No Kemla* - Team list day v manly - Eels Blogs

This should be our team list vs Manly im hoping. Williams and Guymer both did a great job against the Dogs. We cannot go with Kelma Tuilagi back in the starting 13. We looked much better with Moretti starting and Williams out wider. Both Williams and Guymer have a higher work rate than both Kelma and Kit kat and it showed against the Dogs

Saxon Pryke another great debutant, and another with a high work rate may have cemented a bench spot for the remainder of 2026. In the centres Araz Nava made a fist of it and I would retain him in the centres with Penasini, with Russell to come back onto the wing.

I would also keep Mataele in the 17, keeping out Kelma who imo drops out of the 19 completely. Kelma on his day can be a devastating ball runner, but he's too inconsistent and one or two good games means nothing in this competition

Also Debelin starts. Walker much better off the bench. Debelin adds size from the start.

1. Joash

2. Fox

3. Nava

4. Penasini

5. Russell

6. Volkswagen

7.mo

8. Jns

9. Smith

10 Moretti

11. Williams

12. Guymer

13 Debelin

14. Walker

15 Pryke

16. Mataele

17. Da Silva

18. Teancum Brown

19 Brian Kelly

"Hope the boys will perform at the same level of effort and desire if not even higher as what they had shown against the dogs.That level should be the norm from hereon - run hard, tackle hard, complete each set, no silly errors and dumb penalties,…"

"If only Mataele had the fitness, he'd be starting every week. The guy has some size and power to him. If Pryke added another 5kg of muscle, he'd be a starting 13 IMO."

"Rewarding those who perform. I wonder if Ryles was not pleased with Kelma against GC. But also, very impressed with Guymer and Williams on an edge. Kelma is a better off the bench impact player. Though reward Pryke and Mataele who were given a…"

Replies

- LB > KingGutho April 21, 2026 at 12:02pm
  
  A lot of those missed tackles were Volkman practically contact to slow down Kikau for defenders. It was planned.
  - LB > LB April 21, 2026 at 12:20pm
    
    Preston I mean.
- Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓 > KingGutho April 21, 2026 at 1:00pm
  
  No Luca Moretti?????????
Billy Bob April 21, 2026 at 11:15am

Is Sam Tuivaiti still out? I thought it was only concussion
Clintorian April 21, 2026 at 11:16am
This is the type of coaching we need to support. This is the team that put a number on the Bulldogs through shear determination, grit, and effort... they deserve the opportunity to do it again.
- Hoping to see back-to-back performances from Volkman, Penisini, Joash, and Pryke
- Is Ryley Smith is okay with his Sternum injury to start, or did Talyn earn a start after last week?
- Nanva could be a chance of earning that Left Center position inside JAC, and keeping Russell on the wing before he departs for the Bears.
We have a good win percentage against the Eagles when Tommy Turbo's out, let's keep that going and notch up another win against an Eagles team showing some form.
Mallee57 April 21, 2026 at 12:24pm

Isn't Smith injured
- SuperEel 22 > Mallee57 April 21, 2026 at 1:11pm
  
  Has a sternum injury but likely to be needled and padded.
Coryn Hughes April 21, 2026 at 12:58pm

You mean Saxon Pryke of the much maligned Rouse Hill Rhinos oh never mind lol.
- Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin🐐 - Mark O'neill's 🪓 > Coryn Hughes April 21, 2026 at 1:01pm
  
  Oh no. Don't mention the Rhinos
Trent April 21, 2026 at 3:59pm

no