Grand final day has arrived, and though there are no Eels teams involved, it’s still a big day on the calendar for all footy fans.
It’s quite incredible to think that the Storm are playing their 11th grand final in 20 years under the coaching of Craig Bellamy. Yeah, they cheated against our Eels in 2009, but their overall finals record is something that all clubs should aspire to.
Anyway, we can but dream. Bumpers Up!
Who Wins? Who Cares!
I’m a bit “meh” about the grand final. I’m hoping it’s a good spectacle, and I think it will be, but I simply have zero interest in the outcome.
You might wonder why so after this season’s exciting finals series. The answer is simple.
I’m an Eels first, couldn’t care less second, supporter. If Parra isn’t in the decider, and let’s be honest that’s quite often, I have all the enthusiasm of a three-toed sloth when the big dance rolls around.
Occasionally, like when the Raiders won their first title, I might find myself watching with interest. But it will take a personal reason for it. The only reason I backed the Raiders winning their maiden title was because my grandfather was a massive Chicka Ferguson supporter and I enjoyed watching how much Pa admired the Raiders ageing winger.
Grand final coaches
Sometimes my hatred for a team might see me cheer on an opponent. Look no further than my delight at seeing the Broncos defeat the Riff last week. If the Riff had held on against the Broncos, as much as it would have pained me, I would have had to cheer for Melbourne today.. Title number 5 in a row for the “We hate Parra” brigade – no thanks!
So to today’s grand final. I’m tipping the Storm to win comfortably. Melbourne’s spine are all match winners in their own right, but they also lift the standard of their team mates. In other words, they make the players around them better.
In contrast, the likes of Haas and Walsh and even Mam are all individually brilliant. They can turn a match on their own but they can also be shut down.
Look for the Storm spine to be on fire and determine the result.
NRLW Remains A Duopoly
Imagine having the greatest female football product in the world and allowing it to become a competitive farce.
That’s exactly what is happening in the NRLW. Yes, there are bright stars emerging across all clubs, but at the start of the season, everybody knew it would be a Roosters and Broncos Grand Final, and here we are.
And unless injury takes its toll next year, you can probably back a rematch between these two sides in 2026. The Roosters and Broncos were far and away the strongest teams this season, and only the injury to star half back Tarryn Aiken made the tri-colours look remotely vulnerable.
Why can we expect more of the same? Because somehow the Broncos have been able to recruit Newcastle’s Blues Origin halfback, Jesse Southwell for 2026. This is despite the fact that Broncos halfback and Queensland Origin star Ali Brigginshaw will still be with the club next year.
It should also be noted that Southwell had two years of her contract with the Knights left to run. Don’t you just love player options in contracts.
This is a serious matter for the NRLW to navigate. The salary cap and player payment and employment arrangements need to be overhauled. The current imbalance is not healthy for growing the game.
I genuinely believe that Women’s Rugby League has an amazing future. The growth in the standard of the game, let alone participation numbers, has been exponential over the last seven to eight years.
I’ve been watching and reporting on female pathways competitions such as the Tarsha Gale Cup and the Lisa Fiaola Cup since their respective inceptions. Even at the pathways level, the improvement in players skills and athleticism is astounding.
However, as someone who is a Parramatta NRLW member in addition to attending NRLW games, I have become concerned by the talent disparity which is emerging across the premiership. The haves and the have nots are separating, and it’s two vs ten in that regard.
The NRLW Duopoly
As for today’s result, that aforementioned loss of Aiken swings the balance heavily towards the Broncos. They have the best player in the game in Tamika Upton, and she collects premiership titles for fun.
Both the Broncos and the Roosters lost their way in the second half of their finals matches last week. For the Broncos, it was because they were treating their opponent with disdain. For the Roosters, it was because they have lost some of their mojo without Aiken.
Broncos by 16.
The Eels Grand Final Day Link
It’s going to be painful to watch an Eels pathways star like Stefano Utoikamanu wear a Storm jersey today, so for mind the former Eels fan favourite Luke Burt will carry the Eels involvement flag today in his capacity as Burleigh Bears coach.
Burty started his head coach career with the Eels NYC team in 2017, and unfortunately there was the agony of a last minute grand final loss that year. After moving to the Titans system in 2018, Luke has based himself in Queensland and guided the Burleigh club to three straight finals series.
Fresh faced Luke way back when
The Bears have also upped their Eels link by preparing for the NRL State Championship match at the Eels Centre of Excellence in Kellyville. Furthermore, another former Eel in Lorenzo Mulitalo will play off the bench for Burleigh.
To be honest, it will take an incredible effort for the Bears to defeat the all conquering Warriors outfit. They have been the stand out NSW Cup team in 2025, and by some margin.
I wish Burleigh the best, but I expect the Warriors to win very, very comfortably.
Lomax or Pezet For Parra?
Could it be neither?
Braith Anasta has pushed both players into the media spotlight, even in grand final week, and it almost reads like the loss of one could be linked to the acquisition of the other.
Though I won’t deny that Pezet could land at the Eels, and it’s not impossible, I will say that the only thing linking the two players is the man making the comments – Anasta.
This season has seen the NRL 360 host cross the line a few times in his commentary. Given his role as a player agent, I would argue that he shouldn’t have such a platform, or use such a platform, to spruik his players or to get involved in recruitment and retention opinions.
It’s not dissimilar to the way I see Phil Gould and his high profile media position conflicting with his club role.
So why might neither player be at Parra on 2026?
Zac Lomax
Should R360 get off the ground, and should Lomax request a release to join the exhibition rugby circus (note the couple of “should”s and my blatant disdain for the 360 concept), then Parra wouldn’t want to hit another season with a high profile departure waiting to happen – see Dylan Brown. They would probably allow him to leave.
But how does that impact any potential arrival of Jonah Pezet? It wouldn’t. Pezet’s landing at any club is likely to be under a loan arrangement – much like when Harry Grant spent a year at the Tigers.
The Storm won’t want to lose him and a loan arrangement is for them the ideal compromise for an individual who should be playing first grade. But would a loan arrangement suit the Eels? I wouldn’t see it as any different from Dylan Brown signalling his departure at year’s end this year. You know that the player isn’t part of the future plans.
Jonah Pezet
As Pezet’s manager, Anasta is looking for the best possible deal for his client. So why not link the two and get a buzz happening about it well, happening.
If the Eels land Pezet, I don’t believe it would be on a loan situation. It needs to be on a normal contract, not a loan. Should that eventuate, it would be a massive coup.
And if Parra lose Lomax, they still need to recruit a winger. After all, the club is hardly flush with NRL experienced (or ready) outside backs.
Bailey’s Bridges
Of course, mending some bridges could be the way to fill a winger hole caused by the potential departure of Zac Lomax.
After looking like he was fast tracking his way out of PARRAdise, Bailey Simonsson has been working towards staying with the Eels.
Bailey Simonsson
Given what transpired at the back end of the season, that has probably involved a bit of bridge building with staff and team mates. Bailey has always been a popular player with the fans, and his apparent request for a release caught most by surprise.
I’m expecting the experienced outside back to be a preseason starter, and this is a good outcome for both parties.
Matto Departure Needed?
All this contract and recruitment stuff costs money. Yes, the departure of Lomax would free up coin, but getting Matto a new home is also critical.
Perhaps a new coach at a particular club might see value in the veteran forward.
Fingers crossed.
Moses Kangaroo Snub?
Last week, the Sydney Morning Herald published a leaked Kangaroo touring squad list, and the glaring omission was Mitch Moses.
The Eels Captain is arguably the premier representative halfback in Australia, and that’s even with the acknowledgement of Nathan Cleary’s extraordinary feats at Premiership level.
Moses in Green and Gold
It’s outrageous to think that Moses would not be selected by coach Walters, and it’s left Eels supporters bemused or fuming, and yet at the same time relieved that he will get a full preseason at Kellyville.
However, this is all yet to be official, so don’t rule out the possibility that Mitch Moses might yet read his name on the touring party list.
Stand by.
Eels forever!
Sixties
A loan deal on Pezet isn’t ideal
Moses not playing Roo’s is good for Parra
Lomax staying is obviously ideal
But I still think we have a glaring hole when Moses isn’t playing because we do not have another big kicking half on the roster
The gf – I hope Melb lose because they are cheaters
Go Parra… and like 60’s I don’t care much about the gf at all
Muz, I did a bit of an edit on the post, because I don’t think Parra would be interested in a loan deal with Pezet but if they can get Pezet on a regular deal, then that might be a different matter.
You are spot on mate a regular deal as you said would be amazing. And After you said it and I reflected on it, a loan deal is not ideal for our club moving forwards. No point investing time into a player to get good then leaves. Back to square one again.
Tks sixties. I had a few seconds of cerebral analysis when I read the anticipated Kangaroos squad. I felt that a coach could choose either Moses or Cleary and you get gold standard and Dearden probably gets back-up brownie points because he is versatile, tough and durable, doesn’t let anyone down and made a big statement in Origin, ideal to have on a multi- game tour. Munster picks himself. Someone had to miss out, and the bloke who has twice been waylaid by extra rep duties gets to focus on a managed program for excellence in 2026. But who knows? Still to be decided.
Yes, I’m waiting for next week’s official announcement.
Dearden has not beaten Mich in the last three SOO games they have played against each other.
While I agree a proper off season for Mitch will benefit the Eels. I do feel sorry for him because I am sure he would have looked forward to playing for the Kangaroos.
I thought the performance of The Warriors in their inter state final made our efforts against them a couple of weeks ago look pretty good. Boyd, for example, is easily a NRL quality seven
Our reported interest in Prezet is interesting,; including Papaliii we already have five players at least potentially able to play NRL. It’s situation that needs to be sorted out actually; both Hawkins and Volkmann are of NRL quality; if neither of them is to make regular NRL 6 or 14 it’s hard to see that we can afford to keep them both. In next season’s trials I’d like to see Walker given a prolonged run at 6 and Hawkins at 9 with the possibility of moving Dylan permanently and replacing him at 24 with Dean. With the apparent return of Masterson we don’t seem to have much room for recruitment; we need to squeeze every advantage out of what we’ve got.
Noel, I’m not ruling out a new home for Matto up north.
If we let Lomax leave and not sign anyone very good player as a replacement then that’s just brainless from Parra! Why would we release an Australian representative player and not sign anyone of equal value in return.
We have little backline depth outside the NRL and it’s not an area where our juniors excel. Surely, the recruitment is concentrating on wingers and centres, Broncos seem to get fast, decent wingers every year.
Still struggle with the perception we may have little cap room, but there is so little info and probably rightly so from the club, still hard to see why.
Let’s hope there are roster cuts from other clubs that we can pick the eyes out of, interesting and crucial next couple of months.
As to salary cap room, I have no special knowledge, but this seems obvious – we’ve lost Campbell- Gillard, Mika Sivo, Hutcherson and Brown but we’ve gained Addo-Carr, Lomax, Walker, Volkmann, Hawkins, Papalii, Iongi, Smith Samrani and the kid from Western Tigers.
There can’t be a lot left in the kitty.
We have been through one of our greatest ever recruitment periods; there are limits.
In an earlier post of last year’s recruitments I left out Jack Williams and the big second rowers from The Bulldogs, as well as. a couple of our emerging juniors.
There can’t be vast sums left for recruitment; as performance improves the problem is going to be retaining what we’ve got; predictably we’ll lose some.
There are a few that are yet to be signed up going by nrl.com: Tommy Talau, Jonathan Sua, Wilson De Courcey, Edward Kosi, Sio Kali. They may not crack our starting side but there’s always injuries, suspensions and rep games to be played throughout the year. If the rumours of Matterson leaving and Hands staying in France are true we have to use those spots and that money to bring in 2 backs and we will also need a hooker to play in reserve grade.
For that we could bring back Luke Sommerton or maybe even have a go for Soni Luke? Both will probably command a higher spot than what we can offer. But if neither are signed up by now they may be content with being 3rd string hooker. We can’t go into a season with only 2 in the squad.
In regards to the hooker spot; we have Meni Luke (27/28) and Pat Spence (21ish) as back-ups.
But I feel we are waiting for the contest between Jack Hudson (20?) and Lachlan Coinakis (19) to find our long term No. 9.
PS: We also have some great prospects coming through Matts.
I’d still like a more capable player, going with only 2 hookers in the top 30 is calling for disaster. Unless we try and convert one of Hawkins or Volkman over the off-season but I fear that’s just another stop gap option rather than finding an actual hooker.
I was impressed with Bell in Matts and he should run around again next year. But we’ll likely have to sign a hooker for SG Ball. Pakoti is decent as a lock/hooker but not sure about him playing 70 minutes there.
We have little backline depth outside the NRL and it’s not an area where our juniors excel. Surely, the recruitment is concentrating on wingers and centres, Broncos seem to get fast, decent wingers every year.
Still struggle with the perception we may have little cap room, but there is so little info and probably rightly so from the club, still hard to see why.
Let’s hope there are roster cuts from other clubs that we can pick the eyes out of, interesting and crucial next couple of months.
So the dance is over and Brisbane have had a phenomenal RL season with both genders. Congrats to them!
I want to take us back to a line Bernie G made a week ago that I didn’t agree with at the time and still don’t.
Bernie seem to say that Parra would not have possibly beaten any of the top 8 teams in the semi series. I reckon we would have been every possibility of winning over the Bulldogs & the Warriors. And would have been even possibilities to do likewise to the diminished Raiders … and possibly even the Roosters and the Riff.
We finished the season well … and with a winning mentality. Are there improvements to make defensively? Yes there are. Is there a need for a little strengthening via recruitment. Again, yes there is … but some of those wild top 4 predictions of the last preseason, will not seem anywhere near so wild in 2026.
Less probs with injury could see a very good year for Parra!!!
2026 could see us looking a lot more like the Broncs in both genders and even the Knock on Effect.
With all due respect to Bernie, we did beat both The Broncos and Roosters in the last weeks of last season. Clearly, after the massive recruitment drive pre- and within the 2025 season 2026 wil l have to be a season of consolidation and development. If we can start next season where we finished the previous one, improve as much through next season as we did in 2025 and have a lucky year with injuries I think top 8 is entirely doable.
It would be good if we could recruit one NRL quality centre and one experienced prop that would make things easier.
I thought that we would never see a better more domanant performance than the Chin in a GF.
People forget when the Chin beat Brisbane he was for 70 minutes one of the worst players on the park and then .. magic.
Whatever you think of Reece Walsh, that was an absolute bloody masterclass.
His run down of papenhazen.. who does that ?
His election to take Papenhazen instead of the runner at the end.
Knocking the ball from the big Fijian at the tryline.
Massive defensive plays.
In offence, threw the last ball and created at least two tries..
Then the try.
We wax lyrical about Gurus try in the SF back in the day but Walsh beat 5 players to the line last night.
Without doubt considering the circumstances, the greatest GF try.
Personally, I dont like his antics but damn is that boy a special player ????
I’m still astounded by his performance.
If he doesn’t play, Storm win by 20 easy.
Can you imagine what he would be worth on the open market?
Forget Lomax etc .. if 360 want to spread some cash, Walsh is the man.
As much as I like a potential signing of Jonah pezet because he is a serious talent but if it’s at the cost of Lomax I’m not so sure of. We are seriously thin on quality in the outside backs and If we were to let Lomax go we have Bailey and ado carr and that’s it in terms of nrl quality wingers there’s literally nothing behind them.
Parra need to be very careful on this one we’re losing an Australian top 3 winger and a position the club is not really flushed with talent for another half who is really a 7 that we would want to play 6.
I’d be pushing to have both or if not we must replace Lomax.
Delighted for Josh.
I think we should forget about Pezet, whether it be a loan deal or long term. He is not what we need. He is not a 5/8, he is a half. He has a good kicking and passing game, defence is OK, but doesn’t possess a running game. We can’t carry two controlling halfbacks in the one team.
I know we have a lot of players competing for the 6 and 7. Still, I’ll point out one who has just come back on the market. Junior Amone has done his time and is available for re-registration in the NRL. The charge of which he was convicted is a serious one but the judge involved saw fit to spare him jail time, suggesting that there were extenuating circumstances. Involved in the matter was his father Taj. Taj was one of my students at Warrawong High School thirty years ago. I don’t want anyone to sue me but it is only fair to say that Taj had his issues. I can imagine Junior being concerned to protect his father. And Junior can play, fast, like his father and exceptionally strong man, running the ball being his forte. I’m told that his behaviour as a member of the Kiama rugby side has been beyond reproach.
If we miss out on Prezet I think we should take a long look at him.