NRL Team List
Round 1, Thursday 8:00PM, AAMI Park
Naturally whenever you face the Melbourne Storm in Round 1 a big part of the potential bragging rights comes in the form of being the team to finally snap their legendary opening round winning streak. That remains true for the Parramatta Eels on Thursday night but there is an extra layer of spice for both sides as they also vie for the inaugural Nomax Bowl following the sensational consent order of the Supreme Court that confirmed that Zac Lomax was prohibited from entering into a contract with another NRL club until the end of the 2027 season.
Sixties and myself will be ripping into that very topic on tonight’s live stream – so be sure to tune in – but for now let’s talk about the team that Jason Ryles has selected for Round 1!
As most expected, Ryles tipped his hand in the trial against the Roosters. There is a solitary enforced change in the backline as Brian Kelly replaces the injured Josh Addo-Carr which in turn causes a minor reshuffle. Kelly will play at left centre which then pushes Sean Russell onto the left wing. Otherwise the Eels line up as they did against the Roosters in Gosford.
The other main conjecture over the composition of the team would be who wins a berth on the new, extended bench. Joash Papalii was rightfully considered a lock for this role but who would partner him? Right now it looks like Kelma Tuilagi will edge ahead of Jordan Samrani in Round 1 as Ryles perhaps looks for more impact over versatility on Thursday night.
While he finds himself at the very end of the team sheet, it is no small inclusion for Teancum Brown as he finds himself in good standing in the first week of the competition. A reminder – there are no restrictions on playing Brown now that he holds a development deal so his inclusion here should hold some weight.
The Tip Sheet will be live from Sterlos on Thursday night as we host a Round 1 watch party at Parramatta Leagues Club. The event kicks off at 6:30PM and Sixties and I will be doing a pre-game show from 7:00PM with plenty of giveaways on great swag and some cracking specials on food and drinks for everyone that attends.
| Parramatta Eels | Melbourne Storm | |
| Isaiah Iongi | 1 | Sualauvi Faalogo |
| Bailey Simonsson | 2 | Will Warbrick |
| Will Penisini | 3 | Jack Howarth |
| Brian Kelly | 4 | Moses Leo |
| Sean Russell | 5 | Nick Meaney |
| Jonah Pezet | 6 | Cameron Munster |
| Mitchell Moses | 7 | Jahrome Hughes |
| J’maine Hopgood | 8 | Stefano Utoikamanu |
| Ryley Smith | 9 | Harry Grant |
| Junior Paulo | 10 | Josh King |
| Jack Williams | 11 | Joe Chan |
| Kitione Kautoga | 12 | Ativalu Lisati |
| Jack De Belin | 13 | Alec McDonald |
| Interchange | ||
| Dylan Walker | 14 | Tyran Wishart |
| Sam Tuivaiti | 15 | Cooper Clarke |
| Matt Doorey | 16 | Tui Kamikamica |
| Tallyn Da Silva | 17 | Davvy Moale |
| Kelma Tuilagi | 18 | Preston Conn |
| Joash Papalii | 19 | Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown |
| Reserves | ||
| Jordan Samrani | 20 | Lazarus Vaalepu |
| Charlie Guymer | 21 | Angus Hinchey |
| Teancum Brown | 22 | Trent Toelau |
Injury Report
| Player | Injury | Return Date |
| Josh Addo-Carr | Fractured Thumb | Rds 3-4 |
| Ronald Volkman | Quadriceps Strain | Rd 3 |
NSW Cup Team List
Round 1, Thursday 5:15PM, AAMI Park
The NSW Cup also travel to Melbourne on Thursday and will play in the curtain raiser at AAMI Park. Nathan Cayless has named a strong team, albeit missing his first choice halfback in Ronald Volkman, as the Eels look to explode out of the blocks.
Lorenzo Talataina will start the season in reserve grade as he continues his meteoric rise and will partner the versatile Apa Twidle this week. Twidle’s shift from fullback to halfback opens the door for Brad Avery to assume the #1. Jordan Samrani will play on the wing in an early indication of where his positional outlook for the season lies. Araz Nanva and Richie Penisini are the starting centres and both get the opportunity to put some good tape together in their battle to climb the depth charts.
Luca Moretti and Charlie Guymer head an excellent pack with three potential NRL debutantes in Teancum Brown, Jezaiah Funa-Iuta and Will Latu all looking to impress. Guymer will also captain the team as he grows into a leadership role.
| 1 | Brad Avery |
| 2 | Jake Tago |
| 3 | Araz Nanva |
| 4 | Richie Penisini |
| 5 | Jordan Samrani |
| 6 | Lorenzo Talataina |
| 7 | Apa Twidle |
| 8 | Luca Moretti |
| 9 | Meni Luke |
| 10 | Teancum Brown |
| 11 | Jezaiah Funa-Iuta |
| 12 | Will Latu |
| 13 | Charlie Guymer © |
| Interchange | |
| 14 | Kruz Niutili-Schmidt |
| 15 | Toni Mataele |
| 16 | Tyrese Lokeni |
| 17 | Saxon Pryke |
| 18 | Samuel Loizou |
Jersey Flegg Cup Team List
Round 1, Saturday 3:30PM, Gosch’s Paddock
TBA
Classic case of poker.
The Storm (and the NRL) thought we would blink and we didn’t.
750k is insane money and they even offered to take Mattos contract but still we sat there.
So what caused the capitulation at the last moment ?
Lack of belief in those case ? ..no
Lack of funds ? …no
And we even got them to pay out legals !!!!!
The Storm and the NRL did not want the details of their dealings to become public knowledge.
The Eels knew where the bodies were hidden and had a chance to prove it.
For years there have been rumours that the NRL favours certain clubs and finally it was all going to be exposed.
They were always going to capitulate at the last moment lest the details become public knowledge.
Bedel and Read came out today and said that the Eels actions were fraught with danger because they have put PVL off side and will feel the retribution.
Funny how so called independent journalists are acknowledging that there will be a blowback.
We should all be so proud of the club. We have come so far in the last 2 or 3 years.
You want to play poker with the Eels ? You better bring your best hand!
You are 100% right Spark. PVL and Abdo did not want to be under oath.
Full credit to the Eels Mgmt holding firm. Was it smart? Time will tell.
I still maintain none of this comes about, if they just don’t grant him a release in the first place, but that ship has sailed. We now rely on Mark O’Neil to negotiate a swap with a player of equal value at some point over the next 2 years… hopefully not one who is months away from being off contract, or another 35 year old..
I know he’s coming off injury but hope Luca uses this opportunity to fuel his hunger and get back into the topside rather then dwell in cup. One of my favourite players last year, especially mid season when he started getting the opportunity to start games.
Even with all the changes for Melbourne it’ll be tough to get the win over them but hope the boys get fully up for it and rip in.
Also is Moey Alamedine still flegg eligible? Would’ve thought he’d at least be ahead of Loizou after the preseason.
Moey is indeed Flegg eligible and has been named in the incomplete team list on NSWRL.com. Hopefully he can put some pressure on those above him in Cup.
Loizou is just taking up space at the Eels.
As the kids come through I doubt we will be persisting with him for too much longer.
Shame that a kid so highly rated, hit his ceiling long ago.
I’ll be rooting for the boys. I can’t say i love elements of the backs and forwards.
Brian Kelly is our starting centre for Rnd 1….
JDB, the oldest forward in the game, and probably poorest performer in the last trial, is our starting lock.
I would have liked to have seen Samrani on a wing and keep Russell in the centres. I’m not Russell’s biggest fan, but i will admit he has improved, and things always seem to happen around Samrani.
I won’t stop harping on it, i don’t know why we are wasting time with JDB. Every minute he plays his minutes someone else of very similar ability (if not better) should be out there getting reps..
Despite the Storm Rd 1 record and the way they dismantled us last year in Rd 1, its a very gettable game. The Storm pack is not looking nearly as strong as normal. Though i am a Joe Chan fan, no Blore and Ellie, depletes their edges and the centres are a weakness (IMO Howarth is just yet to make the leap) on both sides of the ball as well. Their bench depth is pretty average also
Pending on the flow of the game and how Ryley Smith is going, if we just need a short stint from a back up hooker, i am hoping Joash comes in instead of Da Silva. That is knowing he can stay on the field in other roles if needed when Smith comes back on.
I can’t imagine there is a single supporter of the Eels, possibly the NRL in general who are not pleased about the outcome regarding Zac. It’s a real line in the sand moment for the game. My only disappointment comes from a pre court settlement because the reckoning was coming for the Top Brass.
I’m excited about our chances to end the Rd1 record of Bellyache in 2026, but… I’m calling it now…Round 1 2027 Eels v Storm in Vegas.
I’m saving for my ticket already!
Eels, Storm, Dolphins, Titans and Tigers are the only teams who haven’t been to Vegas yet.
If the Eels miss out in 27 and become the only team not to have been to Vegas, and given our supporter base is larger than the Dolphins, Titans (and probably Storm) combined, you have to think that will be the retribution play by PVL.
Parra v Storm or Tigers is the most likely leaving two Qld teams as the other game.
Bears will be in but a first up game in Perth would have to be the aim for them.
I was at the recent members forum where Vegas was mentioned as probable for 2027