NRL Team List

Round 8 vs Manly Sea Eagles, Sunday 4:05PM, 4 Pines Park

No, not TCT’s last post…and not for a long, long time I hope.

However, the Parramatta Eels and the Manly Sea Eagles are bringing up the rearguard in Round 8 – ANZAC Round. I imagine most, if not all of you would be familiar with long distant ANZAC Days at school or perhaps from annual participation in ANZAC Day ceremonies (or maybe even a military background personally). The Last Post, an iconic bugle tune, signifies the end of the day’s activities and metaphorically at least the Eels and Sea Eagles find themselves bringing an end the round dedicated to the valiant efforts and sacrifices of all the ANZAC troops over the annals of history.

While the round itself has a poignant and sombre focus, there is some rare good news for the Parramatta Eels as they simultaneously welcome back Sean Russell and Kelma Tuilagi while Ronald Volkman and Ryley Smith have been named to start against the Sea Eagles.

Jason Ryles has elected to bring Russell back at left centre which has bumped Araz Nanva to the extended bench. It is a tough break for the rookie centre after an outstanding effort against the Bulldogs but opportunities will almost certainly come knocking for him soon enough. Brian Kelly stays on the right wing as a result.

Indeed, I believe this is actually the same starting thirteen named last Tuesday before a injury driven shake-up later in the week produced the line-up that took down the Dogs.

There is some interesting developments on the bench. Saxon Pryke and Toni Mataele both have numerical priority over Tuilagi. They might mean nothing come Sunday since they cover different roles as interchange options. It could also be a reward for the courageous efforts of both young forwards in the upset win over Canterbury.

Lorenzo Talataina helps round out the 6-man optional rotation and his presence IN the NRL squad but OUT of the NSW Cup team might drag some eyebrows Northwards. I can’t speak with any authority on the matter in terms of the coach’s game day strategies but it is critical to remember that reserve grade play BEFORE the NRL this week.

That prevents us from running the expanded NRL bench and then releasing the two unused players to the NSW Cup game that would now usually follow. It thrusts young Lorenzo into an awkward situation this week where he might be needed in the NRL if the game takes an unfortunate twist but he may very well not play any football if there isn’t any drama in first grade.

Manly have lost Tom Trbojevic for a while as the luckless fullback succumbs to yet another injury. That does mean they will spotlight dynamic running threat Tolutau Koula in the #1 this week though. The Sea Eagles have cobbled together three straight wins since turning to Kieran Foran as interim coach. Parramatta are coming off a season best performance against the Bulldogs. The form line favours the Sea Eagles but anything close to a repeat effort from Parramatta this week gives them every chance of another upset victory.

Injury Report

NSW Cup Team List

Round 8 vs Manly Sea Eagles, Sunday 1:30PM, 4 Pines Park

Welcome back Richie Penisini! Hopefully for a good stretch too. ‘Renisini’ slots in on the wing in NSW Cup this week while Ioane Lui is in line to replace Talataina in the halves. The Jersey Flegg trio of Trace Beattie, Zack Visconti and Jordan Miller get a run in reggies for the second straight week.

Jersey Flegg Cup Team List

Round 8 vs Manly Sea Eagles, Friday 5:30PM, St Marys Park

TBC, Round 7 place holder team sheet listed.

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