Round Zero, the Vegas event, is upon us this weekend, and for our Eels that means that the wait for Round One Team List Tuesday is down to five days.
For the duration of summer, Eels supporters have been bombarded by predicted round one team lists, with a large number of these based on what has to be zero research.
Everyone with any level of interest in the Eels has an opinion on who will, or should, take the field against the Storm and we’ve offered a couple of posts earlier in the pre-season.
I’ve watched the preseason unfold, with all of the scrimmages, but I decided to delay naming my final predicted team till the conclusion of the trials. My rationale was to see how the injured players were tracking, in addition to factoring in trial performances.
As a consequence, Bailey Simonsson, Shaun Lane and Haze Dunster are out of team list contention. Furthermore, Josh Addo-Carr is suspended for the first two matches. Mitch Moses is under an injury cloud with foot soreness, but Jason Ryles is stating he’ll be good to go.
Gideon Kautoga
Gideon Kautoga was a late withdrawal from the final trial, and the Eels have not provided an update about any injury, or a return date if he’s injured.
I had Gideon in my starting side prior to the trials. I’ll now bracket him on the bench, with my note that if he’s fit, he will be selected.
Please note that the Eels NSW Cup team have a bye in round one.
Predicted Team List
1 Isaiah Iongi
2 Sean Russell
3 Will Penisini
4 Zac Lomax
5 Jake Tago
6 Dylan Brown
7 Mitch Moses (c)
8 Junior Paulo
9 Brendan Hands
10 Joe Ofahengaue
11 Jack Williams
12 Kelma Tuilagi
13 J’maine Hopgood
14 Charlie Guymer
15 Luca Moretti
16 Ryan Matterson
17 Gideon Kautoga/Matt Doorey
18 Toni Mataele
19 Ryley Smith*
20 Wiremu Greig
21 Joash Papalii
*Requires an upgrade to be eligible
Charlie Guymer
As usual there’ll be 21 players named on Tuesday. With NSW Cup enjoying a bye, there’ll be no demands placed on the extended roster. How many travel to Melbourne might also be determined by the day of departure.
Will Jason Ryles opt for a four forwards bench rotation or will he include an extra dummy half or a utility? Given the number of players involved in each trial, there was no genuine indication about his thinking.
My prediction is four forwards.
As stated above, the question mark around Kautoga being available clouds the selections on both the starting side and the interchange. For that reason I’ve listed him on the interchange.
During the preseason, Williams seemed primed to be part of the middle rotation, but his mobility makes him a prime candidate to replace Kautoga should he be unavailable. And if that happens, Matt Doorey potentially comes on to the bench.
If Kautoga can play, then there’s every likelihood that he and Williams swap places.
In reality, Bryce Cartwright, Dan Keir or Joey Lussick could be named ahead of Matt Doorey, Toni Mataele and Ryley Smith. Cartwright and Keir have been in direct competition with Doorey during the preseason, and along with Lussick, they possess the NRL experience that Mataele and Smith do not.
The huddle
However, if players 18 to 21 aren’t likely to play, then being part of the trip south and the match day prep would be invaluable experience for squad rookies. You can throw in Joash Papalii and Sam Tuivaiti as players who would also benefit from that experience.
I’m very confident that 15 of the 17 in my list will definitely be named next Tuesday.
The other two places, that’s up for debate.
Eels forever!
Sixties
Images courtesy Eels media
That’s pretty much my team aswell Sixties, except that I had Kautoga starting, a d Hopgood off the bench. But looking at Williams in the back row, I like that more
I really think Williams is a must starter. Not sure about Kautoga as I was only going off training reports, which had Williams in the middle.
As I said in the post, it’s only an element of doubt that i have about Kautoga being ready to go following his withdrawal from the second trial that has me listing him on the bench. But similar to you, I’m very comfortable about Williams starting.
1 Isaiah Iongi
2 Sean Russell (Josh Addo-Carr)
3 Will Penisini
4 Zac Lomax
5 Richard Penisini (Bailey Simmonson)
6 Dylan Brown
7 Mitch Moses (c)
8 Joe Ofahengaue
9 Ryley Smith
10 Jack Williams
11 Gideon Kautoga
12 Kelma Tuilagi
13 J’maine Hopgood
14 Brendan Hands
15 Junior Paulo
16 Luca Moretti
17 Charlie Guymer
18 Joash Papalii
19 Toni Mataele
20 Wiremu Greig
21 Matt Doorey
It’s not what I would go with but I think it’s what the coach is going to go with. There are a couple of players that worry me in that side and as we have seen in the past with Melbourne it only takes one mistake for them to capitalise.
Anyway I’ll support whoever is running out in a Parra jersey!
Same Mike. It’s my prediction not my selection. Hopefully they can sort out the defensive issues on Kelma’s edge that emerged in the second trial.
I thought Kautoga was on a development deal for this year, top 30 2026. I am a little surprised you picked Doorey over Cartwright. Tago is most likely but I thought maybe Richard Penisini might get there. Tago is a worry with defense and gets caught out too easily. Who will fill in for Moses if he is not right? Volkman or Apa? Kelma has one chance first up and if he fails big Charlie will take his place. Other than that I think you are spot on.
Zero, Kautoga is on a Dev deal and Dev players are eligible for round one. I picked Doorey as he can slot into a middle rotation. Tago has been selected on the wings in trials, whilst Richie has spent all preseason at centre. If Hawkins is not good to go then Volkman plays half in place of Moses but I believe Moses will be fine.
Also this is my predicted team list not my preferred selections.
Could Ryles pull a swiftie and have Lomax marking up on Coates or Warbrick then have either Ritchie or Samrami in the centres. I thought Samrani was very good at times.
Lomax maybe at wing until the fox is back could be one option.
Don’t see it.
Warbrick or Coates will absolutely murder Jake Tago.
I know we are short but if we play Tago on the wing then they will run plays that way all game.
He’s short, not overly strong and slow.
It’s just a mismatch.
I don’t see anybody else in the roster playing there unless Samrani is upgraded. We are down two wingers.
Thought Joash might be selected on wing, he couldn’t be worse than Tago but definitely better speed and evasiveness. He could swap with Lomax in D to counter any bombs Storm put up and their larger wingers.
Another thought is Lomax to wing and Peninisi or Samrani to centre. Immediately fixes our wing problem for the 2 weeks JAC is out.
Coaches don’t generally like to make two changes to fix one. It then impacts other combinations that have been established. Roles that they’ve worked on etc.
Spark I think the new defensive out wide we saw our boys in numbers out there a lot more than in previous years I mean going off the trial – it wasn’t perfect but it looked harder to beat us on the try line
Tago will have a lot more support from his inside men and a better sliding structure and himself (tago) would have relentlessly practiced try line defence all off season
I am backing the boys to show some solid improvements out wide 🙏
The good thing is we can predict where they’ll attack, our wings, and our new faster defensive line will apply more pressure to storms halves which will give them less time to perfectly attack us out there every time
In previous years our line speed was shocking, we didn’t apply pressure in defence
Storm had all the time in the world to perfectly isolate our wingers off a set play / spread to attack our flanks
Jason knows from an inside view exactly their thesis on how they will attack us – this will at least give our boys more chance at survival you would suspect
Mate Coates goes aerial on Tago or warbrick bulldozes him .. man what an assignment for anyone.
If we pick Tago I reckon we will instantly be two or three tries behind.
I would dearly love to be wrong but I just can’t see it.
Although I trust the coaching staff.
I agree not a Tago fan
I’m not thrilled with the line up but there aren’t a great deal of changes I can see. With Tago and Russell on wings we look very vulnerable.
I’d be surprised if Hands is the only hooker. He is a fit guy, but to play 80 minutes in round 1 is a big ask – and let’s be honest he is a c+ holler at best so to get quality for 80 is probably unrealistic.
Doorey can’t make the 17 in rd1! He really shouldn’t be in the 30 as his spot would be better given to someone with potential to improve. He was woeful in defence against the Tigers. I can’t cop him in the 17 so I hope Kautoga is fit. I don’t know much about him but he would be an upgrade on Doorey.
The lack of depth really hits home when you look at that list. It was bad last year, this year is better in the sense that some of the backups have some upside and could surprise, where last year none really did. But sheesh, i guess it will take a few years to recover from the O’Neill failings of the last 3 years. I feel like we will go into a lot of games hoping rather than confident this year.
There are key outs with both likely starting wingers unavailable. I’d also go with the extra dummy half, but I think Ryles might select four forwards
Mr Sixties, you have watched most training sessions – can you let us know your preferred team? It is of some interest.
My preferred team might require a contract change for a couple of players. But without any change there’s no point in me including them yet. I made a strong point about the rationale behind my opinion in the Instant Reaction podcast.
We are really short a good winger. I suppose we just have to go with who we have but it’s not a given that Simonsson will come back strong after his ACL.
Personally, I’d be going with Richard Penisini or Papaliti. At least they are young and seems to have a fair bit of athletic ability.
Addo Carr is a world class winger but there is such a gap between him and the others.
I doubt that any of the three would even make most teams.
I’m expecting that Ryley Smith is elevated to the top 30 before the game and run as a 14 behind Hands.
Simonsson is training very strongly. I like how he has responded to rehab. They simply won’t rush him. I’m not as concerned about Russell under the high ball. The Storm wingers would give any opponent a problem in the air, and from that perspective Russell will do as well as any other opponent. He’s good taking the ball AFL style and is quite tall.
Really hoping Williams stays and plays through the middle not the edge. He’s what we’ve needed in the middle for a few years now
It’s a matter of utilising his versatility. If Guymer is on the bench it might allow Williams to rotate into the middle, like how Matto would cover both roles in a game.
Thanks Sixties !
I agree with your team almost completely. I would find a space for Carty.
And I certainly agree with your statement about many of the outside commentators. They should hand a week’s pay back. Many had done no homework … didn’t even know who was likely to be unavailable … and who had come.
You wouldn’t pay a subscription to the media outlet they were writing for!
Brelogail, some of their calls, especially some recent ones were atrocious. It was almost like they hadn’t read injury updates or watched a single trial.
Woeful wingers however Bailey and addo -Carr will alleviate that problem, there are holes there however if you look at all sides there are a few areas of concern across all sides in differing positions, it’s a must we have a game breaker in the bench be it Papalli or ryley smith
We need a contract upgrade for Ryley for that to happen and you know my opinion on that.
Oh for the love of all that is holy please not Matt Doorey. Other than that I think that will most likely be the team, although I have a suspicion that Riley Smith will be upgraded before Tuesday.
I really like Doorey but I would have to agree with you. He’s just not the quality we need.
I’m sure he’s a good guy, and he has talent, but he just gets hurt, not injured, hurt far too often.
You heard it here first, Riley Smith to wear the #17 against the Storm, maybe Richie instead of Tago also.
Would definitely start Cartwright in the back row for his size and skills against the Storm, how we are that short of wingers that a player who is just an above average RMC player starts the season is a worry. Injuries have obviously played a part, with a couple of younger players injured and unable to play trials, but a little fearful if the Storm target the smaller and slower side of our back line in Tago it will end poorly.
The selection iof the 14, will tell us if Smith is upgraded or will the coach prefer the more experienced Lussick who can cover the lock position too.
The bench will provide a template in many ways of the style he staff want to play, will it be the younger quicker forward legs rather than the bigger less mobile players. Having said that it’s an opportunity to upset the pundits and grab a win in Melbourne.
I think Cartwright lost all hope with his flamboyant passes in the trials. He’s too risky
I’m a huge fan of what Carty brings to the team. I’m just not sure he’s in line for selection B & G.
Granted it’s a “rebuild” period but Geez I think we are in for a long season.
Look at our front row? Respectfully, those guys will have no impact in this modern era. Joe O is well past his prime and leg speed is a major concern. Furthermore, I just don’t rate our back row either compared to other sides. Matterson and Cartwright and co…. Wow we are short there too.
Our dummy halves are also second rate. Lussick – seriously??
Whilst I rate Moses and Brown, they can’t do anything without proper go forward, and whilst there’s a lot to like about our backline, my opinion (and my opinion only!) is that we are going to get demolished in the middle.
Brad Arthur really was doing a very poor job with foster management. Ryles has done a tremendous job in fixing this mess in short time. A coupe of key signings next year and we can hope for a premiership within the next 5.
I tend to agree with our forward pack being weak. Our backrowers are some of worst in comp (kelma, Cartwright, doorey, katonfa etc), our hooker rotation is the worst in comp, our props are average at best. Our bench props are average at best. Only hopgood, junior and Williams are of respectable quality in that forward pack. I hope ryles cleans out 8-10 more players after this year and gets some proper talent (young or experienced in there).
This seasons will be full of surprises I expect. If we start well we can build momentum. But if we start very slow it’ll be a tough slog.
And all of this depends on our halves taking up their options. Dyl is so important for this team now and into the future.
Agreed.
Josh, I’m not sure I agree with your comment on Ryles fixing a mess. He got rid of RCG which I think was a crucial error and leaves the middles lacking badly. He did get some speed in the backline, however, there’s a lot of unknowns and untested there and the week in week out NRL grind will be a hard thing for the likes of Iongi to overcome. Don’t forget that BA was the one responsible for getting Lomax here, so no credit to Ryles there. Dummy halves, well the U19 NSW Origin winning captain is at Newcastle now so the club didn’t do a great job of holding onto that talent after sacking his father and having a comedy of errors in finding a replacement. I have no doubt MON and co could have done a much better job of trying to hang onto him but they seemed to lack any semblance of professionalism in the whole matter.
Lomax came out and said he was glad to hear Ryles had the job when Arthur was sacked as he already had a relationship with Ryles.
Ryley Smith is a much better prospect than Matt Arthur in my opinion.
They both have good craft out of dummy half, Smith has a much better pass off the ground, Smith is a better defender, Smith is a lot faster.
A comedy of errors replacing Brad Arthur??
They missed out on Wayne Bennett and got Ryles. Fairly straightforward I would say.
Tony, not saying it wasn’t time for BA to go, but there’s no doubt the way they went about it was amateurish at best. Sack him with no replacement named, then say they spent 2 weeks chasing Bennett before sacking him but failed and then took ages to find a replacement. No other club would have gone about it like that. Every time a coach is sacked they pretty much already know who the replacement is.
Of course Lomax (and any player for that matter) are going to say they’re happy with the new coach – career suicide if you don’t!!
Agree Smith looks good by the way.
Actually Stubbs when sacking a coach mid season they usually install the assistant coach and then go searching. Either a make do coach until they sort it all out. Think Steve Georgegalis Bennett was a dream that was never going to work.
By the way I am Brad Arthur fan but he stayed a year too long. Not only that there wasn’t much around. As clumsy as it all was it probably has worked out well.
Make some good points. But if the club had someone ready to go they’d be accused of dishonesty and going behind BAs back. Which is what happened after it was found out about Bennett. Bennett would have lead the club on knowing he’d get the chance to pick and choose. Bennett is no fool and would have played them like a fiddle. Remember BA had already been asked about Bennett being the coaching director. BA refused that option in interview. BA didn’t want anyone looking over him was his words.
If BA didn’t see it coming he was foolish. Because he was asked and hevsaid i dont know the games just finished….
Sacking a coach is like making salami. You have to get your hands dirty and it’s messy.
Having said all that.
I think Bennett made the biggest mistake lol.
Matt Arthur was not staying under any circumstances, he even stated he couldn’t stay at the club after his old man’s sacking. Smith is an upgrade on Arthur.
I think the forward pack will be fine. Bear in mind that JR is looking to change our style to a mire mobile pack. I think JR is looking to change our style to more in line with the Panthers & Storm where the back five do most of the heavy lifting out of the back field giving the forwards some rest. There’s no question our forwards were pulling double duty under BA, having to do the heavy lifting on both sides of the ball.
My worry isn’t about size and attack of forwards. It’s about defence – the backrowers (carty, kelma, doorey, etc) simply aren’t good defenders. Neither are the some of the middles. As soon as the ruck speeds up a little Joe o, matto etc are all over the place and not at marker. Guymer is a favourite forward of mine already as he is defensive minded.
As to the attack – will latu looks like he will be great backrower prospect in a year or two. But we need ryley smith, katonga, mataele, tuivati, guymer to really take steps forwards and allow ryles to phase out joe o, lane, Cartwright, wiremu, Lussick etc at end of year
But I accept that forwards having more petrol in tank via more help from backline in yardage will improve some defensive efforts
But that’s my point, they won’t be doing as much work coming out of the back field, so theoretically they should have more energy for defence
We are only apart on question of degree. I don’t think it helps enough to hide the manifest shortcomings of some players – especially when fatigue sets in and they go back to bad habits. It’ll take this year, more player turnover and then next pre season to really see fruits of ryles labour on defence front. But hopefully I’m wrong.
Brett, I agree regarding the forwards. And Joffa was a shining light in 24 and he looks absolutely recharged during this preseason.
I’d assume a half back will be included on the extended bench, just in case MM’s foot plays up.
Also seems strange to not include Papalii and I’d start Carty/KK and keep Williams as a bench middle.
The upgrade of Smith changes my bench
it’s a solid team
The only issue I see is still our wingers depth
Parramatta shoot straight up into the almost guaranteed top 8 team realm if we had high quality known defensive wingers besides our two starting wingers who are known for regularly getting injured
I hope the boys confidence has improved over the off season
This game will be almost decided by how well our defence holds up with Lomax back in the centres, Penisni on a new side
And two wingers who were part of the edge which resulted in the second worst defence in the 2024 season
Hopefully the Boys have gotten a lot better out there, or Storm will have every set okay in the book being carefully drilled and crafted to maximise exposing our wingers and centres for the entire game
The Storm will also be easily able to isolate tago is Lomax flys out of the defensive line like we saw the last trial game – part of me wishes Lomax didn’t play so the Storm had 0% of Lomax at parra data to work with 😅
P.s but wouldn’t it be good if our boys go out there and show a defensive master piece? I have no doubt Sean. Will, Zac and Tago have been working extremely hard since last year on defending their try line 💪
Muz, whatever the outcome it will be a good opening test for the boys. I think we can do them and I have say a lot depends on the referee. It’s unfortunate but so true. Our pack is equal to theirs as with our halves. Pap is out Munster may play – we are a good chance. Parra love playing against the Storm and will relish the the opportunity to give to them.
I actually think our wingers depth is ok, it’s just that most of them are unavailable right now.
Agreed
You can see a direction for our 1-7, but not so easy for 8-13. I thought Matterson lifted to a sound and consistent level later last year when we weren’t very good. There are certain forwards you just don’t want on the park at the same time.. I believe we have a core of 6 or 7 (including Matterson), then the rest Ryles and co need to be adept and watchful for how the game is unfolding and individuals are responding.
Tuivati, Mataele and Latu may provide some solutions as the season progresses, they look like good, aggressive young forwrds and I always remember The Bear went from C Grade juniors to First Grade before he turned 19, it is possible for young blokes to step up. Throw in Ryley Smith too.
Yep those wingers worry me as well. Russell is average and doesn’t really offer much. I can’t remember him ever breaking the line or doing something special. Tago is a good NSW Cup player. Really need Josh and Bailey back. Forwards I’m happy with.
Russell is judged harshly I think. He looks bigger and stronger and more explosive than last year. JAC & Simonsen are our best two right now, but by seasons end it would not shock me to see Richie P and possibly AMS as our two wingers.
Wingers need to be perfect and that’s a big ask.
Backrow handling and defence are a concern if last trial is any indication. If they were going through the motions then ok. But against Bellamy coached team we need 80 minutes of high completion and low missed tackles.
I’d be rushing the storm halves and laying all day. I did notice we had fast play the balls in the trials. It could have just been because Sivos 4 seconds were not included in the average… or maybe we are just faster.
Love the breaking news that Mitch has re-signed for a further five seasons. Meaning he is signed to 34/35 years of age.
The only two players now with player options are Dylan and Will. Will has apparently already indicated that he is staying which only leaves Dylan to firm.
I see the biggest weakness out of the trials being Lomax still hasn’t worked out his role in the defence.
If he has Tago outside, lookout.
Russell and Penisini were outsmarted by Melbourne at the end of last season.
Hopefully Ryles has fixed that.
Melbourne will be at their weakest, possibly for the season.
If we are ever going to do it, this is the game.
You watch – the Storm will still name a very strong team. The trials revealed nothing.
While we are rightly worried about tago marking Coates :warbrick take it as gospel Xavier may not play and is not fit at present , btw Xaviers brother Barney will be better than Xavier so hopefully our recruiting guys are watching him closely
The upgrade of Ryley Smith changes his eligibility. I’d now include him on the bench.