NSW Cup

The Eels’ backline crisis has a silver lining — the development of speedy winger Matthew Komolafe being fast-tracked.

Komolafe, who was selected in the NSW Under 16s side alongside Will Penisini, has come up through the Eels system. He started the year in Jersey Flegg but with injuries hitting the NRL squad he’s found himself in Cup and is making the most of the opportunity.

Komolafe has scored eight tries in three games — including a hat-trick in the last two games. He also ran for 150 metres and had five tackle busts in the Eels’ 26-8 win over the Knights on Sunday.

Komolafe was as humble as they come in his post-game interview.

“(Coach) Ryan Carr just tells me to back it up every single week so I’m just trying to back up my performance and get a win for the team,” he told Fox League.

The 19-year-old featured in an NRL trial for the Eels during pre-season and is one to keep an eye on.

Fellow Eel Ky Rodwell put in a mammoth performance on Sunday, playing 80 minutes at lock and notching up 148 running metres while making 49 tackles with zero misses. Another one to keep an eye on after he inked a two-year extension in February.

The above article comes from fox sports April 26

First time I have been able to watch the full game and it was very much a top match, the two players primarilly mentioned really showed their worth and from my perspective they very much are NRL prospects not to far into the future. Several other players also showed their skills for future gradings, in the backs Cini at centre went well, two others from the backline also have a future as they mature Samuel Loizou & Brendan Hands, Hands has had some prior ratings but my first time watching him play as he moved around the backs with excellent ball plays.

The forwards also did well with Greg, Elie El-Zakhem, along with Ky Rodwell each having good future prospects.

"Same, I use to watch every game, now just the Eels game. The bunker interferes to much & make dreadful decisions that leave us all saying wtf. Ryles, great job & also the lower grades, they are all doing a fantastic job. "

"🤔 hmm! I did post when watching the actual game not after the results😉. The idea that NRL would want the Eels to be successful if it's a corrupted system holds no water. The Eels have a huge fan base and huge $$ value and yet they've not won a…"

Replies

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- Brett Allen April 26, 2022 at 10:30am
  
  I'm not sure about Rodwell as an edge, I don't know that he has the mobility
  - Mr Positivity Pronoun is HE > Brett Allen April 26, 2022 at 10:38am
    
    Rodwell definitely a middle, El-Zakhem looks ready for a FG debut.
- LB April 26, 2022 at 10:52am
  
  Komolafe might benefit from a debut later in the year, but to me i think he is still very raw. Put on another 5kg or so and spend the remainder of the year in Cup and he should be fine.
- Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin April 26, 2022 at 11:05am
  
  Roswell isn't a first grader
  - colin hussey > Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin April 26, 2022 at 11:20am
    
    Chief, This is pretty much his first real season, and like some others are finally getting match experience in the NSW Cup, he's not a huge build but is a player that can develop more especially if he gets more game time, and puts some bulk on his frame. He turns 23 in June and 102kgs at that size he has a bit more mobility than some of the same type of players. Going forward he is likely an improvement on Makatoa.
    
    That said with the loss of several of our forwards end of season, we could do worse than Rodwell especially as a developing player.
    - Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin > colin hussey April 26, 2022 at 11:27am
      
      El-zakhem is a greater prospect. He should get in before rodwell
    - SuperEel 22 > colin hussey April 26, 2022 at 1:23pm
      
      Don't know how much more weight he has to put on. Rodwell is only 2kgs lighter than Nathan Brown.
      - colin hussey > SuperEel 22 April 26, 2022 at 3:44pm
        
        Super, yes there is only 2 Kgs between the two of them but I would suggest that Brown has more body armour compared to Rodwell. Rodwell is not as hardened body wise as NB at this point in his career.
Brett Allen April 26, 2022 at 10:29am

This is how a development club works
paul taylor April 26, 2022 at 10:43am

Hey Col

hope your well mate . Haven't seen you much of late on here . Like your take on things - your a smart cookie .

cheers 🍻