They aren’t due back yet, but a couple of interested spectators were at Kellyville today. Strolling onto the training track in their civvies, Bailey Simonsson and Luca Moretti watched on from the sideline as the squad went through their paces,…
Eels 2026 Pre-Season Training Report – November 4, 2025: A Point To Prove
Reflecting back on yesterday, the overall impression was the positivity of the coaching staff and the unity and bonds of the players. Given that many of those on the training track have come through pathways teams together, that shouldn’t have…
Eels 2026 Pre-Season Training – November 3, 2025: New Sensations
Does it feel like there’s been no off-season? Given the Ashes tour and Pacific Championships, have been building since season’s end, it’s been wall to wall football and I’m not complaining. As I set about writing up the report of…
Vale “Parra Pete” Montgomery
Just a couple of days ago I learned of the passing of Peter Montgomery, known to many as “Parra Pete”. The news came via one of Pete’s loves, the Hay Magpies. There will be better tributes written about Pete than…
Bumpers Up – October 5, 2025: Grand Final Edition
Grand final day has arrived, and though there are no Eels teams involved, it’s still a big day on the calendar for all footy fans. It’s quite incredible to think that the Storm are playing their 11th grand final in…
Bumpers Up – September 29, 2025: Eels Season Reflections
The season might be over for the Eels, but it feels like there’s barely enough time, or space, in one column to wrap things up. Reflecting back on the season was something that we particularly enjoyed doing with Bernie Gurr…
The Spotlight September 21, 2025 – Sean Russell: Finding His Identity
Promise and potential, those two “p” words can be the greatest pitfalls for those identifying future NRL players. So many talented individuals in rugby league pathways look the goods, but for many their potential, and what they promise to be,…
Live Blog – 2025 NSW Cup Qualifying Final: Eels vs Dragons
The second of today’s live blogs sees the Eels take on the Dragons in the 2nd vs 3rd NSW Cup qualifying final. St George has been in consistent form all season, whereas the Eels have stumbled a bit in the…
The 2025 NRL Referees’ Tip Sheet
The role of being a match official in any sport is mostly a thankless task. When weighed on the “fair go” scales, the balance of public appreciation tips heavily towards “abused” rather than “valued”. These whistle-blowing athletes must truly love…
Live Blog – Jersey Flegg & NSW Cup Round 24, 2025: Eels vs Sharks/Jets
The James Hardie Centre of Excellence at Kellyville is the venue for a lower grades double header as the Eels host the Sharks and their feeder club, the Newtown Jets, in Round 24 of the Jersey Flegg Cup and…