What an insane game. That’s it. That’s the synopsis this week.
Join Sixties and Forty20 to try and bring the blood pressure back down to survivable rates in the Instant Reaction podcast.
The Tip Sheet – 2026 Ep 51: Gilded Boot, Golden Point; Eels & Moses Find A Way
- The Preview – Round 10, 2026: Eels vs Cowboys
- Live Blog – Jersey Flegg & NSW Cup Round 10: Eels vs Silktails/Bears
On a day when ROLY wrote about league integrity/ conflicts of interest.. and Sixties gives you “take the over 61.5”! For the first time in history a team kicked a winning field goal AND got 2 points after the bell as well, to get the over!!!
I SMELL A RAT!!!! 😜🤣😜
The universe is a strange place. It’s like the stat someone found about how the last 33 to 30 scoreline was in an NYC game and you guessed it – Liam Kennedy was the ref!
Live match notes:
Great start. Good things always happen around Samrani! 4-0
Moses error… I hope that doesn’t swing momentum.
… it did.
Eels have been on the back foot since. 4-6.
Since the TDS line break the Eels last 3 sets have been 23m, 20m and 24m…
This game is playing out as I thought. They’re too fast.
Reed is killing us. Imagine a few more years of him working with Mitch… Lucky they got Josh Hodgson….
Another error. Need a result.
Get a result. TDS try as referee dispels myth that refs are against us. 10-6.
2nd try Cows. Both try’s just dicing up our edges. No one is shocked right..? 10-12
10 to half time. We can concede 1, can’t concede 2 tries…
There it is. Your Brian Kelly error 20m out … No. Saved by the ref…
Another Cows error and challenge burned.
Joash breaks 3 tackles, possibly his first 3 tackle breaks of the year.. only made 2m though.
And another poor pass from Mitch.
kick through by Cows, Joash shields ball over dead ball line. Penalty to Parra for some reason.. one last chance for the half..
10-12 halftime.
Scrambling effort is all that keeps us in the game.
Fingers crossed in 40 minutes everyone is wondering how Eels win despite all the stats. Only way Eels win is by improving our first contact in defence and making tackles stick, getting more (any) PCM’s. Mitch mixing up the kicking game and putting in touch occasionally so we can get our breath. Cows will give us chances. We have to take them.
Another Cows error from Burns! We have to put a strong set together and get points.
Couple of set restarts – Try to JAC. Yet another ordinary attacking set, saved by a Volkman kick!
16-12… interesting.
Rare defensive error from JAC… defence at 6’s and 7’s.. try Cows. 16-18.
I keep watching Moses identical kicks on every play, keeping the ball in play, and think back to Brian Smith. This is a game where he would have e tried to get the ball out of play as often as possible, minimise the opponents time with the ball and try strike against the run of play.
Another line break on the edge. Volkman is no better defensively than Pezet and I am concerned that concussion Russell suffered a month or so ago has wiped his short term memory as he returns to 2023 Sean Russell.
Congrats to Reed. Well deserved try. Miss you Reed. 16-22.
Must be next to score. If Cows score next, it could get ugly.
LOL. This is ridiculous. How are we still in this!? Intercept try – onya JAC. 22-24… 19mins to go.
Good no decision. JAC gets Dearden’s leg but immediately let’s go.
Huge hole Moses takes no one. 9 line breaks against. We could win or lose from here but 9 line breaks isn’t good enough. 22-30.
Attacking set – 9mins to go. Must score…. Awful set. Just poorly organised. Sloppy passing.
Another Cows error – they refuse to win.
Samrani is my boy. Best centre at the club. (And if you had a Samrani-Chester-Luki anytime tryscorer multi @ 21-1, you’re extra happy… just saying)…
Missed?! Moses is off in all aspects of his game. 26-30. Not over…
Real attack! A Mitch Moses short side special- perfectly finished by Samrani and Joash. Conversion missed – the last miss hurts now. 30-30! Here we go…
Ugh! Another Moses kick like every other. They will be in field goal range.
Phew.. that was close.
Off to Golden Point.
We can not just take a set and kick high and long to Drinkwater. 10-30m put, 10 in from touch. The Cows will make it back into field goal range… unless they make another error….
Great run Volkman – must go now!
MITCH MOSES!
WTF?! They scored the match winning point! What happened to advantage?! Wait it is an extra 2 points?! That will do me.
Congrats to the team for hanging in. It was far from perfect – but the Cows gave us a chance and we took it
Enjoyed your observations BAS. And I’m enjoying a much needed Eels win without boasting too much about certain predictions
Damn Jordan Samrani is a bloody good footballer.
No great speed or guile but gives 100% every game.
We are still bereft of quality especially backrowers and backline players and I’ve yet to see Joash beat a player one on one but that’s for another day.
Samrani continues to improve and makes a case for holding his spot. Things happen around him.
and its his first game back im all for will and samrani to play in the centres, russel is a bit off and is leaving the club
That’s true but I worry about the lack of speed there.
Both Penisini and Samrani are below average in speed.
The next off the rank is Narva and he is slow too…
We can carry one of either Penisini or Samrani – not both.
The future just has to involve a Purdue / Chester clone.
We were lucky last night but still Purdue and Chester cut us to ribbons. It’s just not sustainable moving forward.
Agreed – speed is at a premium and we are the slowest team in the comp. Suicide to have Samrani and penisini in same team at centre
yes i guess your right , more spark
4 times we’ve completed over %80 and won all four
Injuries be damned with the 6 again rubbish high completions has never been more important.
It was always going to be the biggest factor
I’ve commented plenty on the issues with roster management but what isn’t in doubt is Ryles has the players giving their all.
They were very brave tonight.
Well said
Few notes from the game:
Things happen around Samrani and if you have watched him at NSW cup level and in every NRL match more points and things happen around him than will Penisini – he is quite large and has X factor but he isn’t fast.
Mitch Moses has origin coming up and we suddenly saw him dial in an insert himself into the game and singe handedly won us that game there at the end we lose without his short side play brilliance + field goal on a angle.
I thought our completions were good and that’s probably what saved us from the cowboys flogging us – it’s so obvious their roster and overall attack looks 2 X more lethal than parramatta’s.
Papalii not playing at fullback all the time in cup and training a lot in the halves has weakened his form as a fullback but I do believe for a young player just learning first grade he is doing ok.. fullback at NRL level basically is the most exhausting position in the game.
The more I see Volkman play at 5/8 the less I want to see Pezet return at 5/8 for the eels – he is clearly a better footballer than Pezet is at this stage of his career – Pezet often got media hype but the reality is Volkman offered us much more at 5/8.
Ps what a win.. and THAT short side Mitch Moses raid? Probably the best short side raid I have ever seen in rugby league. Absolutely brilliant 👍
Muz, completions rule. The less you turn the ball over and defend, the less opportunity a ref has to penalise you or give a six again to your opponent
i think hes fast enuff for a big guy i like him a lot that little joash is gr8 for out team hes upbeat makes his tackles and pops up in support volkman is x factor at times that tony mataele was impressive and much better than i thought. our hooker is fantastic and once moses gets off his back a little will be awesome gr8 speed big can hit and plays big mins
It was a very exciting win, keeps us in sight of the 8 and several very exciting young players have shown what they’ve got in attack
The defence though remains not nearly good enough; you:re not going to win a lot of NRL matches conceding thirty points
Also notable – several of our best performers only got their chance because of injury and three – Pryke, Volkmann and Mataele – could be signed by, for example, Perth for next year to-morrow
We really do need a sense of urgency in tying up our best young talent before we look to strengthen from outside
Incredible win by the boys.
Enjoy Gianni
For me, our best win of the season. Yes Cows should have won with a leg in the air based on line breaks, but that and tackles missed was their only win. Parra won through sheer effort, never stopped trying and those extra efforts were the difference. Hailing Moses as the Savior is way off, he played a good 10 minutes. Samrani for me was best player on the field. The bench was also impactful and allowed us to stay in the game. Mataele was enormous with his metreidge. Pryke cleaned up the middle and kept making effort on effort. Junior had more impact also from the pine. TRUST THE PROCESS.
Agree about Samrani Brad. Had a ripper of a game.
Samrani might just be my favourite player at the club right now, loves eating up some metres and always finds him in the right spot at the right time in attack.
I think Kelly has been over hated this season, especially after his move to the wing, gets through a bunch of work back there to help us. If (praying) we get a relatively full strength team this season and you don’t want to change the centres I’d have samrani as a step in to move into kelmas edge spot.
I was calling for volkman to wear the 6 when we put footy dean there last year, always just looks exciting in attack and his experience at 7 gives him a good kicking game to let Moses get tackled on 4th.
Mataele has definitely changed my opinion this year aswell, runs looked great and actually affected the line. If we get some numbers back I’d be trying to find a spot for him on the bench still.
Agree about Mataele – he brings the impact Sebastian.
He reminds me a lot of Spencer Leniu
How good to see the recognition that Toni Mataele is getting
Of course, if Doorey and Hopgood had stayed fit he probably wouldn’t have got his chance – he is in the last month’s of his contract with us. Anyone who wants him for 2037 could sign him to-morrow. Ditto, for example, Ron Volkman. If we fail to move and lose them I’ll despair.
I want to see samrani as our centre moving forward over Penisini. What do we have to lose?
Samrani is a guy who things just seem to happen around him. Will P no way sets up those tries or Ices those opportunities like Samrani did. And he ran for over 200 meters.
I want to see ryles be more agressive here. I don’t him to get too loyal like BA was who didn’t like to upset his experienced players by letting upcoming players take their jerseys.
I know will is injured but i personally thing his upside growth potential is seemingly limited. Samrani is a X factor player. Our NSW cup player of the year. A true meter eater who’s a point scorer and tall / good kick target.
Tony Mataele is also playing well. I want to see big Teancum brown also into the mix. Jason ryles needs to go back to being more agressive again like we was when he first came. Give the Jnrs priority, give the better form players first choice. I would even consider giving Nanva a go again over Sean Russel. Blood him for 2027. Samrani & Nanva likely have more upside potential.
Will Penisini is unfortunately a player who I think the eels need to seriously consider moving on from. Or making him a nsw cup centre once we he returns. Give Samrani the jersey to keep if he’s a form is good.
I think Ryles will have plenty of interesting decisions come round 13
that second last game will played was absolutely barnstorming maybe put more coaching into him but leave him in the team quality
Channel 9 giving POTM to TDS… No disrespect, it’s not that I thought he had a bad game. But let’s be realistic, he wasn’t even the best hooker on ground was he? I was yelling at him to run from DH through that second half, I think he missed opportunities there. Super-impressed that he got through 80 minutes in those conditions. Just thought Samrani was more influential. Hell, so was Kelly (and he is seriously yet to win me over).
TDS featured in the 3,2,1 votes for many of our live viewers but Samrani probably polled better. Mataele also received plenty of votes.
paulo was good from the pine , jdb good team man, jack williams did a lot of good things and hits very hard, guymer big effort, kelly is a beast at times, jac good game
Mataele and Samrani are in your best 17 no matter what of availability. Brown, Sam and tony is what our forward pack should look like moving into the back half of the season with Paulo to be the anchor.
Samrani is the best right centre in the club and deserves that spot no matter what it would be madness to bring will back in.
Complete high and watch them wilt around us the exact way to win a game up there very well executed. With so many players sidelined completions is even more key for us and I thought our second half was excellent with the ball.
TDS off the back of some middle dominance will be an absolute handful. We’ve got a real weapon if we can get our forward pack right
The way Samrani veered infield and positioned Joash outside of him for that last try suggests Samrani has some football smarts about him. I look forward to seeing how he progresses over the next 12 months (assuming we don’t let someone else sign him). Nice to see a referee let the players decide the game with minimal penalties and relatively few 6 tackle re-starts.
Reed Mahoney is in the form of his life and how he was allowed to leave our club and then the Dogs is a mystery, It may be coincidental but the fortunes of both clubs significantly dipped after his departure. Well played Reed.
What does Gus always say ? “Let the players sort it out.” The ref didn’t need to manage the game, he just needs to blow the whistle only when absolutely necessary. The players will sort it out.
That is when the game is at its best!
I must watch a different game to those on here. Samrani had an incredible game and has been growing each week he’s been on the field and Penisini has been running like a mad man, we’d be well served for early set metres with both in the team. With both alongside Kelly and Iongi we should have those metres early on. Another player who has been growing each week is Da Silva. He still has some moments of trying to be brilliant but he’s understanding when to take those moments and when to be safe, at only 21 he’s playing very well this year.
Unfortunately having 30 points scored against you is the new normal in the NRL, unless you’re playing the dogs or dragons (what a cock up signing galvin has been for the dogs, can’t believe anyone would have wanted to sign him). It must be popular as attendances and viewership is up but it just isn’t for me. Sure the wrestle of the storm was also boring but surely we can get a happy medium between the 2 games? My suggestion would be to change the 6 again to just having an extra tackle and contain that within the attacking 20. Although that would be another rule change and the one thing I hate more than 6 agains is constantly changing rules every year.
I personally don’t understand the bad wrap Penisini cops from fans. He was probably the only one of our outside backs to look competent against the Storm round 1 – went within an inch of scoring an absolute barnstormer of a try and then I think he copped the groin or what they are now calling osteitis Pubis (which is a pretty nasty injury) in either that game or the following I can’t recall. Despite this he came back early vs the bulldogs after a short lay off where he was probably our best on the field in terms of his carries but then obviously aggravated the injury because he slowly got worse over the course of the next two matches to the point where he could hardly walk at the end of the Warriors match.
At full fitness he is easily the best centre at the club. I’m not saying we don’t need to buy another centre – we do – and yes id be going for someone completely different in terms of style – a faster taller player probably but I wouldn’t be cutting Penisini
and its his first game back im all for will and samrani to play in the centres, russel is a bit off and is leaving the club
Just finished eating my words from the score predictions- gutsy and tough. Well done boys and we shoes a lot of resilience which is great.
I also have to 👏 the referee
Twice to Qld this season and given no chance by the “experts”. And won twice. Isn’t it good to have a ref who doesn’t officiate according to positions on the points table, Both refs in our 2 Qld games let the players decide the game. THAT is the definition of consistency, nothing else.
Sanrami is a footballer, we need to sign him long term.
He’s made it impossible to leave out of the team.
Russell has been off his game since his concussion, on current form it would Russell that makes way for Penisini.
We can’t carry both Guymer and Tuilagi in the starting side. I wouldn’t be surprised if one is dropped or comes off the bench next week.
Great win by the boys, so happy, I can mow the lawn with a hippy smile on my face today.
You can bet that every game, the opposition will score through the channel that Tuilagi leaves. Happens every game.
He’s got a good attacking game but his defence just isn’t good enough at this level.
Volkmann still had issues with his defence but seems to be working on it.
TDS is caught in a quandary. He wants to run from dummy half but he has Moses screaming at him for service. He runs and gets caught then Moses gives him a gobful. The bloke can’t win.
Commentators are raving about Moses but apart from that short play and his drop kick, he was very poor.
Apparently he is a shoe in for SOO. That may be so but I reckon that’s all on reputation as Moses has been poor all year.
Shout out to JDB, I thought he has played well the last two weeks.
Agreed – throw two players at Tualagi and he’ll plant his feet + make the wrong decision almost every time (see eg the Clifford try). Otherwise he is lying the ruck too lazy to get back in defensive line.
TDS has to continue to back himself – should be licking his lips at any quick play the ball.
Mataele has some oomph and might be a better investment than moretti and doorey. Surely Parra cut tualagi and one of moretti and doorey at end of the year (if not both). We need roster spots open to sign some real quality/retain our blue chip young players before Perth and png steal them.
Our backrowers should be Petrus and sua long term – get Petrus in top30 soon!!
Absolutely.
It’s a young man’s game.
Kelma, Doorey, Moretti etc
Won’t be getting better soon, they have all hit their ceilings.
I’m not heartened by Ryles who continues to proclaim that we have too many young players in the current side.
Surely thats not the case. I would like to see where we are compared with other sides.
I reckon we need more youngsters not less.
Off the top of my head I’d suggest:
Resign: Fox, Walker, Mataele Pryke, Chris Petrus
Lose/cut: JDB, Doorey moretti matto Tago Richard penisini Kelma volkman pezet Sean Russell
Query: Guymer (he loses contact so often in defence and gets stranded in ruck and his runs are weak aswell)
I think I read somewhere that kelma has been told he’s moving on.a shame attack wise but his defense is terrible at crucial moments and won’t change
What a gripping game. The Eels kept turning up, they did not give up and full marks to Samrani and I thought Kelly really had a red hot go. The Eels put themselves in the contest by completing the sets – it was so heartwarming to witness it. Cowboys have some amazing talent and they will beat a lot of teams but look what applying yourselves and keeping errors at bay will do. Josh Addo-Carr – still got it. Wasn’t that blindside play for that Joash try absolutely fantastic. The whole of the Canterbury-Bankstown municipality where I live heard me scream in joy. I can’t wait for next week
Hey guys just wondering if someone has the time to do a top 30 for next season , with sua , Edward’s , latu and Jezaiah funu latu joining the top 30 it looks like quiet a few uncontracted players will need to move on
Terrific gutsy win last night. Half our team out injured and the bits and pieces team win in Townsville against all odds. Yet some supporters continually whine about everything. Give it a rest and give credit when it’s due.
Absolutely, Seth.
Here here, well said.
Sixties had the real answer to the team, as we have seen on several,occasions, they try their guts out but lack the “star” players needed to challenge at the top end. 3 preferably 4 gowod and batter than average players would make a massive difference.2 middles and a centre and probably another somewhere 8n the side.
We just haven’t had the ambition or maybe the right people to get those players, but after several results this year they should make a splash, as usual it’s left late, but hopefully they are busy getting things done, a smart recruiter would be in the ears of Galvin’s manager at least pushing up his price if he extends at the Dogs and make them uncomfortable. Need to join the aspirational clubs and strengthen the roster, not comment about paying overs and not meeting market expectations. Losing Keaon to the Dragons was a decision that I believe they regret, anyway hope is eternal.
I just read where Tom Dearden is out of the QLD SOO team. Further to this at an Eels game recently talking to the person next to me, the conversation came up regarding Dearden being QLD and Kangaroos halfback/five eight.
I posed a question to this person, who I believe is better informed than I, if he came from NSW, would he even be in the halves?
I said no, however my friend didn’t really answer but talked around the question. I would be interested to know if anyone else thinks he would not make the NSW team as a 6 or 7?
The Cowboys showed the value of playing fast…but also the downside. There’s plenty been said on it. Just some randoms:
-Moses questioned the ref on Cowboys line speed defending their goal line..can’t always tell via the camera shot but it certainly looked super ‘fast’.
– Junior worked hard to hit the line and twist for the offload, I’d say it made the Cowboys’ tip sheet, but twice he executed perfectly to create a pass and a receiver channel, but no support player/s. The second time, his controlled nature became a little uncontrolled.
-Did anyone hear a voice or whistle or siren to end the first half? Moses didn’t, I didn’t.
-An old affliction reared its head again, Cowboys first 2 tries came after 6 Agains…I waited for the third but we actually broke the hoodoo, instead they worked on the space allowed out wider.
– I want to see Teancum Brown in NRL, (never seen him play), for no other reason than Tony Mataele has made a difference and I read TB is at least as capable.
-Previous comment..then get Sam T back on the park, and we might see faster ruck play (just like the Cows).