It falls upon the Parramatta Eels to now do something they have not had the opportunity to do all season in the SG Ball – bounce back from a loss. The Eels were ambushed by the Roosters last week and suffered their first and only loss of the 2025 campaign and now must get themselves rapidly back into gear to take on the Melbourne Storm this week.

Coach Mitch Lewis has correctly stayed the course in naming the same team from last week and there is no doubting that this squad has the talent to get the job done. It now falls upon this exciting and gifted squad of young men to prove that the loss to the Roosters was an aberration. Their game closes out the Saturday docket and kicks off at 2:00PM.

In the mean time, make sure to check out the Lisa Fiaola/Tarsha Gale Cup and Jersey Flegg Cup live blogs!

SG Ball Cup Team List

 

1	Cameron Bamblett
2	Dom Farrugia
3	Andes Johansson
4	Nathan Howlett
5	Aidan Kebourian
6	Lorenzo Talataina
7	Lincoln Fletcher
19	Isaac Jim
9	Lachlan Coinakis
10	Ryda Talagi
11	Jezaiah Funa-Iuta
12	Christopher Petrus
13	Max Popo
14	Tom Summer
15	Wesley Pakoti
17	Trace Beattie
8	Elijah-Shane Tapau
16	Beau Lucien
18	Lorima Rokosuka

 

Match Updates

 

Kickoff has been pushed back to 2:15PM in the SG Ball following the earlier delays.

One change for the Eels as Isaac Jim comes into the starting team for Elijah-Shane Tapau. Lorima Rokosuka has also been named at the 18th man as he returns from injury as the concussion substitute.

 

First Half

 

The final leg of another monster Saturday, can the Eels complete the sweep today after wins in the Lisa Fiaola, Tarsha Gale and Jersey Flegg?

The Storm are kicking off as Isaac Jim trucks it up. Jezaiah Funa-Iuta gets the call next with Popo following. Good surge from Talagi now! He rocks the defenders and earns a set restart. Fletcher was a winding run down the left before Talataina looks to loop a cutout pass to Kebourian but doesn’t find his range as the ball bounces into his winger and is knocked on. Still a promising set as the Eels look switched on early here.

Melbourne scrum feed 10m off their goal line. Good early contact from the Eels. Driving defence from Coinakis and Talagi now! They double up next play too. Alas, a late penalty has undone all the great work. Looks like the indication is inside the 10m. It gives the Storm a huge chance to strike now.

Questions asked of the left edge edge and while they are able to hold on against a testing carry from Waka Hammound they are quite sleeping at marker the very next play as the dummy-half Lockyer-Azile Foliola powers over from short range. That turns out to be a back-breaking penalty unfortunately.

 

Try scored by Lockyer-Azile Foliola. Conversion unsuccessful by Riley Brannock.

Storm lead 4-0

5min gone

 

The Eels can’t afford to let momentum stay with the Storm here but Melbourne still work the ball into the Eels’ half from the kickoff set. The bomb goes up towards Dom Farrugia and he doesn’t come down with it. Alarm bells here for the Eels as the Storm get a fresh set on the goal line. They manage to trap Hammond over the goal line but have plenty of work left to do. Important tackle made by Talataina down the left and Petrus follows him up with a crushing tackle on the halfback Brannock. Petrus is again involved on the last as he prevents a late offload from causing further damage. Phew.

Tough carries for Kebourian and Howlett before Fletcher takes a run. Jim rumbles North-South with Popo working in his wake. Lorenzo clears the ball downfield and the Eels set in for another defensive set.

Simple stuff from the Storm as they look to work around the ruck. Great shot from Talataina and Petrus down the left. The Storm go to the air again on the last but Bamblett secures the pill for the Eels. Finally a bit of rhythm to this game.

Farrugia is met heavily around the ruck before the Eels go two passes wide to Howlett. Play continues to the left with Talataina who finds Joahnsson. Talagi slips a good offload away as the ball goes to JFI and Fletcher completes the set with a punchy kick that finds the carpet in the corner. Better again from the Eels and they need to stay at this level.

Melbourne are looking to free their arms here but the Eels are scrambling well. Again though, the Eels are struggling under the high ball as Bamblett has the ball popped out of his grasp by a kick chaser. These are the errors that will cruel the Eels and they have carried over from last week.

Centrefield alignment for the scrum from the Storm. They focus on their left early in the set and some fiery defence from the Eels knocks the ball loose from the big Melbourne forward Kobi Floro! Geez they had to have that but tempers flare from there as push and shove ignites. Cautions for both teams – as expected – but I imagine we just play on. Yep, it is a 20m restart for the lost ball over the line.

A penalty does come the very next play though as Kebourian earns the whistle with his carry.

Talagi the option first play. Popo next. Jim rumbles onto the ball next as the Eels carve into Melbourne’s half. Bamblett has the defence retreating down the left edge and feeds the ball to Kebourian but he has gone without it! A lack of polish is really dampening Parramatta early on here.

Well here comes the big chance. The Storm cough it up just shy of halfway as the Parramatta middles aim up. The game has largely been played in their own half on account of the errors – can they make something of this opportunity?

Left to Lorenzo from the loosehead. He finds Bamblett who weaves and fends for good metres before finding Kebourian for tackle one. The forwards centre the pill before we go back to the left and it is big Andes Johansson who sparks life into the Eels with the drifting run and pass to put Aidan Kebourian over! The winger has a nervous juggle of the pass but secures possession before diving over to get the Eels right back into this!

Brilliant strike from Fletcher from out wide!

 

Try scored by Aidan Kebourian. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lead 6-4

18min gone

 

Oh a cheeky short option from the Storm! It was a shocking attempt though and the Eels get the ball on their 40m line.

Popo and Petrus with early work this set. Now Jim with the centreing run before Howlett takes a crash ball down the right. Fletcher sends the kick on the last to the left but the Storm swallow it up without any trouble and begin to work off their line.

A composed defensive set from the Eels as they pin Melbourne down without conceding the penalty. It allows Bamblett to claim the clearing kick on the bounce with plus field position. Howlett and Funa-Iuta bring the ball to the right before Tom Summer brings us back through the middle. Left as Talataina and Fletcher combine to use Johansson and Fletcher sends up a bomb on the last. Farrugia can’t contest it but he does trap his opposite 1m into the field of play for a good result.

Melbourne do well to fight their way outside of the danger zone but Bamblett makes a damaging kick return to put the Eels 10m short of halfway. Sharp work from the Parramatta custodian there.

Johansson is having a strong game here as he carves metres out of the Storm. Fletcher nearly pokes through the defence on the back of that run as the Eels come into Melbourne’s red zone but Coinakis is unable to thread his grubber kick into the in-goals as the Storm hold on again.

The next set for the Eels features plenty of work from the backs before Summer gets a run late in the set. Talataina dummies and goes for good metres before Coinakis completes the set with a neat kick out of dummy half. Lachlan chases his own kick strongly with the assist from Funa-Iuta. However, a flop on the next tackle finally ends the long siege the Storm have been under inside their own half.

Solid set from Melbourne now. The Eels are on the backfoot after a good attacking shift to the right for Melbourne but Funa-Iuta saves the day on the last tackle with a good catch of the attacking kick under the posts.

It is the Storm who has the slight ascendancy in field position now though as the Eels complete their set with a long clearing kick that is taken by Melbourne and returned into favourable starting position.

Brannock looks to bomb Bamblett on the last and the Parramatta fullback is probably unlucky to not earn a penalty for contact in the air but he does well to catch the ball cleanly regardless.

Tough sledding for Parramatta here before Howlett makes a crucial run in behind the ruck that yields good metres and even more importantly – a penalty for a lazy high shot!

The Eels BARELY find touch with their kick but aren’t punished. Elijah-Shane Tapau is on and gets the early charge. Talataina has a jinking carry but is dragged down as Petrus comes back infield next tackle.

Tom Summer! The nuggety middle forward uses a nice fading run around the middle to split the defenders and then offloads to Max Popo. Parra’s lock still has plenty to do but he shows great lower body strength to pwoer over the line and wedge the ball down between the defenders and score a huge try!

 

Try scored by Max Popo. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lead 12-4

32min gone

 

Conventional restart from the Storm. Farrugia carts it back up before Jezaiah delivers a huge run on tackle two! He has dragged defenders for nearly 30m there with a brutal charge. A penalty for a strip follows from there as the Eels look to deliver a hammer blow before half time. Summer up first and then the sharp play from the left edge! Silk! Sharp hands from the spine as they go 9, 7, 6 and 1 before finding a flying Kebourian for the dagger ahead of the break!

 

Try scored by Aidan Kebourian. Conversion unsuccessful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lead 16-4

35min gone

 

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 16 lead the Melbourne Storm 4

 

Second Half

 

Parramatta to kickoff.

We are underway as the Eels send it deep. Bit of luck for the Storm as they win a 50/50 call when the ball comes up in a strong tackle. Ideal start for them though as they chase the 12-point deficit but perhaps it is a case of the ball not lying as they turn it over early into the next possession.

Summer is staying busy after the break with another good run. Outside-inside from Talataina to Tapau as the Eels look to unlock the Melbourne defence. Lorenzo has a run himself on the last as he keeps the ball alive with an offload that sparks a series of quick passes before the Storm intercept the ball. Big play for the opposition there but they find themselves on the backfoot next defensive set with a scything carry from Bamblett. The impetus of the set is undone by an unforced error from big Tapau and the Storm get a real shot to narrow the deficit when they pick up a penalty shortly after.

Tap and go the option taken. Nervous moment for Johansson out wide but he recovers to cut down his opposite. The Storm bring play back to the posts as the Eels square up. A sloppy cutout pass down Melbourne’s right produces a knock back – might have been forward – but it allows the Storm to get to their kick where the manage to trap Kebourian in-goals.

Short restart from Fletcher. It is knocked on by the Storm and Howlett pounces! He scoops up the pill and races 30m downfield for a huge gain. Melbourne are incredibly lucky not to be pinged for offside defenders and the Eels work into Melbourne’s half before Fletcher gets hammered off the ball. No advantage for Parramatta but penalty is deemed sufficient.

Touch finder 20m out. Pakoti with a dummy and run on tackle one. Left to Lorenzo who finds Petrus as the big backrower drags defenders to the goal line. Lachlan Coinakis takes over from there as he turns play back to his right to big Elijah-Shane Tapau who gets redemption for his earlier drop with a barnstormer from close range to secure the first points of the half for the Eels!

 

Try scored by Elijah-Shane Tapau. Conversion unsuccessful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lead 20-4

43min gone

 

Good, simple set after points as the Parramatta forwards get to work. Talataina completes it with a tidy bomb that is matched by a strong chase as Melbourne are left with plenty of work to do next set.

Desperate measures for the Storm as they run it on the last and fling the ball around trying to find any traction. It ends up with an error though and the Eels take over. However, Parramatta also come unstuck next set as Talataina and Petrus don’t end up on the same page and the five-eighth fires a pass into his backrower’s unready hands.

Melbourne work the ball into Parramatta’s red-zone and faced with close to a must-score scenario the Storm produce the goods as the Eels’ left edge get too grabby on the Melbourne fullback Waqa Hammond and he is able to bust through two tackles and score in the corner.

 

Try scored by Waqa Hammond. Conversion unsuccessful by Riley Brannock.

Storm trail 8-20

50min gone

 

The Eels are still in a position of strength here but they can’t afford to concede back-to-back points. They certainly give the Storm a look-in though as a set restart gives way to a penalty for a high shot. Huge change for Melbourne now.

Massive goal line stand incoming. Big test early on as the Eels barely keep Jai Bowden up. Think the ref got it right with that call as the Eels survive the following play as the Storm drop the ball running it down their left on the last. Pivotal moment in this game.

It looks like the Eels are about to turn in a strong reply set but Isaac Jim gets popped under the ball and loses possession on halfway. Again the Storm get the chance to steal momentum in this game and they capitalise this around as this contest roars back to life.

It is an offload around the posts the sparks all the trouble as the Storm are able to rapidly shift the ball to their right centre Alize Clarke who is able to beat Johansson in the one-on-one outwide to get the ball down. Tense moments in this game – the Eels need to settle and fast.

 

Try scored by Alize Clarke. Conversion unsuccessful by Riley Brannock.

Storm trail 12-20

56min gone

 

The Eels avoid a penalty from the restart but the Storm are rumbling on the ground. Someone from Parramatta needs to set the tone here because Melbourne have the wet sail. Even as I type that the Storm draw another penalty. A full set for the Victorians inside Parramatta’s half.

Thankfully it is a rather ordinary set from the Storm. They keep it very vanilla and end up hoofing it dead on the last. Kebourian races out for the 20m tap restart and finds the first penalty of the half for the Eels. Bronx cheer from the crowd.

Ref letting the Storm get pretty loose around the ruck and he has eventually has enough after back-to-back plays where he could have called them out. Full set for the Eels from Melbourne’s 20m mark.

Big shift right to Jim on the first tackle. Big shift to the left on tackle two but the Eels are done in for an obstruction! Johansson was over easily out wide but the referee made the call early and Parramatta keep the door ajar for the Storm.

Gee the Eels should have picked up a penalty there with a kick-pressure effort absolutely impeded by a forward. Kebourian still nets the Eels a 20m restart as he takes the bomb in-goals but that was a bad miss.

Either way it is history and the Eels continue to compound their own issues with another incomplete set. Frustrating is the kind terminology for these continued errors.

A stinging set of defence from Parramatta comes in the nick of time and it unsettles the rhythm of the Storm leading to a roll ball on the last tackle! Again tempers flare as Storm players race in for a fracas. Cool heads have to prevail here for Parramatta – this error can not turn into a penalty for the Storm.

Johansson has been called out and receives a caution while the Storm have their halfback Brannock spoken to. It is a Parramatta penalty. Thank goodness.

Now complete the set, lads.

Jim rucks it out first. Talagi next. Beattie down the right on the third. Popo back through the middle with a real surge. Lorenzo is caught by a jamming defender on the penultimate tackle though and has the ball knocked out of his hands. That was a big play from the defender and it results in yet another incomplete set from the Eels.

4min of or left here and the Storm drop it cold from the scrum! Wow. It doesn’t get much kinder than that.

Johansson fends off some aggressive shots from the defence but again the Eels cough it up as Popo spills the lollies as the ball is centred next play. Gee they have made it so hard on themselves here – although the Storm certainly have not gone away.

Alright, maybe we can sit just a bit easier now after the touch judge intervenes at the end of Melbourne’s next possession to rule a forward pass on an extravagant cutout pass down the Storm’s right edge. Right call and hopefully the last meaningful one of this game.

Talagi gets smashed off the ball now. Easy penalty and the chance for the Blue & Gold to slow things down and burn the final minute or so of clock left in this game.

Another run for Isaac Jim. Funa-Iuta down the left now, he switched edges when Beattie came on earlier. Speaking of Trace, he gets a run on the other edge before Popo is held up by centimetres over the line. Popo is nearly over again on the next play as Lorenzo dances back infield and links up with his lock forward. The Storm do crack though as Talataina sneaks over to the right edge and loops a Harbour Bridge pass to Dom Farrugia who dives over in the corner to make this game look a bit less closer than it really was.

 

Try scored by Dom Farrugia. Conversion unsuccessful by Lincoln Fletcher.

Eels lead 24-12

 

Full Time

Parramatta Eels 24 defeat the Melbourne Storm 12

 

It wasn’t pretty but the SG Ball have got the job done and now face the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the grand final qualifier. It also caps off a perfect days in the Junior Representatives for the club with the Jersey Flegg also tacking on an important win over at Lidcombe Oval.