a #14 role and covering the halves and dummy half if needed?
I think w Grieg will be in the top 17
I hoping that reputations are left at the doorstep regarding the selections of Lane and co.
We have endured players running on past glories for too long at this club.
I’m hoping that the best man gets the jersey.
I was a big fan of Russell a couple of years ago but his last two season have been rubbish.
I could probably outrun Haze Dunster and Jake Tago is Cup standard at best.
Is there enough magic to transform these players ???
Id swap Jack and Kelma. I think Williams will play the fast leg speed/ fast play the ball middle when the forwards tire.
Agreed – Jack Williams is more a middle than an edge in my eyes and perfect for modern game (especially if he comes on with matto).
For my part, Lane shouldn’t be anywhere near the nrl squad. He’s more than used up the goodwill from his 6 month run of form from 2022. Let him earn a spot from reserve grade if he really wants to get back to nrl standard.
The backline is weak without fox and Bailey. I don’t like putting Papali’i on wing against storm giants – he is a rookie player who is 166cm and has never played wing. It is borderline suicide. Surely the recruitment team have another winger in their sights that they can grab.
Finally, I think we will be better this year. But I think the clean out after 25 season is going to be even more important to 1) get down d brown and Moses to take up their extensions and 2) solidify depth + upgrade on existing players who are declining or who have plateaued. Dunster, wiremu, lane, Lussick, Cartwright, mataele all could be moved on in my eyes. Also, Ofa is older and off contract. So There could be a lot of movement by the time we get to this time next year.
Plenty of merit there Woody. I had Kelma as close to starting and I like the logic behind the leg speed of Williams. It evens creates a three-pronged threat with Moretti and Guymer bringing similar qualities in the second rotation.
I like that team. I think Simmonson said he’ll be close to playing R1 on a podcast.
Lane I think the game has past him. It’s too quick. Maybe a middle but we have plenty of good middles in front of him. His days in the back row are over imo
If Bailey is fit it is a serious boost for Round 1 but I erred on the side of precautionary there.
I am hopeful that a new coaching staff can reinvigorate Lane but I agree that his days as an edge forward are probably done. He still wins after contact pretty consistently and gives you some quality second phase looks care of his height and size so you can derive value from him in the middle. The biggest concern are the errors and defensive lapses which have to be tidied up if he wants a look in to the team.
Post contact metres re: lane are not as valuable in modern game – it produces a slower play the ball and allows defences to get set. You don’t see Penrith and other teams rely on pcm’s ; it is all about speed of attack and not getting put on your back – things which lane (and junior) lack. So any marginal positives lane does bring is diminished rapidly in my eyes. It’s time for young players like guymer, moretti and ja k Williams to play in middle. Prioritise development of Pryke and tuivati as future middles.
Ron, post contact metres is all about context. You are referring to the bad kind, the type where there is almost a standing wrestle, and no offload. The standing wrestle is a tactic employed by people like Bellamy to legally slow up the ruck. It looks like the ball carrier is still fighting the tackle but the defender is actually in control. Good post contact still exists – when it gets the defence unsettled and back-pedalling and is backed up by a fast play the ball or an advantageous offload.
Good pcms certainly do still exist 60s (especially in relation to outside backs who also have speed) but my point is lane does not really get the good type of pcms all that often from memory. So It’s not worth putting him in – especially in light of his poor agility, effort plays and defence.
Lane would be good in nsw cup to help some of younger guys and then can be cut after this year in my view. Indeed even if he has a decent year I just don’t see a place for him in future of eels if we really want to promote junior forwards.
I’m a bit worried about the hight disadvantage we will give away with Papalii on the wing. I would move him to the bench and go with Richard Penisini
Definitely a legitimate concern Mike and it brings Richard into the equation as one of the better pure physical match-ups. Hopefully both Richard and Joash can make it a fierce competition heading into Round 1 and give Ryles a good problem to solve there.
yes me too coates and warbrick are master leapers and wld possibly cause a disastrous nrl debut for joash
Good report.
Agree with the backline based on injuries and suspension.
I’d be very surprised and disappointed if Lane finds his way into the team (unless through injury). If we are looking for speed, mobility and defensive effort. That surely counts against Lane. No disrespect intended. Im sure hed agree. He’d need to massively improve to make the side imho. I would like to see him as captain of the reserve grade team. I think this is where his value will be highest for the club and himself.
Paulo, will probably remain on the bench. He’ll be used in short explosive bursts.
A mix of new and younger players need to be added to change the stagnant attitude of the last few years.
I expect players like Moses, Dylan, Hands, Moretti and Gymer will excel with the coaching they are
now getting.
I’m really looking forward to the fresh start.
Pete paulo will be a good bench prop.. come on when defenders have trouble wrapping him up, allows his off load game to unlock.
He still has good offerings to the team. Just as a bench rotation middle instead of a starting prop.
Ba & baz also did the same thing. I think he could offer us a lot coming on when defenders are tired. Pete lane is a good back up middle at this point. Not a back row. He looks ok in the middle to be fair.
Yeah Muz,
I trust Paulo will have a simplified game looking for impact and offloads in contact. He won’t be a first receiver/distributor.
On Lane the question is will it be better to put effort into the new and emerging players or persist with Lane. Given we know that Lane never makes two tackles in a row. He makes one tackle and either
hides at marker or is slow getting back, leaving a hole. He barely has made a cover tackle in recent years. Again, No disrespect but just an observation. We’ve had several seasons of that. He’s definitely a middle and would be a great
mentor to the younger guys in Reggie’s.
Lane has been a favourite and had some big injuries but unless he improves
massively. I cannot see him doing it. But I do hope everyone plays to the best of their ability.
Joe O
Hands
Moretti
Talagi
Williams
Hopgood
Paulo
Matto
Carty
Gymer
Pete yeah if you put it like this and u think back to lanes games.
Definitely seems like his fitness, mobility and maybe size works against him in defence. A simple middle rotation role with less minutes should suit him better.
Forty, can I be a bit cheeky? After you neglected the leap year calculation in your opening statement, I wondered what else was missing.
Maybe it was an off Lane to Melbourne?!
Good looking team…but will still miss Gutha & sivo
With all due respect.
Sivo had defence issues and poor on field behavioural concerns.
Gutho was a great club man for 9 seasons but was getting stale. Calling Tom Opacic a dumb C@#t on national TV due to a missed tackle did it for me.
Good luck to them both.
Sivo had 3 jobs to do, he falls in 2 , defensively and hitting the ball up, and at his price tag, 1 from 3 doesn’t cut the mustard ..
Close to the mark Foty. I would have Papali’i at #14, Russell and take your pick for the other winger, Simmonson if fit, Penisini, Tago, AMS or even Dunster. I think Ryles will have a game plan for the Storm wingers, maybe not compete in the air in defence, but make sure we have enough bodies there to defend against them when they come down with the ball. As for the forwards, I think Tuilagi will be a starter, then you can toss up between Cartwright, Matto and Lane for the other edge. Williams will be more suited and more beneficial as a middle rotation. But, as usual the pre-season games will throw a spanner into the works with either a standout performer, or an injury or two.
Without Simonsson and JA-C, there’s not much improvement available to that team. I’m really looking to see clear and early evidence of better agility and fitness in the forwards, our fade outs last year came like clockwork, untidy formation by tackle 4, flat footed defenders and arm tackles. No más.
Just on R Penisini, if you trust in family genes, brother Will played his best football when first promoted to NRL, maybe Richie’s DNA is worth a go. Will never lost his ability, just got caught up in a downturn.
Yeh! I don’t mind your team Forty and that’s surprising given what I have always regarded as a lack of imagination after reading your gradings.
Cartwright’s inclusion is pretty subjective, whether as a starter or even a bench player.
Against a team like Melb I think he would need to be in exceptional form pre season to be a starter.
The backline is outstanding when you look at Moses, Brown, Lomax and Iongi but then we get to the wingers? I have little respect for Russell but cannot see an alternative at this point, his miraculous selection for the PM’s side may give him some confidence (something he has lacked badly since his injuries).
I have Papallil as a no brainer but I can see some advantages in him being a 14, my thinking was he will start on the wing and when JAC returns he may go to14. A number of “shapes” will appear in the interim. Hopefully Simmonsson is available and Russell can disappear?.
I like Jack William’s starting on the edge with Matterson taking Cartright’s spot in the starting side (probably not even having him the 17 based on last year, and yes I like the guy). I say that while Matterson’s long term future is as a middle but I think we need his superior defence to bolster Hopgood taking a real marking role on the Melbourne Half, the one tactic that will be a heavy Ryles focus if he is going to limit the height advantage the Melb wingers are perceived to have from cross field kicks.
I like Michal W’s view there on the disruption focus of letting the Storm wingers have the ball and then crowd them out.
This match is quiet defining IMO and its essential we can knock them off to provide the momentum we need to achieve our early ambitions.
Early markets have Storm at 1.20 and us at 3.80. If we can get 4’s plus then we should have a punt as well.
I
Poppa, aside from your observations, I’m curious about you referring to Forty’s gradings. Are you referring to Post Match Grades?
Yes, he is aware of my views….no reflection on him personally or his contribution to TCT. Its a backhanded compliment given he is aware that I do not agree in some cases of the gradings given and the game summation.
I (always) really look forward to the gradings when they come out and sometimes I think they are spoilt/clouded because of the disappointment of an overall performance by the team.
Its a thankless task, but someone has to do it and cop the critique Forty LOL
You know Forty has rarely done grades. It happened on the occasion when Mitch couldn’t do them and they have been the domain of Gol for a while now.
Poppa you have Joash as a no-brainer for the wing spot based on what exactly? Not having a go I’m genuinely interested.
He is small and has never played in the position. You need more than being quick to plan the position these days.
If Canterbury thought he could be a winger I doubt they would have let him leave in the first place.
He’s young and you want to debut him in an unfamiliar position against the Storm in Melbourne. Could absolutely destroy his confidence.
I agree Russell is not perfect but if he can be solid and do his job that will do until Bailey is fit. He is a more than competent backup.
R Penisini has big potential but has played a total of 10 minutes of NSW cup in the last 18 months. He needs some kms in the legs in Flegg or Reggie’s first imo.
Fair points Uppie, My initial view is that as a “talent” to play fullback that he will have no problem playing wing, he has played there, the same as Iongi has as well, officially one game each. That said these guys didn’t start playing the game yesterday. If they decide to pick him there the coaching staff will prepare him well given the history of our backs coach, liking 3 fullbacks.
I find that the smaller more mobile player is a lot more malleable than the “stoic” bigger style players.
Your point about the dogs is also fair enough but anyone we pick up for any reason would always have a different rationale than his previous employer unless it was just an “offer too good to refuse” I think opportunity comes into this one and yes I have also been influenced by Sixty’s review’s.
The detriment to his confidence is something I am not privileged to judge as I do not have a profile on him like the coaching staff who would make such a judgment. The contrary to that is that his confidence maybe more effected if he is not selected whereas he feels he has put in enough to be so.
My “no brainer” is arguably over the top but was initially based on the alternatives but has been somewhat damaged by him apparently being 5’4 as against the 5’8 I thought he was.
I hope we do not damage him the way we did with Bevan French in not dissimilar circumstances.
Confidence is a many faceted thing.
Yeh fair enough mate. Anyways I’ll back Ryles in to make the right call from what he has seen in the off-season.
I’m a huge wrap on Ethyn Martin and hope he could come into calculations this season. He just needs to stay injury free and build some momentum, he’s a goer and natural try scorer.
I have no idea on who will be there but have no issue with the team listed. I know one thing, we will see more youth next year and I hope our defence is more cohesive….keep saying if we can mend defence we are already top 8.
Just need our share of less of injured 🤕
While everyone is concerned about our wingers for round 1 and rightly so if where using Russell , tago etc , Storm probably won’t have Munster who is recovering from double hip surgery and if we finally learn how to pressure Jerome Hughes it will nullify there outside backs somewhat, this game will be closer than many expect and if we can sign a quality outside back we are a big chance to play in September
Munster would be a huge out.
Any prediction on Cup, Flegg, SG ball or HM?
Bold call leaving Lane out. It will go either way if Ryles wants to give the experienced player the first shout given the money he is on too or the young buck.
EA the Flegg, Ball and Matts squads aren’t available. They have just trimmed the Ball and Matts but are keeping it in house at the moment. I watched Flegg training and there were a number of new faces plus some Ball players who may have been simply elevated for some of the preseason before returning to Ball.
Sixties suggested the fox has been taking AMS under his wing at training so to speak.
If our best winger at the club is mentoring one winger in particular, besides maybe trying to help guide him because arty is also indigenous or islander heritage.
Is it possible due to ams’s speed Jason is grooming him to become a leading parra back up winger? I think 60’s said AMS has been training mostly at wing.
Muz, yes the Fox has been providing guidance for Artie, but to be fair, he is also very good with all of the young outside backs.
Fellas could we see Joe Ofa and Jack Williams as our starting middle forwards?
Jnr is a bench rotation middle if the last two years have been anything to go by?
He has also lost by looks of it 10 + KGS. He didn’t make starting forward impact even at that higher weight.
Joffa is our best middle now, and I see a Williams as possibly offering us far better intensity up the middle early in the game?
All props to jnr though getting into shape. I hope he comes out guns blazing.
Just not as our staring middle anymore? I felt like he plays better off the bench. IMO.
LOST 10kg* sorry
Muz, Junior looks ultra fit and has been acknowledged by the coaches for his work.
That’s awesome 60’s and I do believe in jnr. But I see him as a solid bench middle. Nothing to be ashamed about that at age 31 in todays game.
Obviously new coaches have got all the players ultra fit, just proves how standands had slid under old regime, where maybe favouritism was involved. All have to prove themselves to new coaches.
Agree Muz, Joffa is our best middle, atm. I don’t agree with you starting Williams because of his intensity, that intensity drops when he is replaced. I think starting Jnr and hoping his so called weight loss will make him more mobile, then replace him with Williams who will increase our intensity when it is needed.
Paulo coming on when defenders are tired and can’t wrap him up as easily could see his off load came unlocked easier.
Our second phase play with him is good, but it works generally best towards the end of each half.
The only players we have that will offer similar intensity in the middle is Guymer and Luca off the bench.
Paulo as this stage of his career is best used for creating second phase play when defenders tire.
But we will obviously see how our coaches play them after the first 3 rds. My view is paulo is still good, just not as a starting prop. Even BA moved in this direction.
Mick I think Luca & Guymer can offer similar intensity to Williams off the bench. Both have good leg speed and strong aggression. 💪
I might be going into it a little bit too deep but I noticed on the Eels socials post today they got all the players to write one word to define their 2025
Jack Williams wrote ‘Opportunity’ from this you have to assume he has partly been sold on a bigger role here than what he was getting at Cronulla. Doesn’t mean he will necessarily start but I think there is distinct possibility.
I prefer him as a middle from what I have seen, but I think are quite deep there already so maybe they want to see him on an edge.
I have a feeling Williams will bring a lot of positives to our our middle rotation.
I think Williams will have a cult like following at Parra, we have not had a forward like him since Fui.
I also think he can play Edge or Middle, depending on circumstances, that said I hope he starts on the Edge as our overall defence will be better.
Williams would know a potential middle or edge starting position is his for the taking with some hard work & consistency to grab the opportunity.
A lot of our best forwards have been guys who did good at other clubs, but thrived at our clubs when given more opportunities.
Admittedly, ba and our old coaching staff were very good at developing forwards. So we will have to wait and see how the Current staff can develop our forwards.
RCG, carty, Ryan matto, lane, even hopgood only really thrived to their peak at the eels in my view.
Hopefully soon sixties can give us an update in January how Williams is looking.
Ryles was a rep level forward and specialist forward coach at storm + roosters.
Im wearing blue & golf glasses, but like ba I have a feeling Ryles will be a good forwards coach. Blokes like Williams, Guymer, Moretti, Hopgood may play their best footy under his coaching.
It’s a huge deal for forwards having a specialist forward coach as head coach. Jason was trusted training the chooks and storms forwards for years. He should be able to really help some of them.
Hopefully sixties can give us an update at some stage about how some of the forwards are thriving at training.
I reckon a lot of people are underestimating Jack Williams. Personally, I was wrapped that we managed to pick him up.
A very good footballer.
Spark, true. Williams is a great buy.
Don’t be surprised if like Joffa, Williams goes on to become one of our best props within 2 seasons.
When jofa came to parra, he honestly didn’t look that effective.
Two years at parra and he is now I would argue our best middle this year besides RCG.
Williams has the same kind of potential for us I think.
I’m not underestimating him. I’ve watched heaps of footage and think he is exactly what we needed. Especially if he can go next level with a fresh start.
I agree Spark
Williams is a great pick up. I was excited I felt like his game playing style would really suit parra.
Williams will now be running off one of the best halves now too in Moses, plus brown.
Middles and even back rowers who do what Mitchel tells them tend to do really well – especially if they are strong hall runners.
Ice papali’i looked a shell of his former self without the parramatta halves feeding him.
Williams will be upgrading from sloppy Nicho Hynes to Mitch moses who in my view will help unlock Williams.
I also thought in NSW origin games moses had our NSW forwards on the front foot with him as the #7 half back.
forty20 that is almost the same as I picked for game 1. The back are identical and the only diference are the forwards as I picked Matto and Tuilagi in the 2nd row and had Williams and Laneon the bench with the other 2 places on the bench up for grabs.
Not sure about Lane. I think at best we can use his off field professionalism and Psychological skills to help the NSW Cup players on their journeys.
I can’t imagine Lane being left out. I still don’t understand the hype around Guymer. Ryles will include a utility player on the bench, which will be either Papalii or Ryley Smith. Cannot see Cartwright starting. I however, agree with Jack Williams starting. He didn’t come here to be a bench player. Joash on the wing is laughable unless we have a sideline trampoline that he can use.
If Williams isn’t starting prop I would be surprised
Think outside the square Avenger. If picked whats wrong with Lomax going back in defence to take the high ball? Works for me with Joash given a roving role in attack, much like having 2 fullbacks.
Hey Avvy,
I agree with you, Joash on the wing against Melbourne doesnt seem right. I read he has played 1 game on the wing and trains at fb. He wont have the right instints in both attack and defense.
I would actually put AMS there instead. Im not a tago fan.
Otherwise, zac on the wing with a centre, maybe renisinni or samaranti (sp)
It’s all academic at the moment. We have another two months of intensive training to pass by. Injuries and trial games will help with decisions. Lane despite his experience should miss out but if they play him he is no longer a 80 minute man, lucky to make 60 minutes. Always seems to miss crucial tackles and dropped balls at the wrong time that changes the game.
Let’s not rush Charlie yet. Give him some early time in the reggies. He is coming from a serious injury. Joash as 14. AMS or Richie P one wing and Russell on the other. Or Joash as fullback and Longi on the wing. juat a conversational thought – take it easy!!!
The forwards look good. Storm are beatable as long as the referee isn’t their 14th man. That happens so often – that’s why NAS has not been sent from the field for his dirty tactics.
When does training resume?
All very good points and suggestions mate 👍 we must remember Ryles comes from clubs where 2-3 fullbacks are always in the 17. If he follows his mentors you should expect a second fullback somewhere in starting 17. Joash has X factor, imagine him coming on when when defenders are gassed.
Quick question- I thought we signed a hooker from Newcastle Mitch Black. I have not seen any more on him. What type of contract is he on, if he did join..has he been training?
We have signed a fair number of young and lower grade players but finding their contract deals will be difficult. Have also signed Jack Hudson (hooker/half) from the Tweed Seagulls that looks like a goer.
That signing was reported in the Newcastle papers but I haven’t been able to confirm any details about it. I’m not sure if it’s happened.
Apparently Conor votano is leaving Newcastle with dogs, roosters and warriors chasing. Surely we join the fight. He is an elite fullback/wing/centre prospect from what I’ve seen.
We definitely should be chasing Votano. A class player.
Indeed- he will blow iongi and paplii out the water in a few years. We have have cap space and spot. I suggest we offer overs (350k) and pathway to go from nrl winger to fullback in coming years. But I suspect roosters will snag him to take over teddy.
We have a good fullback prospect in HM called Cyrus Bloomfield. The boys could tell you more about him but looks exciting in the little I’ve seen.
Yea I’ve only seen clips of him. Good player but I think might end up at centre in long term. Either way, the more talent we stack in the future backline the better – and I think votano is really special
Played as a 16 year old in Matts in 2024. Selected in the City 16s on the wing. Exciting prospect.
Here is my starting 17. Assuming Bailey returns.
1) Iongi
2) Simmonson
3) Lomax or W Penisini
4) Peninsi or Lomax
5) Sean Russel
6) Brown
7) Moses
8) Joe Ofa
9) Hands
10) Williams
11) Cartwright
12) Tualagi
13) Hopgood
14) Joash Papali’i
15) Ryan matterson
16) Jnr paulo
17) Luca Moretti / Guymer
– if Kelmas defence proves weak(ish) again I’ll keep Guymer at 17 to blood him on the edge & keep him gaining NRL experience.
Side note: If paulo or carty botttles it this season or looks old and declining.
I’m immediately prioritising Guymer, Luca to get priority bench selection mostly, and reward them so long as that keep on improving.
If we see these older players decline or stagnate this year – they will likely be moved on for 26 and for this reason I would be prioritising our younger forwards this year.
I’m happy to play some rough games this year if it means our younger forwards are gaining priority NRL minutes.
2026 is our shot at the title. I want our young eels getting priority opportunity’s if Ryles believes they are ready.
No more prioritising older players if they possibly only have 1 year left in them.
I obviously want paulo & carty to kill it this year, but if they don’t we need to prioritise our youth to prepare for our shot at the 2026 premiership. 🏆
Hi Sixties and happy new year!
Do the training reports start again today?
TIA
1. Iongi
2. Russell
3. Penisini
4. Samrani
5. Lomax
6. Brown
7. Moses
8. Paulo
9. Hands
10. Williams
11. Tuilagi
12. Cartwright
13. Hopgood
14. Papali’i
15. Matterson
16. Moretti
17. Ofahengaue
Not a bad line up 👌 interested to see how far away off being a first grader Samrani is. 60’s mentioned how big he is for his age.
This is the team I like best for Rd 1 so far, though it does look quite lightweight with Jnr and Tuilagi as the bigger guys.
If Emu is training well, maybe he gets a bench spot over Moretti just for his size.