Your best 19 vs Storm

Based on the pre-season trials, training reports, and incumbency, I’ve settled on a top 19 that largely picks itself — particularly the starting top 13, which I think is pretty much locked in.

Samrani, for mine, has done enough to be locked into a bench spot. His pre-season form has been consistent, and he offers enough impact and reliability to justify selection.

The toughest call was Guymer vs Doorey. While Doorey has shown some positives, we’ve also seen a few defensive blunders during the trials, which makes the decision marginal. Guymer’s steadiness probably gives him a slight edge right now.

I think Joash simply has to be picked. His versatility is a big tick — he gives the side coverage across multiple positions, which is invaluable in a match-day 17.

I’ve left Luca Moretti out for now purely due to his late pre-season injury, but once fully fit, I have him ahead of Doorey. If he gets a clean run health-wise, I see him forcing his way into the squad sooner rather than later.

Overall, the squad feels well balanced, with only a couple of genuine selection headaches — which is exactly where you want to be heading into the season.

1. Iongi

2. Addo-Carr

3. Russell

4. W. Penasini

5. Simmonson

6. Pezet

7. Moses

8. Jnr Paulo

9. Smith

10. Hopgood

11. Williams

12. Kautoga

13. Debelin

14. Walker

15. Sam Tuivaiti

16. Doorey

17. Da Silva

18. Samrami

19. Joash Papali’i

Unlucky omissions - Guymer, Morretti, Kelly

Potentially but Smith is what we need at dummy half.

These games are won in the middle of the park the stuff that smith does the kick pressure linespeed and alike aren't flashy things but that's what's best for the team.That's what I don't see from TDS and it's why he gives me a moment of pause.

What id suggest when watching TDS is his defense his first contact does he get out and pressure the first reciever.His ball distribution have a look at that extra step he takes when he passes left to right vs linespeed from the opposition.

At the moment he looks like a splash player and those around him especially when he runs don't know when he's going and he's normally by himself and he goes no further.If I were to give him a negative connotation he feels like a player that's been told he's going to be this or that for a long time and he's got by being the best kid in age grade.That's just at a guess from myself.It's early days but if he can't unseat Smith or at least show he's got more to offer by the end of the season I'd say what we are seeing now is what he is.

"That's the thing for me the game got away from us when TDS came into the game.
When Smith finished the game you saw defensively the ruck tighten back up and the service and attack clicked into gear.
I'm definitely on the fence with TDS potential is…"

Replies

- - - Randy Handlinger > TolEllts February 22, 2026 at 7:40pm
      
      He is also a fast learner apparently
  - Coryn Hughes > Adam Magrath February 22, 2026 at 7:10pm
    
    Potentially but Smith is what we need at dummy half.
    
    These games are won in the middle of the park the stuff that smith does the kick pressure linespeed and alike aren't flashy things but that's what's best for the team.That's what I don't see from TDS and it's why he gives me a moment of pause.
    
    What id suggest when watching TDS is his defense his first contact does he get out and pressure the first reciever.His ball distribution have a look at that extra step he takes when he passes left to right vs linespeed from the opposition.
    
    At the moment he looks like a splash player and those around him especially when he runs don't know when he's going and he's normally by himself and he goes no further.If I were to give him a negative connotation he feels like a player that's been told he's going to be this or that for a long time and he's got by being the best kid in age grade.That's just at a guess from myself.It's early days but if he can't unseat Smith or at least show he's got more to offer by the end of the season I'd say what we are seeing now is what he is.
- Bear > Coryn Hughes February 22, 2026 at 6:20pm
  
  Da Silva's game suited the tigers, off the cuff, no game plan, he needs a lot of work, we really dropped off when he entered the field
Clintorian February 22, 2026 at 4:22pm

Tallyn was actually great yesterday. He nailed a few long passes out to the edges that set us up for a few attacking plays.
- LB > Clintorian February 22, 2026 at 4:28pm
  
  He was fine, he did what he needed to but he has more holes in his game than Smith. Smith does the basics right.
  - Clintorian > LB February 22, 2026 at 4:31pm
    
    Agree, I'm #1 of the Ryley Smith fanboy club.
Gucci February 22, 2026 at 5:08pm

TDS is the Russell of today. Everyone wanted Russell out of the squad a few years ago. But with constant first grade look at the player we are now losing. TDS will eventually be a quality hooker, he is in his second season, fresh, straight out of SG ball. Give him a chance to grow his game.
- Clintorian > Gucci February 22, 2026 at 6:17pm
  
  Yeah, that was me half way through last year with Russell, he blew so many half chances, couldn't get the ball to JAC in time, and just couldn't beat his man. He has come out of the gates firing this season, so I hope you're right about TDS.
- Angry Eel > Gucci February 22, 2026 at 7:31pm
  
  I'm not trying to dump on TDS. Injustice thinks he's spent too much time on the bench playing Robin to Api and now Riley, he's needs a bit of time playing Batman again
Bear February 22, 2026 at 6:23pm

How good is doored going , hard running, can tackle, some great short passing game

of 3

This reply was deleted.

Eels Blogs