The Weekend Wrap gets its first new addition! The Monday review has been purely comprised of the Junior Representatives thus far but on Friday night we got our first slice of NRL action with the preseason trial against the Newcastle Knights. There were also much lower key NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg trials but with both suffering from a distinct lact of team lists and official scoreboards we will overlook them this week in lieu of future editions of this blog post.
So with that in order and five games on the docket, let’s see how the Parramatta Eels held up this week!
NRL
Parramatta Eels 44 defeat the Newcastle Knights 18
Ryley Smith was one of many young players to impress on Friday (credit to @theparraeels)
Fittingly, the Parramatta Eels had their fans seeing love-hearts (😍) on Valentine’s Day with a hugely encouraging opening performance under new coach Jason Ryles. The usual caveats apply when considering preseason results but the 44-18 victory featured a literal new-look Eels outfit – both in personnel and body shapes.
Dylan Brown opened the scoring in the 2nd min with powerful carry from a scrum win as the Eels poured on 8 tries to 4 at McDonald Jones Stadium. Ryles entrusted Brown with a hearty workload as the Eels’ star #6 played well into the second half. However, it was Ronald Volkman that shone as bright as any with slick ball-work in the lead up to tries for Jake Tago and Kelma Tuilagi earning him plenty of plaudits.
Joash Papalii showing off his electrifying footwork (credit to @theparraeels)
Isaiah Iongi only took part in the first quarter but it was enough time to lay on a gorgeous try assist to Tago. He was promptly put on ice with Joash Papalii thrown into the fray and lord knows what Jason Ryles will be thinking after Papalii scored a try and set up Jordan Samrani with a scintillating sortie down the right edge. It is the best kind of predicament to have with both young custodians giving their coach plenty of great tape to review heading into next week.
Parramatta’s bolstered depth was on show with Sam Tuivaiti leading the charge for a host of young players. Tuivaiti’s stint off the bench saw the young bull punch out 120m from 12 carries and equally importantly knock over 15 Newcastle attackers without a miss. Ryley Smith and Will Latu also made big impressions but I thoroughly enjoyed the contributions of the entire extended bench.
How on Earth does Ryles pick the squad next week? I do not envy the big man but I am keenly anticipating his work tomorrow. Considering the notable omissions in this game I have no idea how to fairly portion playing time between the expected Round 1 starters and the horde of hungry competitors chasing them.
Lisa Fiaola Cup
Parramatta Eels 28 defeat the Manly Sea Eagles 20
For the first time in 3 games the Eels have been held to a single digit margin of victory in the Lisa Fiola Cup. Still, they prevailed 28-20 against the Sea Eagles to remain undefeated on the season despite significant changes to the team in Round 3. A new look backline and interchange bench helped get the job done but backrowers Kaizen Morgan-Pritchard and Mitszy Cairns starred with crucial tries.
In knocking over Manly, Parramatta keep pace with the Bulldogs and Roosters as the only remaining undefeated teams left in the competition. We are yet to see the Eels’ best form in 2025 but they are doing what is required of them thus far. They now get the chance to regroup heading into a Round 4 bye before getting back on the road to face the Sharks.
Tarsha Gale
Parramatta Eels 46 defeat the Manly Sea Eagles 4
The Tarsha Gale continue to look the most well-rounded team for the Blue & Gold after 3 weeks in the Junior Representatives after they bulldozed the Sea Eagles to the tune of 46-4. A stunning display of coordination and teamwork in the lead up to Matoisha Kalepo scoring in the 34th minute was the pick of the litter in terms of the scoring efforts but Parramatta looked threatening from any angle or corridor.
Like their younger sisters in the Lisa Fiola, the Tarsha Gale now get the week off with a Round 4 bye. The fruit of their efforts against Canberra, North Sydney and Manly see them on top of the table on points differential alongside the Bulldogs and Tigers. There is absolutely still polish to apply but the talent level of the squad is really impressive.
Harold Matthews
Cronulla Sharks 22 defeat the Parramatta Eels 20
What a tale of two games across the Harold Matthews and SG Ball at New Era Stadium on Saturday.
The Matts had victory snatched from their grasp in the final minutes of the contest in an absolutely harrowing sequence of events that saw Cronulla score in the left corner and ice a phenomenal conversion to put their noses in front.
Cobi McCloskey’s stunning first half hat-trick went to waste but the young winger can hold his head up high because none of those 3 tries were cheapies. My pick has to be his 3rd try because I am sucker for high effort kick chases and his pursuit of a midfield bomb was first class. The leap and subsequent catch-fumble-and-regather made for a wild sequence of play.
New faces Riley Davis and Parkka Perrotta-Dowling were heavily involved throughout in solid debuts with the latter scoring Parramatta’s final try in the 46th minute. Samuel Polley continues to impress at lock foward with the 2nd year backrower getting through a mountain of quality work around the ruck.
Parramatta conclude Round 3 sitting in 13th position on the ladder but thankfully only a solitary win outside of the Top 8. That isn’t exactly a compelling metric mind you and the Eels will need to use the upcoming bye to put their season back on track.
SG Ball
Parramatta Eels 22 defeat the Cronulla Sharks 18
An outrageous one-two punch from Lorima Rokasuka and Dominic Farrugia flipped the script for the Eels against the Sharks with the wingers scoring in the 64th and 68th minutes to secure an extremely improbably win for the Eels. Wesley Pakoti also nabbed a spectacular try with a sensational snare on a Lorenzo Talataina chip kick as Parramatta stayed undefeated on the season.
He didn’t feature on the scoreboard but Andes Johannson had a big game at left centre which included the field-tilting line break that led directly to Farrugia’s game-winning try.
The win keeps Parramatta hot on the heels on the Rabbitohs, Raiders and Tigers but they will need to tigthen up considerably heading into Round 4. Why? Well, they are hosting South Sydney and the Eels gifted Cronulla far too many opportunities on Saturday. With that said I have to salute the gumption of the SG Ball in finding an unlikely path to victory against the Sharks.
Forty20
You should of checked with Sixties about official scoreboard from the Flegg Trial. Lol
Fair stuff Colmac. I did watch the Flegg trial and I know the Eels won 5 tries to 3. The big fella has enough on his plate though doing the official write-ups for Parra with the NRL trial and Junior Reps so I didn’t think to bother him for my little column.
Does anyone know if Ryley Smith can actually be available for the top 17 come R1. Does he have a top 30 contract ?
Based on NRL media I don’t believe Ryley sits inside the Top 30 presently, nor does he have a development deal. That means in order to play in Round 1 the Eels would need special dispensation to select him in which they could meaningfully prove to the NRL that there is no other player inside the T30/D6 that fulfills his role. Given that Lussick and Hawkins are there it would be difficult to win the NRL over.
He could be a candidate for an upgrade though…or the benficiary of someone on the Development list getting bumped up and him taking the vacant development slot.
His currantly on a train and trial deal and there are 2 spots left in top 30 its a nice headache to have i believe his the fitest player in the club can play 80 if required conundrum do you ggive him time in Reggies or put him at 14 and what do you do with papalii 14 or reggies fullback ?
I hope Ryles picks what would be his NRL side for round 1 for the first 40 mins and plays Iongi for 20 mins and Papalli for the other 20 to see who is the best suited for fullback. That way he can see how they fit into the NRL team to give it to most punch. Maybe both are picked for round 1 with one being the utility. Whatever happens it’s a good selection headache to have and one we’ve not had for some time! Bring on round 1!
Solid thoughts Glenn. The picture will become a whole lot clearer tomorrow afternoon when the Team List drops.
Barring injury Iongi will run out in the No 1 against Melbourne.
Joash will have to bid his time.
I really hope they move on both Volkman and Smith. Both deserve the upgrade.
I’m hearing there is great positivity coming out of Eels HQ.
The coaching team is impressing absolutely everyone with their calm professionalism.
Thanks Forty and team for a great update.
Just hope the HM can sort their discipline etc and make some gains
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As for NRL, just hope we get through unscathed with no major injuries.
For me as long as we bring better defence over the season we will improve on the comp table.