Eels Blogs

Round 3 Team List v St George Illawarra Dragons

Posted by ParramattaLurker on March 17, 2026 at 4:00pm

1. Isaiah Iongi

2. Bailey Simmonson

3. Jordan Samrani

4. Sean Russell

5. Josh Addo-Carr

6. Jonah Pezet

7. Mitchell Moses (c)

8. J’maine Hopgood

9. Ryley Smith

10. Junior Paulo

11. Kelma Tuilagi

12. Kitione Kautoga

13. Jack Williams

Interchange:

14. Dylan Walker

15. Sam Tuivati

16. Matt Doorey

17. Tallyn Da Silva

18. Jack De Belin

19. Joash Papaili

Reserves:

20. Charlie Guymer

21. Brian Kelly

22. Luca Moretti

INs: J'Maine Hopgood

OUTs: Charlie Guymer

Referee: Ashley Klein

Just the one change to the side that stunned the Broncos. Prop J'maine Hopgood returns from suspension so Jack Williams slides to lock and Jack de Belin goes to the six-man bench for the clash with his former club.

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Replies

jjeel March 17, 2026 at 4:02pm

Made the right call with Williams back to lock and JDB on the bench
- LB > jjeel March 17, 2026 at 4:16pm
  
  I would say JBD has been dropped to be fair. I do not see the value of JBD off the bench unless it is simply to defend and clean up with the first rotation of players. Walker, Tuivaiti and TDS are definately playing as they do in rotation. Doorey i also not seeing not getting play time.
  - Muttman > LB March 17, 2026 at 4:52pm
    
    JDB has been disappointing so far. Not really making an impact with his defence, in fact getting dominated in the early exchanges. The Eels have the option in their favour for 2027? I can't see them renewing it at this stage.
    - LB > Muttman March 17, 2026 at 5:00pm
      
      It shows Ryles is not afraid to move on if not working. Kelly down the pecking order with Samrani preferred now De Belin.
      - Francis Nelson > LB March 17, 2026 at 7:08pm
        
        Good call on both players
      - Clintorian > LB March 17, 2026 at 9:29pm
        
        It might not be a permanent move LB, the game is starting fast this season and Ryles needs to react to this change. This is a much more mobile pack to compete with the Dragons young pack. This is smart strategy and being agile in their team formation approach.
        
        LB > Clintorian March 18, 2026 at 11:50am
        
        All games are starting fast, i see De Belin not getting a look in unless injuries. Who knows, come Sunday he could be the first sub in the rotation with Walker, but if he doesn't get on then that is saying something to what Ryles prefers his middles to do. Williams, Paulo and Hopgood is a mixture of workrate, leg speed and size.
        
        There will be games where Paulo will be managed from the bench to start, JDB might get a look in for some leadership but if he misses game time against Dragons it is a sign. After Sunday we will know.
    - The Captain > Muttman March 17, 2026 at 5:30pm
      
      Hopefully JDB is giving our young forwards some value off the field, cause I don't think he'll see much game time unless we get injuries.
      
      With the speed of the game and the six-again-palooza that's happening this season age is going to be a bigger factor than ever with big bodies - you can't beat fatigue when you age, it just catches up. When the game had wrestle and stoppages then skill was more important than fatigue - an old wiley player could still pull the strings and out-think a younger one.
      
      Now with VLandys wanting every game a try-fest I can't see a place for us to carry too many older forwards in the side.
      - Maj. John Reisman > The Captain March 17, 2026 at 6:59pm
        
        Correct call on JDB.
    - Zip zip > Muttman March 18, 2026 at 7:54pm
      
      JDB has Zero impact with the ball and although his defence is what he is known for, the speed of attack, repeat sets (6 again rule) gases him out and he's no longer effective.
      
      Rule changes and speed of the game has gone past him.