Thursday 8 May, 7.50pm AEST
Parramatta Eels vs Dolphins, CommBank Stadium
Referees: Wyatt Raymond, Kasey Badger (touch judge), Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski (touch judge), Chris Butler (bunker)
Spotsbet: Eels $1.78, Dolphins $2.08
Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood \
Bench: 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Jordan Samrani 17. Matt Doorey
Extended: 18. Ryan Matterson 19. Joash Papali’i 20. Dean Hawkins 21. Toni Mataele 22. Brendan Hands
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Kurt Donoghoe 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Tom Gilbert
Bench: 14. Ray Stone 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Josh Kerr 17. Sean O’Sullivan
Extended: 18. Harrison Graham 19. Oryn Keeley 20. Max Feagai 21. Kenny Bromwich 22. Junior Tupou
Injury Updates from the Eels' site: Sam Tuivaiti suffered a right ankle Syndesmosis injury during Magic Round. He has consulted a specialist and will undergo surgery this week. He will be sidelined for 8-10 weeks.
Zac Lomax | Foot | Round 11 |
Joey Lussick | Thumb | Round 11 |
Sam Tuivaiti | Ankle | Round 19-20 |
Dan Keir | Hamstring | Round 12-14 |
Arthur Miller-Stephen | Knee | Season |
Ethyn Martin | Clavicle | Pending surgery |
Apa Twidle | Hand | Pending scans |
NSW Cup side includes backrow of Bryce Cartwright and Will Latu with Ryan Matterson at lock.
Replies
Our centres will be carved up by Herbie and Ray Stone will be folding some c*nts.
On a serious note, an advice from one centre (ex-legend) to another... Penisini needs to have a long hard look at his future in the centre position. Kid has seriously poor defensive read, too slow and lacks any creativity in attack. He may well be suited to wing, focus on bulking up a little and mirror his game on Brian To'o. Alternative look to become a dummy half. Defending in the middle and with his short stockie build, could be a strong dummy half runner aka Brandon Smith.
I think Samrani will end up starting on the edge.
Guymer moving to 13 maybe and Hopgood coming later.
I also don't see Papalii on the NSW Cup list, but he's an extended list. I gotta feeling he might make it into the 17 late. It's a hunch and not sure what he'll do.
Tui's injury shame, but he's made his statement and should still have a couple of games to play before end of the season. Very good debut campaign.
I can see us putting Papali'i on the bench for some speed around the ruck where Walker, Hopgood, Paulo and Williams can play big minutes therefore maybe not a big need for middles on the bench. Even then we can use Guymer in the middle with Samrani on an edge if needed as well.
Still not sold on Guymer.. Samrani to backrow?
Not quite yet, Samrani would need a few games on bench before starting. Though i think he will get there quickly.
I reckon Toni Matelle will debut on Thursday with Doory or Guymer dropping out
Sam Tuivita is a big loss, he has been very good.
I would put Toni Matele on the bench instead of Doorey, as he is more suited to the front row, also would put Matterson on the edge over Guymer.
Papali not named in NSW cup tells me he may be a late addition to the bench.
That's such a depressing team. It must at minimum be a couple of million under the cap.