Predicted Round 1 NRL teams: How your club is likely to line up

March 4, 2018 7:50pm
by STAFF WRITERS
Source: FOX SPORTS

SUNDAY, MARCH 11

Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels at Panthers Stadium, 4:10pm (AEDT)

Panthers

1. Dylan Edwards

2. Dean Whare

3. Tyrone Peachey

4. Waqa Blake

5. Josh Mansour

6. James Maloney

7. Nathan Cleary

8. James Tamou

9. Peter Wallace

10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard

11. Corey Harawira-Naera

12. Isaah Yeo

13. Trent Merrin

14. Wayde Egan

15. James Fisher-Harris

16. Tim Browne

17. Viliame Kikau

James Maloney will start his partnership with Nathan Cleary in Round 1.Source: Getty Images

Unavailable: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (ankle), Tyrone May (knee), Tyrone Phillips (pectoral)

Panthers notes: The loss of Dallin Watene-Zeleniak means Dean Whare will push to the wing and Tyrone Peachey will be brought in at centre. Bryce Cartwright’s departure pushes Corey Harawira-Naera to the backrow and young gun Wayde Egan joins the bench.

Eels

1. Bevan French

2. Josh Hoffman

3. Michael Jennings

4. Jarryd Hayne

5. Kirisome Auva’a

6. Corey Norman

7. Mitchell Moses

8. Tim Mannah

9. Cameron King

10. Daniel Alvaro

11. Manu Ma’u

12. Brad Takairangi

13. Nathan Brown

14. Suaia Matagi

15. Kane Evans

16. Kenny Edwards

17. Beau Scott

Unavailable: Clint Gutherson (knee)

Eels notes: Clint Gutherson is at long odds to be fit for the Eels’ season opener as he recovers from an ACL injury. Bevan French will get the nod at fullback, while Jarryd Hayne will slot into the centres at the expense of Brad Takairangi who has been training in the backrow. Cameron King looks to have grabbed first opportunity to nail down the 80-minute hooker role, while Brad Takairangu’s switch to the back row puts Tepai Moeroa’s position in the club’s best 17 in serious jeopardy..

"I can live with it and I don't think Pezet will be a lemon.The only thing that'll hold him back is injury.I have a sneaking suspicion he'll go well and the only real concern I have is the rinse wash repeat cycle we have going in 27 around the…"

"A family friend played against him in a touch footy competition. His coach mentioned Brett Kenny, a local kid that has been signed by Parramatta is playing against them and to watch him, family friend say "oh please, I worry about myself they have…"

"Kurupt…there’s a great article in the magazine below about the Eels and Rabbits getting down and dirty. Final score 31-20, however, I won’t spoil who dominated who."

Replies

Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 March 4, 2018 at 8:31pm

Pretty sure Tepai may have missed some of the preseason through injuries so others may have overtaken him.
He will be in the 17 once he's fully fit.
- Big Dave > Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 March 4, 2018 at 9:05pm
  
  If the above is the team I am very disappointed for Moeroa as he was our second best forward in the second half of last season behind Brown. When you consider he is versatile and can play in the middle and edge and has more size then Mannah, Alvaro, Brown, Matagi, Scott and Edwards I am surprised he is being dropped. To drop a guy (22 years old) and one of our best forwards last year for guys in the late 20's and early 30's is average from BA, even if he is slightly under done. Peni should be in the team in front of Scott every day of the week.
- Longfin Eel > Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 March 4, 2018 at 9:16pm
  
  Yep won't be dropped. Great be rested if he is not fully fit however. Bear in mind this is not from BA so is likely to change.
- Eelectric Power > Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 March 5, 2018 at 8:04am
  
  If BA dropps Meroa it will be simply that he hasnt trained hard enough to make the 17. We wanted good depth and competition for spots so lets not winge about it.
1kfnyruzinzo3 March 4, 2018 at 8:36pm

Tepai and Manu are on the outer
Michael Ericson March 4, 2018 at 9:04pm

That’s still a pretty decent panthers outfit. At home they will he difficult to beat. No easy games these days!
Monto Eel March 4, 2018 at 9:25pm

Good Panthers side but let’s hope the internal issues at the Panthers may cause issues on the field. Can’t see that being the official Eels line up for round 1
Mapik March 4, 2018 at 9:28pm

If Tep is fit I think he will start with Taka on the bench at the expense of Matagi with Tep rotating in to a middle forward as needs be.
eels_brad March 4, 2018 at 9:32pm

One of Taka, Edwards or Scott has to miss out.

For me that has to be Taka.
- Kenny was the King > eels_brad March 5, 2018 at 7:38am
  
  I agree one of those three to miss out as can't afford to carry three small forwards. Just cause Taka has been training in the backrow doesn't mean he gets - or deserves - first dibs. He's definitely not as good as Tep or Scott which leaves him & Edwards fighting for the last spot... which I'd probably give to Taka as Edwards is more a liability giving away too many stupid penalties & errors.