NRL Team List

Preseason Trials Week 3, Polytec Park, Saturday 6:00PM

There is plenty on the line for the Parramatta Eels in the final week of the preseason challenge. Not only are there a number of roster spots to finalise ahead of a massive trip to Melbourne in Round 1 but after their systematic demolition of the Sharks last week the Eels now find themselves vying for the $100,000 prize for the top team across the trials.

As expected, Jason Ryles is pulling no punches in his preparation for the Sydney Roosters this week. A massive intake of heavy hitters bolsters the team this week. IN are Mitchell Moses, Josh Addo-Carr, J’maine Hopgood, Junior Paulo, Jack Williams, Jack De Belin and Dylan Walker. Of note – Williams bumps Kelma Tuilagi back to the extended bench while De Belin assumes the mantle of starting lock forward with Matt Doorey holding his place in the First XVII but slipping into the forward rotation.

Sean Russell seemingly holds the edge over Brian Kelly after his outstanding showing against Cronulla and gets the opportunity to make the left centre role his own once again as he re-unites with the Foxx. Little surprises opposite of their flank with Will Penisini and Bailey Simonsson holding down the right edge.

Ryles has opted to select a bench that blends utility value in Walker and Tallyn Da Silva against some real ‘oomph’ in the middle with Sam Tuivaiti and Doorey. The lack of coverage for the edge forward role would once have been a minor concern but with the expanded bench options this does feel like something close to the comfort or default bench setting for Ryles.

Speaking of extended benches, Ryles certainly isn’t afraid of leveraging his playing stocks in the preseason. Once more he has plumped for a deep team sheet with the additions of Araz Nanva, Lorenzo Talataina and Teancum Brown catching the eye among the rookie candidates heading into this season. On the more season front we have the likes of Guymer, Tuilagi, Papalii, Kelly and Samrani all vying to enhance their positions in the depth charts.

Like the Eels, the Roosters are fielding ostensibly their first string unit and they are not short on strike or rep power – although their back line feels the most mortal we have seen in some years. Still, this shapes up as cracking conclusion to the preseason. Obviously it would be gas to see the Eels claim top honours in the preseason and the $100k bounty that comes with it but any sort of strong tune-up for the looming clash against the Storm is the core goal.

NSW Cup Team List

TBC, Henson Park, Saturday

The NSW Cup get a significant shot in the arm this week with the additions of Apa Twidle, Mohamed Alameddine, Richie Penisini, Luca Moretti, Meni Luke, Will Latu, Jezaiah Funa-Iuta, Saxon Pryke and Uinitoni Mataele. There are even more reinforcements incoming for Round 1 by way of the surplus Top 30 talent for the club but this already marks a big step forwards for the squad.

Moretti’s inclusion here is probably the most intriguing aspect of the squad but Luca has been battling some tough injury luck in the preseason and is likely being built up via the NSW Cup.

Otherwise it is hard not to be happy with the general composition of the squad. There is a lot of youth across the park and while obviously not all of them will be NRL stars – or even regulars – it is clear the club is investing heavily in the next waves of first grade talent. Moretti heads a pack that are all either Jersey Flegg eligible or just out of the grade while the back line is in a similar situation with Samuel Loizou lending experience to a young and hungry group.

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