NRL Team List

Round 21 vs Penrith Panthers, Thursday 7:50PM, CommBank Stadium

You know the old saying, out of the bye and into the byeing pan. Or something like that. There is probably fire involved somewhere and the metaphorical blaze and quite literal Blaize comes in the form of the Penrith Panthers this week. It is Round 21 and the Eels and Panthers will meet in the Battle Of The West with an early start this week via a Thursday night clash.

Jason Ryles has been given a small number of blessings to work with this week. Mitchell Moses looks set to return from a heavily corked leg to work alongside Ronald Volkman in the halves. Luca Moretti has finally cleared concussion protocols and reclaims a berth on the bench while Will Penisini has been stowed away in the final slot of the 22-man squad as he eyes his first NRL action since Round 9.

The possibility of Penisini’s return keeps a potential backline reshuffle on the cards but given the duration of his layoff I wouldn’t be surprised to see him spend a quickfire stint in the NSW Cup first.

Thursday night represents a hefty challenge for the Eels. They were plenty spirited in their last start loss to the Roosters but will need all that pluck and more in Round 21. The Panthers were stunned by a resurgent Brisbane Broncos last week and it has now left them somewhat vulnerable to challenges for the minor premiership from both the New Zealand Warriors and Sydney Roosters. They will be beyond fired up this week and naturally it is the Eels who are set to feel their wrath.

NRL Injury Report

Charlie Guymer is a fresh addition to the report as a PCL injury to his knee shuts him down for the remainder of the season. Junior Paulo is still listed as a Round 21 returnee but figures in no team list so the safest bet seems to be a potential Round 22 return for the big man.

NRLW Team List

Round 4 vs New Zealand Warriors, Sunday 12:00PM, Eric Tweedale Stadium

Parramatta’s dismal start to the NRLW season has floundered further into the depths after they were humbled by the Gold Coast Titans in Round 3. Finals prospects are already bordering on the realm of mathematical and at this stage I dare say fans just want to see some solid footy out of the squad more than anything else.

There is mixed news on the personnel front this week. Cassey Tohi-Hiku will be out of action for 2-weeks following a suspension for a Grade 3 dangerous contact charge. That is offset on the disciplinary front by the return of Boss Kapua from her own 2-week layoff care of the Match Review Committee. Fleur Ginn and Rysh’e Fa’amauisili join the injury ward but the Eels finalyl get back star recruit Keilee Joseph and fellow recruit Jayde Herdegen.

Unsurprisingly, Joseph has been thrust into the starting lock role immediately while Taneka Todhunter and Rueben Cherrington flips starting and bench roles this week. Kapua and Kyliah Gray round out the interchange bench while Rosemarie Beckett will take over from Tohi-Hiku in the halves.

Some struggling veterans have been spared the axe once more and with the Eels hosting a New Zealand outfit fresh off a massive victory over the Cowboys…well suffice to say surely everyone will be on notice this week.

NRLW Injury Report

NSW Cup Team List

Round 21 vs Penrith Panthers, Friday 4:30PM, James Hardie Centre Of Excellence

Will Penisini does indeed look set to return via the NSW Cup (my NRL blurb was written before the Cup team dropped, my apologies!) while the Eels finally pull the trigger on another talented prospect making their Cup debut with Jackson Koina present on the interchange bench.

The Eels were absolutely dreadful in their last start and need to come out of the bye a very, very different team. Jonah Pezet’s presence will help in some capacity but they were lacking across the park against the Roosters back in Round 19. The Panthers are every bit the challenge the Roosters were and if there isn’t marked improvement in all phases then sadly we can expect another pasting.

NSW Womens Premiership Team List

Round 7 vs Penrith Panthers, Sunday 2:30PM, Eric Tweedale Stadium

Updated for Round 7.

Jersey Flegg Cup Team List

Round 21 vs Penrith Panthers, Friday 6:30PM, James Hardie Centre Of Excellence

Round 19 Placeholder list.

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