We roll into a double header against the Canberra Raiders today as the Eels hit the road to Queanbeyan in both the Jersey Flegg Cup and the NSW Cup today. The results are all academic for both the Raiders and Eels with both sides out of contention for the finals in both grades but pride is always at stake with footy and beyond that there are a number of players looking to enhance their stocks ahead of the preseason. Among them is Bailey Simonsson who makes a long awaited return from a nasty ankle injury sustained way back on Easter Monday. He is set to line up on the wing in reserve grade today.
I will bring you all of the blow-by-blow action in the Flegg at 1:00PM while Sixties will take over for the NSW Cup game at 3:00PM.

Jersey Flegg Cup Team List
| 1 | Nathan Howlett |
| 2 | Samuela Sorovi |
| 3 | Devonte Vaivela |
| 4 | Harley Walker |
| 5 | Jeshua Maa-Nelson |
| 6 | Kade Moujalli |
| 7 | Lincoln Fletcher |
| 8 | Beau Lucien |
| 9 | Lachlan Coinakis |
| 19 | Saumaki Saumaki |
| 11 | Trace Beattie |
| 12 | Callum McMenemy |
| 13 | Stirling Faumui |
| Interchange | |
| 14 | Wesley Tongamoa |
| 16 | Hayden Brown |
| 17 | Elijah-Shane Tapau |
| 19 | Jordan Miller |
| 18 | Corey Leigh |
Late Mail
We fill out the missing spots in the roster with Callum McMenemy starting on the edge for the Eels. The bench ends up with Tongamoa, Brown, Tapau and Miller taking the 4 spots for the Blue & Gold.
Match Updates
First Half
Raiders will kick off to start this game.
Lucien and Saumaki rip in for the first carries before the Eels work left with Beattie and Moujalli. Back to Saumaki as the Eels carve into the Raider’s half where Fletcher sends a bomb up. The Eels tip it backwards via Maa-Nelson it looks like as Howlett scoops it up but he is quickly wrapped by defenders for the turnover on tackles.
It is but a momentary loss of possession for the Eels though as the Raiders swiftly cough it up 10m off their line.
From the scrum Fletcher runs left and brings Howlett underneath as the fullback is collared a fraction too high. Penalty.
Tap and go to McMenemy. Left to Faumui and then Coinakis dummies and has a crack himself as he is held up over the line. Fletcher sums it up perfectly from the 10m restart of play as he swings left and unlocks Howlett down a wide seam as the Parramatta fullback crashes through to score out wide! Fletcher narrowly misses to the left of the uprights so it remains 4-0.
Try scored by Nathan Howlett. Conversion unsuccessful by Lincoln Fletcher.
Eels lead 4-0
5min gone
Another powerful surge from Lucien from the kickoff. Famui and Beattie follow him up as Saumaki again takes the Eels into enemy territory before Fletcher laces a masterful clearing kick that forces the Raiders to run the ball dead. Terrific kick chase from Jeshua Maa-Nelson assisting the outcome there.
Canberra go short but Maa-Nelson claims it cleanly. He and Lucien centre the ball as the Eels build to left edge shift where Fletcher mimics his earlier effort with a deft short ball that puts Saumaki Saumaki on the outside shoulder of the defender and the big man smashes over the line!
Try scored by Saumaki Saumaki. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.
Eels lead 10-0
9min gone
Lucien, McMenemy and Saumaki with the early carries now as the Eels work the Beattie wide left before Fletcher dabbles down the left again with a pass to Vaivela. There has been a set restart somewhere as the Eels continue a long possession with runs for Saumaki and Faumui here as Fletcher looks to run it on the last. Face ball to Vaivela and he has a chance to beat a man and maybe cut free but the ball has been called forwards.
Eels then concede a penalty for markers not lining up square and the Raiders resume play 13m shy of halfway.
The game is halted for an injury assessment for Devonte Vaivela. Not sure he if he is bleeding from the head? He seems to be okay and now Beattie is getting a quick check as well. We seem to be clear to resume thankfully.
Canberra shift the ball to their left from the play-on call but the Eels adjust nicely. Saumaki and Lucien do a nice job preventing an offload next tackle and then last tackle defence from the Eels is well and truly awake to the running option from the home team as they defuse the threat.
More neat work from the middles as Saumaki and Faumui trundle up the guts for healthy gains. Fletcher completes a solid set with a high ball that the Raiders bring in. Ooh some nice work from the Raiders there as their dummy half almost opens the Eels up with a double-pump pass. They spill the ball though however there was an advantage been played for someone either taken late or held off the ball there. No sin bin though so I guess a late hit maybe?
Good chance for the Raiders to try and hit back on the scoreboard now as they work from left to right. Their halfback shapes back inside before throwing a pass to his right but the Eels watch him carefully and then cut him down next play as he dummies and goes. Strong hit from Beattie there and the half has stayed down…it leads to a late penalty against the Eels so I guess there was advice from the touch judge there.
Very nice goal line stand from the Eels. Canberra can’t make use of the extended run of possession on Parramatta’s goal line with Harley Walker making an outstanding tackle down Parra’s right edge. The Raiders, under the threat of getting bundled into touch, fling a desperate offload back infield but it is forwards.
The next set starts with some brilliant work from Sorovi as he makes a 20m charge but it quickly unravels when Faumui loses control of the ball as he hits the turf. Another chance for the Raiders now.
Important tackle made from Saumaki there as he neutralises a dangerous dart from dummy half with a bear hug of a tackle. Alas the Raiders are still able to cross a couple of tackles later with a crisp series of passes down their right edge that gets James Croker on the outside of Sorovi and he makes a extravagant leap to beat the cover tackle attempt and dot the ball down in the corner.
Try scored by the Canberra Raiders. Conversion unsuccessful.
Raiders trail 4-10
21min gone
Howlett gets us back underway from the tee as he punches it deep in-goals – but not too deep thankfully. Good kick chance from Beattie and Vaivela as the Eels look to restrict the home team here. The Raiders keep the ball through the middle where there is a robust contest between the two sides as Canberra eventually work the ball to 5m short of halfway.
Howlett field the clearing kick on the full and rifles a pass to Sorovi for the return and the young winger wins a penalty.
The ball finds touch right on halfway as Vaivela taps to Moujalli who feeds Faumui on the first tackle. Right to Fletcher who turns Saumaki underneath for a nice gain. Left to Moujalli who plays very flat to Faumui as Fletcher and Lucien take the ball back right. Outside/inside pass from Fletcher to big Jordan Miller! It takes a massive cover tackle to save the Raiders there and Fletcher continues to dominate this set as he rolls the ball in behind on the last and wins a drop out. Classy work.
Short again from the Raiders and in a carbon copy play we see Maa-Nelson climb high to take. McMenemy has a solo burst near the posts and nearly scores as the referee has a long look as to whether he grounded it before ultimately signalling he was held up. It is but a temporary delay for the Eels though as Coinakis rips a cracking pass from dummy-half to find a flying Vaivela down the left and the Parramatta centre is too strong from that range with that kind of wind up! Looks like Fletcher took a piece of the turf on the conversion attempt there.
Try scored by Devonte Vaivela. Conversion unsuccessful by Lincoln Fletcher.
Eels lead 14-4
28min gone
Miller and McMenemy sortie in before the Eels range wide left with nice hands to almost release Vaivela. He still carves out a gain to halfway as the Eels then switch play back through the middle with Tapau. Canberra gunk up the ruck and give away a set restart that escalates into a penalty when the ball is interfered with. Tap and go and Coinakis takes control early in this set. He uses McMenemy to the right. The Eels look to switch play to their left but Moujalli doesn’t see the lurking James Croker as his pass to Howlett is pilfered by the speedy winger and it results in a massive play for the home team as they score against the run of play with a 90m intercept. Spirited chase from Sorovi there but he just can’t make up for the lost ground from the initial intercept.
Try scored by the Canberra Raiders. Conversion successful.
Raiders trail 10-14
32min gone
The good battle through the middle continues for both sides with strong runs met by equally good contact. However the Eels have another costly lapse when Maa-Nelson inexplicably drops a regulation clearing kick. Almost certain to prove to be a costly lapse and that though is quickly paid out as the Raiders get their fullback over with some nice work down their left edge as their backrower Tusi Tofu sucks in the defence and then feeds a lovely ball to Saxon Innes for the try.
Try scored by the Canberra Raiders. Conversion unsuccessful.
Raiders lock the scores up at 14-all
36min gone
More running for the home team now as the Eels are caught offside for a penalty. Canberra find touch 5m shy of halfway and at this stage the Blue & Gold need to desperately find away to arrest the swing in momentum.
It doesn’t come this set – but at least neither do points. The Raiders are running with the wind in their sails and while the Eels hold on for this set, Howlett is forced to run a dangerous grubber kick into touch so another set is coming for the home side. Thankfully they do somehow manage to hold on though as the Raiders are perhaps guilty of playing too far sideways before winning the right to do so. It allows Maa-Nelson to collar his opposition number and get him to put a foot into touch.
Compounding errors from the Eels will give the Raiders one last look before half time. Firstly, Moujalli’s strikes a grubber kick too heavy off the boot as it easily rolls dead fora 7-tackle set and then at the end of said set, Howlett is unable to bring in the attacking bomb.
Parramatta need to stand up defensively here, less they risk heading into the sheds down a try and thankfully they do. Staunch goal line defence results in an eventual spilled ball from the Raiders and both teams linger around the mark of the scrum until the siren rings out to finish the half exactly how we started it – both teams locked up on the scoreboard.
Half Time
Parramatta Eels 14 locked up with the Canberra Raiders 14
Second Half
The Eels make life incredibly tough on themselves to start the half as they give away a 4th tackle set restart and it quickly comes home to roost as the Canberra captain and five-eighth Braydan Darmody cuts back off his left foot to dive through defenders and score left of the posts.
Try scored by the Canberra Raiders. Conversion successful.
Raiders lead 20-14
43min gone
We have some random spite out of no where as Coinakis takes except to copping an open hand to the chin. He shoves back and players come in to start the usual fracas. The initial indication from the referee was a penalty against the Raiders. The officials are conferring now as captains are eventually called out. Beattie comes out with Coinakis and Parramatta’s dummy half is presumably told not to take matters into his own hands as he is kept on the field. The Raiders aren’t as lucky as they cop a sin bin for starting the flare up. Huge chance now for the Eels.
Eels start by working around the posts with some of their big men including Miller but the Raiders hold out. Coinakis can’t quite find Moujalli in stride but the five-eighth recovers well to catch the pass and the set is later completed by Kade with a deft grubber that induces an error from the Raiders. 10m scrum for the Eels.
Well that was easy. Fletcher digs into the line from the scrum win and plays out the back to Howlett who runs an angled overs line towards the sideline. His burst it too much for the flat footed defenders as he rips through some flimsy arm grab attempts to score near the corner.
Try scored by Nathan Howlett. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.
Eels lock it up at 20-all
49min gone
Miller takes an early run here before Vaivela comes in field for a charge and finds an offload to Walker. Tapau and Sorovi take the Eels over halfway as Miller rumbles in afterwards. Coinakis and Tongamoa almost open up the Raiders through the middle before Fletcher kicks for Maa-Nelson but the high flying winger can’t control the ball in the air.
A sudden streak if ill discipline from the Raiders is quite timely as they proceed to turn the ball over early next possession but the Eels are not able to capitalise in the following set as Maa-Nelson is guilty of a double movement as he tries to make it happen down the right edge. He fought hard to get close to the line there but just couldn’t help himself as he promoted the ball.
Nice work from Howlett now as he nearly opens Canberra up on his kick return. Walker and Maa-Nelson come infield for work from there but on the next play the Eels are pinged when Miller’s offload is ruled to have come forwards out of the hands. Close enough call there to back the ref I reckon.
Love to see a positive response from an error and the Eels provide that as their left edge rallies to corral the Canberra runner and drive them into touch from well and truly inside the field of play.
Fletcher uses Maa-Nelson on the first play as the Eels build for an eventual left edge raid. It comes and geez that is some quality work from Coinakis! He uses a sharp PTB from Howlett to skip out behind the ruck and then throws a wonderful pass to hit Sorovi in stride as the young winger touches down for the lead!
Try scored by Samuela Sorovi. Conversion unsuccessful by Lincoln Fletcher.
Eels lead 24-20
58min gone
Saumaki steams in from the kick off as McMenemy follows him and is unlucky not to win a whistle for a slow ruck. Tongamoa shows his leg speed off with a nice dart into the ruck as Saumaki comes back for a second run. To Fletcher on the last he hoists it high. The Raiders fail to bring the kick in but there was some contact there and indeed the referee is indicating it is penalty for the team.
Ooh, Howlett wears a strong hit under the high ball and gets up with a Cheshire grin on his face – that is footy, baby! The Raiders load up for a tough defensive set and restrict the Eels before they allow the clearing kick from Fletcher to bounce. It costs them some real estate and the kick chase from the Eels almost effects a 1-on-1 strip via Sorovi but it ends up a double knock on against the Eels.
Goof hustle from Maa-Nelson! He pounces on a loose offload from the Raiders to get the turnover for the Eels. Sorovi is infield getting a run from centre/backrow ala what we see from the Foxx in the NRL sometimes. Fletcher heaves another monster bomb up as Maa-Nelson gives chase and gee I think he might be unlucky there. He competes for the ball but I thought the Raiders touched it first as it is spilled out. Referee says it was a Parra knock on first though. Line ball.
The Eels get a big break from what was looking to be a tough set off their line when overzealous markers are called out by the referee. Penalty is the outcome.
Fletcher finds touch 30m out in a nice land grab as the referee allows a really, really late one-on-one strip attempt on Walker next set. Maa-Nelson again dives on the loose ball to keep the Eels in possession but that was probably as penalty. Later that set Vaivela is left dusty as the trainer attends to him with time off.
We get back underway as the Eels use Lucien to centre the pill. The next play is all out of sync as Fletcher’s support runners cramp him for space and the set is concluded with an attacking bomb for Maa-Nelson who knocks it on as he competes for the high ball. Can’t fault that kind of ‘error’ though since he had a proper crack at that kick.
SOROVI! He gets the intercept back! Just as the Raiders are surging in the next set and threaten to score a long range try that started from their left edge and went wide right – Samulea Sorovi makes the perfect read and gets his mitts on the backhanded flick to scorch 70m downfield and score a critical try for the Eels! Stunning solo effort!
Try scored by Samuela Sorovi. Conversion successful by Lincoln Fletcher.
Eels lead 30-20
70min gone
Clever work from Walker there. Raiders go for a heavy squib kick as they hunt the sideline and he uses a volleyball setter’s hands to flick the ball back to supporting Eels who calmly clean it up. The Eels get to their kick after points and complete a tidy set as they look to work the clock in the remaining 10min.
Conversely, Canberra are constantly looking for offloads as they try to find different angles to attack the Eels from. Parra yield metres but maintain the integrity of their front line before Maa-Nelson, who has somehow been constantly around the ball in the second half, takes a nice back shoulder catch from the Canberra bomb.
Nice shot from Vaivela there as he levels a rival outside back early in the next set. Clean contact. Ooh, that is some nice second phase play from the Raiders as they desperately try to peg a try back. Consecutive massive tackles from Sorovi and Lucien save the day for the Eels though and the set concludes with that man – yes, Maa-Nelson – claiming the bomb in-goals for a 7-tackle set.
A counter punch from the Eels comes via Miller and Vaivela as the big prop and the powerful centre get into the backfield of the Raiders from an offload from the towering bookend. The Eels look to get the Raiders off balance with a big shift to the right from there but the ball is grassed.
More outrageous attack from the Raiders as the Eels continue to bend without breaking. Sorovi almost pockets his second intercept of the half but can’t quite wrap his hand around a tough chance so the Raiders set a scrum 20m off the Parra goal line.
Nice double up in defence from Vaivela there as he makes a pair of strong tackles. Lots of Raiders lingering in or near the defensive line this set but the referee isn’t interested as the Eels hold Canberra out to the last where Sorovi makes another brilliant play. The fadeaway catch on a driving cross field kick nets the Eels a 20m restart. Great show of his athletic prowess there.
Now the calm hand of Fletcher! He deftly guides a kick in-goals as the chase lead by Sorovi forces the drop out. Real quality touch there from the young playmaker and it was backed up by his left edge chasers.
Canberra go long and it is a doozie as it bounces for a good 70m gain but with the clock heading towards zeroes it might as well be a concession of defeat. The Eels will play out at least this set – and it is a messy one – that ends with Jordan Miller trying to channel his inner Junior Paulo with a massive right-to-left torpedo pass that only finds grass and eventually rolls into touch.
Now a chip kick from the Raiders as the siren rings out but Moujalli ventures back to tidy it up and bring an end to a nice win for the Blue & Gold.
Full Time
Parramatta Eels 30 defeat the Canberra Raiders 20
NSW Cup Team List
| 1 | Joash Papalii |
| 19 | Brad Avery |
| 3 | Araz Nanva |
| 4 | Siamani Leuluai |
| 5 | Bailey Simonsson |
| 6 | Lorenzo Talataina |
| 7 | Jonah Pezet |
| 8 | Ryda Talagi |
| 9 | Ryley Smith |
| 10 | Toni Mataele |
| 11 | Tyrese Lokeni |
| 12 | Chris Petrus |
| 25 | Jack De Belin |
| Interchange | |
| 14 | Kruz Niutili-Schmidt |
| 15 | Bruce Ward |
| 13
22 |
Max Tupou
Elijah-Shane Tapau |
| 17 | Jordan Hill |
Late Mail
My thanks to Forty for the Flegg coverage. Some late changes, notably De Belin in.
Match Updates
First Half
My apologies as I had some technology issues and missed this first try by the Raiders to take a six nil lead after about four minutes.
Raiders 6 Eels nil
The Raiders complete a strong set after points with a kick to the Eels line taken by Papalii. Eels get a penalty and Smith catches the Raiders with a quick tap to take play to halfway. Right sids mid set and Pezet puts Petrus through a hole then backs up on the inside ball to score beside the posts. Pezet converts.
Eels 6 Raiders 6 after 8 minutes
Terrific set after points with De Belin very involved. The kick comes from the quarter line which the Raiders allow to bounce. Apart from Talataina, maybe the chase could have been better to capitalise as the Raiders get to the ball. The penalty comes early in the set.
High kick from the Raiders on the last and Papalii can’t get his hands on it. Nanva cleans up.
Sorry, more technical issues as the Eels survive a Raiders counter attack that drives play right to the line. Some genuine end to end footy.
Nanva needs treatment mid set. Offload from Mataele sends Talataina on a cross field journey to the left wing and then right beating a thousand defenders but only gaining about ten metres before the last tackle kick sees Simonsson drive the Raiders fullback in goal for a drop out. They go for a short kick a retrieve it. They complete the set and Parra commences their next set from their red zone.
Mataeke another offload and Pezet gets the ball before turning inside for a line bending run. Petrus splits the line on the right edge again but can’t find his support runners including Smith and he’s tackled ten out. To the right wing and Avery does well to stay infield. Wide left and Simonsson gets a half chance which he converts into a try with a spectacular dive in the corner.
Pezet misses the conversion
Eels 10 Raiders 6 after 19 minutes.
Eels drive over halfway in the set after points. The Mataele offload late in the set catches a Raiders hand. Eels scrum 40 out. Back to the red zone. Left again but Leuluai loses possession in contact ten out.
Raiders trying to get expansive but don’t gain much ground. They complete the set with a kick to Parra’s red zone fielded by Papalii. High Pezet kick to Stewart and he’s tackled ten beats Talataina and gets to the quarter line in reply.
Poor defence from Parra as Black runs it on the last to beat defenders. He kicks ahead and Papalii can’t clean it up as Black toes it ahead. A chaser gets to the ball and the support runners including Smith is there for the pass to score between their next set posts. Just like NRL, Eels struggle with the unstructured footy.
Conversion made
Raiders 12 Eels 10 after 27 minutes
Raiders make a mess of their last play in the set after points but the Eels charge down the desperation kick which falls to the Raiders. Here we go with that unstructured footy that Parra can’t handle as they split Parra with Stewart flying for the corner but Avery ankle taps him. The Raiders have a full set at their disposal but cough it up after just two tackles with the line beckoning.
Eels scrum then a penalty late in the set. Great offload from De Belin as they surge into the Raiders red zone. Petrus sees space in front of the posts and charges at the line. Desperation defence brings him down as he makes a lunge to plant the ball between their next set posts. Double movement called!
And it’s a 12 point turn around as the Raiders go the length in the penalty set for Stewart to outsprint the defence and score.
Black converts
Raiders 18 Eels 10 after 34 minutes
Raiders lose the ball in contact 30 out. Geez slow motion from Parra off the scrum win. This is a truly awful set without any energy or structure and it comes undone in front of the posts as Leuluai cannot play the ball properly. They compound the error with a mid set penalty for a high shot.
Bad tackle miss from Talataina as they surge Raiders hit his edge and a penalty follows as De Belin cleans things up. The result is inevitable as firstly Parra miss tackle after tackle in the following set, then the Raiders get a tap back on the last tackle kick and Seb Kris scoops it up to score in the corner. The siren sounds. Once more Parra punished as they follow up incredibly poor work in attack with uncommitted defence.
Black’s conversion hits the upright.
Half Time – Raiders 22 Eels 10
Second Half
Parra kick off. Raiders take play to Parra’s half then the ball is lost in the play the ball. Ref says lost. They start to move to set a scrum then he gets a late call from a flag boy for a penalty. That’s all the Raiders need as they find touch around the quarter and it’s all to simple as Black takes a pass on the left and leaves Petrus and Pezet in his wake to score. This Eels defence is very soft today.
Black converts.
Raiders 28 Eels 10 after 43 minutes.
Tamale beats just about every Eels player twice in a mid set run. Seriously concerning efforts in defence. The Raiders drive back to the posts but are somehow held up over the line.
Eels penalty next set allows them create their own defensive pressure. Talataina beats a number of defenders in a mid set run to get play into the red zone. Now the play is a couple of metres out. Smith drifts left from dummy half and links with DeBelin who stretches his arm out in the tackle to score near the posts.
Pezet converts
Raiders 28 Eels 16 after 48 minutes
Raiders kick off sails over the dead ball line. Parra back on the attack and are soon back in the red zone. Talataina again takes on the line but he tries to squeeze out an offload that comes free. Raiders have the pressure relieved. And that’s all the Raiders need as they go 90 metres in this set against almost non existent defence to score. Black is toying with Parra today just as he did earlier this season. The young bloke can play!
Black converts from out wide
Raiders 34 Eels 16 after 53 minutes.
I fear what this score could become if the Eels don’t put some effort into contact.
Raiders open the door with lost ball after the kick off. Scrum 25 out. Lokeni gets close. Now they completely lose their way as they seem to shift without purpose. The last tackle kick does earn a drop out. Raiders go long and I mean long as now player fields it and Talataina cleans it up on his own try line! He gets outside the quarter and a second effort from the Raiders pushes him into touch. Penalty. Parra back to the quarter and right to Papalii who swoops in but his pass goes behind his runners. The Raiders clean up. You can guess the outcome as they take play back to Parra’s red zone and the last tackle kick is dropped by Hill (on for Simonsson) and the Raiders force it for the try.
Conversion successful
Raiders 40 Eels 16 after 60 minutes
Did I say I feared what the score could be! Black splits them in the set after points and finds his support runner for a try just right of the posts.
Conversion nailed by Black
Raiders 46 Eels 16
The Raiders get expansive in the set after points. Why wouldn’t they? They get a penalty 40 out. But they make an error in contact from the tackle by Petrus and Talagi on the 20 metre line.
Eels scrum. They get to the kick off Pezet and Black fields it then immediately sets the attack loose down the left to get back t9 around the 40. Back right but a knock on comes.
Eels scrum and Talataina drops the pass without a tackle being made.
Raiders go deep into Parra’s half then spread left bu the Eels slide well to force the winger into touch.
Nice dart from Smith off a good charge from Mataele. Parra run it on the last as the ball comes to Lokeni on the left edge but he’s tackled 15 out.
Black again splits Parra’s defence but his pass misses the mark. The Raiders winger cleans it up and the kick is put ahead into the in goal where Papalii cleans up. Hang on a Raiders penalty is given back on the thirty and a player is off to the bin. Is it Lokeni?
Raiders get expansive left and Tuigamala shrugs off defenders to score. Conversion misses.
Raiders 50 Eels 16 after 73 minutes
Raiders error off the kick off and Parra have possession ten out. They go wide right but Hill is wrapped up. Not much happening as they seem bereft of ideas. Left to Talataina who runs backwards and then loses the ball in contact 20 out for a Raiders scrum.
Raiders scrum. A kick ahead for the winger who knocks on 40 out from Parra’s line. Good surges from Talagi and Tapau. Eels go left and the Raiders get a hand on the pass which goes loose and the ref has seen something from a Raiders penalty is who’s sent to the bin. Eels penalty 15 out. Talagi takes the hit up. Right to Talataina who throws an intercept which is dropped by a Raiders player. Parra gets it back but then a tough pass from Talataina is dropped by Smith and the ref finds another Parra penalty. Pezet gets over the line but is held up before dropping the ball.
Raiders kick downfield from the restart which Papalii races back to field. Parra work play back to the quarter then De Be,in de,ivers a nice ball back on the inside for Tapau to crash over beside the posts.
Pezet converts as the siren rings
Full time Raiders 50 Eels 22


Great first half. Our right side defence is a bit suss, but it’s OK. The only Eels team to have shot at finals. Go Parra!!
Sounds like a great game to watch. Maa-Nelson sounds like a beast. Great result for the Eels. Go Parra
Well done to Sarantinos for building such a great roster. Both cup and fg bottom 4 rosters, even taking injuries into account.
Come on NSW Cup boys. Too many errors. Very Eels like.
Honestly this team are an embarrassing outfit. Another 50 on the way for what the 6th-7th time this year. We have a massive talent issue at this club we’re getting thrashed regularly. The outside back issue isn’t bad it’s alarming with some of the players who are playing for the feeder team to your first grade side.
Joash went to a origin camp and has come back a park footballer what is going on at this club
To be clear, Joash didn’t go into camp as a shadow Origin player. Blues often use players from teams having a bye to help with scrimmages. However, just on this game there were players who were clearly not giving their best efforts today. Some of the defence in NSW Cup was beyond diabolical.
Craig I trust your judgement on players not giving there best and can’t understand why they would not as surely a lot are playing for contracts next season , hopefully who ever is in recruitment also notices what you’ve observed and puts a red line through them
Understand that he was not a shadow player to be selected but the experience around that talent should make a player thrive. He has done anything but since that. I like joash’s passion and I thought that he was a player of value but I’m starting to get why the bulldogs never had any issues letting him go. From one of the best players in cup for the whole competition in 2025 to where he is now the drop off is significant.
His not even close anymore to a first grader is it attitude or a coaching problem because he showed ability
Bro go easy….how would you like to go to work and be promised the world only to get shafted…..this was last year….and still turn up everyday as if there is nothing wrong. To be told that even though you haven’t done anything wrong your not wanted. So cumon mate. Who do they have to back up next year….as you can see the cup team are absolutely fantastic. The recruitment team are spot on and are doing an excellent job by signing all of these kids out of school to full time gigs….so we are going to be rebuilding fir the next couple of years.
We have a recruitment team? That seems hard to believe.