You know that the season opener is just a few sleeps away when The Cumberland Throw publishes its annual instalment of “The Crystal Ball”. It’s the one time of the year when you’ll find the opinion of all contributors in…
The Spotlight – February 21, 2023: Eels Injury List Casts Shadow Over Opening Round
In an interview during Friday night’s Fox League match preview, Brad Arthur confirmed that nine Eels players were unavailable for trial selection. Amongst those out of action were first grade contenders Maika Sivo (knee), Bryce Cartwright (fractured jaw), Waqa Blake…
Bumpers Up – February 14, 2023: Trials And Observations
The first round of NRL trials are now in the rear view mirror and the rugby league world marches onwards towards the new season. Reactions to the results and performances have been bigger than past years. It’s probably the consequence…
Parramatta Eels Round 1 Team List – Final Prediction
Back on October 24 last year I had a crack at predicting the Eels Round 1 team list. Not one metre of preseason conditioning had been run at that stage, but what NRL fan doesn’t enjoy trying to tip who’ll…
Eels Pre-Season Training – January 30, 2023: Opposed Standards
Last week I was asked about the realistic standard of the NRL team, given that the opposed work is against mostly NSW Cup players. Perhaps there’s a false sense of how well the NRL team was performing? All NRL…
Parramatta Eels Development Squads Matches – January 27, 2023: Eels vs Sea Eagles
The 2023 Parramatta Eels Junior pathways program continued on Friday night with three Development Squad matches staged under lights at Kellyville Park. Kicking off with an Under 16s game at 5:30, and two Under 15s games thereafter, each clash pitted…
Eels Pre-Season Training Report – January 27, 2023: RCG The Try Scoring Freak
How much do we love celebrating the very occasional try scoring feats of our favourite moustachioed prop, Reagan Campbell-Gillard? Big Reg was in the thick of the action today, running great lines and backing up offloads. The reward for…
Eels Pre-Season Training – January 25, 2023: Will Penisini Owns It
Since returning from the World Cup, Will Penisini has enjoyed what I consider to be his most impressive pre-season. He’s looked strong and assured in his training, and has consistently made the right decisions in both attack and defence…
Eels Pre-Season Training – January 23, 2023: Hodgson Is Human After All
Regular visitors to The Cumberland Throw would be well aware of the impression that Josh Hodgson has made at Eels training this preseason. From my perspective, his vision, leadership and play has been a revelation. As ridiculous as it sounds…
Eels Pre-Season Training – January 16 to 20, 2023: Who Passes The Audition?
A wise man said to me, “what most people call the preseason, I call the audition”. If ever that applies to a season then it’s this year for the Eels, especially when it comes to filling the holes in the…