NRL Team List

Round 17, Saturday 5:30PM, WIN Stadium

Jason Ryles might very well have Cold Play blaring this week because while nobody said it would be easy for him at Parramatta, I’m not quite sure anyone said it was meant to be exactly this hard. As if the relentless waves of injuries weren’t enough, his Eels now find themselves without Ryley Smith (2 weeks) and Will Penisini (3 weeks) for the immediate future.

If Parramatta’s commander-in-chief isn’t at his wit’s end then surely he must be close…yet he persists. And his team are taking on that personality trait as they grind and grit and battle through the accumulated injuries and suspensions of outrageous misfortune.

It feels like every game has been key, critical or crucial for the Blue & Gold for a while and that remains true this week as travel to the ‘Gong to take on the St George Illawarra Dragons. Not only is this another scrap between two desperate teams outside the Top 8 but with the bye looming and a brutal gauntlet of games awaiting the Eels on the other side of it – they really want to bank a win on Saturday.

Ryles has kept it simple as. Jordan Samrani is back in the centres after missing last week with a minor injury while Joey Lussick is the primary dummy-half with Joash Papalii serving as his deputy. Dylan Brown returns from a ridiculous suspension to partner Dean Hawkins in the halves. Charlie Guymer holds his place on the interchange bench after a productive effort against the Titans.

Like just about every alternating game this season, Parramatta’s opposition are coming off a bye and will play with the fresh legs. The Eels were able to engineer a breakthrough golden point victory against the Red V back in Round 5 when Zac Lomax struck a sweet field goal. Parramatta were able to forge a path to victory on that day without Mitchell Moses – just as they did last week – and that is the task again in Round 17.

St George might be refreshed heading into Saturday but their last two starts tell the tale of a team with some struggles. The Dolphins demolished them in Round 14 while the Sharks eased past them in the derby game the week after. This is a potential win that the Blue & Gold should be pushing for aggressively and based on prolonged recent form they will give a great shake.

Injury Report

Luca Moretti suffered a moderate grade syndesmosis injury during Round 13 the Panthers and will be sidelined for another 3-5 weeks.

 

Mitch Moses suffered a calf strain calf strain during Origin Camp and will miss 5-6 weeks.

NSW Cup Team List

Round 17, Saturday 3:10PM, WIN Stadium

The plucky Eels produced a comeback win against Newcastle on Sunday but they will need to find another gear this weekend when they hit the road to tackle the 2nd placed Dragons in the curtain raiser at WIN Stadium. It is a real shame that the draw has lined up with Parramatta facing the Warriors (1st) and Dragons (2nd) in the window where they have been gutted by injuries and suspensions but Nathan Cayless and his troops have been nothing if resolute in the face of those challenges.

I believe this week’s team sheet features an unchanged starting XIII. Matthew Hunter starred against the Knights on Sunday and will continue to partner Ronald Volkman in the halves. Kruz Niutili-Schmidt has been drafted onto the bench and it will be interesting to see how he is used alongside Meni Luke while Will Latu is a welcome inclusion after missing a brief period of time with a knee injury.

Jersey Flegg Cup Team List

Round 17, Saturday 11:00AM, Croome Road Sporting Complex

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