Eels Blogs

Round 1 Team List v Melbourne Storm

Posted by ParramattaLurker on March 3, 2026 at 3:58pm

1. Isaiah Iongi

2. Bailey Simmonson

3. Will Pensini

4. Brian Kelly

5. Sean Russell

6. Jonah Pezet

7. Mitchell Moses (c)

8. J’maine Hopgood

9. Ryley Smith

10. Junior Paulo

11. Jack Williams

12. Kitione Kautoga

13. Jack De Belin

Interchange:

14. Dylan Walker

15. Sam Tuivati

16. Matt Doorey

17. Tallyn Da Silva

18. Kelma Tuilagi

19. Joash Papaili

Reserves:

20. Jordan Samrani

21. Charlie Guymer

22. Teancum Brown

Referee: Todd Smith

Mitch Moses joins forces with former Storm man Jonah Pezet in the halves while Jack de Belin and Brian Kelly also make their debut in Eels colours. The loss of Josh Addo-Carr (thumb) sees Sean Russell shift to the wing and Kelly line up at centre. Junior Paulo leads a full-strength forward pack that will look to pick up where it left off in an impressive pre-season win over the Roosters two weeks ago. Kelma Tuilagi and Joash Papalii are the No.18 and 19 on the six-man bench.

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Replies

LB March 3, 2026 at 6:02pm

Love how Petrus has been elevated to starting in Flegg. Bloke will be in Cup before you know it.
Nitram March 3, 2026 at 7:16pm

I dont like moving Russell who is obviously showing he can play very well as a centre. He has never played any good on the wing and sadly I expect him to play poorly this Thursday.

I would have gone with samrani on the wing. Not so much because i think samrani is anything special but purely because i think we need Russell's defence in the centres.
- Mallee57 > Nitram March 4, 2026 at 1:05am
  
  I like Kelly in the centres
ParramattaLurker March 4, 2026 at 11:54am

Todd Smith has been appointed as the referee for tomorrow night
- Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 > ParramattaLurker March 4, 2026 at 12:41pm
  
  Who's Todd Smith Ron ?
  - Prof. Daz > Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 March 4, 2026 at 12:59pm
    
    See ther Round 1 preview, Chiefy. I tracked him down and placed a note in the comments. This is Todd's third head ref gig. Long term Cup ref and touch judge in NRL
  - Pato > Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 March 4, 2026 at 1:07pm
    
    He's the red head touch judge that's been around for years

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