NRL Team List

Round 9, Friday 6:00PM, Suncorp Stadium

A single enforced change and a jersey swap are the most notable features of Jason Ryles’ Round 9 team sheet. Charlie Guymer will answer the call to replace the suspended Kelma Tuilagi while Bailey SImonsson and Josh Addo-Carr have curiously swapped jersey numbers – go figure.

It is a big chance for Guymer to push his case though. While he has been more at home at lock in recent times, his plentiful experience on the edges as a junior have made him fit to be right man for the job in the eyes of his coach. He will need to be at the top of his game though as the Sharks love to throw a lot of shape through the edges. I believe he will match up against Billy Burns unless the Eels pull another switcheroo in their back row alignment.

The Sharks absolutely butchered their game against the Wests Tigers last week with some of the worst situational football you will ever see when it comes to setting up for a field goal. While I would love to see them play consecutive weeks of unfocused, error-riddled footy…suffice to say I think the Eels should be ready for a fired up Cronulla outfit in Magic Round.

For their part, Cronulla welcome back a couple of key players in Kayal Iro – or rather KL Iro – and Braden Hamlin-Uele. 

We get our first look at how the Eels manage their byes weeks under their new coach. Will it halt their momentum from a courageous win over the Tigers in Round 7 or will they come out energised and ready to secure back-to-back victories? Thankfully, Parramatta will be the first game of Magic Round and will avoid playing on an extremely chopped up Suncorp Stadium field.

Injury Report

Good news for Brendan Hands who has avoided a PCL injury to his knee and will only miss one more game with bone bruising. However, there is bad news to offset that with Dan Keir picking up a thigh injury that will see him miss 2-3 games.

NSW Cup Team List

Round 8, Saturday 3:00PM, Henson Park

A few changes for Nathan Cayless’ squad this week – even though they secured a 50-20 victory over the Rabbitohs on Saturday. Jake Tago is back from a hip injury and takes his place on the left wing while Haze Dunster has been named on the opposite flank, although this has been the case in recent weeks before he drops out ahead of kickoff.

Kayne Kalache earns a start in the front-row with Wiremu Greig, I believe, suspended. Deserved call up for Kalache who has been very consistent for the Eels.He will work with Saxon Pryke in the starting rotation with Ryan Matterson reprising his role at lock this week.

In an exciting one-two punch we have Will Latu back to start on the left edge while Teancum Brown has been promoted to the NSW Cup following a terrific start to the year in the Jersey Flegg.

Latu’s return from injury is very timely ahead of the Round 11 window that opens up NRL promotions beyond the Top 30 and Development List. Brown will play from the interchange alongside Felix Niutili-Schmidt and Brock Parker and I am very keen to see how he handles a very strong Newtown roster.

It is a top of the ladder battle this week with Newtown coming into the round in 2nd while the Eels are hot on their heels in 3rd.

Jersey Flegg Cup Team List

Round 9, Saturday 12:50PM, Henson Park

Bradley Avery will start at fullback this week for the Jersey Flegg. Mohamed Alameddine drops back to the Under 21s after a week in the NSW Cup and will play opposite of Dakota Kakoi on the wing. Cooper Fuller has been named in the halves but typically the Eels have brought Josh Lynn to partner Matthew Hunter.

The Eels get a big boost in the spine with Jack Hudson back after a week out. Patrick Spence did an excellent job covering for him last week but gets to slip back to his specialty utility role now. Ieti Samuelu is promoted to the starting front row with Teancum Brown moving up to the NSW Cup. Bit of movement in the backrow with William Lewis holding his spot on the left edge. Tyrese Lokeni takes over at lock while Sebastian Piukala moves back to the bench.

As with the NSW Cup, it is a Top 4 showdown this week with the 3rd placed Eels taking on the 4th placed Sharks.

BONUS TEAM LISTS

SG Ball Cup Team List

Grand Final, Saturday 3:15PM, Leichardt Oval

With an incredible 3 teams into their respective grand finals, the Junior Representatives deserve a slot on the TLT honour roll this week.

The SG Ball look to have pulled through their dominant qualifying effort with no injuries and importantly no suspensions. Isaac Jim and I believe Max Popo had tense waits after getting put on report against the Rabbitohs but look to be clear to play against the Roosters.

The Eels have drawn and lost with the Roosters this year and will be looking to secure the final unique result in that potential trifecta with a win in the big one this weekend.

Tarsha Gale Cup Team List

Grand Final, Saturday 1:30PM, Leichardt Oval

It looks like there is one change for the Parramatta Eels in the Tarsha Gale. Blessing Donvenekham has come onto the interchange bench for Alana O’Loughlin. 

Parramatta and the Roosters Indigenous Academy did not meet in the regular season which sets up a very intriguing match-up at Leichardt Oval.

Lisa Fiaola Cup Team List

Grand Final, Saturday 10:30AM, Leichardt Oval

Like the Tarsha Gale, there is one change for the Eels in the Lisa Fiaola. Sienna Bonello reclaims her spot on the left wing after missing last week. Hine Rikiti makes way back to the extended bench and does so knowing she played a crucial part in securing that historic victory last week.

The Central Coast Roosters stormed out to a 18-0 lead when these two teams met back in the first of the finals. Parramatta then forced the Chooks to hold grimly as they fought their way back into the contest before going down 24-14. It should be a very even battle on Saturday and that is exactly what you want from a Grand Final.

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