The second round of the male pathways trials features the Eels against the Bulldogs at Kellyville today.

In the first set of trials the Eels were far too powerful for the Sharks, with both of the Parra teams looking bigger, faster and better coached than their Shire opponents. This second set will be an interesting hit out as the Bulldogs are notorious for firing up against their traditional rival, and the games are typically physical affairs.

Kick off for the Matts has been moved forward to 4pm with the SG Ball to follow immediately afterward.

We’ll try to secure team lists but this might not be possible.

 

 

Harold Matthews

 

Trials always means lots of new faces in all the line-ups, so please bear with us as we do our best to navigate each game without team sheets. The Matts should potentially feature a number of returning players including Caleb Leiataua, Curtis Brown and Hayden Bell but a significant portion of the 2025 team has graduated into the SG Ball this year. That means of exciting new faces and prospects to get to know!

 

First Quarter

 

Some unconventional numbering here as the big #3 (Deon Haynes) carts it up from the kickoff from the Eels. I’m not expert but that looks like a prop and not a centre! Really set for the Eels to open this trial as they drive it through the middle and then punch it over the sideline with their clearing kick.

Willing defence follows. Lots of energy from the home side as they drive runners back and ultimately force an error for a premium attacking opportunity inside Canterbury’s red zone.

Left to #17 (Khan Jackson) for the opening charge from the scrum win but the referee quickly rules he has lost the ball in spite of the Parra players protestations. Alas it means the Eels waste the chance and they compound the matter by conceding a penalty for a leg grad in a following ruck.

Good response from Canterbury here as they test the Eels’ ruck. The Bulldogs #35 shows some good footwork to create a half break but the cover defence from Parramatta is trailing in position and intercept/strip the ball away from the support runner.

Parramatta complete their second set of the game on the back of the turnover but the clearing kick is too heavy and rolls dead for a 7-tackle set. That almost immediately becomes a penalty when the Eels are offside from the tap restart.

The Bulldogs are unable to get to their own kick in the wake of the lapse from the Eels though as they make a completely unforced error trying to turn the ball inside down their right edge.

#19 (Jayden Tapui) for Parrmatta gets the next set underway with a physical run that breaks away from defenders. The Eels secure their first penalty of the game and immediately look to press the attack as they shift from left to right but the presumptive fullback, or at least the #1, gets jammed on the final pass and loses the ball just as he was about to pull the trigger on releasing his winger.

Another penalty for the visitors now – this one for an offside marker. It carries Canterbury to halfway for a fresh set. They go up-tempo through the middle and begin the threaten the Eels but a Parramatta defender on the right edge makes a scything tackle that has cut the sweeper in half! it forces an error and the Eels pounce on the loose ball before picking up a penalty.

Again though, the greasy conditions combined with the nature of the preseason culminate in another error from the Blue & Gold.

The Bulldogs have been riding the line with some sloppy play-the-balls through this whole possession and finally the referee pulls them up as they come over halfway.

#6 (Hayden Bell) wins a set restart for Parramatta next set as he gets in behind the ruck. The Eels try to shift the ball right to their #12 (Jake Capovilla) but the play stalls as he has to take two attempts to bring the ball in. Right again to bring up the last before the swing back to the left finds the #13 (Levi Perrett). He hoists the crossfield bomb to the left edge but it is well too heavy off the boot and goes one bounce dead in-goals.

Canterbury work to their kick, a rarity thus far today, in the reply set but end up knocking on in the contest for the midfield bomb. However, the Eels cough the pill up quickly in return to spot the visitors with their best chance of this young game. Thankfully some staunch defence dislodges the ball in the next possession and the man who made the initial error in the #31 (Liam Martin) scoops up the loose ball and pinches some handy metres!

Big of left edge emphasis in this set for the Eels as they find some second phase ball only to spill it again! Looks like it was poor #31 again struggling with the conditions there.

A penalty comes for the Dogs as they forge into Parra’s half. I was about to say they are lucky to get away with an obstruction there as they cut back from the left to the posts but the referee is all over it! Good call as he punishes the Canterbury forward for lingering in the defensive line.

Another slice of redemption there for #31 as he chimes in down the left edge and gets his winger away for a clean linebreak – perhaps the first of this game. The winger, can’t tell if it is #4. 14 (Lorima Seuseu) or 24 from this angle flies down field and then cuts back away from the sideline as he clashes with the fullback. The Eels has a cracking chance to post some points here ahead of the quarter time siren but as we have seen through a good portion of this trial, an error follows some good footy.

Still, good to see some positive play down the left edge there as we take a short break for the quarter.

 

Second Quarter

 

We are back and so are the errors! The Bulldogs almost immediately drop the pill to put Parramatta back on the attack. Got to love preseason trials!

Good, bullocking run from #12 there to start this set. That was a strong charge. #3 follows him up and that has set the table for a gorgeous ball at the line as the #6 digs into the defence and feeds a silky pass to his prop in the #8. Think that might be big Curtis Brown actually that does the scoring and it might be another returning player in Hayden Bell that laid on the try assist!

 

Try scored by the Parramatta Eels.

Eels lead 4-0

22min gone

 

The Eels get a chance to seize momentum in the contest as they pick up a penalty from the kickoff set but they fail to complete the resultant possession. The ball is lost down the left edge as they venture down their left edge.

They respond with some driving defence now as the two bookends combine to punish the ball carrier.

Oooh deft hands there! I think that was #7 (Salatielu Tamati) for the Eels who just plucked a chip kick out of the air to defuse a tricky situation inside our red zone. Good heads up footy.

Tough set for Parra but they get a bail out when their kicker is hit late. That advances them to mark of the landed kick and puts them in the box seat to attack the Canterbury goal line. Simple set from the Blue & Gold though as they work around the ruck. It has still created an opportunity on the last as the #13 again looks to bomb to the left edge. This time he has his radar on and finds range but Parra’s #19 can’t reel it in cleanly and loses it over the sideline. Great chance to score there.

The Bulldogs get some real purchase in the next set and break the line through the ruck. Again they opt for a cheeky chip kick in behind and once more the Eels have a defender awake to the threat as they snuff out the danger. Unfortunately, the referee pulls the home team up for an incorrect play-the-ball at the culmination of the next play and it puts Canterbury back on the attack.

It is the impetus the visitors were looking for as they are finally able to crack Parramatta’s defensive line with an orthodox shift to their right edge. The Eels are caught a man short and the Bulldogs will touch down in the corner to level the scores.

 

Try scored by the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Bulldogs lock the scores up at 4-all.

31min gone

 

Almost a mirror of what transpired for the Eels after they scored as the Bulldogs pick up a swift penalty from their kickoff set. Will they too make an error coming over halfway?

The answer to that question is…no. They do however make some good in-roads attacking in behind the ruck and look to have scored via a grubber kick to their left winger (wearing the #1 on his back). There is a bit of arcing up from the visitors as well but it quickly fizzles out as the referee indicates the try scorer was offside!

Neat set from the Eels here. They badly needed it too. Better than neat! What I thought was an excellent clearing up was actually a 40/20! What a banger of a kick and it has completely swung momentum in this game. It leads directly to a try for the tireless #12, Jake Capovilla I believe, as he powers over from short range off the hip of his play-maker. Capovilla has been among the Eels best thus far and that is a very well earned reward.

 

Try scored by the Parramatta Eels.

Eels lead 8-4

36min gone

 

Nice little dummy and run from the #9 there as he goes over halfway. Adventurous play from Parramatta this set and they end up running it on the last. I actually really like the play call and vision there. It was on down the left edge. The execution was slightly off though and an errant pass is spilled by the winger. Not sure if the call was a knock-on or a forward pass – either would have sufficed.

Good response from the Dogs. They muster through the ruck and win a penalty late in the count. That becomes back-to-back penalties when the Eels are correctly pinged for an illegal strip. Big set of defence here for the home team. A pair of stinging opening tackles slow play down as the Dogs reset and head back to the posts. They have lost some direction here and are lucky to get away with a tipped pass that arguably traveled forwards. The Eels persevere to the last in a sterling goal line stand that brings us the half time. That was an excellent set of defence!

 

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 8 lead the Canterbury Bulldogs 4 (No Conversion Attempts)

 

Second Half (Third Quarter)

 

Eels kicking off in the second (err third?) stanza.

Play resumes and almost immediately so do the errors. Thankfully it is the Dogs turning it over.

Ooh that is a rugged run from the big #22 (Thomas Jackson) for the Eels but unfortunately the Dogs respond next carry with a heavy hit on our #5 (Elijah Alhazim) that has jolted the ball free. Turn and turnabout indeed.

That is a dangerous run from the Bulldogs #7 as our #21 (Kruize Moala) hangs on grimly to save a linebreak and likely try. The Bulldogs get a break from a loose offload in the wake of that run is lost forwards by the Eels as they look to dive on the bouncing ball. To their credit the Dogs make the most of the chance as their #16 dives over through a narrow crease on the goal line to level the scores once more.

 

Try scored by the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Bulldogs lock the scores up at 8-all.

45min gone

 

Energy for the Dogs now as they surge after points. They carve out big metres in the kickoff set but come undone on the last as they simply run it through the ruck with a forward. You take that as a Parra fan.

Tough set incoming for the Eels as a result though and they cough up the ball literally as I bang that out on the keyboard. A chance for the Dogs to seize the lead for the first time today beckons.

Sure enough the Dogs manage to strike as they puncture Parra’s right edge and get their noses in front in the second half.

 

Try scored by the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Bulldogs lead 12-8

51min gone

 

Another big set after points from Canterbury but the Eels manage to hold on. Can they get to their kick now? Big line speed from the visitors and they look to suppress the Eels through the ruck. It is working. Parra look flustered and nearly lose the ball. They thankfully get to their kick and it is a nice strike off the boot but it takes an unkind bounce for the Eels as it kicks back perfectly to the chasing fullback. Bit unlucky that!

An error from the Dogs finally relieves a bit of the pressure as the Eels get to task. Some good metres come from a simply left edge movement before they switch play to the right. That is a very cheeky and very smooth short side play on the last. It doesn’t yield points because the Dogs scramble well to defend it but that wasn’t bad footy from Parra there.

An odd result at the end of Canterbury’s next possession. They put up an attacking kick that neither team really contests but the Eels end up knocking it on as they stand up the landing point. Bit of confusion there. It spots the Dogs a great attacking chance though and they are all over it from the scrum win as they play to their right and use the speed of their #5 to win the race to the corner.

I’m not sure how much the Eels have rotated their roster since half-time but we look a bit less physical in this period compared to their first two quarters.

 

Try scored by the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Bulldogs lead 16-8

58min gone

 

Now that is a tough take! I can’t get the number from this angle – maybe it was #28 (Ali Sabra) but they are tested with a high ball from the Dogs and under immense pressure they produce the finger tip catch. They backed the catch up with a useful ruck run out of the redzone two tackle later as well. Good hustle on both accounts.

That brings us to the end of another quarter as we now make the turn to the final period of play.

 

Fourth Quarter

 

Oh that is just a terrible, ill-advised and reckless play. The Eels are on the last from the resumption of the quarter and kicking deep in their own half. They clearing kick falls on halfway and the Parramatta chaser has got it all wrong as he attacks the catcher in the air and sends him tumbling to the ground. Just dangerous all around and the natural outcome is of course a send off. Right call from the referee and thankfully it looks like the Canterbury player is okay.

It looks like the Dogs are set to cross once more – this time down their right – but the touch judge has raised his flag. Alas, the Eels can’t get out of their own red zone, or their own way, in response and give the Dogs a second chance with an errant shift down their right edge. Again, the Eels are struggling psychically in a way they weren’t in the first half.

For the second time today, the Bulldogs are able to engineer points from a right edge shift from a scrum win. This time it is their rangy #11 who crosses in the corner untouched after some clean hands from the Belmore boys.

 

Try scored by the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Bulldogs lead 20-8

65min gone

 

From bad to worse now for the Eels as their kickoff sails way, way, waaaaaay over the sideline. No doubter out-on-the-full from the strike there.

A bear hug of a tackle from big #34 (Riley Paki) has saved some blushes for the Eels though as he squeezes the ball out with the all-embracing tackle. The Eels still have some tough sledding to get through though. They have struggled to ruck it out in the second half. The effort is better this time around. Far from dominant but they do give their halfback reasonable space to drive the ball downfield finally as he duly obliges.

Well there is try of the game out of the blue!

The Eels elect to run it on the last down their left edge after the Dogs are caught trying to pressure Parramatta’s half. He dummies, runs and the finds #28 who engages the final front line defender and feeds his winger #26. (Kody Baxter) Enterprising play from the winger sees him shallow chip ahead and swiftly regather before finding his centre back inside as he races the rest of the way to score an outrageous try!

 

Try scored by the Parramatta Eels.

Eels trail 12-20

72min gone

 

An error from the kickoff rapidly reverses the flow of the game as the Bulldogs get back to work with the ball in hand. Some strong runs win a set restart but a pass bulleted at the ankles of a big man naturally leads to an error. Let off there.

Canterbury are trying to swarm with their defence here and the Eels look to counter by changing the point of attack. It ends up slightly favouring Parramatta before they win a penalty at which point they clearly emerge ahead in that exchange. However the Dogs are looking for some heavy contact in the next set and they get it early on. The Eels stay poised…well for those tackle right up until there is a stone cold drop…only for the Dogs to do the same a tackle later.

So the Eels end up with a fresh set when all is said and done. Good run from Curtis Brown there as he powers over a rival forward to win that play. A batted ball sets the Eels back 15m but #29 (Winston Tahi) sets the course right with a surging run up the middle.

The Eels try to attack the left edge short side on the last but run out of support players in their hot potato passage of play as the ball is eventually knocked on.

Good awareness from the #1 (Leonard Salter) for Parra there as he dives on an errant offload from the first play of the next set. It puts Parra back on the attack. A deflected ball resets the play so we go again on tackle one two plays later. The Eels get a final play to try and narrow the deficit but despite a nice run and dummy from #32 (Zane Watson) the referee spots a tiny error and that brings play to an end.

Lots of errors as you would expect from a trial but the Eels showed some decent signs in the first half. Their second half leaves a lot to tune up ahead of the competition start in February but I am not sure what sort of team they deployed today relative to Josh Hodgson’s expected Round 1 roster. So keep that in mind. Either way we roll on to the next game!

 

Full Time

Canterbury Bulldogs 20 defeat the Parramatta Eels 12

 

SG Ball 

 

 

First Quarter

 

Eels are receiving the ball to open this trial game.

Again, no team lists for this game but hopefully I can spot the returning players to the best of my ability.

I believe I spy Michael Nauer taking an early run there for the Eels. Looks like Talen Risati (no I was mistaken it isn’t Talen it is Chris Moala) in the #6 if I am not mistaken as well as he leads the kick chase at the end of the first set for the Eels.

First error of the game goes to the Dogs as they grass a routine pass from dummy half.

Parramatta’s half back might be our newcomer by way of Wests – Stirling Faumui. Not sure though.

#21 is dropped in a dangerous tackle that earns the ire of the official and so the Eels earn a penalty.

First points for the good guys! Some nice hands in front of the defensive line give Parra’s #13 the lead on the outside tackle zone down the right edge and he is able to power over with defenders on his back. Nice opening play!

 

Try scored by the Parramatta Eels.

Eels lead 4-0

5min gone

 

Out on the full! A penalty for the Eels on halfway and the capitalise with a sharp set that culminates in points in the left corner. An attacking bomb is beautifully taken by #26 who gets it down despite strong contact! What a stellar effort!

 

Try scored by the Parramatta Eels.

Eels lead 8-0

8min gone

 

This time the kickoff stays in play but the Bulldogs concede the penalty in spite of it all as the referee calls out their ruck defence. The Eels are surging here as Jireh Stewart (I think) guides them from dummy half. Pure silk on the last! Stirling ran the ball and is out of play so the Eels generate the play with #23 (is that Cameron Bamblett?) who laces the grubber kick inch perfect for the #6 Moala to swoop in and claim for the score!

 

Try scored by the Parramatta Eels.

Eels lead 12-0

11min gone

 

First error of the game for the Eels and it comes on the back of some aggressive action down their left edge. Parra were looking to maximise a 2-on-2 chance out wide but the offload back infield is lost forwards in a contest for the ball. How do the Dogs handle their first proper possession in 10min?

Good intent from the Eels defence early in this set. Lots of talk and line speed. Great response from the Dogs though as they kick early and put the ball in-goals with a well weighted kick. Their chase wins a line drop out. Smart footy.

The Eels go short, as it the trend from goal line restarts these days, and the Dogs balk at the pressure and drop it cold. Gifted turnover there.

Sharp work up the middle from the Blue & Gold but it comes undone as the half and backrower down the right edge aren’t on the same page and grass the ball in the transfer of a play back underneath.

Gee that is a tough call! It looks like the Dogs have offloaded a high risk ball and #21 has snatched it away but the referee makes a late call that it was stripped. Not sure about that one. Either way the Dogs have it and are on the attack.

Despite some good contact around the ruck the Eels are caught short on a shift down Canterbury’s right edge. Parra’s #3 Bloomfield is beaten initially but looks to have recovered to make the tackle short of the line but he falls off as he hits the deck which allows the runner to stay alive and make a second effort to score in the corner. That is also the end of the first quarter.

 

Try scored by the Canterbury Bulldogs

Bulldogs trail 4-12

19min gone

 

Second Quarter

 

We have a kickoff to start the quarter but only because of the points to the Dogs.

Speaking of points! The Bulldogs get it awfully (perfectly perhaps!) wrong as they try to force a passage of play down their right edge. A wayward pass hits the deck and #23 Bamblett for the Eels races through to claim the bouncing ball for his own and then brushes an attacker-turned-defender to sprint away 25m and score against the run of play!

 

Try scored by the Parramatta Eels.

Eels lead 16-4

23min gone

 

Another penalty, this one for high contact, goes to the Eels. They are starting to bend the Canterbury ruck backwards now as they march into the red zone with blazing quick ruck speed. It is the perfect platform for an opportunistic dummy half to profit on and that is exactly what happens with the burrow over effort from Parramatta’s dummy half. I think it is Jireh Stewart but I could very easily be mistaken so please allow me that much grace!

 

Try scored by the Parramatta Eels.

Eels lead 20-4

25min gone

 

An outstanding carry from #32! That is big Steven Nunn unleashing! He bulldozes defenders from the kickoff enroute to a 50m pick up! The Eels are pouring on the pressure here and are nearly over again when #19, maybe Riley Davis, nearly knifes through down the left on the sweep! He is barely ankle tapped and then gets the ball knocked loose on the second effort from cover defenders. Unlucky there.

Ooh, another chance here for the Eels with an error from the Dogs.

Better defence from the Dogs early in this set as they blunten some of Parra’s early questions. That is until the rangy #21 proves to be too good as he just blows by defenders to score a cracking solo try. I think that might be Jackson Koina, our Australian Schoolboys recruit. He has been brilliant all game thus far and that is a deserved reward.

 

Try scored by the Parramatta Eels.

Eels lead 24-4

29min gone

 

A rare error gives the visitors a chance to arrest the avalanche of momentum for the Eels but they too end up coughing it back up.

Simple set for the Eels now and they show they can roll up their sleeves as much as deliver the razzamatazz.

Really nice read and take from the right winger for Parra. He has the #1 on his back but it defending the right sideline. He judges the attacking kick from the Dogs perfectly and takes it in-goals before earning a penalty shortly after.

A second penalty follows later in the set as Davis is clipped high.

Right ot left build up here for the Eels as Nunn centres the ball to the posts. Play breaks down a bit as we come to our left centre – might be Cyrus Bloomfield there – but just as I offer that positional clarity we see another try to Jireh Stewart as again he proves to be dangerous and decisive from short range! Simple try but good vision from the dummy half.

 

Try scored by the Parramatta Eels.

Eels lead 28-4

36min gone

 

Finally a bit of fire from the Dogs as they race up from the kickoff to drive the Eels back in-goals. Great result for them but can they convert on the chance?

At least initially it looks like a no as the Eels hold them to the last where they eventually earn a line drop out. From the restart the Eels go short a tip it back where a contest for the loose ball is ruled to be a knock on from the Dogs. That was a marginal call in my opinion. Could have gone either way from my angle but I defer to the referee and his superior view point.

Toughest set of the game thus far for Parramatta as the Dogs make them work for their metres. It leads to a modest clearing kick and thus another good attacking opportunity for the visitors. There is some aggression in the defence now as the Eels look to make their tackle sting and it unsettles the Dogs leading to an error as the buzzer rings out.

That was a brilliant half of trials footy from the Eels who look to be a formidable outfit.

I will now hand over the reins to Sixites who will bring you home in the second half!

 

Half Time

Parramatta Eels 28 lead the Canterbury Bulldogs 4 (No Conversion Attempts)

 

Second Half (Third Quarter) Sixties blogging

Eels kick off goes dead. Line drop out. Parra are in the red zone and it’s a big shift left on the last but the pass sails over the sideline. Dogs complete their set and McCluskey brings it back strongly. A couple of tackles later and it’s a poor play the ball and dogs scrum.

The Dogs advance play to the Eels quarter and a cut out pass left has set up the try but the winger drops it literally over the line.

Eels penalty gets them out of their red zone but another error 35 out hands a scrum feed to the dogs.

The sides exchange sets but the Eels make something of this set as they drive play to the red zone. It looks like the play has broken down as it comes to Kotarac but he surges ahead and is unstoppable as he plants it over the line.

Eels 32 lead Dogs 4

The Dogs are in possession after the kick off and launch some serious crash plays at the Eels line but it’s nowhere near enough to crack the resolute defence. Seriously good stuff from Parra.

Parra complete their set with a deep kick into the Dogs red zone but their left side defence soon allows a dogs foray into the back field. Back to Parra’s quarter now and a crossfield kick comes up trumps for the visitors as it’s grounded on their right wing.

Eels 32 lead Dogs 8

Parra’s left edge again allows a Dogs break down the wing and the cover just manages to force their money pass to travel forward.

Forty/20 from Stirling sets the Eels for a full set in the Dogs quarter. Left edge first. Back to the right and Nauer powers over for the try next to the uprights.

Eels 36 Dogs 8

Eels error from the kick off.

What incredible goal line defence from the Eels as a certain try in the left corner is thwarted by the Eels winger McCluskey and the siren sounds.

Final Quarter

Kotarac splits them in his own half and draws the fullback before finding Mccluskey who sprints away for a terrific try.

Eels 40 lead Dogs 8

Eels back into the red zone after the kick off but a shift left sees the ball miss its mark and the Dogs get possession 20 out. Penalty follows. An error and Parra are back on the attack. An error in the play the ball on the goal line and it’s a Dogs scrum.

The Dogs shoot for a 40/20 and go close but Parra are now in yardage. Eels complete their set with a high kick to the red zone. Big hit by Nunn. Wow! Kick on the last follows and Bloomfield is at fullback to reel it in. It’s yet another knock on in the next play and a Dogs scrum 20 out. Oh they mess it up with an awful pass to the left winger.

Eels get to the kick and it just rolls dead for a seven tackle set. Dogs kick out of dummy half mid set to Bloomfield and he’s trapped ten out. Parra complete their set with a kick to the 20. A Dogs break down the Eels left takes them to the red zone. They play it a metre out on the last and it’s a truly awful pass along the ground to let the pressure off.

Is that Rokosuka on the left winger for Parra as the kick is aimed for his chase and he goes close to reeling it in. The Dogs are ruled to have knocked it on. Eels scrum and they are quickly back to the quarter. Left now and a highish tackle jolts the ball free. The Dogs only gain about 15 metres before they cough it up, then Parra returns the favour as the rain falls. The siren sounds as a loose ball is scooped up by Parra.

Full time Eels 40 defeat Dogs 8

A highly impressive outing by this Eels SG Ball team playing with some talent missing – eg Polley. Petrus (or was that him in #13?) and Risati – not to forget Talagi and Fletcher if the club wants to use them there!!!

 

 

 

 

Forty & Sixties