One trial is in the books, one is left to go for the Parramatta Eels but they have emerged from their opening tune-up against the Cronulla Sharks with plenty to be happy about after an impressive 40-6 victory at Henson Park. Elsewhere, the Eels secured a coveted clean sweep in Round 2 of the Junior Representatives. A hard fought win for the Tarsha Gale launched their title defence while the Matts, Ball and Fiaola all improved to 2-0 to start the season.

A festival of footy was promised and it certainly delivered. So now as we collectively nurse our coffees and recover on a Monday morning – why not wrap it all up!

NRL

Parramatta Eels 40 defeat the Cronulla Sharks 6

By now we are all well conditioned not to over-react to trials results. The sky isn’t falling in after a loss in the preseason nor should anyone be queuing up for Grand Final tickets following a strong showing. Obviously, given the score line we all bore witness to – it is the latter condition that is in play today but that doesn’t mean that fans can’t be happy with that they saw last night.

While the Cronulla Sharks fielded a young back line and lacked for any of their premier play-makers, their forward pack was plenty seasoned with the likes of Braden Uele, Thomas Hazelton, Billy Burns, Siosifa Talakai and Toby Rudolf. As such, it is that aspect of the contest that I believe is most pleasing for the Blue & Gold given their sustained dominance around the ruck. Sam Tuivaiti, Charlie Guymer and Matt Doorey all started the game strongly while young bull Teancum Brown seized the opportunity given to him by Jason Ryles with a terrific all-round performance that included a first half try.

Sean Russell might be bound for the Bears next year but for now he looks to be carrying his strong form from 2025 right into this season. Russell set up Ryley Smith for the second try of the match before rapidly adding one of his own with an outstanding long range effort that featured both power and speed.

Parramatta’s spine – sans Mitchell Moses – was composed and competent throughout the first half. Jonah Pezet orchestrated the game plan with an air of confidence and assurance. He kicked well and kept the Eels on schedule. Joash Papalii had limited opportunities in attack with the Eels pressing other advantages but still elicited excited gasps from fans when he nearly burst through a string of tackles. Isaiah Iongi and Ryley Smith look set to build on breakout seasons and showed more than enough in their limited minutes.

Depth in Parramatta’s back line has been one of the prevailing questions over the preseason. We didn’t see Brian Kelly in action on Sunday but a quartet of rookies all put their hands up. Apa Twidle headed the group with a fantastic relief effort at fullback. The young custodian bagged a second half double and had a spectacular catch on the sideline to defuse a difficult kick. Twidle was joined by Mohamed Alameddine, Araz Nanva and Richard Penisini in that cadre of rookie backs with the entire group playing well against Cronulla. Ryles may very well still pursue an additional experienced option in the back line but there were encouraging signs on Sunday.

By initial reports the Eels also escaped the game largely unscathed. Naturally there will be concerns for Ryda Talagi following a head knock that swiftly ruled him out of the trial but it thankfully looks like Ryles will be able to prepare for the coming trial against the Roosters without restriction.

Harold Matthews Cup

Parramatta Eels 20 defeat the Cronulla Sharks 10

The festival of footy on Sunday kicked off early on with Harold Matthews where the Eels fended off the Sharks courtesy of a strong second half effort. Tries to Lorima Seuseu, Thomas Jackson and Khan Jackson in the second stanza was enough to separate Parramatta from their opposition and lift them to a second straight victory.

Hayden Bell continues to lead the way for the Eels with another excellent game at lock but his fellow middles in Christopher Suaalii and Curtis Brown did plenty of heavy lifting as well while edge forwards Jake Capovilla and Khan Jackson worked themselves into this game with some nice touches. Fullback Liam Martin opened the scoring with a raid down the raid edge and was well involved throughout the game while the Sharks worked hard to try and contain the threat of Seuseu – to limited success.

There is still plenty to tidy up. Parramatta couldn’t find their stride in the first half and were guilty of cheap turnovers after points. However, their hard work in the first two rounds is paying dividends and has they well positioned in the early seedings.

SG Ball Cup

Parramatta Eels 40 defeat the Cronulla Sharks 16

Like the Matts before them the SG Ball weren’t quite themselves in the first half of their game against the Sharks. After conceding the opening try of the game in 6th minute they managed to rally back and strike with Riley Davis after some sparkling lead up work from Cameron Bamblett but it only sparked a sequence of tit-for-tat scoring with Nathan Howlett crossing for the good guys as the two teams headed into the sheds at 12-all.

Despite the omissions of Lincoln Fletcher, Ryda Talagi, Talen Risati and Chris Petrus on top of the in-game loss of Maison Ong (concussion), whatever was said at oranges kicked the SG Ball into gear. They roared into the battle in the second half with a sustained barrage that yielded 5 tries before that Sharks could muster up a consolatory effort in 65th minute. Davis and Howlett completed their braces and were joined in that feat by Cyrus Bloomfield while Samuel Polley made his season debut a memorable one with a try of his own.

With Bamblett stepping into the halves to cover for the loss of Risati, Riley Davis seized on the opportunity at fullback. Davis was dynamic in attack and partnered well with Bamblett as a play-making battery.

Steve Nunn and Jackson Koina backed up excellent Round 1 performances as both lifted in this game to account for the loss of Ong early in the contest. A shout out for Jireh-Trey Stewart at dummy-half as well as be blended his run and pass options perfectly to help the Eels maintain control of the ruck.

Lisa Fiaola Cup

Parramatta Eels 32 defeat the Cronulla Sharks 6

The Lisa Fiaola and Tarsha Gale had to travel a bit farther out on Saturday as they took a trip to the Shire. It was barely an inconvenience for the Fiaola as they dismantled the Sharks from the first whistle to the last.

Ruby Enosi Tuipulotu kick started the scoring in the 5th minute and was quickly followed by Isabella Bell as the lock forward bulldozed over under the posts barely three minutes later. Four second half tries confirmed the rout as Armanhi Cook, Tegan Nicholas and George Wansey (2) all troubled the scorers.

Strong games from the halves pairing of Temieke Withers and Rylee Cash helped shape Parramatta’s potent attack but this was an excellent team showing. Both centres in Wansey and Hine Rikiti played well and ditto for their edge counterparts in Sarah Alameddine and Kaizen Morgan-Pritchard.

Tarsha Gale Cup

Parramatta Eels 10 defeat the Cronulla Sharks 6

It wasn’t pretty but the Eels secured their first win of the season in the Tarsha Gale with a gritty 4-point victory in Round 2. Tries to Alana O’Loughlin and Khyliah Gray proved to be enough – when coupled with some desperate defence – to see the Eels home in a nail-biter.

Freedom Crichton Ropati and Kiana Vatubua were pivotal in the battle with both wingers providing chunk gains on kick returns all day. It helped keep the Eels in positive field position and stay on top in a fierce arm wrestle. Leonia Vei added some venom from the interchange with the rotation prop making a real difference in defence with some stinging shots.

The Eels’ backrow toiled hard as well. Gray obviously scored a crucial try but her deft touches around the ruck always help the team while Billie Va’a and Fontayne Tufuga were all guts to help the team get the glory.

There is still a ways to go for the Gale to round back into their premiership form we saw last year but this win is an important first step.

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