NRL Pre-Season Challenge Team List: Week 1

The Parramatta Eels have confirmed their squad to face the Canberra Raiders in Week 1 of the NRL Pre-Season Challenge.

Brad Arthur has named a blend of youth and experience for the Eels' first trial match of 2024, mixing NRL regulars with emerging talent.

Shaun Lane will captain the side in his first match since an injury-plagued 2023 season. He will run out with a number of familiar faces including Ryan Matterson, Bailey Simonsson, Sean Russell and Wiremu Greig.

New recruits Morgan Harper and Kelma Tuilagi are set to pull on the Blue & Gold for the first time, having been named in the Eels' starting line-up.

Six members of the Eels' 2023 SG Ball Cup Grand Final winning team will make their first appearance with the senior squad: Blaize Talagi, Ethan Sanders, Charlie Guymer, Matt Arthur, Josh Lynn and Saxon Pryke.

The match will be played on Saturday 17 February at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, kicking off at 5:55pm ahead of the Charity Shield match between South Sydney and St George Illawarra.

All NRL Pre-Season Challenge matches will be broadcast live by Fox League and Kayo Sports.

"That's not answering the question. I'm sure Brad won an award or two when he was coaching bush footy. The question is wouid you walk away from your income if some parents decided they wanted you out. Let's for arguments sake say they found you be…"

"I could easily see him popping up at Canterbury , Newcastle , wests or Souths ( should they miss out on Wayneo) . I think Wests could benefit from him as head coach big time. "

"Blake was good in 2019 as he only joined mid season that year. From 2020 he was horrible. He did have a decent end to the season when we got knocked out my Penrith in the finals in a close game, but that's about it. "

Replies

EA February 13, 2024 at 4:30pm

Interesting that only Hands is listed and not Lussick.
- LB > EA February 13, 2024 at 6:12pm
  
  Pretty much sums up who is starting 9.
EA February 13, 2024 at 4:32pm

Three things I am going to watch

-excited to see Talagi, Sanders, Guymer, Martin and MA play against grown men.

-want to see how Dunster is going.

- obvioulsly the battle for the vacant centre spot
JEELman February 13, 2024 at 4:33pm

Sticky will have an eye on Sanders
EA February 13, 2024 at 4:44pm

Bit surprised not to see Tuivitia but espically Jock Brazel.
BEM February 13, 2024 at 5:06pm

Not a bad squad for the first trial match of the year.

I would say our squad is stronger than theirs.

Should be a good game.
- LB > BEM February 13, 2024 at 6:36pm
  
  Don't be so negative BEM *wink* *wink* hahaha.
  - BEM > LB February 13, 2024 at 7:00pm
    
    I'm surprised some of the usual suspects haven't had a go at me for not being positive enough with that post LB. 🙄
Tad February 13, 2024 at 8:41pm

Let's hope these guys and BA have new eyes with how we approach this year. Thinking along the lines of a rebirth of a new era. Treat the last year's as preparation for what worked and what didn,t.Attitude and mindset understanding as being a huge priority
Mitchy February 13, 2024 at 8:46pm

Decent pack of forwards and a decent looking bench.
be interesting to see how we go; maybe 20-40 mins each player?

Hope we see some time for the youngsters too.