Alternatively – That’s Amore A Moretti Edition
NRL Team List
Round 5, 3:00PM Saturday, CommBank Stadium
Jason Ryles continues to churn his roster as the Parramatta Eels desperately try to arrest a 4-game slide to start the season. There are some significant inclusions this week and a bold call on a rookie and I will tell you one thing for certain – you can’t accuse the coach of not search high and low for the answers on a personnel level.
As expected, new recruit Dylan Walker slots immediately into the NRL line-up. He takes up the role of super-utility on the interchange bench and exactly how the Eels use him will be equal parts fascinating and crucial. The most obvious role he fills is an up-tempo lock but don’t be surprised if Ryles asks his newest acquisition to reach deep in the kit bag and cover other positions too.
The Eels have struggled for purchase and penetration through the middle but get a key man back this week in Luca Moretti. Although he is not a one-man wrecking crew, Moretti represents another strong body with good leg speed and the ability to promote the football. Things our offence is crying out for is these trying times. He will make his 2025 debut from the interchange bench as part of a battery with young bull Sam Tuivaiti.
It is a huge week for Ryley Smith after his coach has sanctioned him to not only start at dummy-half for the first time in his young career but also stand as the lone specialist rake in the team. Of course, Walker can provide cover at the position but there is no doubt that Smith will be expected to carry the load at #9.
I tip my had to our coach in this regard, it is a bold and calculated call from Jason Ryles. The decision absolutely comes with risks and fans should expect a rookie moment here or there from the talented dummy-half. Yet, it is a beacon to fans, rookies and hungry fringe NRL players lurking in the periphery. If these players put their hands up they will get opportunities. Like Jordan Samrani and Sam Tuivaiti.
Who will follow in their footsteps?
The Dragons are coming off a stunning upset victory over the Melbourne Storm – albeit a depleted iteration compared to the version that demolished the Eels back in Round 1. Yet the manner in which they accounted for Melbourne makes them genuinely formidable opponents in Round 5. Clinton Gutherson will be keen for a big game against his former club but the size and physicality of St George is where the more troublesome match-ups look set to be.
Parramatta’s defence has actually shown reasonable stretches of competence and even quality at times but even so they will need longer windows of that level of play. Their offence…well, I don’t know what Jason Ryles, Nathan Brown and Scott Wisemantel can do in the space of a singular week but whatever the rugby league equivalent of a defibrillator is would be pretty handy right now. Walker and Moretti will boost the Eels when they have the ball in hand but they will need so much more from their other core players if they are to even think about overcoming the Dragons.
| Parramatta Eels | St George Illawarra Dragons | |
| Isaiah Iongi | 1 | Clinton Gutherson |
| Sean Russell | 2 | Tyrell Sloan |
| Will Penisini | 3 | Moses Suli |
| Zac Lomax | 4 | Valentine Holmes |
| Josh Addo-Carr | 5 | Christian Tuipulotu |
| Dylan Brown | 6 | Kyle Flanagan |
| Dean Hawkins | 7 | Lachlan Illias |
| Joe Ofahengaue | 8 | Toby Couchman |
| Ryley Smith | 9 | Damien Cook |
| Junior Paulo © | 10 | David Klemmer |
| Shaun Lane | 11 | Luciano Leilua |
| Kitione Kautoga | 12 | Jayden Su’a |
| J’maine Hopgood | 13 | Jack De Belin |
| Interchange | ||
| Dylan Walker | 14 | Jacob Liddle |
| Luca Moretti | 15 | Blake Lawrie |
| Sam Tuivaiti | 16 | Hamish Stewart |
| Dan Keir | 17 | Dylan Egan |
| Reserves | ||
| Joash Papalii | 18 | Mathew Feagai |
| Charlie Guymer | 19 | Raymond Faitala-Mariner |
| Bailey Simonsson | 20 | Sione Finau |
| Brendan Hands | 21 | Lyhkan King-Togia |
| Ronald Volkman | 22 | Loko Pasifiki Tonga |
Injury Report
TBA
NSW Cup Team List
Round 5, 12:40PM Saturday, CommBank Stadium
The Eels are hunting a bounce back victory after their first loss of the season against the Sea Eagles in Round 4. Nathan Cayless continues to tweak his roster as the NRL changes influence his options – although the youth brigade are definitely staking claims across the team.
In that vein, Tyrese Lokeni holds a berth in the team after a really solid NSW Cup debut last week. He will play from the bench but is a worthy inclusion against the Dragons. Saxon Pryke has been named in the front-row to partner Toni Mataele while Ryan Matterson will start at lock. I know semantically there can be very little difference between the two positions depending on the team and scheme these days but I do wonder if Pryke and Matterson trade roles or if the young forward will be challenged to shoulder a front-rower’s responsibilities.
Charlie Guymer is back on an edge in a positional call that is understandable given Parramatta’s razor thing depth in the position. Hopefully he can continue to build his case to fight for a consistent berth in first-grade with a great showing against the Dragons.
| 1 | Joash Papalii |
| 2 | Jake Tago |
| 3 | Arthur Miller-Stephen |
| 4 | Jordan Samrani |
| 5 | Bailey Simonsson |
| 6 | Josh Lynn |
| 7 | Ronald Volkman |
| 8 | Saxon Pryke |
| 9 | Brendan Hands |
| 10 | Toni Mataele |
| 11 | Kelma Tuilagi |
| 12 | Charlie Guymer |
| 13 | Ryan Matterson |
| Interchange | |
| 15 | Tyrese Lokeni |
| 16 | Brock Parker |
| 17 | Kayne Kalache |
| 17 | Meni Luke |
Jersey Flegg Cup Team List
Round 5, 11:45AM Saturday, Kellyville Park
Some big changes for the Flegg coming off a postponed game in Round 4. Jordan Rankin has made a double change to his back line as Mohamed Alameddine comes onto the wing for Tuvaku Palu while Richard Penisini returns to the centres for Araz Nanva. I have no clue if injury is a factor for either move but Palu and Nanva were playing really solid footy – although readers will know that I am hugely excited for the returns of Moey and Richie.
With Tyrese Lokeni promoted to NSW Cup for the second week running, Sebastian Piukala makes his 2025 debut at lock forward. Seb is a more than handy backup to have for the role and gets a great chance to carve out his own nice in the team this week. Dom and Raff De Stradis stand guard on the edges while Kurt Fisher comes onto the bench this week to make his Flegg debut for the Eels. If I am not mistaken, Kurt is a cousin of popular former Parramatta veteran Ben Smith. Cool little connection if true.
| 1 | Apa Twidle |
| 2 | Mohamed Alameddine |
| 3 | Antioch Faitala-Mariner |
| 4 | Richard Penisini |
| 5 | Bradley Avery |
| 6 | Cooper Fuller |
| 7 | Matthew Hunter |
| 8 | Damascus Neemia |
| 9 | Jack Hudson |
| 10 | Teancum Brown |
| 11 | Domenico De Stradis |
| 12 | Raffaele De Stradis |
| 13 | Sebastian Piukala |
| Interchange | |
| 14 | Patrick Spence |
| 15 | Kurt Fisher |
| 16 | Ieti Samuelu |
| 17 | Jonah Sullivan |
So I assume the injury list is:
Moses
Lussick
Cartwright
Doorey
Dunster
Grieg (could be suspended knowing how he plays)
Williams
Latu
Tupou
Looks about right based on the information present EA. Hopefully the club drops the Injury Report soon to provide better clarity on potential injuries and recovery timelines.
Congratulations on Ryley Smith getting his start – he certainly has provided a big spark. He’s been doing a lot of the talking and revving up players. Ryles did want a faster start last game but a few were still too slow getting involved. I think Ryley will improve that.
Welcome to Dylan Walker he’ll also bring the energy – something we’ve lacked.
Brown is given every opportunity.
Lane – with Carty and Matto struggling and Williams, Doorey and Latu injured.
Do we still have 1 vacant roster spot?
We need a better kicking game. An early kick for JAC (instead of kicking to Lane in the 79th minute).Then kick for Lomax taking on Gutho – Gutho doesn’t jump.
Glad to see young Ryley starting. I wonder who will replace him in the role if he tires – Walker, Moretti or someone else? Forty rightly mentions Walker but I wonder if Ryles has some left field thinking about this. As Forty also mentioned we are going to have to expect some rookie errors. However, Ryley looks like the sort of chap that won’t dwell too long on them quick and will concentrate on the now.
I mentioned last week how disappointing it was to see that Ryley was the one revving the team up at the death instead of a more senior player. The young bloke seems to have a bit of terrier about him and we need a few more with that attitude.
What happens if Dylbags puts in another lacklustre performance this week? Ryles patience must be wearing thin.
I’ve got a mate who is a lifelong Dragons supporter and he is genuinely worried about this game. His theory is Eels are due and Saints will be reminiscing about Storm all week. Hope he is right. Actually I just hope the young blokes continue to improve and show that there is a future for the team if we can keep most on board.
Going to be very hard for Ethyn Martyn to crack his way into that cup backline. Playing fullback for Wenty in RM.
Waiting for Hayne to come back from injury to watch him lol.
Another injury to the backline does to not even guarantee him a spot in the cup back line. Richie or Moey could be pushed up from Flegg. But I really want them to give Martyn a chance this year.
Agree EA, I was hoping Martin would get a spot to start the year but we have so much depth in the OB’s (even though there isn’t much between a number of them) and they have already prioritised others.
I think for his own benefit if he can get a starting gig at another reggies club he would be best off taking it.
The team is basically what I was hoping for. Id rather Matto in over Lane. Start Keir or Matto on the edge, I dont care. Lane needs a spell. Shame that Doorey couldn’t keep putting his case forward. He seems like a good middle option. I feel that Mataele deserves to be in the 22 man squad though. He is a big body who has started the year well. Goes hard and has been offloading at will. Definitely could add spark from the bench.
Morreti will make a big difference. He’s no star but he is an important part of the rotation who is going to continue to improve. Id love to see him, Hopgood and Willams all working together through the middle.
Honestly Keir is fine. You look at most benches in the nrl and there is one player, at least that is just nothing more than solid. I actually thought he looked OK against Manly.
We need to continue to fast track players like Latu and Lokeni. With our edge depth/form drop they are a genuine chance of nrl time at the back end of the year. If we have any more injuries or want a look to the future. I hope Jeza also gets some cup time at the back end of the season.
Can’t argue with the line up much given the lack of depth and form.
Don’t know if Lussick is injured or being rested after playing 50 whole minutes (he looked gassed after 20), but the better option is Smith anyway.
Hard to imagine Ryley Smith going the full 80 so presumably Walker plays some dummy half. Not his best position but still an upgrade over Hands and Lussick.
Hard to drop Lane on lack of effort if you are not going to drop Brown and you probably can’t drop Brown, as much as many of us think he needs to be.
I’m not as high on Moretti as others. From what I have seen he doesn’t seem to have a big enough motor for the step up in class at NRL level. Hopefully he has been working on that.
I’d much prefer giving Samrani another shot than Russell even if it means shuffling Lomax around.
I guess getting Guymer some reps in the backrow in Cup is a decent strategy given we currently have no backrowers of NRL standard at the club right now. And with Mgmt seemingly bereft of a retention and recruitment strategy, this might be the only way to get stronger there in the next year or two.
The scariest part of this game could be the effort and ferocity that Luciano Leilua and Jaydn Sua bring in attack compared to Lane and Kautoga for us.
I fear for our edges in defence and we now know that Lane is not one to put his body on the line in defence anymore.
I’m genuinely surprised Lane kept his spot after last weeks game and hoping that Hopgood moves to his edge and Walker starts at lock.
Kautoga I’m not as hard on as he is very inexperienced and shows some signs of promise.
Probably the worst left edge in the comp. Period.
JAC probably thinking what has he done in life to deserve his 3 comrades next to him