Eels Blogs

Pre-season begin - junior overload

Posted by EA on November 2, 2026 at 11:44pm

Pre-season began today. TCT have posted a blog about the players that were there and I am very happy to read the number of juniors that are doing pre-season training.

The following plyers were back today:

R Smith
B Simonsson
S Tuivita
J Hopgood
C Guymer
S Pryke
M Doorey
R Talagi
J Funa-Iuta
A Nanva
T Lokeni
Z Visconti
J Koina
C Petrus
L Fletcher
L Talataina
W Latu (rehab)
W Penisini (rehab)
I Iongi (rehab)
T Risati
C Bamblett
S Nunn
C Bloomfield
M Nauer
M Popo
S Polley
H Bell

6 SG Ball age players there.

I would have added T Beattie, J Trey-Stewart and S Sorovi if possible but I am just happy with the number of juniors there alredy to be honest.

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Sonic Boom November 3, 2026 at 7:03pm

It was so good to see those top kids out there and getting recognition from the club. I feel we are getting a glimpse of the beginning of our production line
- Poupou Escobar > Sonic Boom November 3, 2026 at 7:10pm
  
  The beginning was Guymer, Pryke, Tuivaiti, Sanders, Twidle and Blaize Talagi. 2023 SG Ball premiers. At least we kept three of them.
  - EA > Poupou Escobar November 3, 2026 at 7:44pm
    
    Twiddle (Perth)
    
    Alamadine (cup/lebabon)
    
    Richie (cup/dev broncos)
    
    Talagi (panthers)
    
    Vaiveia (cup)
    
    Lynn (QLD cup GF 2026)
    
    Sanders (Raiders)
    
    Tuivita (Eels)
    
    Arthur (knights)
    
    Fualema (Perth cup team 2025)
    
    Guymer (Eels)
    
    De Stradis (qld cup GF 2026)
    
    Pryke (eels)
    
    Piakula (manly nsw cup)
    
    W Lewis (qld cup)
    
    this is super impressive. Out of 17 players in the GF, 15 have gone on to at least play nsw cup. 7 nrl debuts with others still pushing to get one soon
  - Sonic Boom > Poupou Escobar November 4, 2026 at 12:31am
    
    Sorry I meant under this regime since we have really taken the development club mantra seriously. Especially the kids that EA and I have been writing up over the last couple of years
    - Poupou Escobar > Sonic Boom November 4, 2026 at 7:28am
      
      2023 was only three years ago. Why don't you include that crop?
      - Y2Eel > Poupou Escobar November 4, 2026 at 4:44pm
        
        That 2023 was damn sexy .... Won SG ball and almost backed it up in flegg..
        
        We fucked it after that with them.
      - EA > Poupou Escobar November 4, 2026 at 5:21pm
        
        Because 2023 the club was pretty different. Yes only 3 years ago but I agree with SB. Its a different time period of sorts.
        
        LB > EA November 4, 2026 at 6:54pm
        
        EA, we've said a lot about the usual suspects for a debut. Who is someone hardly anyone is talking about that you might predict gets a debut in 2027?
        
        EA > LB November 4, 2026 at 8:25pm
        
        Bamblett. Injured at end the year. Twiddle gone and Joash to follow so their is a vacancy open in nsw cup. He has the talent just needs the consistency to make use of the opportunity.
- LB > Sonic Boom November 3, 2026 at 7:37pm
  
  Yes SB. The main line begins this year. Talagi was the first, then followed by Koina and the rest. Come 2029, we could see what 4-5 juniors in the 17? Fact Bell at 17/18 is training with top grade speaks volumes.